SINGAPORE — Continuing efforts to attract and develop educators for the early childhood sector, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) introduced a new training award and an advanced diploma today (Oct 9).
Speaking at the ECDA Scholarships and Training Awards today, Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing noted ECDA’s efforts on developing manpower in the sector.
“We know and we understand that, whatever we do in the sector, nothing will come into fruition if we do not pay sufficient attention to the quality of people in this sector,” he said.
To that end, the new Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Training Award, targeted at students taking the Higher Nitec in Early Childhood Education, will then aim to support more students pursuing a career in this sector. The award will cover the course fees for the two year course, provide a study allowance, among other things.
A new Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Leadership will replace the existing diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education — Leadership.
Targeted at the centre leaders and principals, the new course will train them in the area of instructional leadership and their management competencies.
There will also be a “modularised” structure, where those in the course will be awarded post-diploma certificates for every module they complete.
Adopting a mix of e-learning and face-to-face classroom learning, the course structure will also up the number of practicum hours and provide more opportunities for hands-on learning.
news source & image credit: todayonline.com
