SINGAPORE - Over the next few years, Singapore will hire 1,000 new educators annually to strengthen the teaching fraternity, said Education Minister Desmond Lee on July 9.

This is up from about 700 teachers recruited yearly previously.

Overall, the number of teachers in Singapore has fallen over the years due to a slowdown in recruitment, dropping from 33,378 in 2016 to 30,396 in 2023.

The Education Ministry has not released the figure for 2024.

Speaking at the annual Teachers’ Investiture Ceremony at the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Nanyang Technological University, Mr Lee said: “Through the years, we have built a committed and high-quality teaching force, to ensure that every child has the opportunity realise his or her potential, regardless of starting point in life.”

The education system must do more than keep pace with rapid and fundamental changes, he said, from advancements in artificial intelligence to climate change and social media platforms transforming the way young people communicate.

“We must also stay updated on the developments around us, and prepare our students for a fast-changing world,” he said.

On July 9, NIE marked the graduation of 721 new and returning teachers joining Singapore’s education service.

Of the cohort, 47 graduands were also given awards such as the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal and the NIE Award. These awards are given to those who performed well in their studies.

Seven young teachers under the age of 35 were also awarded the Outstanding Youth in Education Award for their impact in nurturing their students.

Education Minister Desmond Lee at the Teachers’ Investiture Ceremony 2025 at Nanyang Technological University on July 9.

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

Mr Lee, who took over the education portfolio in May, urged teachers to instill in students a desire for learning, beyond just knowing what to learn. The capacity for sound judgement, socio-emotional competencies and having good core values is what truly matters in the real world, rather than academic excellence, he said.

He added that this is why the Ministry has been gradually reducing the emphasis on academic grades and has moved towards developing diverse skills and attributes among students.

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Singapore has done away with mid-year examinations progressively since 2019, and it fully implemented full subject-based banding in 2024. Full subject-based banding allows students take subjects at different levels based on their strengths, rather than being grouped into rigid academic streams like Express, Normal (Academic), and Normal (Technical).

“But these system-level changes must be supported by learning experiences in school that not only help our students discover their unique strengths and interests, but also ignite a deep and lasting joy of learning,” he said.

Educators also need to guide students to stand together in an increasingly diverse society, said Mr Lee.

“With widening generational gaps, heightened sensitivities, and varying aspirations and beliefs, our unity and social cohesion cannot be taken for granted. They must be nurtured intentionally, through empathy, dialogue, and a commitment to our shared future,” he said.Another challenge is helping students move from a concept of individual success to shared responsibility, he added.

“This includes creating opportunities for students of different backgrounds to learn together, teaching them to listen with empathy and regard each other with compassion, and to find unity in diversity, just as our forefathers did during our nation-building years.”“We must provide the learning environment to foster this.”

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