All preschools will be closed on Teachers' Day, starting from 2020.
This was announced by Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Social and Family Development, during the Committee of Supply debates on Thursday (Mar. 5).
"Recognition" for educators
Faishal explained that this move is part of efforts to raise the standing of educators in the preschool sector.
“This move further signals our recognition and appreciation for our educators,” Faishal said.
Starting from this year onwards, it will be "mandatory" for preschools to close on Teachers' Day.
Teachers' Day falls on the first Friday of September every year.
Efforts have been put in place over the past five years to attract more local educators and raise the quality of early childhood educators.
Faishal also said that the National Institute of Early Childhood Development will launch a new Professional Conversion Programme in April 2020.
This programme will allow mid-career entrants to complete the Early Childhood Chinese Language course in half the time.
This is part of the Ministry's overarching strategy to attract more people to join early childhood teaching and to grow the pool of local Chinese Language Teachers.
Top photo via Life @ First Campus – Inspiring Young Lives/Facebook