36,000 MOE teachers, allied educators to receive salary increase of up to 9% from Oct. 1

Around 36,000 Ministry of Education (MOE) staff, including teachers, allied educators and kindergarten educators, will receive salary adjustments of between 2 per cent and 9 per cent from Oct. 1, 2026, under changes announced by the ministry on Mar. 16.

Pay increase

The adjustment will apply to three groups under MOE schemes of service: about 33,000 Education Officers, 1,700 Allied Educators and 1,100 MOE Kindergarten Educators.

MOE said the move is intended to keep overall salary packages competitive and support efforts to attract and retain educators in the sector. Salaries for the three groups were last reviewed in 2022.

The ministry added that teachers remain central to Singapore’s education system, and said salary adjustments would be accompanied by continued opportunities for officers to develop professionally throughout their careers.

Educators are at the heart of the education system

In a social media post announcing the adjustment, Minister for Education Desmond Lee said the review had earlier been flagged in Parliament as part of MOE’s ongoing efforts to ensure educator salaries remain competitive.

He said the pay rise would help the ministry continue attracting and retaining “high-quality educators” committed to teaching and nurturing students.

Lee added that Education Officers, Allied Educators and MOE Kindergarten Educators form the core of the education system, and said they play a key role in supporting children’s holistic development while shaping their character and values.

He also said the ministry would continue supporting educators’ professional growth through learning and development opportunities, adding:

“You are at the heart of our education system, thank you for your dedication in nurturing young lives and shaping our future generation.”

The minister added that MOE would continue listening to educators and doing more to support them as they carry out their work.

Union welcomes move

The Singapore Teachers' Union welcomed the announcement, describing it as a long-awaited step after repeated calls for a broader review of teacher pay.

The union said salary adjustments were an important recognition of market gaps, but added that broader issues such as career progression, benefits and teachers’ workload should also continue to be addressed.

Top image via MOE/Facebook