In a significant development aimed at acknowledging the invaluable contributions of early childhood educators, Singapore's Ministry for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, announced that Teachers' Day and Children's Day will be designated as preschool holidays starting in 2024. This decision was revealed at the Early Childhood Celebrations and Conference organized by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
Preschool teachers will now have these two days as holidays, aligning their schedule with that of other educators. These additional holidays will be in addition to the six days that preschools are permitted to close each year.
These six days will now be renamed as "development days," offering preschools the opportunity to focus on teachers' individual and team development. These days can be utilized for various activities such as training, curriculum planning, or staff retreats.
Notably, Teachers' Day was previously one of the six designated closure days for preschools. To provide greater flexibility to preschools and align with workplace norms, the current provision for preschools to be closed on three half-days on the eve of five public holidays will be removed. This change allows preschools to engage with parents and adjust staffing and operating hours as needed on these days.
Minister Masagos emphasized the importance of regular breaks for preschool teachers to support children effectively, both in terms of personal and professional development throughout the year and on a daily basis. He urged preschool operators and center leaders to ensure educators have adequate time for meals and rest without teaching or caregiving responsibilities.
The ECDA is also planning to introduce a teaching tool at the end of the following year, designed to guide teachers in creating meaningful learning experiences and fostering quality interactions with children. This tool is the result of collaboration between ECDA and the Centre for Research in Child Development at the National Institute of Education.
Masagos Zulkifli concluded by emphasizing the collective effort required to create quality preschools, highlighting the need for cooperation among parents, the community, educators, and the government. A quality preschool, he noted, plays a crucial role in helping children develop essential life skills and grow into healthy and happy individuals.
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