Diploma in Education (DipEd)

1. Overview

The Diploma in Education (DipEd) is a sponsored 2-year full-time programme meant for GCE A-Level, Polytechnic diploma or International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma holders who intend to teach in our primary schools.

The training programme provided by the National Institute of Education (NIE) aims to equip you with the relevant subject-content knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary to teaching.

After undergoing 2 years of training, you would be ready to teach one of the following subjects in our primary schools:

• Art
• Music
• Physical Education
• Mother Tongue Languages — Chinese, Malay, Tamil

Compulsory Contract Teaching Stint

Prior to admission into the DipEd programme, you would need to undertake a compulsory contract teaching stint. The stint allows you to affirm your interest in teaching, and for the Ministry to further assess your suitability for the teaching profession. If you successfully complete the contract teaching stint, you will be enrolled in the DipEd programme at NIE.

Main areas of study

The DipEd programme is an enriching one that covers these main areas of study:

• Education Studies
• Curriculum Studies
• Subject Knowledge
• Practicum
• Language Enhancement and Academic Discourse Skills
• Academic Subject (for PE DipEd Only)

If you have the passion to teach and inculcate sound moral values in the young, this programme is for you.

Requirements

To be considered for the programme, you should have one of the following:

• At least 2 A-Level / H2 Level passes and 2 AO-Level / H1 Level passes, including General Paper or Knowledge and Inquiry.
• A Polytechnic diploma.
• An IB diploma.
• Any other equivalent and relevant qualifications.

While the teaching profession is a rewarding one, it also comes with expectations and demands at work. Teachers are role-models in professional practice and conduct, placed in a position of trust in nurturing and educating the young. Applicants should have the fitness and stamina to deliver lessons, and resilience required to engage students safely and carry out their duties effectively. As part of application processing, candidates may be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination.

Cost and teaching bond

Your training at NIE is fully funded by MOE. After completing the DipEd programme, you will serve a 3-year teaching bond at our primary schools.

You will have to pay damages to MOE should you:

• Fail to graduate from NIE.
• Resign or are terminated from the teaching service before serving out the full duration of your teaching bond.

Salary and benefits

Salaries for fresh diploma holders typically start at $2,900. After successful completion of the Dip Ed programme, you will be eligible for a salary top-up.

Your exact salary will depend on:

• Your academic training.
• Your relevant experience to teaching.
• Your time spent on the job.
• Whether you have completed full-time National Service.

As a General Education Officer (i.e. the scheme of service you are appointed to upon graduation from the DipEd programme), you will also be eligible for a number of benefits.

Some of them include:

• Bonuses, such as Non-Pensionable Annual Allowance, performance bonus and other variable bonuses.
• The CONNECT Plan, which rewards you for commitment to teaching with pay-outs at the defined points of your career.
• Time off during school holidays, as long as your services are not required during that time.
• Subsidised medical and dental benefits.
• 14 days of medical leave (without hospitalisation), and up to 60 days of hospitalisation leave.
• 10 days of urgent leave for private matters, subject to approval.

Professional development and career tracks

The Ministry values every teacher as part of the MOE family, and is committed to supporting and developing each teacher’s potential. Learn about the professional development opportunities and career tracks available, to help you reach your career aspirations.