Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Christopher de Souza, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will consider giving greater pay incentives to school counsellors across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in order to attract sufficient counsellors of the highest quality and ensure low student-to-counsellor ratios.
Response
1. MOE and the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) periodically review salaries of staff to ensure remuneration packages remain competitive. Adjustments are also made, where necessary, to keep pace with the market. MOE is currently working with PSD to review salaries of officers on MOE schemes, including Counsellors.
2. Besides competitive remuneration, Counsellors are provided opportunities for professional development and growth, which is important for staff attraction and retention. MOE supports Counsellors in honing their counselling competencies through courses and regular clinical supervision and consultation sessions with their clinical supervisor.