Clarification by Minister of State for Education

The Minister of State for Education (Dr Janil Puthucheary): Thank you, Madam, and my apologies to you and the Member for having to take up a bit more time. The Member had asked about the breakdown for teacher resignations for two dimensions. One was the teaching training programme that teachers were on, and the second was at which point in their career they had decided to become teachers ‒ if I understand the questions correctly. [Please refer to "Retention of Qualified Teachers in Schools", Official Report, 7 November 2016, Vol 94, Issue No 26, Oral Answers to Questions section.]

The overall rate is between 4% and 5%, and there is no significant difference in the resignation rates of those who have teaching as their first career and those who are in teaching as a mid-career switch. There is no difference when we analysed the data.

If we look at the teacher training programme that teachers who resigned were on, there is a slight difference. The Member had asked about the Diploma in Education, Teaching Award holders, those on the BA/BSc programme and for scholars. Those who are on the Diploma in Education and Teaching Award holders have a slightly higher resignation rate, and those who are on the BA/BSc programme and scholars have a slightly lower resignation rate. But the overall resignation rate remains about 4% to 5%. I hope that clarifies. My apologies for having to come back to the Member on this.