Data on Processing Time for PDGE Applications and Withdrawal Rates Due to Prolonged Application Timelines in Last Three Years
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the processing timelines for Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) applications and the impact of these durations on candidate withdrawal rates. Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat inquired about median processing times and whether prolonged timelines resulted in qualified candidates seeking alternative employment. Minister Desmond Lee responded that half of the successful candidates from early this year received offers within two to five months after their interviews. He stated that while 7% of successful interviewees withdrew before receiving an offer, the Ministry of Education remains in communication with applicants during the selection process. To maintain a high-quality workforce, the Ministry of Education will continue streamlining recruitment procedures to improve efficiency and attract suitable candidates.
Transcript
17 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Education for each of the last three years, (a) the median and 90th-percentile processing time for Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) applications from submission to final offer; (b) the share of candidates who passed the interview but withdrew before receiving an offer; and (c) whether the prolonged timelines had compelled qualified candidates to seek alternative employment.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Ministry of Education (MOE) runs a rigorous recruitment process to ensure that only suitable applicants with the desired values, qualities and competencies are selected to be educators.
Shortlisted Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) applicants typically receive an interview invitation within three to four weeks of each application window closing. Those selected after the interview are then put through the proficiency tests (if applicable) and medical checks. Among the PGDE applicants who applied early this year and were selected after the interview, half of them received an offer within two to five months from the date of interview. About 7% of applicants who cleared the interview withdrew their applications before they received an offer.
We acknowledge that the longer wait time after the interview may be a concern for applicants, and we remain in touch with them throughout the process.
MOE is committed to maintaining a high-quality workforce of teachers. We will continue to streamline and improve our processes to increase our recruitment efficiency, so as to attract as many good candidates as possible.