Mental and Emotional Well-being Support for Educators in Special Education Schools
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the mental and emotional well-being support provided to educators in special education (SPED) schools, as raised by Mr Darryl David. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee noted that the Ministry of Education (MOE) facilitates peer support and professional collaboration through two SPED Communities of Practice. To ensure sustainable workloads, MOE is supporting teacher recruitment via job fairs and exploring common digital solutions to reduce administrative tasks for educators. Individual SPED schools also utilize dedicated staff well-being committees to provide teachers with practical resources for stress management and personal self-care. Together, these ministry and school-level initiatives aim to create a sustainable work environment that supports the well-being of dedicated SPED teachers.
Transcript
89 Mr Darryl David asked the Minister for Education what further support will be provided to educators in special education schools in terms of ensuring their mental and emotional well-being.
Mr Desmond Lee: We recognise that the work of Special Education (SPED) teachers is challenging and are thankful for their dedication in working with students with special educational needs. The Ministry of Education (MOE) works with Social Service Agencies (SSAs) operating SPED schools to support the well-being of their teachers. We had shared our initiatives in response to Parliamentary Question 6459 in September 2024. [Please refer to "Improving Well-being-related Resources for Special Education Teachers", Official Report, 10 September 2024, Vol 95, Issue 141, Oral Answers to Questions section.] Let me provide some updates.
Teacher well-being is strengthened through a positive culture of peer support and professional collaboration. MOE had facilitated the set-up of two SPED Communities of Practice across the schools.
To ensure that workload remains sustainable, MOE works with SSAs and SPED schools to support teacher recruitment and retention. We also set up recruitment booths at seven job fairs to promote teaching opportunities across the sector.
MOE is working with the SPED schools to study the possibility of introducing common digital solutions that the SPED schools can use to reduce administrative workload.
At the school level, many SPED schools have dedicated staff well-being committees that equip their teachers with practical support to manage stress and to learn how to care for their own well-being.
Collectively, these efforts create a purposeful and sustainable work environment that supports SPED teachers.