Update on Plans and Justification to Terminate Allied Educators Programme

95 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education (a) whether there are plans to terminate the Allied Educators programme; and (b) if so, what is the justification.

Mr Desmond Lee: Allied Educators are integral to our teaching force, comprising Special Education Needs Officers, School Counsellors, Student Welfare Officers, Outdoor Allied Educators and Allied Educators in Teaching and Learning.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has been reshaping our workforce for priority areas, like special educational needs, socio-emotional support, student support and outdoor adventure learning. MOE has, therefore, grown specific groups of Allied Educators, such as Special Education Needs Officers and School Counsellors, while scaling back on others, such as Allied Educators in Teaching and Learning.

For Allied Educators in Teaching and Learning, we have been helping them to transition into roles in areas of greater need over the past nine years, through work attachments and training. Most of them have moved into meaningful alternative careers within MOE and the Public Service.