Teaching in Special Education Schools
If you are interested to teach in a Special Education (SPED) school, you may contact the school directly. SPED teachers are employees of the SPED schools.
NIE offers the Diploma in Special Education ( DISE ). It is a one year full time programme and is offered only for teachers already teaching in SPED schools. The SPED schools take care of course expenses, and work out the corresponding service conditions. Schools will advise regarding application procedures and dates. SPED teachers in SPED schools teaching mainstream curriculum would attend the alternative Specialist Diploma in Special Education (SDSE) or Specialist Post-graduate Diploma in Special Education ( SPDSE )
MOE teachers who wish to be seconded to SPED schools may do so through the annual APEX exercise. SPED schools will advertise vacancies on the MOE Intranet during the APEX exercise.
Teacher’s Qualifications and Professional Development
Diploma in Special Education ( DISE )
Individuals who are interested in becoming SPED teachers will need to be employed by the SPED schools as untrained teachers. Upon successful nomination from the SPED schools, the untrained teachers will apply for the DISE programme.
DISE is a one year programme that prepares untrained SPED teachers to teach children and young adults with a range of disabilities including intellectual, physical, sensory, behavioural and psychological disabilities.
Admission Criteria for DISE :
- At least one month of relevant teaching experience
- 5 ‘O’ Level passes including English and Mathematics and
- Polytechnic Diploma or
- 2 ‘A’ Level passes and 2 ‘AO’ Level passes (including General Paper) at 1 or 2 sittings or
- 2 ‘A’ /H2 Level passes and 2 ‘AO’/H1 Level passes (including General Paper or KI) or
- A good overall IB Diploma score
Specialist Diploma in Special Education ( SPDSE )
Untrained SPED teachers who are preparing SPED students for the PSLE may be nominated by the schools into this program. This programme is a customized course that may not be held yearly.
SPDSE is a part time two-year programme that builds the SPED teachers’ theoretical foundations of teaching and learning, and in the pedagogy of Science, Mathematics, and English at the primary level.
Admission criteria for SPDSE :
- Please refer to admission criteria for SDSE; and
- Degree qualifications
Management and Leadership in School ( MLS )
Middle level leaders are given opportunities to develop themselves professionally through the MLS programme. Upon successful nomination from the SPED schools, the middle level leaders will attend the programme alongside with mainstream counterparts.
MLS is a four-month programme that develops middle level leaders to expand their roles beyond departments and take on direct leadership for teaching and learning for schools.
Admission criteria for MLS :
- Minimum of 5 years trained teaching experience
- Favourable reports on teaching, administrative competencies and professional conduct
- Acceptable academic and teaching qualifications
- The ability to follow a course of study in English
Special Education Leaders’ Programme ( SELP )
Principals and vice-principals may be invited by MOE to attend the SELP . This programme is a customized course that may not be held yearly.
SELP is a two-month programme that facilitates principals/vice-principals to develop effective and innovative leadership capabilities.
Please refer to Special Education Branch Home Page for more information on the programmes.
Teacher Recognition
The MOE-NCSS SPED Teacher Award is an annual event co-organised by MOE and NCSS to recognise the contributions and efforts of our SPED teachers. Two categories of awards are given out each year: The Outstanding SPED Teacher Award and the Innovation Award.
The Outstanding SPED Teacher Award gives recognition to the important role special education (SPED) teachers play in the education of children with special needs. Nominations are invited from superiors, peers, students, parents and members of the public.
The Innovation Award gives recognition to innovation and excellence in SPED schools. It is awarded to innovations that improve students’ learning and contribute to the building of a culture of excellence in SPED schools. Schools nominate their projects for this award.