More support for early childhood educators to pursue studies

New full-time scholarship for undergrads, larger study bonus to help boost talent pipeline

- Elisha Tushara Correspondent

Early childhood (EC) educators will receive more support to pursue their studies following enhancements to the Early Childhood Development Agency’s (ECDA) scholarship programme.

These include increased financial support, a new full-time scholarship for students pursuing EC undergraduate studies at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), and expanded postgraduate opportunities.

Mr Eric Chua, who is Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, said the enhanced scholarships are aimed at strengthening the talent pipeline in the sector.

The existing ECDA scholarship will be renamed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Scholarship to reflect its role as a sectorwide award for EC educators.

Under this scholarship, EC educators pursuing a part-time degree or postgraduate studies from July 2027 will receive a larger study bonus of $8,000 - up from the current $2,000 — upon completion of their studies.

A new full-time scholarship will also be introduced for students taking EC undergraduate studies at SUSS, replacing the existing training award for university students, which will conclude with its final intake in 2026.

This scholarship includes full course fee sponsorship, a monthly allowance of $2,000 and a onetime learning resource allowance of the same amount.

Opportunities for in-service Chinese educators to deepen their expertise were also broadened in August, with the ECE scholarship supporting a new part-time Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (Chinese) programme at SUSS.