Singapore’s Approach to Developing Teachers: Hindsight, Insight, and Foresight

Singapore's education system has come to international attention due to its commendable performance on the Worldwide Educating for the Future Index produced by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), as well as the students' continual sterling performance in internationally benchmarked tests such as Trends in International Math and Science Survey (TIMSS), and Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). The accomplishments are the result of a long-haul vision of education, and more importantly, a deep commitment towards developing teachers for the 21st century. It has invested steadfastly from the early years in the teacher at the front line of the classrooms in schools. This book explicates the 'thinking' behind Singapore's approach to developing teachers and building the teaching profession. It examines how Singapore attracts the right and best people to become teachers, develops them into autonomous professionals, and grows them over their career so that they are able to deliver the best possible learning for every child. We hope that by sharing the hindsight, insight and foresight of the system, and looking at what we did and are doing, our aspirations and challenges, we can stimulate reflection and generate discussion, and draw out promising strategies for improving teaching and teacher learning worldwide.