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Mar 20, 2010
NO PRESCHOOL JOB AFTER MASTER'S
The $26,000 mistake
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IN 2006, I found that the Regional Training and Resource Centre in Early Childhood Care and Education for Asia (RTRC Asia) - now known as the Seed Institute - offered a master's programme in early childhood education together with the Wheelock College in the United States. It was published on the website and prospectus that a bachelor's degree in any discipline qualifies for admission to the master's programme.
When I asked about career prospects, I was told by RTRC that graduates of this master's programme were qualified to be curriculum specialists and the programme was popular among preschools here. The cost of the programme was $26,000 without GST. With this information, and the notion of a possible career in early childhood education, I applied for the programme and was admitted.
However, after paying $26,000 and completing the two-year part-time master's programme with distinction, I was told by all preschools that I am not qualified to be a preschool teacher, let alone a curriculum specialist, or hold any management role in a preschool setting. This is because I do not have the basic teaching qualifications such as a certificate or diploma in early childhood education.
On further check, I found out from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports' (MCYS) childcare division that it would recognise the Master of Science (Early Childhood) qualification conferred by Wheelock College only at the diploma level and only after I fulfilled supervised practical modules of diploma programmes run by approved training agencies.
I also found out from MCYS that it does not recognise the Master of Science (Early Childhood) conferred by Wheelock College as a qualification to teach or supervise in preschools here. To work as a preschool teacher, I must pay additional fees and complete the diploma course.
I hope Seed Institute and MCYS can address the following:
Why did RTRC offer a master's programme that is not even recognised at diploma level by MCYS?
During my registration, why did RTRC lead prospective students like me - and especially those seeking a career change to early childhood education - into an expensive master's programme instead of introducing the fundamental certificate and diploma courses accredited for the preschool teaching profession?
Why did MCYS and other government agencies not intervene to prevent such costly mistakes?
Why are the additional requirements for graduates with a master's in early childhood education not highlighted in the training route for preschool teaching?
Madeleine Chang (Ms)
NO PRESCHOOL JOB AFTER MASTER'S
The $26,000 mistake
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
IN 2006, I found that the Regional Training and Resource Centre in Early Childhood Care and Education for Asia (RTRC Asia) - now known as the Seed Institute - offered a master's programme in early childhood education together with the Wheelock College in the United States. It was published on the website and prospectus that a bachelor's degree in any discipline qualifies for admission to the master's programme.
When I asked about career prospects, I was told by RTRC that graduates of this master's programme were qualified to be curriculum specialists and the programme was popular among preschools here. The cost of the programme was $26,000 without GST. With this information, and the notion of a possible career in early childhood education, I applied for the programme and was admitted.
However, after paying $26,000 and completing the two-year part-time master's programme with distinction, I was told by all preschools that I am not qualified to be a preschool teacher, let alone a curriculum specialist, or hold any management role in a preschool setting. This is because I do not have the basic teaching qualifications such as a certificate or diploma in early childhood education.
On further check, I found out from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports' (MCYS) childcare division that it would recognise the Master of Science (Early Childhood) qualification conferred by Wheelock College only at the diploma level and only after I fulfilled supervised practical modules of diploma programmes run by approved training agencies.
I also found out from MCYS that it does not recognise the Master of Science (Early Childhood) conferred by Wheelock College as a qualification to teach or supervise in preschools here. To work as a preschool teacher, I must pay additional fees and complete the diploma course.
I hope Seed Institute and MCYS can address the following:
Why did RTRC offer a master's programme that is not even recognised at diploma level by MCYS?
During my registration, why did RTRC lead prospective students like me - and especially those seeking a career change to early childhood education - into an expensive master's programme instead of introducing the fundamental certificate and diploma courses accredited for the preschool teaching profession?
Why did MCYS and other government agencies not intervene to prevent such costly mistakes?
Why are the additional requirements for graduates with a master's in early childhood education not highlighted in the training route for preschool teaching?
Madeleine Chang (Ms)
