It has come to my attention that MOE's pay for teachers has been increased yet again. For someone with my qualifications the starting pay is $2,647 to $2,822 before further increment for mid-careerists. WTH!!

I was with my previous stat board job for 2 years, went for self-improvement related to my work for 3 years on my own money, and returned only to be given a paltry $30 after weeks of negotiation. The final amount was less than the minimum stated above.

It's no wonder I chose to leave. Yes I'm still bitter that my value was not appreciated. Who wouldn't be? And yes, I am indeed very tempted by MOE's offer. In fact, I've always been tempted by the idea of a higher salary. I enjoy making children happy and helping them grow in knowledge.

When I first graduated from NUS, I applied to be a primary school teacher. According to the MOE website, my major Japanese Studies was not a teaching subject and only entitled me to teach the primary levels. Hooray! I thought. When the letter came... they offered me English Language and Literature at Secondary levels -__-"

Of course I didn't take it! E Lang and Lit majors at NUS read a novel a week to prepare for their lessons. What made MOE think that someone who didn't have such training will be on par with them? Just because I had good results for these in my A-levels does not mean that I have the ability to teach them.

A few years later, I applied again. Again, I was offered E Lang and Lit. Rolled my eyes and tossed the letter out.


A few years ago, I applied once again (I'm beginning to feel like a die-hard cockroach). AGAIN! E Lang and Lit. This time I got fed up and wrote in, asking why they insisted on offering me something that I did not apply for, especially when I had specified during this round that I now have a specialist diploma from NAFA and want to teach Art. Their reply: It's up to what we need, not what you're interested in.

Fine. But don't they realise the incredulity of trying to force people to teach a subject they're not interested in teaching? What's the point in doing so?

I had striked off all notions of becoming a teacher after that. But the money aspect is making me waver. Do you know that if you are able to tahan til the end of your 4th year, you get a $15k payout? $15,000. FIF-TEEN! That will surely help to alleviate the burden of my HDB installments.

My husband, who used to moan about how horrible his teaching job was, has also adjusted well, gaining confidence in his classroom management skills. He pointed out that I should have no trouble projecting my voice in class, what with the fierceness I use to scold my cats when they're naughty.

So I'm thinking, if MOE is finally willing to give me the position of Art Teacher, I might just take it up on its offer. Ok then, one last try.

Let's see if I strike the lottery this time. Feels a bit like balloting for a new HDB flat :s See heng suay.

 

Labels: Designing My Future