Latest news with #ITE
New Paper
2 days ago
- Business
- New Paper
Successful ITE graduates to be recognised as part of 3 new fellowships in President's Challenge 2025
A new fellowship to recognise Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates who have had outstanding career achievements was among three tracks launched under the refreshed President's Challenge on May 28. The ITE Inspire Fellowship recognises those who have achieved success following a technical education background so as to enlist them to serve as role models and mentors to motivate others. The fellowship was introduced by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a visit with Netball Singapore, an organisation receiving funding this year under the President's Challenge. The President's Challenge was established in 2000 by then President S R Nathan to raise money for and support various social causes. It has provided funding for many social service agencies to run their programmes. The other two fellowships launched in 2025 are the Civic Action and Springboard fellowships, which aim to develop new approaches in the social sector, and support individuals who are bouncing back from major setbacks respectively. The Civic Action Fellowship will be open to social sector professionals and allow them to deepen their expertise and develop new approaches for the sector through full-time and part-time sabbaticals that span one to two years. The Springboard Fellowship will help those bouncing back from adversity and provide them with education, skills and entrepreneurship training so they can embark on new career paths. The three fellowships will tap partners like Quantedge Foundation, Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore Business Federation Foundation, Temasek and ITE for their resources and networks. Applications for the Civic Action and ITE Inspire tracks will be open from June 3 to July 18 via the President's Challenge website. Nominations for the Springboard track in the first year will be sought through agencies in the social and civic sector. Speaking to media at the event, Mr Tharman said the fellowships aim to broaden the "canvas" of leadership in society. "We want more catalysts and role models for social change, and they come from different walks of life," he said. He said he wanted the Springboard Fellowship, which helps people bouncing back from adversity, to be part of the President's Challenge to show that it is important to recognise that there are many paths in life. And very often, the path involves a setback along the way. Singapore is at a stage of development as a country where intangibles matter greatly, Mr Tharman said, adding that the ultimate objective of the President's Challenge is intangible - to build a community of respect. He said: "Developing that community of respect - where we respect everyone, not just respecting our differences, but respecting the effort, skill, and contribution that everyone brings - is what creates unity. But it's more than that; it's actually one of the most powerful ways in which we uplift ourselves. "It is how we motivate and uplift each other. Recognising the very different life circumstances that we each have, putting ourselves in someone else's shoes, realising the obstacles they face, encouraging and motivating them to overcome those obstacles, and developing friendships and relationships with one another that are respectful." In 2025, the President's Challenge will support 60 programmes from 52 organisations, including six initiatives that will receive more funding. These programmes will receive funding ranging from $715,000 to $1,250,000 over five years, enabling them to scale their impact. These include a therapeutic horseback riding initiative for those with disabilities run by the Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore, and a community patrol initiative that engages youth facing adversity by Shine Children and Youth Services. New Life Stories' Family Strengthening Programme is also one of the six that will receive significant funding this year. The programme, which helps inmates and their families, supported more than 650 families in 2024. "The funding will not only help us increase the number of families that we support, but also allow us to go further in-depth with each family and improve the quality of service we provide so we can make really deep, meaningful impact in their lives," said chief executive of New Life Stories Saleemah Ismail. The initiative helps incarcerated parents connect with their children through open visits and special activities like letting the parents write storybooks in prison that their children can read. Another programme that will receive extra funding this year is Women At Work, an initiative by Yayasan Mendaki to help unemployed Malay-Muslim women get back into the workforce. Programme lead Zuria Yusope said the programme helped 200 women in 2024, 54 per cent of whom attained a job within six months. "With this sustained funding over five years, we will be able to reach out to even more women and increase the number of sessions that we hold to improve their employability," she said. This year's grant call attracted applications from 272 programmes, more than twice that for 2024. One of the three key shifts the President's Challenge has made in 2025 is to ensure the programmes it funds do not just support immediate needs, but also uplift people and develop their potential. It also expanded to the arts and sports sectors, and made a move towards sustained funding instead of on a year-by-year basis. Other than the six initiatives receiving extra funding, the President's Challenge will also support 54 other programmes with funding of $105,000 to $300,000 each, spread over three years. This includes Netball Singapore's Netball Rising programme - a new initiative to provide regular coaching and competitive opportunities to potential athletes aged 12 to 17 from underprivileged backgrounds. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam throwing a netball at the Kallang ActiveSG Netball Centre on May 28. Looking on are President Tharman's spouse, Ms Jane Ittogi (right), members of NorthLight School's netball team and their coach Liew Hin Joon (foreground). ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG The President's Challenge 2025 expanded its scope to include support for arts and sports. The National Arts Council (NAC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) will act as partners to the President's Challenge and help with talent discovery, especially among those from less advantaged backgrounds. Under its partnership with SportSG, the President's Challenge will support the Enabling Sports Fund to expand community-initiated disability sports and support early identification of talents among young people with disabilities. Support will also be given to NAC's and SportSG's scholarships, to empower more individuals to develop their aspirations in the arts and sports. The logo for President's Challenge was also changed this year after a logo competition was opened to polytechnic, ITE, and University of the Arts Singapore students. The winning design among 153 entries was by Xandrea Alfie Isa from Temasek Polytechnic.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Successful ITE graduates to be recognised under a new fellowship in President's Challenge 2025
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his spouse, Ms Jane Ittogi, posing for photos with Women At Work programme lead Zuria Yusope (right) and beneficiaries Nuruljannah Sehab (left) and Norsuryani Abdul Jamal during the launch of the President's Challenge 2025. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Successful ITE graduates to be recognised under a new fellowship in President's Challenge 2025 SINGAPORE - A new fellowship to recognise Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates who have had outstanding career achievements was among three tracks launched under the refreshed President's Challenge on May 28. The ITE Inspire Fellowship recognises those who have achieved success following a technical education background to serve as role models and mentors to motivate others. The fellowship was introduced by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a visit with Netball Singapore, an organisation receiving funding this year under the President's Challenge. The President's Challenge was established in 2000 by then-President S R Nathan to raise money for and support various social causes. It has provided funding for many social service agencies to run their programmes. The two other fellowships launched in 2025 are the Civic Action and Springboard fellowships, which aim to develop new approaches in the social sector as well support individuals who are bouncing back from major setbacks respectively. The Civic Action Fellowship will be open to social sector professionals and allow them to deepen their expertise and develop new approaches for the sector through full-time and part-time sabbaticals that span one to two years. The Springboard Fellowship will help those bouncing back from adversity and provide them with education, skills and entrepreneurship training so they can embark on new career paths. The three fellowships will tap partners like Quantedge Foundation, Singapore Institute of Management and Singapore Business Federation Foundation for their resources and networks. Applications for the Civic Action and ITE Inspire tracks will be open from June 3 to July 18 via the President's Challenge website. Nominations for the Springboard track in the first year will be sought through agencies in the social and civic sector. Speaking to media at the event, Mr Tharman said the fellowships aim to broaden the 'canvas' of leadership in society. 'We want more catalysts and role models, and they come from different walks of life,' he said. He said he wanted the Springboard Fellowship, which helps people bouncing back from adversity, to be part of the President's Challenge to show that it is important to recognise that there are many paths in life. And very often, the path involves a setback along the way. Singapore is at a stage of development as a country where intangibles matter greatly, he said, adding that the ultimate objective of the President's Challenge is intangible - to build a community of respect. 'This intangible respect for all is how we motivate and uplift each other, recognising the very different life circumstances we all have, putting ourselves in someone else's shoes and realising that they face obstacles, and encouraging and motivating everyone to overcome those obstacles.' In 2025, the President's Challenge will support 60 programmes from 52 organisations, including six initiatives that will receive more funding. These programmes will receive funding ranging from $715,000 to $1,250,000 over five years, enabling them to scale their impact. This includes a therapeutic horseback riding initiative for those with disabilities run by the Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore, and a community patrol initiative that engages youth facing adversity by Shine Children and Youth Services. New Life Stories' Family Strengthening Programme is also one of the six that will receive significant funding this year. The programme, which helps inmates and their families, supported more than 650 families in 2024. 'The funding will not only help us increase the number of families that we support, but also allow us to go further in-depth with each family and improve the quality of service we provide so we can make really deep, meaningful impact in their lives,' said chief executive of New Life Stories Saleemah Ismail. The initiative helps incarcerated parents connect with their children through open visits and special activities like letting the parents write storybooks in prison that their children can read. Another programme that will receive extra funding this year is Women At Work, an initiative by Yayasan Mendaki to help unemployed Malay-Muslim women get back into the workforce. Programme lead Zuria Yusope said the programme helped 200 women in 2024, 54 per cent of whom attained a job within six months. 'With this sustained funding over five years, we will be able to reach out to even more women and increase the number of sessions that we hold to improve their employability,' she said. This year's grant call attracted applications from 272 programmes, more than twice of that for 2024. Other than the six initiatives receiving extra funding, the President's Challenge will also support 54 other programmes with funding of $105,000 to $300,000 each, spread over three years. This includes Netball Singapore's Netball Rising programme – a new initiative to provide regular coaching and competitive opportunities to potential athletes aged 12-17 from underprivileged backgrounds. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam throwing a netball at the Kallang ActiveSG Netball Centre on May 28. Looking on are President Tharman's spouse, Ms Jane Ittogi (right), members of NorthLight School's netball team and their coach Liew Hin Joon (foreground). ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG The President's Challenge 2025 expanded its scope to include support for arts and sports. The National Arts Council (NAC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) will act as partners to the President's Challenge and help with talent discovery, especially among those from less advantaged backgrounds. Under its partnership with SportSG, the President's Challenge will support the Enabling Sports Fund to expand community-initiated disability sports and support early identification of talents among young people with disabilities. Support will also be given to NAC's and SportSG's scholarships, to empower more individuals to develop their aspirations in the arts and sports. The logo for President's Challenge was also changed this year after a logo competition was opened to polytechnic, ITE, and University of the Arts Singapore students. The winning design among 153 entries was by Xandrea Alfie Isa from Temasek Polytechnic. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
7 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
One challenge after another, but ITE student still finds ways to shine
After escaping a childhood of abuse, Ms Azaleagrace Teo has made an impact in and out of school. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM More than Grades One challenge after another, but ITE student still finds ways to shine Behind every academic result is a young person quietly chasing their dreams, beating the odds, and hoping to make something of themselves. In More than Grades, a monthly series by The Straits Times, we tell the stories of youth who are making waves in school and beyond. SINGAPORE – When she was 15, Ms Azaleagrace Teo made the brave decision to confide in a counsellor at her secondary school after suffering almost seven years of abuse from her father. Within two weeks, she was uprooted from her home, and was subsequently, over the years, moved at least eight times across different care facilities. These included stays at foster homes, an interim placement and assessment centre, the Institute of Mental Health and the HCSA Dayspring Residential Treatment Centre, a therapeutic group home. Grappling with ending ties with her family and being relocated so many times took a toll on the young girl's studies. She repeated her Secondary 4 year at Deyi Secondary School, delaying her graduation. She eventually enrolled at ITE College East in 2021, and found out she had to support herself financially when she was moved to a student hostel in Evans Road. Though only 18 at the time, she had to start paying rent and being self-sufficient. While still studying, Ms Teo joined a web solutions start-up, where she learnt about web development to create web and mobile apps from scratch, using a no-code platform called Bubble. 'In my first year, I was earning only $500 a month and heavily dependent on short-term sources of financial support to scrape by for rent and food,' she said. Adjusting to her new reality of having to fend for herself, Ms Teo did not take part in any school activities, and spent her free time working and honing her skills in web development. Ms Azaleagrace Teo at the HCSA Dayspring centre in 2018, a residential treatment centre for girls. PHOTO: COURTESY OF AZALEAGRACE TEO Choosing the harder path for her future After completing her Nitec course in urban greenery and landscape, she was faced with a tough decision. She had to choose between a work-study diploma, where she could earn a decent salary while studying, or sign up for a Higher Nitec course in interactive design at ITE College Central, where her passion lay. But this would mean juggling work and studies for another two years. She chose the latter. Calling it a decision made in turmoil, Ms Teo said she had to choose what would be better for her 30 or 40 years down the road. While there are those who may be able to make mid-career switches, she doubted if she would have the financial resources to do so. 'That's why I ultimately decided to go down the much harder path, doing what I love, instead of choosing something that was a much easier fix at the time,' she said. Ms Teo went on to ace her studies, graduating from the Institute of Technical Education in 2025 with a perfect grade point average of 4. On May 22, she was also one of 10 recipients of the Lee Kuan Yew Model Student Award, given to students who have performed consistently well, and displayed 'outstanding conduct and attitude worthy of emulation by their peers'. Ms Azaleagrace Teo was one of 10 recipients of the Lee Kuan Yew Model Student Award on May 22. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Ms Teo said that because of the support and care she received from her peers and teachers at ITE College Central, she was encouraged to do more than get through the daily grind of school, despite her challenging circumstances. Ms Teo, who has an older sister, has not been in touch with her mother since she was 12. 'I realised that I actually do have something that I want to work towards, and I had the capacity and the ability to do more than just the day to day,' she said. Using her leadership skills, Ms Teo, as vice-president of ITE College Central's yoga club, managed yoga sessions, team-building events and co-curricular activity roadshows. She represented the ITE at the M1 Asia Pacific Golf 2024 fund-raising event, where she and a schoolmate shared their personal stories of financial hardship and helped to raise $308,000 for the ITE Education Fund. She also co-organised a roadshow which brought together more than 200 students to promote racial harmony and led publicity efforts for the 2024 ITE Student Leaders Forum. Today, she still volunteers with Owena, the alumni association of her former therapeutic group home at HCSA Dayspring, where she serves as secretary and helps organise events to support trauma survivors. Ms Teo speaking at an event in July 2024 to thank donors who supported the ITE Education Fund. PHOTO: ITE Mr Kevin Chin, manager of the interactive design course at ITE College Central, said that despite coming from a challenging background, Ms Teo never allowed that to define her potential. 'In moments where she could have just given up or played her pity card, she didn't. She showed grit,' he said, adding that Ms Teo's academic performance was consistent across various subjects and disciplines. 'She was a student in the School of Design and Media. 'But she also took business modules, and she excelled in those as well,' he added. Now a first-year student pursuing a diploma in media, arts and design at Singapore Polytechnic, Ms Teo is keen to continue her work supporting fellow trauma survivors, while working and studying. Reflecting on her own experience and struggles, she said that her wounds will never completely heal, but she has learnt to cope by taking things one day at a time. She hopes to pass on this lesson to others. 'Where you've come from does not determine where you will go,' she said. 'There is light at the end of the tunnel, but when it's so dark, it's very difficult to know when you will reach there... but ultimately we'll reach where we are meant to be.' Elisha Tushara is a correspondent at The Straits Times, specialising in Singapore's education landscape. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Scoop
23-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Welcome Budget Increases Number Of School Onsite Teacher Training Positions
Press Release – Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood NZ The increased funding announced in the budget by Minister Stanford to fund a further 530 places is a very welcome move, with those teacher trainees being offered a stipend and a contribution towards their tuition fees from the government. Primary Teacher training organisation Te Rito Maioha congratulates Minister Stanford on increasing the number of School Onsite Training Programme placements. The School Onsite Training Programme (SOTP) provides funding for places in school-based Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes where teacher trainees are hosted in schools 3 days a week while studying remotely towards their teaching qualification. 'Te Rito Maioha has been growing teachers via this method since 2016', says says Kathy Wolfe, CE Te Rito Maioha. 'We commenced our Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) in 2021 and our Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) in 2023 with great outcomes for new teachers. It's encouraging that the government has acknowledged this practical method of teacher training as an important tool in addressing the current teacher shortages due to the successes it has shown. The increased funding announced in the budget by Minister Stanford to fund a further 530 places is a very welcome move, with those teacher trainees being offered a stipend and a contribution towards their tuition fees from the government.' 'This programme intends to grow and maintain the pipeline of teachers by investing in onsite (in- school) teacher education. This fund covers the student tuition fee for their initial teacher education degree at their chosen provider, a stipend for students, as well as a koha to schools for providing a placement for students,' says Mrs Wolfe. 'As an organisation we have 11 education centres around the motu, offering online delivery and personable pastoral care, and all our ITE is field-based, meaning students can study while working in local schools. That's a win- win for combating local teacher shortages, graduates are ready to teach, and this often results in keeping local talent, local.' 'It's a fantastic way of learning. Our decision to offer this online model where our students are also in classrooms right across the country, has been the best thing we ever did. Not only are the students learning the theory online and with our excellent lecturers, from the primary sector, but they are then putting that theory into practice immediately. It makes for a much richer and practical learning environment for students and schools.' 'This learning model has been a very successful, with 98% of our graduates employed in schools upon completing their qualification.' [1] 'It's exciting that the Minister has recognised both the need in Primary Schools and the value of the SOTP programme and we look forward to again working with the Ministry of Education as they allocate further placements for 2026, says Mrs Wolfe.' Notes: Te Rito Maioha has seen significant growth in both our primary ITE programmes. Our 2025 enrolments for The Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) increased 61%, while the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) increased 80%. Interested schools or students are encouraged to contact Te Rito Maioha to see if they qualify for the SOTP funding for 2026. Background: Budget 2024 funded 1200 School Onsite Training Programme (SOTP) places for aspiring teachers to train in the classroom. Funding is for four years and expands the programme to include primary and intermediate as well as secondary. Provide a $20,000 package per placement to make it easier for SOTP teachers to train by providing a stipend toward their living and training expenses and a tuition fees contribution. Schools will also receive a costs contribution for each trainee teacher they work with. [1] The other 2% have generally gone overseas or through personal circumstances, have decided to do relieving work.
Independent Singapore
22-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
‘I've never felt more alive': 16-year-old says failing O-Levels was the best thing that ever happened
SINGAPORE: In most Asian countries, educational achievements are everything, and failure can feel understandably devastating. Therefore, it was refreshing to hear from one youth who said that failing the O-Levels was actually 'the best thing that ever happened' to them. In a post earlier this week from r/SGExams, u/aestheticalish explained that when they received their exam results four months ago, they 'felt like the world ended' at the age of 16, 'like I was a total flop.' The failure, however, was a real eye-opener because they realised that no one would save them and that if they wanted their situations to change, they had to be the ones to act. Which they did, with pretty spectacular results. They proceeded to enrol at ITE ( Institute of Technical Education), where they're majoring in Business and Accounting, which they 'low-key love.' Also, they're now working part-time at McDonald's for 28 hours a week, as they don't want their parents to pay for all their bills. They have also joined the student council, drama club, debate, and rugby, which they never thought they would do. While their schedule is chaotic because they go to school in the mornings, to the gym in the afternoons, and work in the evenings, often only getting seven hours of sleep per night, they added that they have never felt more alive. 'S o to anyone out there feeling like a flop… your comeback is gonna hit harder. Trust,' the post author added. Many commenters have congratulated the post author, marvelling at how much they have accomplished in such a short time. 'T hat's amazing for youuu!! All the best to the rest of ur journey :),' was the top comment on the post. 'The best stories, our best heroes, ALWAYS have a down period. You'll be awesome, keep climbing!' wrote another. Others also shared advice, like one who wrote, 'Keep it up, OP! But make sure u take sufficient breaks when needed so u don't burn out.' Many Reddit users also shared similar stories of having failed important exams and what they learned from the experience. 'I was in the same boat as you! Ended up in ITE after doing badly for O's (was not my plan, and I remember feeling super depressed about it). Turns out, it was a blessing in disguise! I had extra internship experience compared to my Polytechnic peers. One wrote, 'I just keep reminding myself, it definitely wasn't my plan, but it is a blessing in disguise!'. 'I failed my O levels maths back then and actually, I do feel that ITE allowed me to experience youth,' another chimed in, saying that their peers who went to Polytechnic 'were just grinding through endless projects.' Several thanked the OP for their inspiring experience. A student who had failed their A-Levels wrote, 'Thank you so much for inspiring me at one of my lowest points. I sometimes forget that the wings I have were not made for just walking… Let's keep doing the craziest things that keep us feeling alive.' /TISG Read also: ChatGPT fails PSLE after acing Wharton Business School exam
