The National Institute of Education (NIE) is Singapore’s only teacher training institution.1 In addition to engaging in initial teacher preparation, the NIE also provides continuing education and life-long learning to teachers, and conducts extensive, cutting-edge research in education that enhances NIE programmes.2
Teachers’ Training College
The NIE has its origins as the Teachers’ Training College (TTC), which was established on 1 March 1950. It was originally set up to provide formal fulltime training for English-medium teachers, who would attain a certificate in education at the end of their course.3 The college was first located at Cairnhill and later moved to Paterson Road.4
The TTC was set up to meet the demand for teachers after World War II.5 It initially trained only primary school teachers; the task of training teachers for secondary schools fell to the University School of Education. By 1969, however, the TTC was also involved in the training of secondary school teachers. It became the only teacher training institute in Singapore when the School of Education closed at the end of 1971.6
In 1971, Ruth Wong, the director of research at the Ministry of Education, was appointed principal of the TTC.7
Institute of Education
In April 1973, the TTC was revamped to become the Institute of Education (IE), which comprised the schools of professional studies, curriculum studies, technical studies and continuing studies.8 In addition to the fulltime two-year Certificate in Education programme for non-graduates, the IE also started a fulltime one-year Diploma in Education programme for graduates.9 Wong, former principal of the TTC, was appointed its first director.10
Under the Institute of Education Act enacted in 1970, the IE was commissioned to provide teacher training courses at all levels; establish the necessary facilities conducive to the provision of such courses; and promote research in education.11 The legislation also meant that the IE had become an independent institute that could grant degrees and institute professorships.12
As the inaugural director, Wong played a significant role in the early development of the IE.13 She restructured the teacher training curriculum and pushed for a multidisciplinary approach to teacher training. She also argued for the inclusion of collaborative work, use of objectives, and research-based assignments to replace examinations. These policies helped establish a new curriculum for teacher education, focusing on both the teacher’s professional competence and the student’s personal growth.14
In 1981, the IE moved to a campus in Bukit Timah.15 In July 1984, the College of Physical Education was established as an autonomous college at the IE, providing a two-year Diploma in Physical Education programme.16
NIE as part of Nanyang Technological University
In 1991, following a report by eminent British educationist and chemist Frederick S. Dainton, who had been asked to review the development of university education in Singapore, the IE and the College of Physical Education were merged to form the NIE. The resultant entity became part of the Nanyang Technological University.17 The NIE opened with the School of Arts, School of Science, School of Education and the Centre for Applied Research in Education.18 Gloria Lim was appointed director of the NIE.19
This development was accompanied by the introduction of four-year Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programmes.20 In July 1992, the NIE also started offering master’s and doctoral postgraduate programmes.21
In December 2000, the NIE moved to a new S$400-million campus at Yunnan Garden in Jurong. Designed to create an environment that would challenge and motivate trainee teachers, the campus includes a purpose-built art gallery that opened on 16 March 2009.22
NIE today
NIE programmes fall under two major categories: teacher education and undergraduate studies; and graduate studies and professional learning.23 The former – consisting of postgraduate Diploma in Education, undergraduate degree programmes, diploma programmes – provides academic and professional development that prepares student teachers for effective teaching in schools.24 The latter – comprising higher-degree programmes, leadership programmes, professional development programmes and courses – helps teachers who want to enhance their competence and knowledge within a constantly changing educational milieu.25
In addition to providing pre-service training, the NIE is also the only institution in Singapore with a research focus on education. The institute has established a number of research centres, including the Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice and the Learning Sciences Laboratory.26 Since 2008, the NIE has produced over 600 journal papers, and several of its journals have an international reach.27 It is also in collaborative partnerships with many overseas educational institutions.28
Timeline
1950: Launch of TTC.
1973: Launch of fulltime Diploma in Education programme with practicum.29
1981: IE moves to Bukit Timah campus.
1984: Establishment of College of Physical Education. Launch of two-year Diploma in Physical Education programme.
1991: Merger of IE and College of Physical Education to form NIE, which becomes a part of Nanyang Technological University.30 Gloria Lim is appointed first director.
1992: NIE offers postgraduate programmes leading to the award of master’s and doctoral degrees.
1994: Launch of the NIE Centre for Educational Research and the Principals’ Executive Centre.31
1998: Launch of the Singapore Centre for Teaching Thinking.32
2000: NIE moves to Yunnan Garden campus in Jurong.
2001: NIE wins the Singapore Innovation Award.33
2003: Establishment of the Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice.
2008: Launch of Programme Review and Enhancement initiative.34 Office of Education Research established to lead efforts in spearheading programmes grounded in the principles of advancing research, development and innovation.35
2009: Launch of TE21 (A Teacher Education Model for the 21st Century) strategic blueprint.36
Author
Gerrie Kow
References
1. National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow: The NIE Story (Singapore: National Institute of Education, 2002), 10–11, 14. (Call no. RSING q370.732095957 MOU)
2. Goh Kim Chuan, Low Ee Ling and Patricia Elaine Ann Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future (Singapore: National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 2010), 46 (Call no. RSING 370.71095957 GOH); National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 28, 31.
3. “‘War’ To Destroy Illiteracy Starts,” Straits Times, 2 March 1950, 9 (From NewspaperSG); National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 20; Wong Kooi Sim and Ho Wah Kam, “25 Years of Teacher Education,” in Evolution of Educational Excellence: 25 Years of Education in the Republic of Singapore, ed. John Soon Kwong Yip, Wong Kooi Sim (Singapore: Longman Singapore, 1990), 158 (Call no. RSING 370.95957 EVO); Goh, Low and Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future, 21.
4. Cheong Hock Hai, “The Colony’s New College,” Straits Times, 9 August 1950, 6; “Rooms Become Ready – They Walk In,” Singapore Free Press, 16 April 1956, 3 (From NewspaperSG); National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 20; Goh, Low and Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future, 21.
5. Goh, Low and Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future, 21; William Taylor, Teacher Education in Singapore 1980: The Role of the Institute of Education (Singapore: Photoplates, 1980), 13. (Call no. RSING 370.73095957 TAY)
6. Ho Wah Kam, The Educational Legacy of Dr Ruth Wong Hie King (Singapore: Centre for Applied Research in Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1995), 49 (Call no. RSING 370.95957 HO); “University’s School of Education to Close Soon,” Straits Times, 10 November 1971, 5. (From NewspaperSG)
7. “Teachers’ Training College Gets Its First Woman Head,” Straits Times, 15 June 1971, 8. (From NewspaperSG)
8. Goh Chor Boon and Sing Kong Lee, “Making Teacher Education Responsive and Relevant,” in Toward A Better Future: Education and Training for Economic Development in Singapore Since 1965, ed. Fredriksen Birger, Sing Kong Lee and Chor Boon Goh (Washington, DC: The World Bank, 2008), 98 (Call no. RSING 370.9595709045 TOW); Taylor, Teacher Education in Singapore 1980, 13; National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 24; Ho Wah Kam, Educational Legacy of Dr Ruth Wong Hie King, 49, 50; Goh, Low and Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future, 21.
9. “Corporate Informatiom,” National Institute of Education, accessed 22 December 2016.
10. National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 114; Ho, Educational Legacy of Dr Ruth Wong Hie King, 49; Goh and Sing, “Making Teacher Education Responsive and Relevant,” 98; Wong and Ho, “25 Years of Teacher Education,” 159.
11. Taylor, Teacher Education in Singapore 1980, 13; Parliament of Singapore, First Reading of the Institute of Education Bill, vol. 30 of Official Reports – Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 4 November 1970, cols. 306–08.
12. Taylor, Teacher Education in Singapore 1980, 13; Parliament of Singapore, First Reading of the Institute of Education Bill, 4 November 1970, cols. 306–08.
13. National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 114.
14. Ho, Educational Legacy of Dr Ruth Wong Hie King, 49, 51, 54; “Ruth Wong Hie King,” Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame, accessed 23 May 2017.
15. “Farewell to Paterson Campus,” Straits Times, 8 November 1981, 7; “IE Moves Into New Home in Bukit Timah,” Straits Times, 15 November 1981, 8. (From NewspaperSG)
16. “Corporate Information,” National Institute of Education, accessed 22 December 2016; Peng Ailian, “All Systems Go for Physical Education College,” Business Times, 5 January 1984, 2. (From NewspaperSG)
17. National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 20, 24; Wong and Ho, “25 Years of Teacher Education,” 159; Goh, Low and Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future, 22.
18. National Institute of Education, “Corporate Information”; “Ex-University Dean Gets Top Education Institute Job,” Straits Times, 12 February 1991, 1. (From NewspaperSG)
19. National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 114; “Ex-University Dean Gets Top Education Institute Job.”
20. National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 20; National Institute of Education, “Corporate Information.”
21. “Excelling in Teacher Education and Educational Research, NTULink 91 (April 2015), 4.
22. Goh, Low and Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future, 23, 94; National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 22, 25, 28–29.
23. “Office of Teacher Education,” National Institute of Education, accessed 22 December 2016; “Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Learning,” National Institute of Education, accessed 22
December 2016.
24. National Institute of Education, “Office of Teacher Education.”
25. National Institute of Education, Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Learning.”
26. David Hogan, Laik Woon Teh and Clive Dimmock, “Educational Knowledge Mobilization and Utilization in Singapore, 3, 6; Goh, Low and Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future, 23.
27. “Office of Education Research,” National Institute of Education, accessed 22 December 2016; “Publications,” National Institute of Education, accessed 22 December 2016.
28. “Global Connections,” National Institute of Education, accessed 22 December 2016.
29. National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 24; Goh, Low and Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future, 22.
30. National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 20, 24; Goh, Low and Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future, 22.
31. National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 25.
32. National Institute of Education (Singapore), Moulding Lives, Shaping Tomorrow, 25.
33. PM’s blueprint for innovative S’pore. (2001, November 17). The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
34. “Teacher Education 21,” National Institute of Education, accessed 22 December 2016.
35. National Institute of Education, “Corporate Information”; Hogan, Laik and Dimmock, “Educational Knowledge Mobilization and Utilization in Singapore, 8.
36. Goh, Low and Campbell, Forging Ahead: Embracing the Future, 24, 46, 147; National Institute of Education, “Teacher Education 21.”
The information in this article is valid as at 2009 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
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