ECDA Scholarships and Training Awards Presentation Ceremony 2018

The annual ECDA Scholarships and Training Awards Presentation Ceremony was held on 30 October 2018 at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. The theme for this year’s ceremony is “Inspire and Aspire”. This year, 424 aspiring early childhood educators received their ECDA Training Awards from Minister for Social and Family Development, Mr Desmond Lee. Three outstanding early childhood educators, who have demonstrated leadership qualities and commitment to taking on larger roles in the sector, were also awarded the ECDA Scholarship.

 

This growing pool of promising individuals who are passionate about inspiring young minds and shaping our tomorrow is a testament to the rising interest in the Early Childhood sector. During his welcome remarks at the event, Minister shared inspiring stories of these recipients’ pursuits after their passion.

Nivetha (centre)

Nivetha D/O Loganathan is a Year 1 student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Tamil Studies with Early Education and an ECDA Training Award (Polytechnic) recipient. She discovered her interest in the EC Sector when she worked at a childcare centre for 3 months, while waiting for her ‘O’ Level results. At the centre, she met a nurturing preschool teacher and was inspired to become an EC educator to nurture our children to become future leaders. When her ‘O’ level results did not allow her to enrol into a Diploma course in early childhood, Nivetha took up a Diploma in Computer Engineering but she withdrew from the course after 1 Semester as she knew it was not her interest. She later began her journey to fulfil her childhood ambition by enrolling into the Higher Nitec in Early Childhood Education at ITE College Central. Now, Nivetha is not only able to pursue her interest in working with children, but also her love for Tamil Language at the same time.

Jing Wen (third from the right)

A Year 2 student taking the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Singapore University of Social Sciences and an ECDA Training Award (University), Koh Jing Wen was inspired to become an early childhood educator by the love and security she had received during her preschool days. The teachers she met in her education journey demonstrated the importance of a good teacher and further reinforced her aspiration to nurture young minds. Besides imparting skills and knowledge to children, Jing Wen aims to create a safe and enjoyable learning environment for them, instilling in them the passion for learning.

 

Ong Shi Ping Janice , a Senior Kindergarten Teacher at The Ascension Kindergarten, is a role-model for continuous learning. Inspired by her mother who has been in the Early Childhood sector for 27 years, Janice decided to follow her dreams and join the early childhood sector. Despite facing challenges, she preserved on and gained valuable teaching experience. Today, she is managing the Nursery 1 department and leading 12 teachers in her centre. A proud recipient of the ECDA Scholarship, Janice is now pursuing the part-time Master of Education (Early Childhood) programme at the National Institute of Education. She hopes to enhance her personal and professional development and gain insight into pedagogy and research, so as to further develop her ability as a mentor and leader.

At the ceremony, Minister also presented six ECDA TA Commendation Awards to Training Award Recipients who had displayed outstanding leadership skills and made significant contributions to the sector during their studies. To find out more about our ECDA TA Commendation Award recipients’ journeys in the early childhood sector, click on each of their stories below!

Choo Kai Lin – Graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Early Childhood Education, currently an English Teacher at My First Skool Ang Mo Kio.

Crystal Tan Wei Ling – Graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Child Psychology and Early Education, currently an English Teacher at the Little Skool House By-the-Vista.

Neo Jia Xin – Graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Early Childhood Education, currently a Childcare Teacher at PCF Sparkletots @ Marsiling Mega Centre.

Noah Koa – Graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Early Childhood Education, currently serving the National Service.

Noor Rashikin Binte Mohamed Rashid – Graduated from ITE’s Higher NITEC in Early Education; currently a Year 1 student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Child Psychology and Early Education and a recipient of the Training Award (Polytechnic).

Racheal Tan – Graduated from Temasek Polytechnic’s Diploma in Early Childhood Studies; currently an English Teacher at the Red Schoolhouse.

Congratulations to all our recipients! May you continue to pursue your aspirations and inspire the people around you, as well as the little ones who pass through your hands!

Click here to view the photo gallery of the ceremony!