SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) plans to hire more than 1,000 teachers annually, said Minister for Education Desmond Lee on Wednesday (Jul 9). 

Mr Lee, who was speaking at the annual Teachers’ Investiture Ceremony at the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Nanyang Technological University, said the move was aimed at strengthening the teaching profession. 

MOE previously said that it recruits up to 700 teachers annually, a figure that has remained consistent over time.

In response to media queries on Wednesday, the ministry added that its hiring strategy supports long-term workforce sustainability and talent acquisition.

This includes hiring in anticipation of more retirements in the coming years as the teaching workforce ages, in line with national trends, it said in its statement. 

In his speech at NIE, Mr Lee said MOE has built a "committed and high-quality teaching force" through the years. 

"And we want to grow our teaching fraternity further, to attract more individuals who share in this commitment and passion to nurture our children," he added. 

Other than strengthening the teaching profession, schools must stay updated on developments and prepare students for a fast-changing world, said Mr Lee. 

For example, rapid advances in automation and artificial intelligence have redefined the nature of work, and climate change is a global emergency. 

"As a teacher, you prepare the next generation to focus on the importance of sustainability and climate change," he said. 

"Social media and digital platforms have transformed how young people communicate, form relationships, and express their views and beliefs. As teachers, you shape and guide their early practices and habits."

The education system must do more than keep pace with these changes, said the Education Minister. 

"We must future-proof our next generation, and prepare our students to ride these waves of change and shape the future. As educators, you are central to this important mission," he added. 

Mr Lee urged educators to think about how to ensure students want to learn inside and outside of the classroom. 

Rather than academic excellence, what matters is students' capacity for sound judgement and reasoning, their socio-emotional competencies, and their core values, he added. 

This is why MOE has been gradually reducing the emphasis on academic grades by removing mid-year examinations and introducing full subject-based banding, said the minister. 

"But these system-level changes must be supported by learning experiences in school that not only help our students discover their unique strengths and interests but also ignite a deep and lasting joy for learning."