Teacher application rejected due to old age?

4getmenot SG

NZ-trained teacher rejected due to his age?

Jul 02, 2007
The Straits Times
I READ with interest the letter 'Is there a shortage of school teachers?' by Madam Jenny Sim Siew Hwa (ST, June 21).

I moved to New Zealand in 2000 and trained as a secondary teacher there to teach physics, science and mathematics.

While in New Zealand, I taught physics and science in an all-boys school as well as a co-ed school.

Recently, I decided to return to Singapore and applied for a teaching position with the Ministry of Education (MOE).

An interview was arranged and I returned to Singapore during my term break last April. I was surprised the interview panel did not even realise I was teaching overseas and as such had an overseas address.

Later, I received a letter telling me I was unsuccessful in my application as 'the crop of applicants were of a very high standard'. Looking at my teaching qualifications, teaching experience and testimonials from principals and heads of department I worked with in New Zealand, I was disappointed.

In New Zealand, I would be snapped up as I teach a specialist subject - but not in Singapore. On the one hand, I hear there is a shortage of teachers but my experience is that MOE does not seem to realise that.

It makes me wonder if overseas teacher training qualifications are recognised.

Or is age a barrier? Incidentally, I am 50 years old. I have read about how Singapore wants to encourage the elderly to remain in the workforce and thought my work experience would be an advantage to my teaching as I can bring relevance into my lessons.

On its website, MOE encourages mid-stream career change. Could it make its criteria clear?

The teaching profession has been undervalued and MOE is not helping to improve its image. In general, the mindset of employers in Singapore has to change to realise that middle-aged employees bring in more skills than are taught in theory.

As part of the workforce that has contributed to what Singapore is today, I am disappointed and may return to New Zealand where I am better appreciated.

Cheong Kam Seng

the Bear SG

*&^$# lah..

it's all lip-service...

the civil service once went on an aggressive cull of staff who were over a certain age, saying they were deadwood...

mistyblue SG

once cross 30, an applicant is considered old.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Not meant to be offensive... but... somehow it could be a mentality of Singapore teachers. Most plan to retire by 50... I don't really see many old teachers around.

MOE might have taken this into consideration, which resulted in failure, although chances are it's just another government sector paying lip service.

Darkness_hacker99 SG

Old doesn't mean cannot contriubute. Older means having more experience, which may be a plus factor when it comes to job searching.

I agree with TS that in Singapore, once your age group reach the 'Old' group, the chances of getting empolyed again is considered as low as even Zero.

Now the industries need people who are young, creative, and dynamic. As a result of rapid aging population, more and more old people have lose their job because of their age.

TS's case doesn't seem surprise to me because this is the world, the cruel world. You'll be disposed once you reaches your 'expiry' date!

Yes, you have made the right by going back to New Zealand. They at least will appreciated your myriad experience in specialize teaching field.

Yes, Now I am in an environment where my talent are not regconize, and I am getting out of here as soon as possible, maybe next year.

<Precious> SG

Old oredi more senile ma.... how to teach sekali teach wrong things ma si..... Laughing

Darkness_hacker99 SG

I don't think so.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Remember, anything that make you rise can make you fall. Experience is a plus, but due to the experience, you are short-changed. Because that means you know too much (not in terms of knowledge, but handling certain issues), a big no-no.

de_middle SG

if i were him, i wouldn't even think of coming back Very Happy

gerrykoh SG

He should try apply overseas-
my daughter's teacher just quit to join int'l school in Dubai, paying her $6000, get accommodation & no need to pay tax

t_a_s SG

but the government is trying to encourage ppl to work until 62 years and prolong to 65, what a contradiction, the teacher is only 50 years old, still young what, is Lim Boon Heng telling lie or Lim Swee Say telling lie??

4getmenot SG

you could ask wat is an average age of a professor in a university.. Rolling Eyes

the Bear SG

Q: how do you know when a politician lies?

A: his lips move

miserable SG

50 years old is too old to teach. Hey, there is a better job for him!!! He can be a politician.......if kenna minister post, he can collect million dollers paycheck and of course pension 5 years later Mr. Green

pearlie27 SG

Unfortunately this is a true fact in Sg.

BusSpeeder SG

true fact in sg? means that teachers who are old but with many teaching experiences cannot teach? i think they should reconsider, since these teachers are hard to come by.

mistyblue SG

age is a key factor to the management mind to get rid of company cost.
age is a key hiring factor that only the young are wanted because the whole of singapore is only concerned about the young.
Most of the people in-between 30 to 80 can practically fall dead and never exists in the eyes of our great politicians.

hisoka SG

well i would be concerned about hiring the 50 year old as a teacher too. i would wonder when he plans to stop working. whether he can stilll be vigorous.

he might bring experience, but is it worth it to do training and get a teacher with experience who might only go on for 5 years or maybe less or a younger one that is more likely to continue for 20/30?

and i don't think the pay demand was mentioned. given the comment about specialist teacher, i get a feeling the person probably asked for a very high pay.

mistyblue SG

I know of an ex-colleague who works for Ebay. The fellow is in his 50s and he’s the head System Admin. Of course that is in US. Over here, anyone over 30s is over the hill – should buy coffin and wait to die. Mentality of asians are rather narrow.

mancha SG

By that age, you are expected to be a principle, or else they suspect something wrong with you.
Ageism is blatant in Singapore.
The government only "advises" that ageism is not a good thing, nothing more.