NIE has embarked on a three-year research effort with NTUC First Campus (NFC) to examine the impact of NFC’s Child Support Model on pre-schoolers from low-income families. The study will enable preschool operators and policy makers to better address the social and developmental needs of these children.
The research collaboration was formalised by Professor David Hung, Dean of Office of Education Research, and Mr Chan Tee Seng, NFC CEO, through an agreement signed on 5 December 2018 at My First Skool on Yung An Road. Mr Ng Chee Meng, Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, witnessed the signing event. | Read More |
A research team, comprising two NFC early childhood specialists and six NIE researchers, will collect quantitative and qualitative data from selected NFC pre-school cohorts between 2019 and 2021. The wellbeing and learning of these children, from the time they enter K1 through to Primary 1, will also be tracked. The children’s parents, teachers, principals and Child Support Professionals will also be involved in the study, which is first-of-its-kind in Singapore.
NIE’s academic research expertise will bring value to the partnership in ensuring that the findings derived meet NFC’s objectives.
Said Professor Hung, “As we approach a crucial time in Singapore’s dynamic education environment where multiple needs of learners demand greater attention and further explanations for teaching and learning, we hope to lend our long-standing education research expertise, knowledge and experience toward important evidence-informed education decisions for our local community.
“This partnership with NFC also corresponds to our onward orientation in building a body of evidence to advance future education practice and professionalism. We look forward to providing meaningful outcomes toward NFC’s future plans," he added.
The Child Support Model is a game changer for the Early Childhood Care and Education sector in Singapore. It was developed in 2016 in response to the social, learning and financial needs of pre-schoolers in NFC and their families. To date, the model has served some 15,000 beneficiaries.
Read NFC’s press release on the research collaboration with NIE.
Learn more about the NFC’s Child Support Model.