Over 37,000 Ministry of Education (MOE) teachers, allied educators, and kindergarten teachers will get a 5 to 10 percent increase in their monthly salary from October 1, according to MOE. In a press release last August 16, MOE said that 35,000 education officers, 1,600 allied educators, and 800 preschool teachers in MOE-run kindergartens will receive the pay bumps.
The salaries for teachers and allied educators were previously reviewed in 2015, while the scheme for preschool teachers in MOE-run kindergartens was last introduced in 2019. MOE’s current move will ensure that the educators’ overall salary packages remain competitive, so that it can continue to attract and retain good educators.
Aside from this, the 30-year retention plan for teachers will also be enhanced. Moreover, teachers who do not hold key personnel appointments could also be eligible for a higher salary ceiling from next year, with the introduction of a general education officer (GEO) 5A substantive grade.
ENHANCED RETENTION PLAN
MOE’s 30-year retention plan for education officers, also known as the CONNECT Plan, will also be enhanced by about 20% from next year. Currently, a flat rate quantum between $3,200 and $8,320 is set aside for officers each year. The amount depends on their length of service. Payouts comprising a portion of the money accumulated are given every 3 to 5 years of their career.
From 2023, MOE said that the annual deposit quantum and payout ratio will be increased to better support the education officers in the earlier years of their career.
NEW SALARY GRADE
To better recognize the contributions of well-performing teachers who do not hold key personnel appointments (e.g., subject head or senior teacher), MOE will also establish a new general education officer (GEO) 5A substantive grade from 2023.
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MOE highlights that “teachers are the core of our education system”, which is why the Ministry will continue to provide opportunities for educators to learn and develop themselves throughout their careers.
“This includes providing in-service courses to help teachers deepen their content mastery and pedagogy, as well as exposing teachers to diverse experiences outside the classroom through external work attachments,” said the Ministry.
So you have an employee who just can’t seem to get along with anyone else on the team?
They always seem to be caught up in some kind of power struggle, and it’s affecting their productivity and the morale of the rest of the staff. What can you do?
In this article, we will give you a few tips on how to handle unfriendly rivalry between employees. It’s not always easy, but with a bit of patience and some clear boundaries, you can hopefully nip the problem in the bud.
Acknowledge the problem
You’ve probably heard the saying “there’s no room for two tigers in the same jungle.” Well, the same thing applies to the workplace.
If you have two employees who are constantly butting heads, it’s going to create an unpleasant environment for everyone. The first step is acknowledging that there is a problem. Don’t try to sweep it under the rug, because it will only get worse if you do. Address the issue head-on, and be clear about what you expect from both employees.
Talk to each employee separately first
When you have employees who are unfriendly with each other, the best thing to do is talk to them separately first. This will help you get a better understanding of what’s going on and why they’re acting this way.
It’s also a good way to find out if there’s any truth to the rumors you’ve been hearing. By having a one-on-one conversation, you’re showing your employees that you’re interested in resolving the situation. And this sends a message that you don’t tolerate any type of hostility in the workplace.
Of course, it’s not always comfortable to have such conversations. They may feel like it’s a personal attack, but remember that you’re just trying to get to the bottom of things. Stay calm, be professional, and take notes so you can reference them later on.
Facilitate a meeting between the involved parties
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You should facilitate a meeting between the involved parties. This will give them a chance to air their grievances and explain their side of the story. It will also allow you to get an overall understanding of the situation.
By mediating the meeting, you can ensure that it stays productive and doesn’t turn into a shouting match. You may need to play referee from time to time, but that’s okay. It’s your responsibility to make sure that the meeting stays on track.
The employees may not be happy with each other, but at least they will have an opportunity to resolve their differences under your watchful eye.
Set clear expectations and encourage positive competition
So what can you do as a boss to encourage positive competition among your employees?
First, set clear expectations. Make it apparent that you want them to support each other, not compete against each other. And let them know that you will be keeping an eye on the situation. Second, praise them when they work well together. This will help motivate them to continue working positively together.
Finally, be sure to address any negative behavior immediately. If any backstabbing or bullying is going on, it needs to stop right away. It will only create further tension and conflict in the workplace, and nobody wants that.
When you’re the boss, it can be tough to know how to handle unfriendly rivalry between employees. On one hand, you don’t want to seem like you’re taking sides. On the other hand, you want to make sure that everyone is getting along and working towards the same goal. Make it obvious that you don’t tolerate any kind of bullying or harassment and encourage employees to communicate with each other if they have any problems.
For many Singaporeans, 2022 is the year of health and wellness. It takes a second to decide that you are worthy of change. Start by completing a ten-minute workout and feel the difference after a couple of weeks.
#1: EXAMINE YOUR FITNESS LEVEL
How fit are you? Testing and recording your baseline fitness scores can give you benchmarks to measure your progress. Evaluate your flexibility, body composition, aerobic fitness, and muscular fitness by recording the following:
a. Body Mass Index,
b. Pulse rate before and after walking two kilometers,
c. Time it takes you to walk or run two kilometers,
d. Amount of standard or modified pushups you can do at a time,
e. Waist circumference, and
f. How far you can reach forward while seated on the floor.
#2: KNOW HOW MUCH EXERCISE IS RECOMMENDED
The general weekly exercise recommendation is at least 150 minutes of moderate cardio or 75 minutes of intense cardio and two days of strength training. Increase the health benefits of your exercise routine by increasing the minutes of cardio per week.
#3: RESEARCH ON THE TYPES OF EXERCISE
The common types of exercise include cardio, strength training, flexibility training, and HIIT (high-intensity interval training). Cardio exercises raise your heart rate and make your breathing faster. It refers to activities that are aimed at improving your endurance and stamina such as jogging and swimming.
Strength training refers to any type of activity that uses resistance to build muscular strength. Next, flexibility training refers to exercises that help maintain and improve passive range of motion. Lastly, HIIT consists of intense bursts of exercise followed by rest intervals. Choose a blend of exercises that suits you.
#4: CREATE YOUR OWN FITNESS PROGRAM
You need to have a concrete plan if you wish to exercise daily. Consider your fitness goals when designing your fitness program. Having clear goals can help you measure your progress and stay motivated.
As beginners, you can start cautiously and progress slowly. People who have injuries or medical conditions can consult their doctors or therapists first. These professionals will help design a fitness program that gradually improves their strength, endurance, and range of motion.
#5: ASSEMBLE YOUR EQUIPMENT
Start by choosing athletic shoes that support the activity you have in mind. For instance, running shoes are lighter in weight than cross-training shoes. The lightness of running shoes will help you dash when you run a lap.
If you are planning to invest in exercise equipment, choose items that are practical and user-friendly. You can also download fitness apps to track your distance, track calories burned, and monitor your heart rate.
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What are you waiting for? Get started on your fitness journey now!
You had all the right intentions and you even did your research, but it just didn’t work out. Maybe you lost money, maybe you let down your team, or maybe you just feel like a complete and utter failure. Whatever the reason, it’s natural to want to wallow in self-pity for a while. But believe us when we say that it’s not worth it.
Spending more time feeling sorry for yourself isn’t going to change anything. In fact, it will just hold you back from inching ahead and trying again. Read on for more reasons why you should spend more effort moving forward than wallow in self-pity.
There are always other opportunities
You’ve just had a major failure, and all you want to do is curl up in a ball and give up. But if you do that, you’re only going to make things worse. It’s crucial to remember that there are always other opportunities out there.
You might not see them right now, but they’re there. So don’t waste your time wallowing in self-pity. Get up and start cruising along. You will be surprised at how much better you will feel once you get started.
A failed endeavor is not a forever dead end
It’s all too easy to get bogged down in self-pity after a failed endeavor. You told yourself you were going to do this and that, and then it all came crashing down. You might be tempted to give up completely and just loll in your misery.
But that’s not going to help you move forward. Rather, it’s only going to hold you back. So what can you do instead? Well, you can accept that things didn’t go the way you planned. And that’s okay. It doesn’t mean that you don’t have what it takes. It just means that you need to try something different next time.
Then, focus on pushing on. Use this experience as a learning opportunity and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Remember that progress is made by doing something, even if it’s not perfect the first time around. So don’t give up on yourself. Spend more effort moving forward than floundering in self-pity. You will be glad you did when you look back.
Wallowing in self-pity will only make you feel worse
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You’ve just had a major setback. You invested time, money, and energy into a project that failed. Do you feel like you’re at the bottom of the barrel with nothing else to show?
Now is the time to get up and dust yourself off. Don’t wallow in self-pity, because that will only make you feel worse. It’s not going to be easy, but you have to keep treading. There is an abundance of other chances out there waiting for you. So get up and get started—the sooner you do, the sooner you will start seeing results.
Moving on is the best way to show that you’re stronger than this
It can be tough to move on after a failed endeavor. You might feel like you’ve let yourself and everyone else down. You might feel like you’re not good enough, and that’s why things didn’t work out.
But trust us, moving on is the best way to show yourself that you’re stronger than this. It’s the wisest way to prove to yourself that you can pick yourself up and start all over again. It’s not going to be a walk in the park, but it will be worth it in the end. So don’t dwell on your failures. Focus on doing better next time. That’s the only way you’re going to achieve your goals.
Everyone falls, period. It’s how we get back up that counts. Instead of spending all your time and energy feeling sorry for yourself, use that same energy to try again. Picking yourself up and pressing on is always going to be harder than staying down, but it’s worth it. So what are you waiting for? Get moving!
You’re probably familiar with the term “copywriter.” They’re the people who help businesses create compelling advertising and marketing materials.
But what about “content writers”? What do they do, and is it something you need for your business? The short answer is that it depends. Both copywriters and content writers can help you create great content for your website and social media pages, but the two positions have rather dissimilar focuses.
Allow us to break down the distinctions between copywriters and content writers so you can decide which position is right for your business.
Defining the terms
When it comes to content, there are two main positions you can hire: a copywriter or a content writer. So, what’s the difference?
A copywriter is someone who writes persuasive sales copy. They create catchy headlines and use persuasive language to get people to buy a product or service. A content writer, on the other hand, is responsible for creating informative, value-driven content. This might be in the form of articles, ebooks, or blog posts.
The main difference between the two is that copywriters are focused on selling, while content writers are focused on informing. If you’re not sure which position you need, consider what kind of content you want to create and what your company goals are.
What does a copywriter do?
Copywriters understand the art of persuasion. They know how to write persuasive content that will make people want to buy what you’re selling. They can also help you create website content, email marketing campaigns, and even social media posts.
They typically have a background in marketing, journalism, or creative writing. They understand the basics of persuasion and know how to craft powerful content that will convince people to take action.
What does a content writer do?
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Well, a content writer is responsible for creating and publishing content across a variety of channels, including your blog, website, and social media pages. They help you to develop a content strategy and create engaging and informative copy that will resonate with your audience.
A good content writer understands the needs of their client and the target audience and knows how to create content that is both relevant and compelling. They also know how to use keywords and other SEO techniques to improve your search engine ranking.
When should you hire a copywriter?
You should consider hiring a copywriter when you need help with ad copy, slogans, or email marketing. A copywriter can also help you create a brand voice and style guide.
They’re typically skilled in persuasive writing techniques, so they can help you create content that markets your products or services. Copywriters are also great at creating catchy headlines and coming up with interesting ideas for blog posts and social media content.
When should you hire a content writer?
Given that you’re reading this, we are going to assume you’re at a point where you need help creating content. And that’s where a content writer comes in.
A content writer can help you with everything from developing a content strategy to creating blog posts, landing pages, and even long-form articles to rank on Google. Basically, they take care of all the nitty-gritty details so you can focus on what’s important—running your business.
But when should you hire a content writer? The answer is simple: when you need help creating content that’s engaging, informative, and accurately reflects your brand.
How to choose the right copywriter or content writer for your business
When it comes to content writing, there are a lot of options out there. You could hire a copywriter, a content writer, or even a combo of the two. So how do you know which one is right for your business?
Here are a few tips to help you make the right decision:
Define your needs. What kind of content do you need? What’s your budget? How often do you need new content?
Do your research. Check out different writers’ websites, portfolios, and blog posts to get a sense of their style capabilities.
Interview writers. This is a great way to get to know them better and see if their style and tone align with what you’re looking for.
Make a decision. After considering all the factors, make a decision and go with it. You can always change your mind later if it’s not working out, but it’s best to start with a hiring plan and stick to it.
In a nutshell, when it comes to content creation, there are two main positions you can hire: a copywriter or a content writer. So, which one should you choose? It depends on your needs. If you need someone to help with marketing materials, go with a copywriter. If you need someone to help with the overall strategy and organization of your content, go with a content writer.
