FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. 1. What is the ECDA Scholarship/Teaching Award/Sponsorship?

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1 ECDA SCHOLARSHIPS, TEACHING AWARDS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION (ECCE) BACHELOR AND MASTER DEGREE PROGRAMMES AND ECDA SPONSORSHIPS FOR ECCE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS General 1. What is the ECDA Scholarship/Teaching Award/Sponsorship? The ECDA Scholarships and Teaching Awards are offered to outstanding and deserving early childhood professionals who wish to pursue a Bachelor or Master Degree in Early Childhood Education to enhance their pedagogical practice as well as hone leadership competencies. The ECDA Sponsorship is available for part-time Diploma s. Application 2. What are the eligibility criteria for the ECDA Scholarships/Teaching Awards/Sponsorships? Eligibility Criteria: Be a or Permanent Resident at the point of application. Be an ECDA-certified L2 1 teacher/supervisor/principal and currently employed in an kindergarten or ECDA- centre. Be strongly recommended by the nominating kindergarten/child care centre management. Not concurrently serving a bond and/or holding any other scholarship, bursary or other forms of funding. Must have applied to the before applying for Scholarships/Teaching Award. Must have been accepted into the to be awarded a Scholarship/Teaching Award/Sponsorship. 1 The L2-certification requirement is applicable only to applicants for the Bachelor and Master degree (part-time) s. It is not applicable to applicants for the DECCE-T, DECCE-T (CL) or full-time degree conducted by the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) 1

2 Please refer to the respective s on ECDA s website for more information on the specific eligibility criteria. 3. When is the application period for the various ECDA Scholarships/ Teaching Awards/ Sponsorships? There are two application periods: 1) May to August 2) November to February 4. How do I apply? To apply, interested applicants can download and complete the application form available on ECDA s website, together with the necessary supporting documents, to apply for the ECDA Scholarships/Teaching Awards/Sponsorships. Please note that for in-service teachers/supervisor/principal the awards application must be endorsed by the nominating kindergarten/child care centre management. 5. How do I compute the number of years of pre-school teaching experience (a requirement for applicants who are in-service teachers/supervisors/principals) for the part-time Bachelor and Master Degree s)? This is computed based on the start date of the applicant s employment with the kindergarten/child care centre registered with/licensed by ECDA, to the closing date for the application period when the ECDA Scholarship/Teaching Award/Sponsorship application is submitted to ECDA. 6. If I apply for the ECDA Scholarship/Teaching Award/Sponsorship, do I need to apply directly to the Programme Provider for entry into the Programme? Yes. Applicants are advised to apply for both the award and the at the same time. Apart from meeting all award application and interview requirements, applicants are required to secure a place in the Programme before they can be offered an award. 7. What is the selection process for the ECDA Scholarship/Teaching Awards/Sponsorship application? Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview. ECDA will make the final decision with regard to the selection of recipients. 8. I am currently working in a commercial kindergarten. Am I eligible for the ECDA Scholarships/Teaching Awards/Sponsorships? 2

3 Yes. The awards are open to all certified educators from kindergartens registered with/child care centres licensed by ECDA. 9. I have started on the. Can I still apply for the ECDA Scholarship/Teaching Award/Sponsorship? Yes. Applications have to be made within the first year of study. Please refer to the table below for application periods: Intake Application period Nov 14 - Feb 15 May 15 - Aug 15 Nov 15 Feb 16 May 16 Aug 16 Nov 16 Feb 17 eligible application period non-eligible application period Types of Awards 10. What are the differences between scholarship, teaching award and sponsorship? Scholarship Teaching Award Sponsorship Programmes Bachelor Degree Master Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Diploma Quantum Value* 100 % $2,000 Learning Resource Allowance $2,500 Centre 80% $1,000 Learning Resource Allowance $2,500 Centre 100 % $1,000 Learning Resource Allowance $1,000 Centre 3

4 $2,000 Study Bonus (to be given upon $1,000 Study Bonus (to be given upon $1,000 Study Bonus (to be given upon Terms and Conditions To maintain a semestral CGPA equivalent of B To be employed in the nominating centre throughout the To serve a 2-year centre To maintain a semestral CGPA equivalent of C+ To be employed in the nominating centre throughout the To serve a 2-year centre. To be employed in the nominating centre throughout the All other conditions as stipulated by the institution for the To serve a 1-year centre. * Quantum values for Centre and Study Bonus listed above are applicable for parttime s only. Liquidated Damages 11. Who is liable to pay for liquidated damages? Should there be a breach of the agreement, the award recipient and the two sureties will be required to pay the liquidated damages. 12. How are the liquidated damages calculated? The liquidated damages are calculated based on the total amount of fees and subsidies disbursed by ECDA plus 10% compound interest per annum. The liquidated damages will be reduced proportionately if the award recipient has served part of the bond. Others 13. As in-service teachers who undertake a part-time degree/master, what form of support can we expect from the centre? 4

5 Centres can utilize the centre subsidy to employ relief staff when the recipients need to take study leave to complete assignments, and/or to prepare for/sit for exams. 14. Based on the centre subsidy provided, how many days of study leave am I entitled to? Your centre is required to provide you with at least 1 day of paid study leave for each module taken for the first time, starting from the date the agreement is signed by the recipient. 15. The fees for Singaporeans is different from the fees for Permanent Residents. Will the sponsored fees for the Scholarship/Teaching Award also be different? Yes. The sponsored fees for Permanent Residents are capped at the fees payable by s. 16. Are in-service teachers currently working in centres under the Anchor Operator (AOP) Scheme eligible to apply for the ECDA Scholarships/ Teaching Awards/Sponsorships? We would like to advise interested applicants who are currently working in AOP centres to check with their management before applying for ECDA Scholarships/Teaching Awards/Sponsorships. Information updated as at 6 November