Preschool teachers speak out against extended hours proposal: 'I only have 2 hours with my own children'
Preschool educators have expressed concerns after a parliamentary question by Gerald Giam, a Workers' Party Member of Parliament, suggested extending care hours until 7:30 pm daily to accommodate working parents. Since the issue was raised on February 26, multiple videos have emerged online, showcasing educators' defense of the preschool industry and highlighting the challenges they face.
Mr. Giam, representing Aljunied GRC, emphasized the logistical challenges faced by working parents who finish work at 6 pm in the Central Business District (CBD) and need to pick up their children by 7 pm in suburban areas. He proposed that at least one preschool per Housing Development Board (HDB) estate should offer extended care hours until 7:30 pm, suggesting the use of 'ancillary care assistants' to manage the additional workload without burdening core educators.
However, the proposal has sparked debate among preschool teachers. Ermaothman, a TikToker and preschool educator, criticized the idea, arguing that teachers already face significant challenges. She pointed out that many preschool teachers are parents themselves, and some even attend school or courses after work, leaving little time for social lives.
Ermaothman questioned why the burden should fall on preschool educators, who already spend 10 hours a day caring for other children. She shared her personal experience, stating, 'I only have two hours on good days, or less than two hours, with my own children per day.'
Instead of extending preschool hours, Ermaothman suggested improving childcare and family care leave provisions for working parents. She found it 'ridiculous' that a parent with six children receives the same amount of childcare leave as a parent with one child. Ermaothman also proposed that companies should end work by 5:30 pm or offer flexible work-from-home arrangements to allow parents to pick up their children by 7 pm.
Another TikToker, @sunnysideup_sg, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that supporting parents should not compromise the well-being of children and educators. Netizens have shown empathy for the preschool industry and its teachers, with many agreeing that educators are not babysitters and have their own families to return to in the evenings.
Some commenters suggested reducing overall working hours in Singapore, while others proposed hiring part-time staff for late hours. The debate highlights the complex balance between supporting working parents and ensuring the well-being of preschool educators.
