Singapore – Members from the online community questioned why a “military guy” was in early childhood education in response to the first inspector-general in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) taking on the new role of overseeing the preschool sector beginning Dec 15.
On Sept 1, Tan Chee Wee, 47, was appointed chief executive-designate of the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
Mr Tan will be replacing current CEO Jamie Ang, 44, who took on the role on Oct 1, 2019. Her term is scheduled to end on Dec 14.
It was reported that Mr Tan held the rank of brigadier-general in SAF and established the Inspector-General office to strengthen safety governance and management systems under the inspector-general role.
He was also the Chief of Staff – Joint Staff and helped develop blueprints for warfighting concepts and organisation structures for the next-generation SAF, reported The Straits Times.
Mr Tan was a director of joint operations, commander of air defence and operations command, director of the policy office and defence attache in Washington under the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and SAF.
“Mr Tan’s extensive leadership and operational experience in Mindef and the SAF positions him well to lead ECDA to partner the preschool community in the transition towards Covid-19 resilience,” said Second Permanent Secretary for Social and Family Development Stanley Loh.
Mr Tan will help ECDA deliver on its commitment to improving the accessibility, affordability and quality of preschools, Mr Loh added.
In response to the news, members from the online community wondered if Mr Tan had the qualifications to take on the new role.
“Early childhood leadership certification is needed for preschool teachers to be qualified to be a principal. Even with a degree of early childhood and numerous ten years of experience does not qualify,” said a netizen.
“So may I ask what kind of qualifications and pre-experience this general has in regards to early childhood? We are talking of education of your young children…not the army.”
Meanwhile, Facebook user Catherine Dee asked if “retired generals could stop being allowed to lead ministries,” particularly those they have no experience in.
“If the government really has to do this, please start them from the bottom to gain experience and work their way up first rather than dropping them from a helicopter,” she added in a comment liked by over 200 netizens.
“Why doesn’t the ministry look at promoting someone with understanding, experience and track record in the sector instead of parachuting someone without the relevant experience or knowledge of the ground despite his impressive military credentials?” asked Facebook user Shermin Chen.
“A military guy in early childhood education…and none of the existing early childhood education personal can take up…seriously…,” added a netizen.
“This is not a role for trials and errors! This is not a role for him to learn! I can’t believe we can’t even find a qualified educator to fill this role! What is becoming of our education system? Poor kids, poor parents! Poor teachers too!” commented another netizen./TISG
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