TL;DR (5 lines)
- SG teachers average ~47 hrs/week (above OECD avg).
- “Teaching” time is squeezed by invisible workload (admin, events, parent comms, discipline follow-ups).
- MOE emphasises holistic care and non-academic roles—valuable but time-intensive and boundary-blurry.
- Ex-teacher: burnout risk from large classes, constant parent messaging, and DIY logistics.
- Proposed fixes: smaller classes, admin/TA support, clearer boundaries, smarter use of AI/tools.
Key Problems Described
- 30/70 perception: ~30% direct instruction vs ~70% “other” (discipline cases, event logistics, risk forms, decorations, consent chasing).
- Boundary creep: Parents message after hours; helpful teachers reply → habit forms → erodes rest time.
- Holistic care paradox: “Care” is central, but where does it end? Emotional labour is heavy and often invisible.
- Large classes (≈38–40): Less individual attention; more incidents to follow up; heavy marking.
- Mentoring squeeze: Structured mentoring exists, but teachers struggle to find time to do it well.
What Works / Suggested Solutions
- Reduce class size (target ≤25; ≤15 for higher-needs groups) → more relationship time, fewer incidents, lower marking load.
- Hire Teacher Assistants/Admin Execs (not classroom co-teachers) to own logistics: bookings, buses, quotes, forms, materials prep.
- Recalibrate teaching load metrics: 1 hr of class ≠ 1 hr of office work—factor emotional and cognitive loadinto timetabling.
- Boundaries with parents: School-wide norms (contact windows, emergency-only after hours) + consistent non-response outside hours.
- Targeted tech/AI: Marking assistance, document workflows, consent/risk templates—replace low-value admin, not add new tasks.
Implications
- For MOE/policy: If the system prizes holistic care and individualisation, it strengthens the case for smaller classes and non-teaching manpower.
- For schools/leaders: Centralise logistics, protect prep periods as sacrosanct, audit “invisible tasks.”
- For parents: Respect contact hours; use official channels; avoid last-minute queries—partner teachers, don’t “service-provide” them.
Pull-Quotes
- “Teaching often feels like 30% lessons, 70% everything else.”
- “Care is core—but where are the limits?”
- “Smaller classes + admin help would change everything.”
- “One scuffle can mean an hour of follow-up.”
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