Quiet Heroics: Why Singapore’s Teachers Work More

Parents often tell me: “Teachers seem swamped these days.” You’re not imagining it. In Parliament, Education Minister Desmond Lee explained that teachers currently average about 53 hours a week during term time. Only a fraction is spent in front of a class—the rest goes to lesson design, small-group consultations, CCA, counselling, parent communication, and training for new initiatives.

Here’s what’s changing—and what it means for your child.

What’s Driving the Extra Hours?

1) Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB)
Instead of “one size fits all,” students learn subjects at different levels based on readiness. That’s good for learning—but it means teachers plan differentiated materials, run targeted small-group consults, track progress more closely, and coordinate across subject teams.

2) AI Tools in Schools
AI is being introduced to trim repetitive tasks (admin, marking, resource creation). In the short term, though, teachers must learn the tools, test them, and adapt workflows before time savings are felt.

3) A More Holistic Education
Schools are doubling down on character, well-being, and critical thinking. That expands teachers’ roles beyond content delivery—think pastoral care, one-to-one check-ins, and stronger home-school partnerships.

What This Means for Your Teen

• More personalisation: Small-group support and paced learning can help your child catch up—or stretch further.
• Smoother transitions: Teachers are building skills that will serve students in a fast-changing, AI-enabled world.
• Tighter time windows: While changes bed in, response times may be slower. That’s not indifference—it’s prioritising teaching and safeguarding teacher well-being.

How Parents Can Help (and Actually Make a Difference)

Be strategic with teacher comms

• Use official channels (e.g., Parents Gateway).
• Bundle questions into one concise message; avoid late-night texts.
• Ask: “What’s the best time/day to reach you?”

Back your teen’s independence

• Encourage your child to email teachers directly (polite, specific subject lines, one clear ask).
• Use school-provided resources first (LMS notes, recorded explainers, practice sets) before requesting extra help.

Make small-group consults count

• Before a consult, have your teen list 3 specific questions and upload relevant work.
• After, get them to summarise “3 things I learned” + “1 action I’ll take this week.”

Support Full SBB mindsets at home

• Different levels ≠ labels. Focus on growth and fit, not comparison with classmates.
• Revisit subject levels each term with evidence (quiz scores, teacher feedback, study habits).

Set healthy boundaries

• Respect teachers’ off-hours; emergencies aside, expect replies within school days.
• For complex issues, request a brief call at a mutually workable time rather than long message threads.

Quick FAQs

Will AI replace teachers?
No. The aim is to reallocate time—less admin, more teaching and mentorship.

Why not just hire more teachers?
MOE is hiring and redeploying allied educators, but training, mentoring, and integration take time. Meanwhile, smarter workflows multiply impact.

Is Full SBB “harder” for my child?
It’s better-fitted. Learning at the right level builds confidence and mastery, which usually leads to better outcomes over time.

The Bottom Line

Singapore is moving toward more personalised, future-ready learning. That transition temporarily raises teacher workload—but the payoff is a school experience where your child gets the right support at the right time. Partner your school with empathy, clear communication, and respect for boundaries—and you’ll help teachers spend their precious time where it counts most: your child’s learning.