The Ministry of Education (MOE) strives to open new doors for students by providing them with a well-rounded learning experience, a task which is carried out by dedicated educators like 32-year-old Fauziah Daud, who display a deep love for guiding future generations.

What motivated you to pursue a scholarship with MOE?

I was looking for a career in the public service, and teaching offered me the chance to have a hand in shaping tomorrow’s citizens to become clear thinkers, and all-round good people. My love for the Humanities and my broader interest in knowledge and learning also made teaching a natural fit. I knew it would allow me to make a contribution while exploring subject disciplines that I enjoyed.

Fauziah Daud 
Level Head (Queenstown Secondary School)
Master of Arts – University of Warwick
Bachelor of Arts, Honours – University of York

How has the scholarship enabled you to excel at your current role?

There are many developmental opportunities provided as part of MOE’s talent management programme. These include milestone courses that help to prepare you for the next stage of your career, events such as kopi sessions that allow you to network with like-minded educators, and dialogue sessions, such as the Brown Bag lunch series, that allow you to interact with the senior management.

Could you share more about your experience working at MOE HQ?

I was lucky to have been a part of teams that knew how to work hard and have fun. My HQ stint gave me more insight into policy planning and the considerations involved in managing different stakeholder needs and issue tensions. Experiencing a different workplace environment also broadened my perspectives on how organisations can be run, how culture is built, and how people should be managed.

What are the responsibilities as the Level Head compared to the responsibilities of a teacher?

Your sphere of influence changes. As Covering Head of Department, I’m invested in the direction and development of a larger group of people. You move from asking, “How can I develop this student,” to asking, “How can I develop my people so that both the individual officer and our students benefit?” In all matters, you need to consider the bigger picture – in curriculum and assessment, in resourcing – there is greater complexity when thinking about how to make things happen.

What motivates you to keep going as an educator?

I’m motivated by my own curiosity, as well as the endgame. It’s something special to run into former students and see how they have blossomed into young adults, leading their own lives. I feel heartened whenever I run into them at the theatre or discover that they still make time for a good book. It means that the Literature and English lessons have stuck!

Why should other people choose to apply for MOE scholarships?

If you’re looking for work with meaning and impact, an MOE scholarship opens doors and gives you the chance to then pay it forward by opening doors for numerous others over the course of your career.

Any words of encouragement for aspiring teachers?

Enjoy being where you are now, and be sure to make full use of the time and opportunities each life stage offers. A teacher brings her knowledge and experiences to the classroom – your life well-lived, will enrich your students’ learning.