Leadership selection and training: Singapore has a clear understanding that high-quality teaching and strong
school performance require effective leaders. Poor quality leadership is a key factor in teacher attrition in many
countries (Ng, 2008). Singapore’s approach to leadership is modelled on that found in large corporations. The
key is not just the training programme, but the whole approach to identifying and developing talent. This differs
from the US or UK approach, for example, in which a teacher can apply to train as a principal or school head,
and then apply for a position in a school. In Singapore, young teachers are continuously assessed for their
leadership potential and given opportunities to demonstrate and learn, for example, by serving on committees,
then being promoted to head of department at a relatively young age. Some are transferred to the ministry for
a period. After these experiences are monitored, potential principals are selected for interviews and go through
leadership situational exercises. If they pass these, then they go to NIE for six months of executive leadership
training, with their salaries paid. The process is comprehensive and intensive and includes an international
study trip and a project on school innovation. Only 35 people per year are selected for the executive leadership
training. Asked why Singapore uses the “select then train” rather than the “train then select” model, Professor
Lee Sing Kong said that while the US/UK approach is feasible, it carries a higher risk. Singapore is very confident
that they consistently have the best possible leaders for their schools and that there is a wide range of inputs
into their selection. Principals are transferred between schools periodically as part of Singapore’s continuous
improvement strategy.