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Mother Tongue Languages Symposium (MTLS)

OPMTL 2028

OPMTL 2028

Last updated on 30 September 2026

Jointly Organised By

Jointly Organised By

Outstanding Preschool Mother Tongue Language Teacher Award

The Outstanding Preschool Mother Tongue Language Teacher Award (OPMTL), jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee (MLLPC), and Tamil Promotion Committee (TPC), supported by Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC), aims to encourage more teachers to inspire the learning and use of mother tongue language (MTL) in our young children. The award recognises preschool MTL teachers for their passion in making MTL learning interesting and for their unique ability to inspire a love for the MTL in preschoolers. This award is now closed. The next nomination will be in 2028.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Nominees must be either Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents;

  2. Nominees must be in-service ECDA-certified teachers or possess a Level 2 Letter of Notification (LON) and Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education-Teaching (DECCE-T) or equivalent early childhood qualifications;

  3. Nominees must be teaching in ECDA-registered kindergartens, ECDA-licensed childcare centres or ECDA-equivalent authority registered/ licensed preschools.

  4. Nominees should be teaching Nursery 2 or above in the year of nomination. If a nominee teaches more than one level, the lesson plan submitted should be for a level that meets this criterion.

  5. Nominees must have at least 3 years of teaching experience teaching MTL in ECDA-registered kindergartens, ECDA-licensed childcare centres or MOE kindergartens.

  6. Past winners who have not received the award in the past 3 years may be nominated for the award again.

Instructions for Nomination

  1. Each kindergarten or childcare centre can nominate only 1 teacher for each MTL.

  2. Only nominations endorsed by the Centre Head/Principal/Supervisor will be accepted.

  3. Please ensure that the nomination text illustrates the outstanding achievements of the nominee and provide clear evidence to support the nomination.

  4. The following digitalised documents are to be submitted with each nomination:

    1. A completed online nomination form

    2. Annex A: Lesson plan using the template provided (in PDF)

    3. Annex B: A write-up by Centre Head/Principal/Supervisor (in PDF)

    4. Annex C: A write-up by nominee/teacher (in MTL) (in PDF)

    5. An unedited video clip (of not more than 20 minutes duration) showcasing the highlights of the submitted lesson plan enacted in 2028.

  5. Nomination details will be sent to Centre Heads/Principals when nominations open.

  6. Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.

  7. Shortlisted nominees will be notified via email to attend an interview and undergo a lesson observation at their current workplace. Do ensure that your nominee is available for the interview session and lesson observation.

  8. Name of the nominee in all forms should be the same as their passport/NRIC. Please ensure accuracy of name as it will be used for certificate and other award matters.

The decision of the selection panel is final. No correspondence will be entertained.