Associate Professor Sum Chee Wah

S R Nathan School of Human Development

2016
Doctor of Philosophy (Leadership & Building of Organizational Capacity), University College London, United Kingdom

1992
Master of Education (Administration, Planning and Social Policy), Harvard University, United States of America

1987
Diploma in Educational Administration (postgraduate), National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore

1981
Diploma in Education (postgraduate), Institute of Education, National University of Singapore

1980
Bachelor of Science (Hons) - (Biochemistry), National University of Singapore

2017 - Present
Adjunct Senior Fellow, National Institute of Education, NTU

2017 - 2019
Adjunct Associate Professor, Singapore University of Social Sciences

2014 - 2019
Advisor, Preschool Education, MOE and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)

2004 - 2011
Director, Education Programmes Division (now renamed as Divisional Director), MOE

2000 - 2003
Deputy Director, Schools (East) (now renamed as Zone Director), MOE

1998 - 1999
Assistant Director, Schools, MOE

1996 - 1997
Senior Inspector of Schools, Ministry of Education (MOE)

1993 - 1995
Principal, Chua Chu Kang Secondary School

1988 - 1991
Vice-Principal, Boon Lay Secondary School, Raffles Girls’ School, Swiss Cottage Secondary School

1981 - 1986
Teacher, Teck Whye Secondary School

Papers/Book Chapters/Conference Presentations:

Sum, C. W. (2019)
The Evolving Early Childhood Care & Education Landscape in Singapore: Efforts to raise quality. Paper presented at the 6th Kindergarten Principals’ Conference of the China National Society of Early Childhood Education, Dalian, China.

Sum, C. W. (2019)
The Evolving Professional Development Landscape for Early Childhood Teachers in Singapore. Paper presented at the OMEP Asia Pacific Regional Conference 2019, Kyoto, Japan.

Tan, C.T., & Sum, C.W. (2018)
Deliberations on the implementation of the Nurturing Early Learners Framework”. Presented at the OECD International Roundtable on ECEC Curriculum Frameworks for the 21st Century, MOE Luxembourg.

Sum, C. W., Lim, S. M.-Y., & Tan, C. T. (2018)
Pragmatism in policy making: Influencing a largely privatised early childhood education and care sector in Singapore. In C. Pascal, A. Bertram, & M. Veisson (Eds.), Pedagogic Innovations in Early Childhood Education in Cross Cultural Contexts: Routledge Education.

Sum, C. W. (2018)
Professional Development of ECEC Practitioners in Singapore. Paper presented at the Centre for Early childhood Development, Education and Policy Research (CEDEP) International Symposium, The University of Tokyo.

Sum, C. W. (2017)
Building capacity for learning at Preschool Centres. Paper presented at the Leadership Forum on ECE: Touching Hearts and Engaging Minds, Universitas Negeri Jakarta.

Sum, C. W. (2017)
Early Childhood Leadership Development in Singapore Paper presented at the Leadership Forum on ECE: Touching Hearts and Engaging Minds, Universitas Negeri Jakarta.

Sum, C. W. (2016)
Exploring Leadership for Learning in Kindergartens: A case study of Singapore. (PhD Thesis), University College London, Embargoed for publication. Siraj-Blatchford, I., & Sum, C. W. (2013). Understanding and advancing systems leadership in the early years.

2019
Member, National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) Board of Studies

2017 - 2018
Member, National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) Protem Steering Committee; Co-Chairperson, NIEC Protem Curriculum Committee

2015 - 2017
Chairperson, Early Childhood Curriculum Review Taskforce (ECCRT) - PSEIs

2015
Advisor, ECDA-WDA Taskforce for development of Early Childhood Skills Framework

2014 - Present
Developer & Lead Trainer of the Leadership Series for early childhood centre leaders, ECDA

1996 - 2011
Chairperson for various MOE committees for varying periods of time, including:
- TSLN Innovation Team on Single Session Schools
- Schools division Innovation Fund Management Committee
- School Naming Committee
- Training for principals & vice-principals
- Sabbatical Scheme for Principals
- Singapore Youth Festival
- Social & Emotional Learning
- Education and Career Guidance
- Pre-school Accreditation (SPARK)
- Programme for Active Learning (PAL)
- ASEAN Schools Games 2011
- Co-Curricular Activities and LEAPS

2008 - 2009
Co-Chairperson, Asian Youth Games (AYG) Executive Committee

2007 - 2011
Chairperson, MOE-MCYS Pre-School Outreach Implementation Committee

2007 - 2011
Member, Inter-Ministry Committee on Disabilities

2006
Co-Chairperson, Inter-Ministry Task Force on Out of School Youths

2004 - 2011
Co-Chairperson, MOE-MCYS Pre-School Qualifications Accreditation Committee (PQAC) for EC Teacher Training Courses

2004 - 2011
Member, MOE council for partnership with community and parents (COMPASS-Community and Parents in Support of Schools)

2004 - 2011
Member, MOE Committee for Coordinating Special Education (CCSE)

2004 - 2011
Member, Singapore Sports Council

2004 - 2008
Member, Temasek Polytechnic Board of Governors

2003 - 2008
Member, National Youth Council

2003
Deputy Chairperson, Schools SARs Management Committee

2002 - 2003
Chairperson, MOE Corporate Values Taskforce

1995
Treasurer, Singapore Secondary School Principals' Association

2018
Long Service Award (35 years)

2011
National Day Award – Public Administration Award (Silver Bar)

2007
National Day Award - Long Service Medal

2001
National Day Award - Public Administration Award (Silver)

1987
Dr Ruth Wong Gold Medal (NIE)

Leadership development of educators
Organisational development
Early childhood teacher education
Policy development and implementation

Associate Professor Sum Chee Wah

Head, Master of Early Childhood Education Programme

Educational Qualifications

Academic and Professional Experience

Papers/Book Chapters/Conference Presentations: