You do not need to sign up as a teacher but will mentor these students, or teach skills like video editing.

MOE plans to introduce what it calls 'education associates' to provide schools with extra hands to help Normal stream students.

For a start, it aims to deploy an aide in each of the 37 schools with a high number of Normal stream students next year. It hopes to extend them to all schools with Normal course students by 2010.

These associates will need to have post-secondary qualifications from institutions like the polytechnics, or the Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre (Shatec).

MOE feels it will be ideal if they are also good in teaching the more 'hands-on' skills, like digital music, animation or drama.

Successful candidates for this full-time post will get four weeks' training at the National Institute of Education (NIE). Those keen to become teachers might be able to do so after working for two years.

Mr Ang Chee Seng, principal of Christ Church Secondary, said it would be a bonus if the aide can teach skills like cooking or motorcycle repair, but this is not essential.

What matters is whether he or she can build good rapport with students.

The aide can also help teachers in class.

He said: 'With the scheme, we can have a better student-teacher

ratio. Hopefully, it means more personalised and customised programmes.'

External coaches or instructors that schools have been hiring to teach enrichment classes could be a source for candidates, said principals interviewed.

Si Ling Secondary principal Lau Kum Leng said she hoped to hire an associate who can complement her teachers - in particular, someone who can teach IT skills.

Shuqun Secondary principal Adolphus Tan said he would probably get someone who can help take care of Normal (Technical) students.

'Although it's only one person, it will definitely help,' he said.