In 2000, Khoo Kiak Ern graduated from the National Institute of Education with a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in Chinese Literature and a Diploma in Education. In the same year, he was awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal Award for top in proficiency. Thereafter, he received his Master of Arts, specialising in Chinese Language and Literature, from Nanjing University (China) in 2004.
Prior to joining SOTA, Kiak Ern taught at Hai Sing Catholic School and Raffles Institution. At Hai Sing Catholic School, he was appointed a Cooperating Teacher and Mentor to trainee teachers as well as new teachers to the department. At Raffles Institution, he was appointed level coordinator in years 2007, 2009 and 2010.
Kiak Ern possesses great passion for the arts, especially music and drama. In his varsity years, he developed a strong interest in the Chinese traditional arts, particularly the Art of Chinese Tea and Guqin.