MOE's Financial Assistance for Students

The following question stood in the name of  Mr Alex Yam Ziming –

To ask the Minister for Education (a) what is the total number of students on financial assistance in 2013; (b) whether the numbers have seen an increase over the last five years taking into consideration the changes to the qualifying

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family income ceiling; and (c) apart from financial assistance, what other assistance does the Ministry provide to such students.

Mdm Speaker, MOE is committed to providing quality and affordable education to all Singaporeans regardless of their financial circumstances. Our education is highly subsidised at all levels and the Government provides a range of financial assistance schemes to assist those who may be in need.

The MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) for Singaporeans in primary and secondary schools and JCs/Centralised Institutes has been enhanced over the years. In 2013, around 65,000 Singaporean students were on financial assistance in our schools. This was about 1.5 times the number of beneficiaries five years before, largely owing to changes to the criteria which enabled more students to be eligible. Students on financial assistance do not pay school and standard miscellaneous fees. They also benefit from free textbooks and uniforms. Students in primary schools who qualify for financial assistance are also provided with free breakfast.

In addition, MOE provides every school with additional resources for school leaders to provide assistance to deserving students who may not meet the qualifying criteria.

Singaporean students enrolled in subsidised programmes in our post-secondary educational institutions, namely our publicly-funded universities, polytechnics, Arts Institutions and ITE, benefit from the CDC-CCC bursaries or the MOE bursaries. In Academic Year (AY) 2013, around 47,000 Singaporean students in these post-secondary institutions received the CDC-CCC bursaries and MOE bursaries. This was about 2.5 times the number of beneficiaries five years before, largely due to the changes in criteria in AY2011 that enable more students to qualify. From AY2014, these bursaries have been enhanced to significantly increase the bursary quanta and raise the income eligibility threshold to benefit more students. In addition, students in our publicly-funded polytechnics and universities can also take up the Tuition Fee Loan and Study Loan to cover their tuition fees and supplement their living expenses.

Beyond direct financial assistance to the students, MOE also provides the Opportunity Fund which our schools, ITE and polytechnics can use for the provision of enrichment activities and other co-curricular development

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opportunities for Singaporean students from less advantaged backgrounds. The Fund can also be used to subsidise the purchase of computers for needy students in our schools under the IDA's NEU PC Plus Programme. Under this programme, the students can own a new computer at an affordable price.

MOE also partners with the Self-Help Groups in reaching out to these families or students who need additional assistance beyond MOE. Our Self-Help Groups have in place student assistance and support schemes to help needy students. We are also heartened to know that external organisations and individuals have also been keen to provide additional support to needy students. The School Pocket Money Fund is an example where corporations and individuals have donated generously to complement the assistance provided by MOE.

Beyond financial assistance, schools run programmes to support students to learn better in school. These include the Learning Support Programmes to help them level up academically. After-school care is another important area of learning support. Schools will proactively identify students from low-income families who would benefit from such arrangement and encourage them to enrol in the school-based student care centres. To ensure affordability for students who are enrolled in student care centres and require financial assistance, they can apply for the ComCare Student Care Fee Assistance – a scheme administered by MSF.

I would like to take this opportunity to assure the House that an education in our schools and post-secondary institutions will remain accessible to all Singaporeans. No Singaporean student will be left behind as a result of his or her family's financial circumstances.