Debated in Parliament on 14 Jan 2013.
Ms Mary Liew asked the Minister for Education over the past three years (a) how many working Singapore citizens and permanent residents have received subsidies for the polytechnic part-time diploma programmes; (b) how many have successfully completed their diplomas; and (c) what is the total amount of subsidies disbursed.
In the three years from 2009 to 2011, around 1,000 Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents per year enrolled in part-time diploma programmes at the polytechnics and received subsidies from the Government.
Prior to the recent revisions to the part-time diploma framework in 2011, the normal duration of a part-time diploma course, which varied from course to course, was three to five years. Individuals were allowed to take up to 10 years to complete their course. This flexibility was provided for adult trainees as some
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needed extra time to learn, or needed to defer their training at some point to juggle family, work or other personal demands. Hence, trainees from the same starting cohort may not graduate at the same time. The long duration which trainees are allowed to complete their training makes it difficult to be precise in tracking the success rate by cohorts. Broadly, about 60% to 70% of each starting cohort would have completed within the normal duration of the course.
Since 2011, the part-time diploma courses have been revamped to be more flexible and compact to cater to the needs of working adults. The course structure has been modularised, to comprise five modular certificates stacking up to a full diploma. The duration has also been shortened by 25% to 50% and, generally, can be completed within 2½ years.
Over the financial years from 2009 to 2011, the Government provided $30 million in subsidies, that is, $10 million per year, to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents undertaking part-time diploma training.
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