Factors Affecting Students' Sleep Sufficiency

Dr Choo Pei Ling asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry has studied (i) factors affecting students' sleep sufficiency, including school schedules and after-school demands and (ii) the relationship between sleep sufficiency and students’ daytime functioning, including alertness, concentration, and well-being.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) commissioned studies on adolescents’ sleep in 2021. These studies showed that adolescents' sleep duration and bedtime patterns are associated with a range of individual and environmental factors, including age and pre-bedtime activities, such as leisure use of electronic devices, that is, social media and gaming), studying or doing homework, and chatting or texting.

International research shows that inadequate sleep can impair adolescents' cognitive functioning, such as sustained attention, working memory and mood. Adequate sleep is therefore important for students' learning, well-being and physical development. Under the Grow Well SG initiative, MOE will continue to partner relevant agencies, parents and the community to promote healthy sleep habits and support students' overall well-being.