Programmes to Support Older Singaporeans Improve On Literacy, Numeracy and Adaptive Problem-solving Skills

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Education in light of the recent OECD report indicating that Singapore's adult literacy proficiency in English is below the OECD average (a) whether the Ministry will consider introducing a standardised English proficiency test at the national level as an entry requirement to local universities; and (b) how does the Ministry plan to enhance literacy proficiency through modules in Continuing Education and Training programmes to support lifelong learning.

The Members have asked what programmes or plans are in place to support Singaporean adults in improving their literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem-solving skills. As we have explained in our previous reply on 8 January 2025, Singapore has made progress across the two cycles of the Survey of Adult Skills developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD0 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). We are the most improved country for numeracy alongside Finland, while our literacy proficiency scores remained stable. Our adaptive problem-solving score was comparable to the OECD mean. Across all three proficiency domains, our young adults continue to perform at the top, above OECD average. For older adults, skills proficiencies are lower compared to younger adults, similar to the finding in the majority of countries. [Please refer to "Addressing Survey Findings Which Showed Decline in English Literacy Skills amongst Older Workers and Average Scores for Adaptive Problem-solving", Official Report, 8 January 2025, Vol 95, Issue 149, Oral Answers to Questions section.]

Natural skills atrophy and technology obsolescence, which are also observed in other developed economies, reinforce the importance of our national lifelong learning agenda through our national SkillsFuture movement. We must re-double our efforts to get Singaporeans to continuously sharpen their capacity to learn, absorb new information and acquire job-specific skills.

Besides literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem-solving skills measured by OECD's PIAAC survey, there are other skills, such as soft skills and vocational skills, that are important for our local workforce to stay relevant. To this end, there is a wide range of SkillsFuture courses and training programmes available to suit the needs of different individuals. The outcome of continuous education and training goes beyond literacy and numeracy skills of Singaporeans. We monitor key outcomes, such as wage levels and employment rates of Singaporeans.

To support Singaporeans aged 40 and above, who are at higher risk of skills obsolescence having been away from formal education longer, we introduced the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme (SFLP) last year. By lowering the opportunity cost of learning through the SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) top-up and training allowance, the SFLP seeks to support substantive mid-career upskilling or reskilling, including upgrading to a higher qualification. We encourage eligible Singaporeans to sign up for the SFLP and take up courses that help to improve their career health and employability as they grow older. We also call upon employers and unions to support their workers and members in upskilling.