Options for Students Requiring Long-term In-patient Care for Physical or Mental Health Issues

Mr Darryl David asked the Minister for Education what are the options available for students who require long-term in-patient care for physical or mental health issues to continue with their schooling and education, even as they are residing in hospitals or other healthcare institutions.

Students who require long-term care for physical or mental health issues vary in terms of the support they need.

Schools work with the families of these students and healthcare professionals to support them where appropriate and transit them back to school when they are ready. For example, teachers and peers may keep in touch with these students through voice or video calls. Schools may facilitate access to learning resources and provide support for learning and socio-emotional well-being to ease their transition back to school when ready.

The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) also works with schools to provide support for these students if they are sitting for the national examinations. If the students are assessed to be medically fit but are unable to take the papers in an examination venue, SEAB can arrange for these students to sit for their papers in the hospital. If their physical conditions require additional arrangements, such as extra time, these students can apply for appropriate Access Arrangements through their schools.