Arts, culture & sports — Topics

14 Sep 2021

Parameters Determining Cash Incentive Amounts Offered under Major Games Award Programme

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about the parameters for cash incentives under the Major Games Award Programme and questioned the distinction between the Olympics and Paralympics/Special Olympics given their comparable international recognition.
Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that the Major Games Awards Programme and Athletes’ Achievement Awards are private schemes managed by the Singapore National Olympic Council and Singapore Paralympic Council respectively.
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Sport Singapore value all Team Singapore athletes and will continue working with these councils to engage corporate and public support for celebrating athletes’ achievements.

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14 Sep 2021

Plans to Expand Offering of Non-standard Subjects at Neighbourhood Secondary Schools

The Ministry of Education currently does not offer non-standard subjects like music or third languages in all secondary schools due to low enrollment, instead providing designated centres across Singapore for students from schools without these offerings.
For third languages, specific programmes such as Malay (Special Programme) and Chinese (Special Programme) are available at a limited number of schools and zonal centres, while foreign languages are taught exclusively at two central MOE language centres.
Music is offered as an elective in all lower secondary schools and in over 25% of upper secondary schools; students from other schools can attend at 12 centralised centres, with MOE monitoring accessibility.

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14 Sep 2021

Encouraging More Private Sector Contributions to Singapore National Paralympic Council

Raj Joshua Thomas asked about steps to encourage private sector contributions to the Singapore National Paralympic Council so Paralympic medal winners receive cash rewards equal to Olympic medal winners.
Edwin Tong clarified that the Major Games Awards Programme and Athletes’ Achievement Awards are private schemes managed by the SNOC and SNPC respectively.
The government congratulates all Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic athletes and values Team Singapore athletes of all abilities.
MCCY and Sport Singapore will continue working with the SNOC and SNPC to engage corporate entities and the public to celebrate athletes’ achievements.

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13 Sep 2021

Protocols for Reporting of Suicide and Attempted Suicide Cases by Media to Discourage Potential Copycat Behaviour

Miss Rachel Ong asked about media protocols for reporting suicide and attempted suicide cases to discourage copycat behavior, especially among vulnerable youth, and to minimize trauma to mentally unstable survivors, particularly younger ones.
Mrs Josephine Teo highlighted that media reporting should be sensitive and responsible to avoid adding to pain and trauma, and mentioned the NCSS’s Beyond the Label media guide launched in March, which provides guidelines for reporting mental health issues, including advising against sensational details and recommending inclusion of helplines.
The guide has been shared with mainstream media newsrooms, editors, and journalists across platforms and is available online, and mainstream media have largely demonstrated a responsible approach with long-standing understanding with the government.
The government urges all media outlets to continue exercising care, sensitivity, and precaution to avoid trauma and will engage with media to ensure responsible reporting.

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13 Sep 2021

Consistent Enforcement Standards by Safe Distancing Ambassadors for Gyms, Fitness Centres and Sports Facilities

Safe distancing enforcement officers are appointed under the Infectious Diseases Act and authorized to issue warnings, fines, and prosecute breaches, with all officers trained and briefed on current regulations before deployment.
Officers are regularly updated on safe management measures via mobile devices and deployed in teams with experienced members to provide guidance, having conducted over 47,000 inspections since the circuit breaker period.
Sport Singapore holds townhalls and briefings to explain regulations and address operational concerns, continuing engagement with the sporting community to ensure compliance and cooperation.

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13 Sep 2021

Local Universities' Support of Artists and Sportsmen

Local universities support the holistic development of students through arts and sports activities, competitions, and elective modules.
They provide facilities, scholarships, talent development programmes, and academic flexibility for student artists and sportsmen.
Specialized arts education is further strengthened by LASALLE, NAFA, and a forthcoming University of the Arts alliance.

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3 Aug 2021

Statistics on Current Number of Licensed Swimming Pools in Singapore and Those with Lifeguards on Duty

There are about 2,700 licensed swimming pools in Singapore, including those in private residences, condominiums, and clubs.
All 27 ActiveSG pools managed by Sport Singapore have lifeguards on duty, but current licensing only requires first-aid boxes, lifebuoys, and resuscitation illustrations, not lifeguards or trained personnel.
The government encourages a multi-stakeholder approach to water safety, including education and personal responsibility, but has not committed to legislating lifeguards or on-premise life-saving training.

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3 Aug 2021

Proposal to Distribute Still-functional Fitness Trackers Purchased for National Steps Challenge

Gerald Giam proposed distributing the 341,000 excess but still-functional fitness trackers from the National Steps Challenge to the public to promote exercise instead of disposing of them.
Ong Ye Kung explained that the surplus arose from over-estimation of demand, with 120,000 functional trackers remaining, of which 48,000 replaced faulty units and 72,000 are being used for community and government initiatives, while the rest were disposed of as unusable.
HPB has enhanced monitoring processes, including daily tracking of stocks and biannual audits, and will adopt more conservative procurement projections to prevent future excesses.
Additional trackers will only be purchased when excess bookings are received, and replacement criteria have been broadened to better address defective units.
MOH will oversee the implementation of these measures and ensure accountability and prudent resource use in health promotion efforts.

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3 Aug 2021

Nurturing a Thriving, Innovative and Sustainable Hawker Industry as a Cornerstone of Singaporean Culture

Leon Perera proposed three key strategies to enhance Singapore's hawker industry, focusing on protecting hawkers through affordable rents, professionalizing the trade with permanent ambassadors and a national academy, and promoting hawkers globally with support for overseas expansion and documenting traditional recipes.
Dr Amy Khor acknowledged the challenges faced by hawkers, especially during COVID-19, and outlined government measures such as rental waivers, financial grants, and support programs like the Hawkers’ Development Programme and Hawker Centres Transformation Programme to sustain the industry.
Both speakers emphasized the importance of keeping hawker culture vibrant and affordable, with Perera suggesting innovative allocation methods like tasting committees and discount cards for low-income Singaporeans, while Khor highlighted the success of existing initiatives and the need for continued stakeholder collaboration.

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3 Aug 2021

Guidelines for Media when Approaching Those Affected by Traumatic Event

The Parliamentary Secretary outlined guidelines for media conduct during traumatic events, emphasizing the need to protect the well-being of affected individuals, especially students, while balancing the public interest and accurate reporting.
The Children and Young Persons Act provides legal protections for minors, prohibiting the publication of information that could identify those under 18 involved in court proceedings, with recourse available if violated.
In response to concerns about media behavior, the government appealed to media and the public to exercise empathy and avoid approaching victims, noting that while authorities can engage media, they cannot restrict them from being in public areas.

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2 Aug 2021

Age Gates for Arts Groups to Produce Digital Non-"G"-rated Work and Enjoy Funding from Digital Presentation Grant for the Arts

Leon Perera asked if the government would work with ticketing companies to introduce age gates so arts groups can produce non-"G" rated digital works and still access the Digital Presentation Grant for the Arts (DPG).
Edwin Tong explained that the DPG was part of a 2020 support package to help arts groups go digital, but it required content to be suitable for all audiences due to the difficulty of enforcing age restrictions online.
The DPG supported nearly 700 digital projects and created over 9,000 work opportunities, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility for all ages.
After the DPG closed, arts practitioners can now use enhanced grants like the Presentation and Participation Grant for digital or hybrid works, including those with higher-than-General ratings.
The government has maintained regular grant schemes that have been updated to support digital works, including those that are not "G"-rated.

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2 Aug 2021

Resumption of Inter-school Games and Sports Competitions

Mr Darryl David asked when inter-school games and sports competitions would resume and if more sports could be added.
The Minister of State for Education responded that the National Schools Games were cancelled for 2021 due to COVID-19 but will resume in phases in 2022, starting with vaccinated secondary, junior college, and Millennia Institute students.
For primary school students, resumption depends on vaccination eligibility, with low-risk non-contact sports resuming first and possible format modifications for higher-risk sports.
The Ministry emphasized that resuming these games is important for student development and well-being, and will proceed only when safe.
All sports are planned to be included in the phased resumption, with adjustments as needed to mitigate risks.

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26 Jul 2021

Plans to Protect and Promote Natural and Historical Heritage of Southern Islands

The Singapore Land Authority works with agencies like NParks and the National Heritage Board to protect the Southern Islands' biodiversity and heritage, ensuring sustainable access for visitors.
Key measures include designating the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park as a protected area, restricting public access to conservation zones, and organizing public education through guided walks and community outreach.
Efforts to document heritage include a National University of Singapore project on the islands’ cultural and natural heritage, supported by NHB, and the recognition of Kusu Island’s pilgrimage as intangible cultural heritage.

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5 Jul 2021

Framework to Bring Back National School Games for Sports in a Safe and Lower-Risk Environment for Our Schools

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5 Jul 2021

Developments Ceased due to Findings from Environmental Impact Assessments and Built Heritage Evaluations

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5 Jul 2021

Preparations for Singapore's Participation in Tokyo Olympics amidst COVID-19

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5 Jul 2021

Managing Community Conversations on Sensitive Race and Religion Topics and Addressing Tensions due to Racial Insensitivities

The Minister outlined a multi-pronged approach to manage racial and religious tensions, combining legal enforcement against hate speech, promoting respectful online norms, and supporting community dialogues to build mutual understanding.
The government trains facilitators from the public service and community groups to lead conversations on sensitive topics, and funds initiatives like the Harmony Fund and BRIDGE program to foster open dialogue and interfaith understanding.
Efforts are made to enlarge common spaces for interaction through arts, heritage, sports, and school programs, with a focus on nurturing empathy and respect in students through the refreshed Character and Citizenship Education curriculum.
The government collaborates with social media companies and the Media Literacy Council to address racial insensitivities online, while encouraging ground-up projects to strengthen social cohesion.
The Minister emphasized that racial harmony requires continuous work, with all Singaporeans playing a part in building a nation regardless of race, language, or religion.

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11 May 2021

Standardise Design, Administration and Scoring for SwimSafer Programme

Edwin Tong confirmed that SwimSafer assessments are conducted using a standard list of criteria by qualified assessors who do not evaluate their own students to ensure consistency and integrity.
The programme is structured into six progressive stages with 12 hours of lessons each, focusing on water survival and life-saving skills to prevent drowning.
SwimSafer complements national swimming development by building foundational water confidence and skills that can lead to competitive swimming and aquatic sports.

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11 May 2021

Safe Management Measures for Busking

Member Louis Ng inquired about the progress and potential expansion of busking pilots that test safe management measures.
Minister Edwin Tong reported that successful busking pilots were conducted last December but will be delayed due to the COVID-19 situation.
The National Arts Council will instead launch quarterly live-streamed busking from mid next month to provide a digital platform for buskers and audiences.

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11 May 2021

Funds Allocated to The Arts and Measures to Protect Arts Economy and Jobs

The government allocates approximately $450 million annually to the arts, with funds distributed across visual, performing, and literary arts based on their presence in the ecosystem, and support provided to organisations of all sizes through grants, commissions, and infrastructure.
The arts sector contributed 0.4% to Singapore’s GDP in 2018 and provided about 26,000 jobs in 2019, with economic value-added growing steadily from $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion between 2013 and 2018.
To protect arts jobs and the economy, the government introduced the Arts and Culture Resilience Package, enhanced with $20 million to bring total COVID-19 support to $75 million, alongside skill development schemes and partnerships to encourage private donations.
Funding and support also extend to national cultural institutions and initiatives that profile Singapore’s arts internationally, build new capabilities, and enhance audience engagement, with arts attendance and cultural appreciation reaching record highs in 2019.
The government emphasises a holistic, partnership-driven approach involving public, private, and people sectors to sustain a vibrant arts landscape that contributes to society beyond economic metrics.

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