Arts, culture & sports

• MOE ensures all students participate in sports through Physical Education lessons, which develop fundamental movements and strength in primary school and include at least six physical activities and three intra-school competitions in secondary school.
• Schools offer additional opportunities through inter-class games, sports days, and other mass participation events, supported by funding from the Sports Education Programme.
• While schools aim to meet diverse needs, constraints like space, coaching, and resources mean they cannot cater to every demand, so students may also explore community sports programmes like ActiveSG for wider opportunities.

• Benedict Tan inquired about measures for schools to offer sports CCAs even if they do not excel in competitions, and Heng Swee Keat responded that MOE does not set performance indicators for CCAs and has removed awards that emphasized inter-school performance to focus on best practices and balanced student development.

• Heng noted that schools offer a wide range of sports CCAs, with over 60 options available across schools and an average of 50 schools participating in each National School Games sport, demonstrating that schools provide CCAs regardless of competitive success.

• MOE supports schools in offering diverse sports CCAs while acknowledging it is not feasible to cover every sport, and students also engage in sports through Physical Education and community programs like those from Sport Singapore.

• The revised co-curricular recognition system since 2014 allows students to receive credit for a range of activities without requiring competition wins, promoting character development and passion in sports CCAs.

• MOE will continue to assist schools in ensuring students have access to sporting opportunities, reinforcing the natural platform CCAs provide for character development and talent exploration.

The Bill aims to update the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act to clarify licensing jurisdictions between the police and the media authority, and to include real-time streaming of arts performances under regulation. It introduces a requirement for all arts entertainment to be classified by the Media Development Authority (MDA), regardless of the venue, to ensure consistency. Following public consultation, the government has decided not to proceed with a proposed Term Licensing Scheme due to unresolved differences with the arts community on co-regulation and content classification. The amendments also enhance administrative powers, such as investigation tools and composition fines, for the regulatory authorities. The Bill was passed to keep the law relevant amid technological changes and to balance public order with the arts scene's development.

• Benedict Tan asked when all Primary schools will have PE-trained teachers for all Physical Exercise lessons.
• Heng Swee Keat stated that all current PE teachers have basic training in safety, first aid, CPR, and AED use, with plans to enhance their skills in motor development and instructional methods.
• The Ministry of Education expects all PE teachers to complete the full training within the next five to six years.

• The Minister explained that the film "To Singapore, With Love" was classified Not Allowed for All Ratings (NAR) because it presents a misleading and one-sided account of the Communist Party of Malaya's violent history, whitewashing actions that threatened Singapore's security and failing to renounce violence, which would undermine national security if publicly screened.
• The Media Development Authority (MDA) follows existing Films Classification Guidelines, which state that films undermining national interest or security can be disallowed for all ratings; specific guidelines for historical content are not planned, but MDA supports documentaries that provide balanced insights into Singapore's past without breaching these guidelines.
• Private screenings of NAR-classified films are permitted, and educational institutions can request approvals for restricted screenings to facilitate academic discussion, as demonstrated by Yale-NUS College's approved screening for a course on documentary conflicts.
• The Minister noted that MDA engages filmmakers to explain classification decisions and is open to discussions, but it is the filmmaker's responsibility to consult guidelines during production; MDA does not proactively engage all 10,000 film submissions annually but clarifies rationale when asked.
• The government will challenge films that distort historical facts or attack the legitimacy of security actions, as failing to do so could erode public confidence in handling current threats, while supporting balanced public education through approved documentaries like Channel NewsAsia's "Days of Rage."

• The Minister for Defence agreed with MP Liang Eng Hwa that increasing attendance for Singapore's 50th National Day Parade (NDP) in 2015 is desirable, noting the Organising Committee is evaluating options such as more preview shows, but adding another could strain participants.
• The government is exploring ways to let more Singaporeans attend "live," including increasing seating capacity at the Padang, creating satellite viewing platforms in the Marina Bay area, and working with the People's Association for heartland celebrations.
• Liang suggested leveraging surrounding areas like the Marina Bay and reducing rehearsals to add a public preview show, while the Minister confirmed potential sites are being considered but highlighted logistical challenges.
• The Minister emphasized that adding more previews or NE shows is constrained by participant rest and logistics, but the committee aims to include as many Singaporeans as possible for the Golden Jubilee celebration.

• Sylvia Lim inquired about measures to ensure affordable ticket prices for events featuring Singapore athletes at the Sports Hub, which is managed via a public-private partnership with multiple organizers.
• Lawrence Wong explained that event promoters cover significant costs like venue rental and marketing, leading to ticket pricing that reflects these expenses while also considering market risk and sales potential.
• He noted that SportSG collaborates with National Sports Associations and promoters to enhance accessibility for Singaporeans, especially for events where SportSG is not the main organizer.
• For major events like the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games where SportSG is the main organizer, ticket prices will be set to be affordable for all Singaporeans.

• Zaqy Mohamad inquired whether the Ministry plans public consultations to define current social norms, referencing recent controversies, and how to address such issues in a non-divisive manner.
• The Media Development Authority (MDA) uses Content Codes and regular community surveys, along with advisory committees, to align content classification with evolving social norms.
• MDA announced a Content Standards Study for later this year to review if existing standards meet community expectations and harmonize ratings across platforms.
• Public consultations are held during Content Code reviews, but between these periods, classification decisions are left to MDA with input from consultative panels.
• The MDA's approach aims to balance competing interests and provide sufficient information for public choice without needing consultations on every decision.

• Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked about the total budget, cost control measures, and potential profits for the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in 2015.
• Lawrence Wong stated that the budget is still being finalized, with efforts to minimize costs by using existing facilities, seeking corporate sponsorships, and managing key cost drivers like the number of sports and events.
• He noted that profits are not expected, as ticket sales are priced to encourage participation rather than fully recover costs, and the Games are hosted to support ASEAN responsibilities and benefit Singapore's sports scene.

• Er Dr Lee Bee Wah proposed televising live broadcasts of popular international sports events at Community Centres, citing the positive response to recent World Cup screenings.
• The Minister highlighted the success of the 2014 FIFA World Cup screenings, which attracted over 570,000 residents and fostered community spirit through shared viewing and activities.
• The Ministry is open to considering future sports broadcasts at Community Clubs, contingent on costs, resident demand, and sponsorship availability.

• Since 2011, 64 books have been withdrawn from the National Library collection, with 40 withdrawn based on public feedback and the rest due to internal reviews or other reasons.
• In the past 10 years, 153 titles were withdrawn, of which 105 were due to public objections, with reasons including age-inappropriateness, graphic sexual content, excessive violence, crude language, disturbing images, religious sensitivities, and factual inaccuracies.
• The Minister provided a breakdown of withdrawal reasons but did not list specific book titles in response to the questions asked.

• Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked for lessons learned from the withdrawal of books from the National Library and steps to strengthen the review process for children's books, as well as how to prevent future disruptions from last-minute boycotts by event participants.
• Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim explained that NLB aims to provide wide access to materials but withdrawing books is challenging due to differing values; NLB will improve its review processes and patron sensing, including appointing a diverse advisory panel to advise on book withdrawals.
• NLB will continue organizing community events with literary partners and engage them closely, striving to minimize any impact if events need to be cancelled.

• Nicholas Fang inquired about the condition of the new National Stadium’s pitch and the impact of recent non-sporting events on it.
• Lawrence Wong explained that the hybrid Desso GrassMaster pitch was chosen for its durability to support both sports and non-sporting events.
• The Sports Hub used special decking to protect the pitch during concerts, removed it afterward, and reported the turf is growing well and ready for upcoming sports.
• The Sports Hub will manage the event calendar to ensure the pitch remains in good condition for sporting events.

• Ang Hin Kee queried the safety and evacuation plans at the new Sports Hub to prevent disasters like the Bradford City and Hillsborough incidents.
• Lawrence Wong stated the Sports Hub follows both local and UK safety codes, adopting the stricter guidelines and using advanced evacuation modelling.
• He added that the Sports Hub's operational team has global experience and trains with local authorities, with ongoing reviews to ensure public safety.

• NLB will establish an advisory panel with diverse community representation to advise on book suitability, while professional librarians retain final decision-making authority.
• For books withdrawn due to controversial content, NLB will consider alternatives like transferring to adult sections rather than pulping, after reviewing disposal guidelines.
• The Minister affirmed that NLB's collections must respect community norms, especially for children's materials, while maintaining secular policies and serving a broad audience.

• Ms Janice Koh questioned the reasons for banning A-Mei’s song "Rainbow" at the Spring Wave festival, why it was now deemed objectionable despite prior permission, and whether alternatives like consumer advisories or bans on radio/public play were considered.
• Minister Yaacob Ibrahim explained the song’s lyrics alone do not breach guidelines, and it can be played on radio or in public spaces without issue.
• The ban arose because at a past indoor concert, A-Mei’s performance of the song included a segment promoting a pro-LGBT message, which would have warranted an Advisory rating if disclosed during licensing.
• For the outdoor 2014 Spring Wave festival, only General-rated content is allowed to ensure suitability for all ages, and the organiser decided to exclude the song after being advised it would exceed that rating based on past performances.

• The Ministry is enhancing the High Performance Sports system to support athlete training, coaching, and sports science, with these improvements continuing beyond the SEA Games.
• The SEA Games will showcase Singapore's facilities, especially the Sports Hub, to position the country as a global sports city capable of hosting international events smoothly.
• Efforts are being made to increase public participation in sports through volunteer and spectator opportunities, using the Games to build broader support for the sports industry.
• The Ministry is working with National Sports Associations to develop sports officials and engage corporate partners to sustain sponsorship for athletes and events.
• The overall goal is to create a lasting legacy by deepening public interest in sports and strengthening the sports industry's growth.

• Mrs Lina Chiam asked the Ministry of Education to ensure a level playing field in inter-school sports competitions between regular schools and the Singapore Sports School.
• The Ministry responded that the National School Games includes all schools, with the Sports School competing in only a portion of events and other schools also achieving successes, such as Hong Kah Secondary winning national football titles.
• Mrs Lina Chiam raised follow-up questions on resource allocation for other sports, medals won against the Sports School, and psychological support for athletes facing large losses, with the Ministry affirming that all schools receive funding for sports and that learning from losses is part of character development.

• The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth outlined contingency plans to address transboundary haze during the 2015 SEA Games, including engaging regional partners, scheduling buffers for postponements, and developing a framework to decide on moving events indoors or cancelling them based on air quality.
• Nicholas Fang asked for clarifications on potential overseas training for athletes, specific air quality thresholds for triggering event changes, and the possible extra costs incurred by SINGSOC due to haze-related adjustments.
• The Minister responded that overseas training is already part of some plans and could be expanded if needed, that a solid framework for air quality decisions is being developed, and that costs are manageable through existing contract provisions and scheduling buffers.

• Ang Hin Kee asked the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth about using data analytics from new sources like third-party taxi apps to predict transport demand and supply for events at the Sports Hub and to compare such data with major events like the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
• Lawrence Wong responded that Sports Hub Pte Ltd has conducted traffic and commuter flow studies and is collaborating with Sport Singapore, LTA, and SMRT to monitor and improve management, considering the member's suggestion on data analytics.
• The Sports Hub is designed to encourage public transport use, and for major events, a pre-sold car parking system is used to provide certainty to visitors, similar to practices in other countries like France.
• As the Sports Hub is new, travelling habits will take time to adjust, and SHPL will continue engaging the public and refining arrangements based on feedback and actual experiences.