Education — Topics

10 Jul 2018

Provisions for Candidates with Medical Certificate to Resit Primary School Leaving Examination

Christopher de Souza asked if candidates with a medical certificate could resit the PSLE without being retained for another year.
Ong Ye Kung explained that candidates medically unfit to sit for the PSLE do not need to resit it, as their attainment can be assessed through other methods.
The Ministry of Education projects a T-score or aggregate score for absent candidates using their school performance and peer comparisons, eliminating the need for a retake.

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10 Jul 2018

Breakdown of New Hires for Graduate Roles in Public Service and Civil Service from 2013 to 2017

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Prime Minister for a breakdown of new graduate hires in the Public Service and Civil Service from 2013 to 2017 by alma mater type.
Chan Chun Sing responded that an average of 2,800 officers were hired annually for graduate roles between 2013 and 2017.
Of these new hires, 65% were from local autonomous universities, 4% from local private educational institutes, and 24% from overseas universities.
The remaining hires were non-graduates, completing the annual average.
The data covers the five-year period from 2013 to 2017 as specified in the query.

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10 Jul 2018

Support for Non-profit Organisations Promoting Lifelong Employability of Seniors

The government funds continuing education and training programmes for seniors through initiatives like the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy, which includes pre-approved courses from non-profit organizations such as Tsao Foundation's Hua Mei Training Academy.
The Ministry of Manpower promotes progressive workplace practices for seniors through partnerships with entities like the Singapore National Employers Federation, offering grants like WorkPro to redesign jobs and support older workers' productivity.
MOM implements direct employability measures for older workers, including the Special Employment Credit Scheme for wage offsets, the Adapt and Grow initiative for job search support, and Professional Conversion Programmes with salary assistance to address skills and wage mismatches.
Non-profit organizations partnering with the government receive funding support, exemplified by assistance to Fei Yue Family Service Centre for running the Family Central's Elder Education Department to promote lifelong learning for seniors.

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10 Jul 2018

Proposal to Review Specialist Training under Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked if the ACGME-based specialist training will be reviewed, customised for local needs, and aligned with producing more generic specialists for the population.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that the ACGME-I system was introduced in 2010 to provide structured training and was reviewed in 2014, concluding it met objectives but requiring contextualisation.
The Ministry has made improvements, such as broader competencies for holistic care, starting specialist training after PGY1, and mandatory geriatric training for non-Internal Medicine residents.
MOH will continue engaging stakeholders, including healthcare institutions and ACGME-I, to refine the training framework for local needs.

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10 Jul 2018

Ban of Smartphones in Schools

Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for Education whether smartphones should be banned in schools, citing studies on their negative effects on learning, interaction, physical activity, and overall disruptions.
Ong Ye Kung explained that MOE provides guidance for schools to regulate smartphone use based on student needs, but there is no blanket ban, noting conflicting views globally on the practicality of such a ban.
He highlighted that smartphones can be used as positive learning tools when used purposefully, and that schools focus on teaching responsible use through Cyber Wellness lessons and parental partnership.
The Ministry will continue monitoring developments and collaborating with schools to ensure a conducive learning environment.

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10 Jul 2018

Number of Teachers Trained to Teach Special Needs Students

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar asked for the number of teachers and allied educators trained to teach special needs students in four specialised schools, and the ratio compared to mainstream schools.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary responded that all teachers in these schools have SEN awareness training, with about 15% holding higher-level qualifications, and each school has about 10 specialised staff to support students.
Dr Intan Mokhtar highlighted that at least half of the recent intake in these schools are students with special needs and urged more funding for teacher deployment and additional support staff.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary assured that the schools receive resourcing, including MOE-seconded trained teachers, in-house training, and consultancy services, to cater to students' needs.
Both speakers emphasized the commitment to providing the best support for students with special needs in these specialised schools.

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9 Jul 2018

Estimated Annual Revenue from Imposition of Parking Fees for Teachers in Schools

Leon Perera asked the Ministry of Education for the estimated annual revenue from imposing parking fees on teachers in schools.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the projected revenue from car park charges across 360 primary, secondary, and junior colleges is between $8 million and $10 million per year.
The collected revenue will be retained by the individual schools rather than being pooled at the national level.

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9 Jul 2018

Fresh Graduates of Institutes of Higher Learning Hired by Public Service

Leon Perera inquired about the proportion of fresh graduates from various educational institutes hired by the public service as their first job and how this compares to other developed countries.
Ong Ye Kung provided data showing that 26% of autonomous university graduates, 7% of private education institution degree graduates, 13% of polytechnic graduates, and 13% of ITE graduates were employed in the public service six months after graduation.
The Ministry of Education stated that it does not have comparable statistics from other developed countries to address the comparison part of the query.

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9 Jul 2018

Students Seeking Assistance from Career Guidance Offices in Polytechnics and ITEs

The Minister highlighted that polytechnics and ITEs provide 40-60 hours of enhanced career guidance curriculum, supplemented by industry exposure, career fairs, and the MySkillsFuture portal.
ECG centres were established in all institutions in 2016, offering workshops, talks, and individual or group counselling sessions, with about one in 25 students accessing such sessions in the last two years.
The Minister noted that while ECG resources are well known, their usage is expected to grow over time, and effectiveness reviews are ongoing but not specified in the response.

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9 Jul 2018

Percentage of Students Promoted from Normal Technical to Normal Academic and Express Streams

Mr. Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Ministry of Education for the percentage of students promoted from Normal Technical to Normal Academic and from Normal Academic to Express over the past five years.
Over the last five years, close to 10% of Normal Technical students transferred to the Normal Academic course.
About 5% of Normal Academic students transferred to the Express course.
Beyond full-course transfers, many students opt for Subject-based Banding to offer specific subjects at a higher level, reflecting a focus on multiple pathways suited to student strengths.

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9 Jul 2018

Plans to Meet Increased Demand for Primary School Places in Bukit Batok SMC

Murali Pillai inquired about the expected increase in demand for primary school places in Bukit Batok SMC due to new BTO developments and the Ministry’s plans to address it.
Ong Ye Kung stated that MOE regularly reviews demand and supply trends and has accounted for new housing developments in Bukit Batok in its school planning.
MOE confirmed there are nine primary schools within two kilometres of the new developments and that current capacity is sufficient to meet projected demand.
The Ministry will continue to monitor the demand and supply situation for primary schools in the area closely.

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9 Jul 2018

Promoting Integration between Students Attending International and MOE-run Schools

The Ministry promotes integration through Character and Citizenship Education lessons and exchange programmes with international schools, both locally and overseas, to help students value diversity and work with different cultures.
Additional opportunities for deeper interaction include sports competitions, Model United Nations conferences, debating championships, and common interest youth groups that involve both mainstream and international school students.
Schools will continue to actively create opportunities for students to interact across different school types to develop cultural literacy and foster an inclusive society.

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9 Jul 2018

Breakdown of PSLE Cohorts Entering University from 60th to below 30th Percentiles Based on PSLE Results

Gan Thiam Poh asked for a breakdown of students from each PSLE cohort over the past 10 years who entered university, categorized by their PSLE percentile ranges (60th to 75th, 50th to 60th, 30th to 50th, and below 30th).
Ong Ye Kung responded that the education system offers multiple pathways beyond university, emphasizing that PSLE results are not the sole determinant of future success.
The proportion of students from the 1997 to 2006 PSLE cohorts gaining admission to local publicly-funded degree courses rose from 23% to 31%.
For those with PSLE results in the 51st to 75th percentile, admission rates increased from 24% to 38% over the same period.
For students in the bottom half (below 50th percentile), admission rates grew from 4% to 10%.

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9 Jul 2018

Measures to Assess and Ensure Children Continue to Uphold Relevant Oriental Core and Family Values

The Ministry of Education assesses and upholds core family values like filial piety, care for the elderly, and savings habits through the national curriculum, integrating them into subjects like Character and Citizenship Education.
Schools reinforce these values through co-curricular activities, experiential programs like Values in Action, and collaborations with parents and community partners for practical application.
Regular reviews of the curriculum and pedagogical approaches are conducted to ensure effectiveness in instilling values, with efforts aimed at maximizing students’ internalization and demonstration of these values in daily life.

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9 Jul 2018

Measures to Help Students Better Understand Socio-economic Opportunities in Southeast Asia

The Ministry of Education introduces students to ASEAN and regional socio-economic topics through the Social Studies curriculum in primary school and subjects like Economics, Geography, and History in secondary and pre-university levels.
Students deepen their understanding via ASEAN-themed forums, seminars, overseas trips to Southeast Asian countries, and participation in events like the ASEAN Schools Games.
Institutions of Higher Learning offer immersion programmes, student exchanges, overseas internships, and community projects in the region, while also hosting ASEAN students to foster bonds.

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9 Jul 2018

Educational Levels Attained by Prison Inmates

Louis Ng Kok Kwang requested a breakdown of educational levels for inmates entering Drug Rehabilitation Centres, Long-Term Imprisonment 1, and Long-Term Imprisonment 2 regimes over the past three years.
K Shanmugam provided tables showing the educational attainment of inmates upon admission to DRC, LT1, and LT2.
The data reflects self-declared educational levels by inmates at the time of entry into these regimes.

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9 Jul 2018

Assistance for Candidates More Proficient in Own Vernacular Languages for Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence Test

Mr Sitoh Yih Pin asked if language assistance could be provided for Private Hire Car Driver’s Vocational Licence (PDVL) test candidates more proficient in vernacular languages, while retaining English proficiency requirements.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that drivers must communicate in simple English and read basic English for navigation, as required for commuter interaction and road safety.
The government acknowledged language difficulties among applicants and offers employment assistance through the Employment and Employability Institute or Workforce Singapore for those seeking other jobs.
For those still wishing to drive, remedial classes by training providers like Singapore Taxi Academy and ComfortDelGro Taxi are available, with the Land Transport Authority ensuring language assistance is provided.

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9 Jul 2018

Educational Qualifications of 54,000 Private Hire Car Drivers

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Transport for a breakdown of the educational qualifications of 54,000 private hire car drivers in Singapore.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that as of 31 March 2018, 40% of these drivers had tertiary or post-secondary qualifications, including degrees, diplomas, and ITE certificates.
Another 40% of drivers had secondary school level qualifications as their highest attainment.
The remaining 20% had primary school level qualifications or other qualifications such as Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications.

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9 Jul 2018

Effectiveness of Professional Conversion Programme in Helping Participants to Switch Careers

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan questioned whether the Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) has successfully met its aims in enabling career switches for participants.
Minister Josephine Teo reported that the PCP has placed over 10,000 PMETs into jobs since 2007, with completion rates above 90% and a significant increase in placements from 2016 to 2017.
The programme has expanded to include more sectors and types of support, such as same-sector occupation switches, intra-company reskilling, and Attach-and-Train schemes to prepare workers for future demand.

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9 Jul 2018

Employment Assistance for Fresh Graduates from Private Universities

Mr Murali Pillai asked if the Ministry of Manpower has plans to assist fresh graduates from private universities in gaining employment and to improve employer perceptions of their value.
Mrs Josephine Teo responded that private education institutions (PEIs) must equip graduates with industry-relevant skills and take responsibility for their employment outcomes, with the Ministry of Education highlighting programme relevance and assessing PEIs via the EduTrust scheme.
The Ministry of Education has enhanced Education and Career Guidance efforts in schools and mandated PEIs with degree programmes to conduct and publish graduate employment surveys to help students make informed career decisions.
The Ministry of Manpower, with tripartite partners, promotes progressive hiring practices that encourage holistic candidate assessment, as outlined in the Tripartite Standard on Recruitment Practices, which over 560 employers have adopted.
Employers are increasingly looking beyond education qualifications, using competency assessments or work trials to identify candidates with a good fit, supporting fair and merit-based recruitment.

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