Education — Topics

9 Jul 2018

Maternity Leave for Teachers During School Holiday

Rahayu Mahzam asked if the Ministry will review maternity leave for teachers giving birth during school holidays, as they lose leave days since holidays count as annual leave.
Ong Ye Kung explained that maternity leave follows Civil Service guidelines and the Child Development Co-Savings Act, with eight weeks of paid leave that must be continuous and another eight weeks flexible over 12 months.
He noted teachers have a unique work cycle with 12 weeks of school holidays annually, which is longer than other civil servants’ leave entitlements, and mentioned pro-family options like part-time work and various leave provisions.

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9 Jul 2018

Consider Mandatory Basic Coding Skills for Primary School Curriculum

Tin Pei Ling questioned the challenges and implications of making basic coding skills compulsory in the primary school curriculum.
The Ministry of Education noted that coding is specific and can become outdated, preferring to focus on enduring skills like problem-solving and logical reasoning developed through math and science.
The government instead promotes coding exposure through enrichment programs and co-curricular activities, such as "Code for Fun," which has involved 93,000 students since 2014.
The approach aims to build foundational skills that allow students to later learn coding more easily in secondary or pre-university education.
No mandatory coding curriculum is planned, as the emphasis remains on broader 21st-century competencies.

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9 Jul 2018

Lengthen Time for Student Movement between Classes

Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Education to lengthen student movement time between classes to reduce anxiety and improve concentration during lessons.
Ong Ye Kung responded that schools already plan timetables with student well-being in mind, incorporating sufficient breaks and limiting the school day length while ensuring learning time.
He noted that extending movement time would push school days later and that teachers are trained to manage transitions and support students showing signs of stress.
The Minister emphasized that inter-class movement is not a typical source of student stress and that teachers provide interventions when needed.
The debate highlights balancing practical schedule constraints with student well-being in school planning.

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9 Jul 2018

Placement of Children with Special Needs in Mainstream Schools

The Ministry of Education provides various supports for children with special needs in mainstream schools, including specialised programmes, assistive devices, itinerant services, and personnel like teachers trained in special needs and psychologists.
There is a comprehensive training plan for teachers, including pre-service training at the National Institute of Education and in-service programmes like the Teacher of SEN training, with ongoing professional development.
Schools have protocols for sharing information among staff on caring for special needs students, guided by a transition support framework that ensures confidentiality and parental consent.
Empathy and understanding are promoted through Character and Citizenship Education lessons, and schools partner with organisations to facilitate interactions between mainstream students and those with special needs.

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18 May 2018

Adequacy of Current Sex Education Curriculum to Equip Students with Knowledge to Protect Themselves against Predatory Sexual Behaviours

The Ministry outlines a comprehensive sex education curriculum from lower primary to upper secondary that teaches students to recognise predatory behaviours, set boundaries, and seek help.
Parents are supported with resources and encouragement to discuss sexuality at home, though schools do not publicly release specific case numbers of sexual offences.
Teachers are trained to identify signs of distress and refer students to counsellors, with cases involving household members reported to child protection services and non-household cases referred to police.

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18 May 2018

Life Skills Training for Prison Inmates

The Singapore Prison Service collaborates with community partners and voluntary welfare organisations to provide life skills training to inmates, covering areas like communication, stress management, conflict resolution, and financial management.
Examples include structured family programmes by Fei Yue Community Services and Lakeside Family Services, as well as drug abuse intervention programmes by Touch Community Services.
Over 35,000 training places were offered to inmates in the last five years through these programmes.

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18 May 2018

Review Use and Transfer of Untapped Edusave Account Monies

Azmoon Ahmad questioned whether Edusave funds could cover school fees for low-income families and if unused balances could be transferred to SkillsFuture after schooling.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary clarified that Edusave is for enrichment and extra fees, with unutilised amounts moving to the Post-Secondary Education Account for later educational use.
He explained that low-income students receive support via the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme, which waives fees and provides other aids, making Edusave use for school fees unnecessary.
Azmoon Ahmad asked for 2017 FAS enrollment figures, but the official did not have the data and offered to address it via a separate parliamentary question.
Both sides affirmed commitment to affordable education, with regular reviews of assistance schemes to support students from low-income families.

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18 May 2018

Training and Support for Professionals in Special Needs Sector

There are approximately 1,900 professionals in the special needs sector, supported through continuing education, subsidised training, and leadership development programmes to enhance their skills and career progression.
To prevent burnout, measures include self-care courses, a 10-week paid Sabbatical Leave Scheme, mentoring, counselling services, and structured work hours to provide breaks and administrative time.
The government is monitoring the growing demand for special needs services and plans to increase the number of professionals, while working with voluntary welfare organisations to ensure adequate manpower and support structures.

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16 May 2018

Debate on President's Address

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong outlined five key priorities for Singapore: managing global uncertainties, growing the economy through innovation, ensuring social mobility and meritocracy, maintaining social cohesion, and fostering good politics and leadership, emphasizing the need for long-term planning amid a changing world.
The debate highlighted concerns about Singapore's social mobility, with speakers discussing the challenges of keeping society open and preventing stratification, as illustrated by anecdotal examples from Raffles Institution and the importance of inclusive policies.
Several MPs called for bold changes in education and workforce development, proposing specialized schools for neurodivergent children, enhancing lifelong learning through SkillsFuture, and supporting flexible work arrangements to create an inclusive society.

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15 May 2018

Debate on President's Address

Multiple MPs emphasized that tackling income inequality and social stratification is a top priority for the new generation of leaders, arguing that while meritocracy is a core value, the government must provide targeted support in housing, education, and employment to ensure a fair starting point and uphold the social compact.
Several speakers highlighted the need for Singapore to undergo bold economic transformation, particularly by embracing the digital economy, investing in lifelong learning and skills upgrading, and preparing the workforce for technological disruptions and the rise of Southeast Asia's markets.
Concerns were raised about specific groups being left behind, including low-wage workers, mature workers, freelancers in the gig economy, and single parents, with calls for more robust policies such as expanding the Progressive Wage Model and improving retirement and housing adequacy.
MPs urged the government and tripartite partners to strengthen social mixing and inclusivity across different socio-economic groups through housing, education, and national service policies to prevent the formation of entrenched class divides.

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14 May 2018

Debate on President's Address

The debate highlighted the need for education reforms, including pilot programs for special-needs students, de-emphasizing academic excellence by valuing community involvement, and fostering soft skills and creativity from a young age to prepare students for a dynamic future economy.
Speakers emphasized strengthening Singapore's global connectivity through trade agreements, digital infrastructure, and talent development, while urging a collaborative government-business approach to drive economic transformation and support workers in a changing job landscape.
Discussions focused on addressing housing affordability for aged HDB flats, supporting women and seniors through targeted policies, and tackling the cost of living by differentiating needs from wants while promoting a culture of giving and volunteerism to build a more inclusive society.

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7 May 2018

Ministry of Social and Family Development

MSF will expand preschool capacity and bilingual support so that most children can access affordable, quality early childhood education by 2023, while supporting educators and developing early support for low-income families through KidSTART.
MSF aims to strengthen families and support marriages, provide assistance through Social Service Offices to make help more accessible, and intervene more effectively for youths-at-risk through integrated and preventive approaches.
MSF will enhance support for persons with disabilities through the Enabling Masterplan, care for seniors with planning tools and community support, and introduce stronger legal protections for children and vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect.
MSF will grow the social service sector by developing professionals and voluntary welfare organisations, encourage meaningful community giving, and foster a caring society through stronger partnerships with the community.

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7 May 2018

Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education aims to nurture well-rounded Singaporeans by focusing on values, bilingualism, and joyful learning while reducing over-emphasis on exams, with plans like revising PSLE scoring for 2021.
It will expand applied and experiential learning pathways, including industry partnerships and aptitude-based admissions, to support students in discovering their strengths and ensure lifelong learning through SkillsFuture initiatives.
To support disadvantaged students, the Ministry is increasing school-based care centres, reserving school places for non-affiliated students, and extending compulsory education to children with special needs, while enhancing social mixing and parental engagement.

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21 Mar 2018

Appeals for Exemption from Studying Mother Tongue Language

The Ministry of Education (MOE) explained that Mother Tongue Language (MTL) exemptions are granted only under exceptional circumstances, such as for students with certified Special Educational Needs (SEN) or those joining Singapore’s education system mid-stream without prior MTL exposure, with about 2.3% of Primary 6 students exempted annually due to SEN over the past three years.
Appeals are assessed by an MOE panel of curriculum and SEN specialists, which may consult healthcare clinicians; decisions consider the student’s diagnosis, learning history, school feedback, and overall coping ability, with no strict “fail-all-subjects” rule but a holistic review of academic load.
MOE regularly reviews exemption criteria and offers differentiated MTL curricula like Foundation MTL and MTL “B” to support students with difficulties, focusing on oral and listening skills while reducing writing demands to encourage continued language exposure.

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20 Mar 2018

Digitising Examination Scripts before Sending Them to Cambridge for Marking

Mr Murali Pillai proposed scanning examination scripts before sending them to Cambridge to reduce risks of misplacement or theft, and asked about fairness in handling the stolen GCE "A" level Chemistry papers.
The Ministry of Education is studying electronic scanning and marking to mitigate transport risks, but implementation must consider the large volume of scripts and subjects involved.
Cambridge Assessment is reviewing its processes and courier security after the theft incident, having assured MOE and SEAB of their commitment to safeguarding exam integrity.
MOE used statistical models to assign aggregate scores for affected candidates, while offering re-sits to ensure fairness without disadvantaging other candidates whose scripts were properly marked.

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19 Mar 2018

Students Taking up Higher Chinese, Higher Malay and Higher Tamil in Past 10 Years

The proportion of students taking Higher Chinese and Higher Tamil at O Levels has increased to about 30% over the past decade, while Higher Malay has remained around 11%, with similar trends at PSLE for Higher Chinese and Higher Tamil but a decline for Higher Malay.
The rise is attributed to MOE’s 2004 policy change that broadened access beyond the top 10% of the cohort and allowed schools discretion to admit students based on passion and competency.
Concerns exist from schools and parents about students’ ability to cope with additional subjects, prompting MOE to work with schools to support those interested and capable in pursuing Higher Mother Tongue.

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19 Mar 2018

CPF Contributions for Apprentices and Interns from Institutes of Higher Learning

Patrick Tay asked whether employers must contribute CPF for apprentices and interns from various institutions including ITEs, polytechnics, universities, and private education providers.
Lim Swee Say clarified that employers do not need to contribute CPF for students from ITE, polytechnics, or autonomous universities if the training is approved by their institutions.
For students from private education providers or private universities, CPF contributions are exempt only if they are in MOE-subsidized full-time programs and the training is institution-approved.
The list of approved MOE-subsidized programs is available on the MOE website.

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19 Mar 2018

Number of Students Who Suffer from Depression and Other Mental Conditions

The Ministry of Education (MOE) does not have precise data on the number of students with depression or mental conditions, as these are often undisclosed due to stigma or lack of awareness, and the causes are typically multifactorial, including personal, familial, and academic pressures.
MOE collaborates with other agencies to support students, and schools monitor socio-emotional well-being, with teachers trained to identify at-risk students and refer them to counsellors or medical professionals as needed.
Teachers receive training on recognizing behavioral and emotional abnormalities, and schools may work with families, community partners, and health clinics, but this is subject to privacy considerations and parental consent.
The transfer of information between primary and secondary schools about a student’s mental health is handled on a case-by-case basis, balancing privacy, parental consent, and the need for continuity of support.

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6 Mar 2018

Committee of Supply – Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)

Minister Yaacob Ibrahim outlined the "ABC" strategy to build Singapore's digital economy: Accelerate digitalisation of existing sectors through initiatives like SMEs Go Digital and Kampong Glam's digital transformation, Build up infocomm media companies through schemes like Accreditation@SG Digital and the Open Innovation Platform, and Create future digital sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, and immersive media.
The Ministry is scaling up the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) with $145 million to create 20,000 new training places by 2020, focusing on frontier technologies and expanding support for mid-career professionals and new sectors like manufacturing and professional services.
To ensure digital readiness and inclusion, the Ministry is launching a Digital Readiness Blueprint with initiatives like digital clinics for seniors, basic digital skills training in four languages, and partnerships with community groups to help all Singaporeans benefit from the digital age.
Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat highlighted efforts to grow the media sector through content, capabilities, channels, and collaboration, including support for local media companies, partnerships with international players, and initiatives to develop digital storytelling and media talent.
Minister Yaacob Ibrahim showcased the transformation of Singapore's libraries, which have seen increased visitorship and digital reach, and are partnering with agencies to promote lifelong learning, digital readiness, and preservation of national heritage through digitisation and community involvement.

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5 Mar 2018

Committee of Supply – Head K (Ministry of Education)

MOE is expanding Applied Learning Programmes (ALPs) to all primary schools by 2023 to foster creativity, real-world application, and lifelong learning, while enhancing support for students with special needs through initiatives like SPED school improvements and a study on a Special Education Academy.
The ministry is reviewing education pathways, including expanding the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) to more N(A) students, streamlining polytechnic courses, and promoting aptitude-based admissions to better align with students' interests and future economy needs.
SkillsFuture initiatives are being strengthened with more industry-relevant courses, micro-credentials, and funding increases, while financial assistance schemes like MOE Financial Assistance Scheme and Edusave are enhanced to support lower-income students.

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