Education — Topics

10 Jan 2018

Scams on Claims Investigated since Implementation of SkillsFuture

Since January 2016, SkillsFuture Singapore has referred six fraudulent claim instances to the Commercial Affairs Department for investigation, including two major cases.
The Ministry has issued advisories, warnings, and suspensions to 27 training providers who breached marketing guidelines, with some already suspended.
The government reaffirms zero tolerance for abuse of SkillsFuture funding and is strengthening efforts to prevent scams and pressure tactics by training providers.

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10 Jan 2018

Proportion of University, Polytechnic and ITE Students Embarking on Work Internships

The proportion of students on internships varies: 44% for ITE, 98% for polytechnics, and 70% for universities, with durations typically ranging from eight to 24 weeks, though some can extend up to a year.
Industry support and structured mentorship are key to ensuring internships are meaningful, with post-internship feedback used to monitor quality, leading some companies to be dropped if standards are not met.
To encourage more opportunities, initiatives like the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme offer extended work-learn placements, while all ITE courses are on track to include internships by 2020, with certain universities making them compulsory or strongly encouraged.

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9 Jan 2018

More Resources for Preschools and Childcare Centres to Manage Special Needs

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar requested additional assistance and support for preschools and childcare centres to better manage and care for children with special needs as they become more inclusive.
Minister Desmond Lee outlined existing measures, including 350 preschools supporting about 4,000 children with mild developmental needs through Government-funded programmes, with therapists and Learning Support Educators (LSEds) providing targeted interventions and collaborating with educators.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) have provided specialised training, such as the Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood Learning Support and subsidised Continuing Professional Development courses, to equip educators with skills to support children with developmental needs.
Over the next five years, MSF will expand the development support programme to more preschools and build a pool of 200 LSEds to provide targeted intervention and learning support for children with developmental needs.
MSF is also studying how to enhance the development support programme to support children with moderate developmental needs within the preschool setting for more timely intervention.

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9 Jan 2018

Joint Collaboration to Develop Vocational Training Institutions in India

Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the progress of the joint collaboration between Singapore’s ITEs and Indian counterparts in developing vocational training institutions for 50 million students in India.
Ong Ye Kung explained that ITE Education Services (ITEES) was established to share Singapore’s expertise in vocational training overseas while keeping ITE’s focus on domestic education.
ITEES is helping set up vocational skills centres in Indian states like Rajasthan and Assam under the Skill India campaign, with projects at various stages, including a launched centre in Udaipur and a planned one in Guwahati.

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9 Jan 2018

ITE Students Progressing to Polytechnic and University

The Minister outlined that the education system has evolved to support multiple pathways, such as subject-based banding and aptitude-based admissions, to help students pursue their strengths and interests beyond exam results.
For ITE students, data shows that about one in four progress to polytechnics, and over 80% of ITE graduates find employment within six months, with rising median salaries indicating strong industry relevance.
The government is expanding higher education pathways, including the ITE Work-Learn Technical Diploma and Singapore Institute of Technology, to facilitate progression to degrees and cater to varied aspirations.

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9 Jan 2018

Priority Admission to Co-located Primary Schools for Students in MOE Kindergartens

MOE introduced priority admission for MOE Kindergarten (MK) children to co-located primary schools under Phase 2A2 to support smoother transitions and reduce early childhood transitions, with the policy set to expand to 50 MKs by 2023.
Parents have generally welcomed the expansion and priority admission, though some expressed concerns about upstream stress on kindergarten admissions; MOE has mitigated this by calibrating the policy to reserve sufficient primary school places for non-MK children.
MOE shares resources and best practices with the early childhood sector and collaborates with other preschool operators to level the playing field, noting that MKs will only constitute about 20% of the preschool landscape.
The minister clarified that while MK children have a high likelihood of securing places in co-located primary schools, no guarantees can be given, and balloting will occur if demand exceeds supply for popular MKs.
All primary schools with MKs will reserve a minimum of 40 places for Phases 2B and 2C to ensure open access, and the full rollout of 50 MKs is targeted by 2023.

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8 Jan 2018

Graduates of Biotechnology-related Courses from Institutes of Higher Learning and Other Institutions

Chen Show Mao asked for statistics on graduates of biotechnology-related courses over the past five years, including employment rates, sector distribution, and future job growth forecasts in the industry.
Ong Ye Kung reported that around 3,000 students graduate annually from such courses, with about 85% employed within six months, mostly in the private sector.
The Ministry of Education will continue collaborating with industry to ensure course relevance and appropriately sized student intakes.

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8 Jan 2018

Teaching of Curriculum Open-access Resources in Economics at Post-Secondary Level

Leon Perera asked whether the Ministry of Education has adopted or plans to adopt the Curriculum Open-access Resources in Economics (CORE) to make economics teaching more real-world applicable at the post-secondary level.
Ng Chee Meng responded that the current GCE "A" level Economics curriculum already uses real-world examples and case studies, such as discussions on the Singapore Budget, to engage students in applying economic concepts.
The Ministry is developing the Singapore Student Learning Space online platform, which includes economics lesson packages on real-world topics like pricing and consumer behavior.
Ng Chee Meng noted that CORE resources could serve as a supplementary resource for the Singapore Student Learning Space where appropriate.

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8 Jan 2018

Traffic Police's Strategies to Raise Awareness of Road Safety and Reduce Accidents

The Traffic Police’s “Use Your Road Sense” movement, launched in 2015, targets road users, vulnerable groups, and vocational drivers to promote safe behaviour.
The police work with the Land Transport Authority to address the risks of personal mobility devices, using signs, campaigns, and programmes to educate riders and pedestrians.
Driving and riding curricula are regularly updated, and from 2019, simulation training will be mandatory for all learner motorists to practice reacting to traffic situations safely.
An online learning portal provides free access to theory handbooks and will soon include animated accident videos, mock tests, and regulatory updates.
The Highway Code and driving theory materials are being updated, and a Safe Driving Course helps motorists with high demerit points improve their driving techniques.

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8 Jan 2018

Civil Service's Criteria in Evaluating Older Applicants with GCE "O" and "A" Level Results for Vocational and Skills-based Jobs

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap questioned how GCE "O" and "A" level results are used by the Civil Service when evaluating older applicants for vocational and skills-based jobs.
Teo Chee Hean, representing the Prime Minister, stated that recruitment prioritizes job-relevant skills over educational qualifications, especially for mid-career and older applicants.
The Civil Service uses academic results as a proxy for skills mainly for applicants without work experience, but relies more on demonstrated skills and work experience for older candidates.

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8 Jan 2018

Raising Students' Awareness on Improper Sexual Conduct towards Them

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked how schools teach students to report improper sexual conduct by staff and whether posters will be used to encourage immediate reporting.
Ng Chee Meng explained that students receive Sexuality Education from Primary 1, learning to recognize abuse, protect themselves, and understand related laws.
Students are taught to seek help from trusted adults like parents, teachers, and counselors if their safety is at risk.

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8 Jan 2018

Effectiveness of Workfare Training Support Scheme in Encouraging Workers to Upskill

The Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme provides substantial subsidies, training allowances, and cash awards to encourage low-wage Singaporeans to upskill, with over 270,000 unique workers benefiting since 2010.
WTS complements SkillsFuture by offering higher subsidies (up to 95% of course fees) for eligible workers, alongside support for employers and trainees without employer backing.
Additional measures like Progressive Wage Models and the Inclusive Growth Programme work alongside WTS to create clear career pathways and share productivity gains with low-wage workers.

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8 Jan 2018

Basic Computer Coding in Primary School Curriculum

Leon Perera proposed introducing basic coding into the primary school curriculum to give children a strong foundation in technology, citing examples from several countries.
Ng Chee Meng responded that the current curriculum already develops computational thinking skills like problem-solving and logical reasoning through core subjects like Math and Science.
He highlighted that coding is already exposed to students through enrichment programmes and co-curricular activities, such as Code for Fun, which has reached 73,000 students since 2014.
The government collaborates with the Infocomm Media Development Authority to offer initiatives like Code for Fun, Lab on Wheels, and Digital Maker programmes.
Many primary schools also have robotics and info-comm clubs that engage students in coding, app development, animations, and game design.

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8 Jan 2018

Measures to Prevent Further Fraudulent Claims for SkillsFuture

The Minister for Education addressed two separate fraudulent claims cases, detailing that over 4,400 individuals made false claims totaling over $2 million under SkillsFuture Credit, while a criminal syndicate orchestrated $40 million in fraudulent claims under the Skills Development Fund.
Counter-measures include stopping direct reimbursement to individuals for SkillsFuture Credit, instead paying training providers directly to reduce fraud risk, and forming an Interagency Task Force to review and strengthen fraud detection systems using data analytics with help from GovTech and private consultants.
The government emphasized balancing fraud prevention with maintaining the ease of use for genuine employers, aiming to avoid overburdening them while ensuring public funds are protected and perpetrators face legal consequences.

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7 Nov 2017

Maximising Every Student's Potential in Classrooms of the Future

Leon Perera argued for reducing primary and secondary class sizes to 20–25, citing research that smaller classes boost academic achievement, non‑cognitive skills, and equity, and proposed a large‑scale randomised trial in Singapore.
Ng Chee Meng responded that class size is not the sole factor, highlighting MOE’s focus on learner‑centred curriculum, applied learning programmes, flexible subject banding, and teacher quality as key to future classrooms.
The debate concluded with Parliament agreeing to adjourn, leaving the proposal for smaller classes under consideration without immediate commitment.

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7 Nov 2017

Ensuring Sufficient Engineering Graduates for Projected Needs in Rail Engineering

The Ministry is coordinating efforts through the Singapore Rail Academy and the Public Transport Skills Framework to establish industry-wide standards and training pathways for rail engineering, ensuring alignment between educational institutions, employers, and workers.
New and expanded training programs, including seven railway engineering courses from NITEC to Masters, as well as continuing education and Professional Conversion Programmes, are being rolled out to build a pipeline of skilled engineers and technicians for the expanding rail network.
The Minister emphasized the need to develop "deep engineering expertise," particularly in emerging areas like predictive maintenance, and highlighted the global opportunity for Singapore to position itself in the growing rail industry, though he acknowledged a shortage of mid-level mentors for on-the-job training.

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7 Nov 2017

Sufficient Vacancies in Primary Schools Given New HDB BTO Projects in Yishun

The Ministry of Education regularly reviews and adjusts school place supply to meet demand from new HDB BTO projects in Yishun, projecting a slight increase and introducing measures like adding school places to ensure sufficient vacancies.
Parents relocating to Yishun can use the annual Student Transfer Exercise for Primary Schools (STEPS) in November or approach schools directly to request transfers, though obtaining a first-choice school is not guaranteed due to capacity limits.
MOE is facilitating transfers for Yishun residents by offering places in nearby schools such as Ahmad Ibrahim Primary, Xishan Primary, and Yishun Primary, but may need to assign second or third preferred choices when vacancies are limited.

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7 Nov 2017

Importance of Generalist Doctors' Roles

The Ministry of Health recognizes generalist doctors as central to providing holistic care for an ageing population and is elevating their status through initiatives such as the Chapter of Family Medicine Physicians and increased training positions.
To support generalist doctors, MOH is funding postgraduate Family Medicine training, enhancing practice environments through private GP clinics and Community Health Centres, and resourcing Primary Care Networks for chronic disease management.
A Generalist Competencies Standing Committee has been appointed to review and define the core competencies for resident doctors, ensuring the healthcare system meets future needs.

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7 Nov 2017

Government Support for Full-time Sportsmen After Sports

The Ministry supports athletes' post-sports careers through the Singapore Sports Institute, offering financial grants, training, and career development opportunities via the spexBusiness Network, which connects athletes with internships, flexible work, and over 50 companies across 25 industries.
Structured programmes exist for athletes to pursue education and skills training in sports-related fields like coaching and facility management, with opportunities at Institutes of Higher Learning and through professional conversion pathways.
The government encourages more companies to join spexBusiness Network to aid athletes' transitions, while also creating jobs within sports ecosystems for former athletes to mentor and develop younger talent.
Athletes are provided options to continue in sports careers, such as coaching or management roles, or transition to non-sports sectors, with support for part-time or full-time internships and apprenticeships.
Examples include former athletes like Derek Wong, Charmaine Soh, and Gary Tan who have successfully moved into careers with partners like Deloitte or coaching roles, highlighting the effectiveness of the support system.

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7 Nov 2017

Encouraging Young Singaporeans to Pursue Overseas Immersions

The Young Talent Programme and SkillsFuture Study Award for International Business have together provided overseas exposure to nearly 3,200 students and professionals in the past three years, with over 2,200 benefiting from the expanded YTP since 2015 and 432 study awards granted since its launch.
The Ministry of Education collaborates with Institutes of Higher Learning to facilitate a range of overseas experiences—including exchanges, community projects, and internships—with participation rates reaching nearly two-thirds of university students and almost half of polytechnic students.
Qualitative feedback from students on overseas immersions has been largely positive, highlighting benefits such as global perspective, cultural respect, independence, and adaptability in new environments.
The Ministry actively works with institutions to expand overseas networks and address potential barriers to accessing countries of interest for student exchanges and internships.

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