Education — Topics

11 Sep 2017

Impact of Increase in MOE Kindergartens on Smaller Preschool Operators

The Government aims to ensure access to quality and affordable preschools by increasing Government-supported places, including MOE Kindergartens, Anchor Operators, and Partner Operators, primarily in new housing estates.
Support extends to smaller private operators through schemes like the Partner Operator Scheme, with additional grants and professional development resources available to all operators.
The market will remain open with continued choice for parents, and smaller operators can differentiate themselves by offering niche programmes to meet diverse family needs.

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11 Sep 2017

Impact of New National Institute of Early Childhood Development on Existing Course Providers

The new National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) will consolidate early childhood education programmes from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, ITE, and SEED Institute, transferring faculty, students, and courses starting in 2019.
Staffing will see about 60–70 full-time faculty moving to NIEC, while adjunct faculty will continue teaching there, and the transition will be managed collaboratively with affected staff.
Student enrolment at polytechnics and ITE is expected to remain largely unaffected, as they will continue offering other courses, while NIEC’s intake will grow from over 2,000 students in its first year.
Qualifications for graduates from 2019 onward will be awarded by NIEC, with diplomas and Higher Nitec certifications jointly recognized by polytechnics and ITE, ensuring continued credibility in the early childhood sector.

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11 Sep 2017

Investigation into Request to Remove Bilingual Signboards at NTU Food Court

The Minister for Education stated that the request for English-only signage at NTU was a misinterpretation by a staff member, not official policy, and NTU has issued a stern warning and will cover costs to restore bilingual signboards.
NTU is briefing staff on language policy to prevent future issues, affirming that bilingual signboards with English are allowed at all autonomous universities.
A member of Parliament raised concerns about a possible systemic bias against Chinese language and culture at NTU, citing past incidents and questioning if the staff member was a scapegoat.
The Minister responded that the issue was an isolated administrative error, not systemic, and that NTU has addressed it, though broader debates on Chinese culture would be lengthy.
The exchange highlighted differing views on whether the incident reflects a deeper issue or a one-off mistake, with the Minister asserting the matter is now concluded.

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1 Aug 2017

Affordability of Degree Courses for Mature Students at Autonomous Universities

The Ministry of Education (MOE) subsidises degree programmes at Autonomous Universities (AUs) by 75% for full-time and part-time students, with a 90% subsidy for Singaporeans aged 40 and above pursuing their first degree, supplemented by bursaries and loans.
MOE also subsidises industry-relevant modular courses for adult learners by 70% to 90% to support lifelong learning, and aims to expand such offerings with AUs to enhance affordability and accessibility.
The Ministry prioritises subsidies for first degrees over second degrees due to budget constraints, while acknowledging the importance of lifelong learning within fiscal limits.

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1 Aug 2017

Review of Cut-off Points for Undergraduate Courses

Cut-off points for undergraduate courses are determined by the academic results of applicants and the number of places available, and can fluctuate annually.
The government is increasing the publicly funded university Cohort Participation Rate to provide more local students with places, aiming to reduce the need to study overseas.
University planning prioritizes graduate employability, and institutions are expanding lifelong learning options to meet industry demands and support continuous skill development.

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1 Aug 2017

Time Spent by Teachers on Marking Assignments and Administrative Work

The Ministry has implemented measures over the last three years to guide schools in managing teachers' workload, including marking and administrative tasks.
Teachers use team-based approaches and MOE-designed guides to design assessments and manage marking workload, with technology applied where educationally purposeful.
Technology, such as automated marking for multiple-choice items and digital quizzes, is used to reduce marking time for certain tasks.
The Ministry continues to incorporate greater use of technology in administrative tasks and simplify work processes to help teachers manage their workload.
The Ministry has not explicitly considered consolidating and centralising marking tasks but emphasises team-based approaches and technology integration.

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1 Aug 2017

Class Sizes in Primary and Secondary Schools

The Minister reported that in 2016, average form class sizes were 33 for primary and 34 for secondary schools, with medians at 32 for primary and 36 for secondary, while MOE does not track remedial class sizes.
MOE allocates resources based on student and programme needs, giving schools flexibility to deploy teachers and form smaller teaching classes for targeted learning, such as pull-out classes of eight to 10 for lower primary support or four to six for dyslexia remediation.
At the secondary level, subjects requiring closer supervision like Design and Technology are taught in classes of around 20, and subject-based banding often results in teaching class sizes below 40.

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1 Aug 2017

Students Suffering from Domestic Abuse

The Ministry of Education has systems and trained teachers to identify and refer students showing signs of domestic abuse, with training for all teachers expected to be completed by end 2018.
Students receive education on recognizing abuse, self-protection, and seeking help from trusted adults through Form Teacher Guidance Period and Sexuality Education lessons.
Some schools deploy the same teachers to a class for consecutive years to build trust, and peer support is encouraged so students can look out for one another.
MOE collaborates with the Ministry of Social and Family Development to use better screening tools and training to detect abuse and escalate serious cases for intervention.

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1 Aug 2017

Shortage of Local Doctors in Singapore

Foo Mee Har raised questions about a potential shortage of local doctors, asking how the Ministry is helping students, young doctors, and the public understand medical career prospects and Singapore’s reliance on foreign doctors.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong stated there is no shortage, with 84% of 13,000 registered doctors being local, and outlined plans to increase local medical intakes from 354 in 2012 to 500 by 2018.
The Ministry is attracting overseas-trained Singaporean doctors back with grants and incentives, resulting in a doubling of returning doctors from 92 in 2012 to 182 in 2016.
While foreign doctors supplement the workforce, the Ministry expects reduced future recruitment as more Singaporeans join, and is raising awareness of shifting demands toward generalist disciplines like Family Medicine and Geriatrics.

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1 Aug 2017

Career Counselling for Polytechnic Students

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah questioned whether polytechnic students receive adequate information about the diverse career options available in Singapore.
The Minister outlined a structured ECG curriculum, supported by counsellors and resources like labour market data and the upcoming MySkillsFuture portal.
Polytechnics organize career fairs, company visits, and talks to keep students informed about industry trends and job requirements.
Internships and mentorships provide hands-on experience, helping students develop skills and clarify their career preferences.
The combination of curriculum, events, and practical opportunities ensures students are well-equipped to explore and pursue various career paths.

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1 Aug 2017

Use of CPF Funds for Children's Tuition Fees

About 30,000 CPF members used the CPF Education Scheme for children's tuition fees from 2014 to 2016, with 98% of outstanding loans fully repaid.
The Minister explained that children cannot use their own CPF savings to repay education loans, as these funds are reserved for housing, healthcare, and retirement.
Repayment starts one year after graduation, with options for deferment or monthly instalments over up to 12 years for those facing difficulties.

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1 Aug 2017

Singaporeans in Key Leadership and Management Positions of Autonomous Universities

The Ministry has a policy to ensure Autonomous Universities (AUs) build a strong core of Singaporeans in key leadership and management roles, with Singaporeans currently holding about 70% of such positions and three-quarters of president and provost roles.
AUs implement talent development and leadership programs and actively recruit leading Singaporean academics abroad, while the Ministry supports initiatives like the Singapore Teaching and Academic Research Talent Scheme (START) to encourage young Singaporeans to pursue academic careers.
The Ministry acknowledges that while encouraging Singaporeans for leadership is important, AUs must remain open to global talent to maintain competitiveness and relevance in education and research.

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1 Aug 2017

Impact of Completion of SUTD and MIT Tie-up

The Minister highlighted that SUTD will transition from its formal partnership with MIT to a new phase of development, similar to how SMU evolved after its initial collaboration with Wharton.
SUTD has benefited from the partnership through co-developed curriculum and accreditation, and will continue using these materials while pursuing independent accreditation and expanding its global collaborations.
SUTD has seen increased student applications and admissions, with graduates earning competitive starting salaries and high employment rates comparable to other local universities.
SUTD is establishing itself as a research-intensive university in design, engineering, technology, and architecture, with collaborations with organizations like Temasek Laboratories and ST Engineering.
The university is well-positioned to continue its growth as a unique and high-quality institution with a strong international network and reputation among employers and students.

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4 Jul 2017

Quality Internship Opportunities for Students of Vocational Institutions

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked about measures to ensure quality internship opportunities for students at vocational institutions.
Ong Ye Kung highlighted that internships are crucial for applied education in Polytechnics and ITE, providing hands-on training and real-world experience.
Polytechnics and ITE collaborate with companies, trade associations, and government agencies to design internship programs with clear learning outcomes.
Lecturers conduct site visits and students submit reports to monitor progress and ensure learning objectives are met.
The government and institutions work together to align internships with industry needs and student development goals.

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4 Jul 2017

Emergency Preparedness Courses in Schools

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah proposed making emergency preparedness and basic first aid, including CPR and AED certification, mandatory for secondary school students.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Education are collaborating under the SGSecure movement, with the DARE programme piloted in 15 secondary schools to teach CPR and AED use.
Following a successful pilot, CPR and AED training will be taught to all Secondary 1 students as part of the PE curriculum starting in the fourth quarter of this year.
Primary 5 and 6 students already learn emergency preparedness, including first aid for minor injuries and basic fire safety, as part of their curriculum.
Schools also conduct drills and exercises to equip students with general emergency preparedness skills.

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4 Jul 2017

Counter-terrorism Training for Event Organisers

Ang Hin Kee proposed compulsory counter-terrorism training for event organisers, emcees, and hosts, and required them to share evacuation routes at the start of large events.
K Shanmugam responded that event organisers already engage trained security professionals, and the Ministry has supported seminars and collaborations to raise awareness among event companies and freelancers.
The Police work with organisers under the amended Public Order Act, which mandates security measures for high-risk events and will issue guidelines on best practices.
For large designated events, organisers must inform participants about evacuation routes where practicable, and the public is encouraged to stay alert through the SGSecure movement.

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4 Jul 2017

Industry Readiness of Our Graduates

Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed that Autonomous Universities regularly survey students on teaching quality, with consistently positive feedback used to improve curriculum and faculty appraisal, and that curriculum is designed with industry partners including internships to enhance graduate readiness.
Graduate Employment Surveys over the past five years show strong outcomes, with about nine in 10 local graduates securing jobs within six months and median salaries rising.
While global rankings consider employer reputation and teaching quality, MOE views them as limited and emphasizes focusing beyond rankings on teaching quality, industry relevance, employment outcomes, and innovation.

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4 Jul 2017

Measures to Minimise Radicalisation in Our Community

The government is reviewing and implementing enhanced security measures, such as bollards and updated guidelines, to protect public spaces and critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks while balancing practicality and cost.
Efforts to counter radicalisation focus on schools and foreign workers, with curriculum changes, community engagement, and repatriation of radicalised individuals, while emphasizing the role of families, religious leaders, and community networks in prevention.
SGSecure initiatives and community exercises are being strengthened to improve public vigilance and unity, with plans to increase outreach and preparedness in response to evolving threats like lone-wolf attacks.

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4 Jul 2017

Modular Courses at Institutes of Higher Learning that Teach Future Economy Skills

Cedric Foo asked if Institutes of Higher Learning can offer more modular courses in future economy skills like STEM, coding, robotics, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary responded that lifelong learning is a core mission, with an increase in modular courses aligned to industry needs, rising from 2,200 to 2,600 courses between 2015 and 2016, providing 90,000 to 105,000 training places, with plans for significant expansion.
Cedric Foo noted the need for interdisciplinary skills and inquired about the cost and availability of these courses for consumers.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary assured that efforts are ongoing to communicate course details widely and facilitate access, with support from partners and institutions, though the approach is still in its early stages.

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4 Jul 2017

Pursuit of Second Degree at Local Universities

Patrick Tay asked if Singaporeans with a first degree can pursue a second degree at local universities to re-skill amid disruption and skill obsolescence.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary replied that second undergraduate degrees are allowed at Autonomous Universities but without tuition subsidies, as funds are prioritized for first degrees.
He highlighted alternative lifelong learning pathways under SkillsFuture, with heavily subsidized short modules and stackable qualifications that meet industry needs.
Professional Conversion Programmes are available to support mid-career workers with training, salary support, and industry attachments for career transitions.

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