Education — Topics

28 Feb 2017

Features for Merged SkillsFuture and Jobs Bank Portals

The merged SkillsFuture and Jobs Bank portal, known as the Individual Learning Portfolio (ILP), will feature a review function for training providers and publish training outcome information to ensure outcome-based training.
Internship opportunities are currently not included as they are managed by Institutes of Higher Learning, but may be considered for future phases of the ILP.
The ILP will include tools for career interest and skills gap assessments, allowing users to explore suitable jobs and training programs based on their profiles.
Jobs listed in the integrated Jobs Bank are regularly updated, with postings valid for a maximum of 30 days and automatically removed when expired to maintain relevance.
The ILP will be rolled out in stages starting from 2017, with more details to be shared later.

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20 Feb 2017

Primary 1 Pupil Data Form

Leon Perera asked the Ministry of Education (MOE) when the Primary 1 pupil data form was last updated and if there are plans to modify the listed occupations to reflect gender diversity in modern occupations.
The MOE stated the form was last updated in 2016 to change the declaration clause, and current occupation lists reflect commonly reported roles, with an "Others" option for unspecified occupations.
MOE is digitising the form via the Parents Gateway online portal and is conducting a comprehensive review of all data fields, including the occupation lists, as part of this transition.

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20 Feb 2017

Prize for Top Literature GCE "A" Level Student

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry inquired about establishing a new Singaporean A-level literature prize in English and in mother tongue languages following the discontinuation of the Angus Ross Prize.
Ng Chee Meng noted that the prize's end is unlikely to affect students' interest, which is driven by passion and teacher efforts rather than awards.
The Ministry of Education explained it does not award subject-specific top prizes and prefers to focus on enhancing the overall learning experience for A-level literature students.

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20 Feb 2017

Impact of Government's Anti-smoking Campaign on Youth Smoking

The Minister reported that overall smoking rates in Singapore have declined from 18.3% in 1992 to 13.3% in 2013 but have remained stable at about 13% over the past three years, with a persistently high rate among men at 23.1%.
The government employs a multi-pronged approach, including expanded outreach by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) which saw participation in smoking cessation programs more than double from about 6,000 in 2013 to 15,000 in 2016.
For youths, efforts focus on prevention and cessation through educator workshops, integration of anti-tobacco messages in school curricula, and counselling by Student Health Advisors in some schools.
The Ministry is considering various tobacco control measures, including the possibility of increasing the minimum age for buying cigarettes, while learning from other countries' experiences.

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20 Feb 2017

Annotating Certificates when Candidates Take Examinations under Special Conditions

The Parliamentary Secretary explained that annotations on certificates indicate when examination access arrangements, such as extra time or separate rooms, are granted to ensure fairness and integrity in assessing students with special educational needs or medical conditions, similar to practices in other countries.
He assured that annotations are only applied for significant modifications, do not indicate disability or discrimination, and are not considered by local educational institutions during admissions, with employers expected to follow fair employment practices.
The Ministry has not encountered cases of discrimination due to annotations and will continue monitoring feedback through agencies like SG Enable, while emphasizing that access arrangements help deserving candidates and maintain transparency for all.

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20 Feb 2017

Increasing Enrolment for Graduate and Post-graduate Programmes

The Ministry of Education has been steadily increasing intake for full-time undergraduate programmes at autonomous universities, targeting a 40% cohort participation rate by 2020 to match economic demand and avoid graduate unemployment.
The increase will primarily come from applied degree programmes at the Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore Institute of Management University, with a focus on diverse and sophisticated economic needs.
While there are no immediate plans to specifically increase enrolment in traditional graduate and post-graduate programmes, the government emphasizes that deep skills can be acquired through short, industry-relevant modular courses rather than higher qualifications.
Since 2015, publicly-funded universities have launched over 200 skills-based modular courses in areas like advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and programming, accessible to working adults.
The Ministry is working with all Institutes of Higher Learning to expand these modular course offerings, supporting lifelong learning and skills development without necessarily increasing post-graduate enrolment.

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20 Feb 2017

Extension of SkillsFuture to Cover Degree Courses for Career Switchers

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong raised a query about extending the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme to university education and workers pursuing a first or second degree to address skills mismatch and facilitate career switching.
The Parliamentary Secretary responded that the programme is primarily targeted at fresh polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education graduates, noting less immediate need for university graduates who typically do not seek further undergraduate qualifications.
The government highlighted existing work-learn models in universities, such as the integrated work-study programme at the Singapore Institute of Technology, where undergraduates are attached to industries for up to a year to develop industry-ready skills.
Various universities are collaborating with industries to design work-learn undergraduate programmes tailored to specific sector needs, aiming to equip students with relevant skills before graduation.
For lifelong learning and career switchers, adult learners can access programmes under the Adapt and Grow initiative, such as Professional Conversion Programmes across multiple industries, which incorporate work-learn elements.

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7 Feb 2017

Primary 1 Students Enrolled in After-school Care and School-based Student Care Centres

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Education about the number of Primary 1 students enrolled in after-school care and specifically in school-based Student Care Centres (SCCs).
The Minister responded that around 7,800 Primary 1 students are enrolled in SCCs registered with the Ministry of Social and Family Development, with 4,800 in school-based SCCs and the rest in community-based centres.
The Ministry of Education has expanded school-based SCCs from under 50 five years ago to 147 today, with overall enrolment rising from 3,000 to over 18,000 students, and plans to continue expanding capacity without compromising quality.

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7 Feb 2017

Update on Certified Early Childhood Educators in Singapore

As of end-2016, there are approximately 16,000 certified early childhood educators in Singapore.
Around 3,000 students are currently undergoing training to become early childhood educators.
On average, about 1,800 students graduate from early childhood courses each year.

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7 Feb 2017

K2 Enrollment in Full-day Childcare

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the number of children enrolled in full-day childcare at the K2 level.
The Minister responded that over 90% of Singaporean children aged five to six are enrolled in preschool.
In 2016, about 15,000 Singaporean children, or 45% of the K2 cohort, were in full-day preschool programmes.

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7 Feb 2017

Effectiveness of Matching and Retraining under Professional Conversion Programme

The Minister reported that the Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) saw over 1,300 successful conversions in 2016, a 20% increase from 2015, with a roughly 60% success rate across all programmes, though a specific breakdown of applicants versus successful conversions is not available.
Challenges in matching and retraining include mature PMETs potentially being discouraged by having to start at the entry level in a new profession, and an uneven supply-demand mismatch across the 50 different PCP programmes, which the Ministry plans to address with further enhancements.
While race-specific take-up data is not collected, ground observations indicate a fairly balanced response across racial groups, and overall placements are inclusive across age groups, with nearly 40% of successful jobseekers being over 50 years old.

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7 Feb 2017

Students with Tattoos

The Minister confirmed that visible tattoos on students are rare and prohibited under school uniform rules, requiring students to cover or remove them, with schools adopting an educative and counseling-based approach.
The Minister noted that schools have discretion in handling cases, such as allowing students to return after signing undertakings, and encouraged raising specific cases for follow-up if issues arise.
The Minister acknowledged the suggestion to explore working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider parental consent requirements for minors getting tattoos, indicating openness to further discussion on the matter.

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7 Feb 2017

Allowance for ITE and Polytechnic Student Interns

The Ministry reported that 93.5% of ITE and Polytechnic interns receive an allowance, up from 90.9% in 2014, but some do not due to company policies, and the Ministry encourages more companies to provide allowances.
Financial assistance schemes are available at institutions for students in need, and the Ministry is working with companies to increase allowance coverage to ensure equitable access for disadvantaged students.
The Ministry acknowledged challenges for students with special needs in finding internships and will consider suggestions to provide more resources to help them secure placements.

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7 Feb 2017

Funds Disbursed under Young Entrepreneurs Scheme for Schools Programme

The YES! Schools programme has disbursed about $4.3 million to 149 unique schools from 2008 to 2016, with SPRINGSingapore monitoring key outcomes like student participation and prototype development, and an NTU study showing it strengthens entrepreneurial inclination.
The programme primarily uses a “pull” model where schools opt in, with over half of secondary schools and 35% of primary schools participating, and is complemented by other initiatives like MOE’s Applied Learning Programme and entrepreneurship CCAs to provide multiple exposure pathways.
The government emphasises a balanced approach that includes teaching risk management and resource constraints, ensuring students understand both the opportunities and challenges of entrepreneurship while nurturing an enterprising mindset for future economic contributions.

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7 Feb 2017

Impact of Merged Career Tracks for Graduate and Non-graduate Civil Servants on Starting Salary, Career Progression and Exposure

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that merging career tracks aims to equalize opportunities, with starting pay based on job responsibilities and demonstrated qualities, using educational performance as a proxy for new entrants without experience.
He emphasized that career progression and development, including access to programs like the Public Service Leadership Programme, depend on performance and leadership potential, not educational background or scholarship status.
The Currently Estimated Potential (CEP) model assesses officers based on Analytical and Intellectual Capacity, Influence and Collaboration, and Motivation for Excellence, without considering starting educational qualifications.

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6 Feb 2017

Statistics on Time Taken by Institutes of Higher Learning Graduates to Secure Full-time Employment

The Ministry of Education does not track average or median time taken for higher education graduates to secure full-time employment, but relies on the Graduate Employment Survey which measures employment outcomes six months after graduation.
For 2016, overall employment rates six months after graduation were 90.6% for fresh polytechnic graduates and 89.5% for autonomous university graduates, with full-time permanent employment rates at 55.8% and 83.1% respectively.
The time taken to find employment is not directly assessed against economic slowdowns, but employment rates remain comparable to the previous year.
Institutes of Higher Learning provide career guidance, organize career fairs, and offer resources to assist graduates, while Workforce Singapore programmes are also extended to support job seekers.

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6 Feb 2017

Guidelines for Schools on Retention of Prizes Won during Competitions

Zainal Sapari asked if there is a Ministry of Education policy guiding schools on retaining prizes, especially cash or cash-value prizes, won by students representing the school in competitions.
Ng Chee Meng responded that schools set their own internal guidelines based on their education philosophy, prize type, and competition rules, with some practices like sharing book vouchers equally or encouraging donation of cash prizes to support needy students or CCA activities.
He emphasised that the educational value of preparing for and experiencing the competition is the most important outcome, and that schools should clearly explain their cash prize management to students and parents.

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6 Feb 2017

Management of Food Wastage through Schools and Neighbourhood Communities

The Ministry works with schools to educate students on reducing food waste, supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA) which provides resources and will launch a two-year project in 10 schools to cut waste and recycle via onsite machines.
Food redistribution organisations like The Food Bank Singapore already accept household donations through community collection points, and the Ministry continues to support these efforts while encouraging more contributions.
The NEA promotes upstream waste reduction through guides for households and partners with CDCs and NGOs on district-level programmes to raise community awareness and encourage food wastage minimisation.

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6 Feb 2017

Complaints against Managing Agents of Management Corporations of Strata Titles

Zainal Sapari inquired about trends in complaints against managing agents and the credentials required for their operation.
Lawrence Wong stated that the number of complaints about managing agents has remained stable at about 30 cases annually over the past five years.
Management Corporations Strata Titles can choose from accredited managing agents under a voluntary scheme that requires staff training and experience.
The Building and Construction Authority Academy provides training courses to improve the competency of managing agents.

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6 Feb 2017

Anti-terrorism and CPR/AED Training for Public Transport Workers under SG Secure Framework

Melvin Yong asked whether anti-terrorism and CPR/AED training will be made compulsory for public transport workers under SG Secure and how often refresher courses will be held.
The Ministry of Home Affairs works with the Land Transport Authority and public transport operators to integrate SG Secure messages and emergency response skills into training curricula for bus captains and taxi drivers.
Some staff already receive first aid, CPR, and AED training from operators, and unions have organised seminars and workshops to enhance workers’ preparedness for terror attacks.
The government will continue to collaborate with partners to incorporate these skills into training programmes and conduct exercises like Exercise Heartbeat to maintain readiness.

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