Education

• Ms. Gho Sze Kee raised concerns about the need for enhanced training and protocols for healthcare professionals who interact with grieving families of deceased organ donors.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that the Ministry of Health currently provides regular training for healthcare professionals on sensitive communication with these families and has no plans for further enhancements.
• The Ministry issues information packages about the Human Organ Transplant Act to all citizens and PRs turning 21 to encourage informed discussions about organ donation.
• Public awareness campaigns, such as the Live On Festival, are supported to promote conversations about organ donation among various population segments, including older individuals.

• Concerns were raised about the mental well-being of preschool educators due to heavy workloads, administrative demands, and limited leave options affecting their work-life balance.
• The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) acknowledges the importance of supporting educators' well-being to enhance their effectiveness in their roles.
• ECDA has established a relief staff pool to address short-term manpower needs when educators are on leave and is implementing digital solutions to streamline workloads and improve productivity.
• Ongoing initiatives and support for educators' well-being include Continuing Professional Development courses focused on resilience and self-care practices.

• Ms. Elysa Chen inquired about the assessment of recent educational reforms on teachers' workload and the support provided to schools for adaptation.
• The Ministry of Education (MOE) monitors teachers' workload through surveys and engagement, reporting stable average weekly work hours over the past five years.
• MOE offers comprehensive support for new initiatives, including guidelines, training, resources, and platforms for collaboration among teachers.
• Schools have flexibility in implementing reforms, such as the "Transforming Education through Technology" Masterplan 2030, allowing for gradual adaptation based on teacher readiness.
• Lessons from pilot schools inform MOE's support, ensuring that resources and practices are tailored to each phase of implementation.

• Victor Lye proposed allowing the transfer of unused balances from the Child Development Account (CDA) to the Edusave Account when a child enters primary school to support ongoing educational needs.
• Gan Kim Yong, representing the Prime Minister, explained that the CDA and Edusave Account serve different purposes, with the CDA focused on early childhood expenses and the Edusave on primary and secondary education.
• The CDA is designed for preschool and childcare costs, while Edusave funds can cover school fees and enrichment programs, with additional financial assistance available for parents.
• Transferring CDA balances to Edusave would limit parents' ability to use those funds for other necessary expenses, as CDA balances can only be used until the child turns 12.
• Unused CDA balances will automatically transfer to the Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) after age 12 to support further educational expenses.

• Ms. Eileen Chong Pei Shan inquired about the proportion of university students taking internships, the average number of internships per student, their duration, and the prevalence of unpaid internships.
• Minister Desmond Lee responded that nearly all undergraduate programs require internships, with about 90% of graduates completing at least one internship, averaging around two internships per graduate over the past three years.
• The Ministry of Education does not track the number of students undertaking multiple internships simultaneously or the number of unpaid internships, with universities indicating that such instances are rare.

• Dr. Wan Rizal raised concerns about the need for standardised dismissal safety procedures in schools, including same-day alerts to parents when dismissal timings change.
• He also suggested expanding supervised safe spaces for students waiting for their caregivers.
• Minister Desmond Lee affirmed that all primary schools prioritize student safety and communicate standard dismissal timings to parents.
• Schools provide advance notice of any changes in dismissal timings through the Parents Gateway and ensure students are supervised until they are picked up.
• Parents are encouraged to inform schools if they cannot pick up their child as scheduled, ensuring proper care for students.

• The criteria for admission to the Early Childhood Development Agency's Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) include assessment by a paediatrician, matching the child's needs with available preschool support, and parental location preferences.
• Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are the only eligible applicants for InSP places, ensuring priority for local children.
• The Ministry plans to add approximately 600 new InSP places from 2026, distributed across 15 to 20 preschools, based on projected demand for early intervention services.

• Mr. Fadli Fawzi inquired about the usage of privileges by grassroots leaders (GRLs) for priority registration of their children under Phase 2B of the Primary 1 registration process over the last decade.
• Minister Edwin Tong explained that eligibility for Phase 2B registration extends beyond GRLs to other community volunteers, requiring at least two years of active service in relevant committees.
• On average, less than 1.5% of GRLs apply for Phase 2B registration each year, with success rates dependent on demand and available vacancies.
• The People's Association does not track the specific success or failure rates of GRLs in the registration process, whether through ballot or otherwise.
• Despite varying outcomes in registration, many grassroots volunteers continue their community service regardless of their children's registration status.

• The debate focused on the long-term impact of the Ministry of Education's (MOE) kindergarten expansion on the economic viability and diversity of Singapore's kindergarten sector.
• The government aims to provide affordable and quality preschool access, with around 90% of children aged three to six currently enrolled in preschool.
• MOE plans to increase the number of MOE Kindergartens to 60 by 2029, which have been instrumental in enhancing preschool quality and supporting lower-income families.
• The demand for half-day kindergarten services is declining, leading to a shift towards full-day childcare options, which the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is prioritizing.
• The Partner Operator scheme will not be expanded to kindergartens due to sufficient existing kindergarten places and the focus on meeting the demand for full-day childcare services.

• David Hoe proposed the idea of piloting alternative entry routes to secondary schools alongside the PSLE, including through-train tracks, weighted school-based assessments, and portfolio submissions.
• Desmond Lee highlighted that the Ministry of Education has been making changes to reduce the emphasis on academic grades and promote holistic student development, including modifications to the PSLE scoring system.
• The Ministry is exploring alternative school posting methods, such as a primary-to-secondary through-train model, while considering fairness, transparency, and the effectiveness of these approaches in assessing student learning.
• The Ministry will continue to evaluate various options and suggestions to improve the secondary school admission process.

• The debate focused on the challenges faced by youth athletes in balancing their sporting commitments with academic responsibilities.
• Ms. Hazlina Abdul Halim inquired about the Ministry's plans to enhance support for these athletes and how they can collaborate with other agencies to assist those preparing for national examinations.
• Mr. David Neo highlighted the existing support systems, including the High Performance Sport Institute and the Singapore Sports School, which provide psychological support, academic flexibility, and specialized training for student-athletes.
• The government is committed to improving athlete-friendly practices in education and has introduced scholarships to support athletes' academic pursuits during and after their sports careers.
• Ongoing partnerships between various ministries and national sports associations aim to ensure that student-athletes receive the necessary support to excel in both sports and academics.

• Ms. He Ting Ru questioned the adequacy of the legal framework for addressing bullying in schools and requested the publication of guidelines for better public understanding.
• Minister Desmond Lee responded that the Ministry of Education operates within Singapore's legal framework to manage bullying incidents in schools.
• Schools communicate rules and disciplinary measures through various platforms and engage parents in addressing bullying incidents.
• Disciplinary actions are taken after establishing facts, and severe cases may be reported to the police.
• The Ministry also provides support to families facing complex issues that affect children's behavior in school.

• The Ministry of Education plans to assess the central kitchen model's effectiveness in 13 schools starting January 2026 before considering any expansion.
• Factors for potential expansion include operational efficiency, food quality, cost-effectiveness, and student satisfaction from the initial implementation.
• The central kitchen model aims to provide affordable meal options, with prices set at a maximum of $2.70 for primary and $3.60 for secondary students, comparable to traditional canteen prices.
• Financial assistance will be available for lower-income students through the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme, covering at least seven meals per week for primary and ten for secondary students.
• The Ministry will continue to support existing canteen models and assist affected stallholders in transitioning to other opportunities.

• Edward Chia Bing Hui inquired about government support for trade associations to enhance their secretariat talent for better sector collaboration and policy implementation.
• The government, through Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, offers programs like the Trade Association Committee Transformation Centre to provide shared secretariat services and support operational needs.
• Initiatives such as the TAC Fellowship Programme for Leadership Development and the TAC Knowledge Series workshops aim to develop the leadership and skills of TAC professionals, benefiting many participants over the years.
• The government also provides additional personnel to trade associations to strengthen their secretariat teams and support the implementation of key policies.

• Mr. Lee Hong Chuang inquired about support for exceptionally gifted children attending local universities ahead of their age cohort.
• The Ministry of Education has personalized education plans for gifted students, providing tailored resources and provisions.
• Exceptionally gifted students may participate in higher-level classes or after-school programs if deemed ready academically and socially.
• Some gifted students receive mentorship and advanced learning opportunities, including specialized research at autonomous universities.
• Applications from younger gifted students to autonomous universities are evaluated individually based on their readiness.

• The Minister for Education was asked about the number of cases of student abuse or physical assault against teachers over the past five years and the preventive measures in place.
• Physical abuse of teachers is rare, often occurring during interventions in student conflicts or with students who have Special Educational Needs.
• Schools address inappropriate behavior through established disciplinary processes and emphasize Character and Citizenship Education to promote pro-social behavior.
• Serious incidents of verbal and physical aggression are met with strong disciplinary actions, including suspension and potential legal consequences.
• Schools provide counseling and work with students and parents to rebuild respectful relationships following incidents of abuse.

• The Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) is in the process of establishing its admission requirements, course curriculum, and faculty appointments.
• The Steering Committee, chaired by Mufti Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, is leading the efforts to set up SCIS.
• SCIS plans to offer financial support for students, including scholarships, and will collaborate with local and international institutions for various academic pathways.
• Partnerships include collaborations with the Singapore University of Social Sciences and several international Islamic institutions.
• Further details regarding SCIS will be provided before the first student intake scheduled for 2028.

• The debate centered on the challenges faced by independent preschools in Singapore, highlighting a trend of closures and a perceived lack of support from government policies favoring larger, government-supported operators.
• Kenneth Tiong proposed a preschool voucher system that would fund children directly rather than schools, aiming to create a more equitable and competitive market for preschool education.
• The government, represented by Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua, emphasized its commitment to maintaining a diverse preschool sector and rejected the notion of nationalizing preschool education, while outlining existing measures to ensure affordability and quality.
• Tiong raised concerns about the impact of current funding models on educational diversity and quality, arguing that they lead to a "cookie-cutter" approach to early childhood education.
• The discussion concluded with a call for reforms to enhance transparency in funding and to support a wider range of preschool options for parents and children.

• Vikram Nair raised concerns about mental health issues among students and the need for more measures, citing suicide as a leading cause of death in youths.
• The Ministry of Education (MOE) conducts research and monitors student mental health, utilizing studies like the Youth Epidemiology and Resilience Study and the National Youth Mental Health Study.
• MOE implements various initiatives, including updated mental health education, collaboration with other government agencies, and the Parenting for Wellness initiative to support students and parents.
• Nair inquired about specific studies on youth suicide cases to inform early intervention strategies, but the MOE did not have detailed data on this issue.
• The MOE emphasized a tiered intervention approach, equipping teachers and school counselors to identify distress signs and collaborate with healthcare teams for student support.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the number of students in local universities offered structured internships in 2024 that lead to full-time jobs, the sector breakdown of these offers, and whether the Ministry is collaborating with industries to create job pathways from internships. Desmond Lee responded that internships aim to provide real-world training and the opportunity for companies to assess interns for potential full-time roles. The 2024 Joint Autonomous University Graduate Employment Survey indicated that around 40% of graduates received job offers from their internship companies, with about 60% accepting those offers. The Ministry of Education does not track which companies provided these job offers.