Education

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Education about tracking employment outcomes, job transitions, and promotions of individuals who completed SkillsFuture funded training, as well as the possibility of publishing data on post-training job outcomes. Desmond Lee indicated that this question had already been addressed in a previous oral reply on 25 September 2025 concerning the career impact of various training initiatives related to SkillsFuture.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked for data on the number of students benefiting from the Global Ready Talent Programme (GRTP) over the past five years, categorized by degree, diploma, and NITEC/Higher NITEC levels. Gan Kim Yong responded that the GRTP, managed by EnterpriseSG, has supported over 29,000 students through local and overseas internships during this period. A detailed breakdown by educational profile was provided in a table.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Prime Minister about the number of Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students benefiting from the Public Service-ITE Internship Programme and its future plans. Chan Chun Sing responded that the program, launched in 2023, has helped 284 ITE students intern across 41 agencies and received positive feedback. The Public Service Division plans to continue the internship program.

Cai Yinzhou asked about the local sea-based fish farm sector, specifically concerning the average age of farmers and the proportion of locals in the workforce, as well as strategies for attracting local farmers and mitigating environmental risks. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that there are approximately 400 workers in the sector, with about half being locals, but there is no data on the average age of farmers. The Singapore Food Agency collaborates with educational institutions to create training programs for local talent, including a new Specialist Diploma in Aquaculture Management and Technology launched in April 2024. Additionally, efforts are made to support farms in improving productivity and resilience, alongside enhancing biosecurity measures.

Valerie Lee requested data on primary school bus fares over the past five years, measures to make fares more affordable, and any future plans to further reduce costs. Desmond Lee explained that school bus fares are set through competitive bidding, with a noted average fare increase for 2025. Low-income families receive a subsidy that was increased to 65% in January 2023, with additional support available from schools. The government helps keep operating costs low for bus operators through various measures, including exemptions and rebates, and will monitor the fare situation for potential further support.

Saktiandi Supaat questioned the Minister for Education about how the Ministry ensures training initiatives like SkillsFuture align with emerging skill needs in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Desmond Lee highlighted the importance of training for sectors adopting Industry 4.0 technologies, citing the establishment of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy (AMTA) to address skills needs in manufacturing. IHLs are refreshing their training programmes in collaboration with industry feedback, offering a range of credentials and short upskilling courses related to Industry 4.0. SkillsFuture Queen Bee companies like Siemens are mentoring local firms in technology adoption and skills development, benefiting around 330 companies. Companies are encouraged to collaborate with educational institutions to align training with industry demands.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan raised questions regarding the Ministry of Education's review process for school counsellor allocation, including the timeline, indicators for expansion, and ensuring equitable access across diverse schools. She also inquired about the evaluation of the effectiveness of current mental health support systems, including trained counsellors and peer networks, and measures to improve help-seeking behavior among students. Desmond Lee stated that these questions were addressed by a written reply on September 23, 2025, and referred members to that response for further details.

Ng Shi Xuan questioned the eligibility and selection criteria for host organisations in the GRaduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) Programme and whether recent retrenchments would affect their eligibility. Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about plans to audit employers using traineeship grants to ensure they do not displace existing employees and inquired about the establishment of a public debarment list for exploitative firms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin sought clarification on how the Ministry ensures meaningful training in the Global Talent Ready Programme and what measures are in place to evaluate the quality of the traineeship experience. Tan See Leng referred to a previous response given on 23 September 2025 addressing these inquiries about graduate employment and the GRIT programme.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education about the existence of guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in educational settings and due process in cases of academic misconduct in autonomous universities. Desmond Lee indicated that these questions were addressed in a written reply on 24 September 2025, directing members to refer to the official report for further details. The response includes guidelines encouraging responsible AI usage in schools.

Edward Chia Bing Hui and Nadia Ahmad Samdin raised questions about the need for the Ministry of Education to review curricula and internship programs in response to disruptions caused by generative AI, aiming to ensure students gain relevant experience and skills for employability. Desmond Lee acknowledged concerns about employment prospects amid rapid technological advancements but noted a resilience in the labor market, with 30,000 entry-level jobs available for fresh graduates. He stated that Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) regularly update courses in collaboration with industry to integrate AI competencies and promote digital literacy while enhancing skills like critical thinking and collaboration. The Ministry of Education remains committed to equipping graduates with the necessary skills to adapt to evolving industry demands.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin queried whether the Ministry of Trade and Industry would consider extending the Global Talent Ready Programme to foreign multinationals lacking local shareholding or creating a new variant for supporting internships and workforce training with these firms. Gan Kim Yong responded that the Global Ready Talent Programme focuses on building a talent pipeline for Singapore enterprises, maintaining a 30% local shareholding requirement to support local businesses. He noted that there are existing internship opportunities available for students with multinational corporations and other firms, facilitated by various agencies and institutes to enhance students' employability and skill development.

Denise Phua Lay Peng raised concerns about Singapore's drop in ranking in the IMD World Talent Ranking 2025, asking for the government's response to the factors affecting this decline. Indranee Rajah explained that the ranking considers investment in local talent, appeal to overseas talent, and readiness of the workforce, with Singapore still ranked seventh despite the drop. The decline was attributed mainly to perception-based factors regarding employee training and apprenticeship adequacy, as well as labor force growth issues. Rajah emphasized Singapore's high public spending on education, which does not fully reflect in the percentage of GDP measure used in the ranking, and highlighted the importance of ongoing investments in workforce development and skills training.

Vikram Nair asked if the Ministry of Education will allow teachers to take pro-family leave to care for spouses, as it is currently allowed only for parents and children. Senior Minister of State for Education David Neo confirmed that spouses are already included in the pro-family leave category under existing Civil Service provisions. Nair sought clarification regarding the leave system, mentioning that care for spouses may be considered as no-pay leave, but Neo affirmed that the updated provisions now include this care as part of the leave benefits.

Mariam Jaafar asked the Minister for Education about the proportion of student bullying perpetrators who have completed disciplinary and rehabilitation programmes and how many are repeat offenders. She also inquired whether the Ministry plans to establish national standards for interventions for both perpetrators and victims of bullying in schools.

Valerie Lee inquired about the number of students suspended or expelled for vaping in the last three months, the effectiveness of such disciplinary actions, and the long-term measures educational institutions have to address vaping. Desmond Lee indicated that this question was previously addressed in a written response on 23 September 2025 and directed members to refer to the specific details in the official report.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked whether school principals and vice-principals participate in leadership training to enhance their support for teachers' well-being and career development. Desmond Lee responded that the Ministry of Education prioritizes the well-being of educators and has established various programs for school leaders. These include structured leadership programs like the Vice-Principal Learning Series and the Leaders in Education Programme, which address HR issues and staff well-being. Additionally, the Ministry provides coaching resources to help school leaders support teachers' growth.

Diana Pang Li Yen raised questions about the support systems for caregivers in Singapore, specifically regarding pre-caregiving education and post-caregiving reintegration. Ong Ye Kung responded that the government offers various measures to support caregivers, including public education campaigns, access to resources via AIC Links, and financial subsidies for caregiving costs. Mental health support is also available through peer support groups and mental health helplines for caregivers experiencing stress or burnout. Additionally, employment facilitation and reskilling initiatives are offered for caregivers returning to work, complemented by guidelines for flexible work arrangements.