Education — Topics

22 Sep 2025

Efficacy of Career Coaching at Autonomous Universities in Supporting Graduate Employment Outcomes

Ms. Eileen Chong Pei Shan inquired about the percentage of students in autonomous universities who have engaged with career coaching, the impact of such coaching on employment outcomes, and the metrics used to assess its effectiveness.
Minister Desmond Lee highlighted that autonomous universities offer various Education and Career Guidance services, including career coaching, to assist students in their job search and career planning.
The Ministry of Education relies on surveys and student feedback to evaluate the performance of these programs but does not collect specific data on career coaching sessions.
It is challenging to directly link improved employment outcomes to any particular Education and Career Guidance initiative.

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22 Sep 2025

Measures to Address Bullying's Root Causes and Ensure Children Develop Self-protection Skills

Gerald Giam Yean Song raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Ministry of Education's measures to address the root causes of bullying.
He inquired about the review process for the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum to better differentiate between aggression and legitimate retaliation.
Giam also asked how schools are equipping children with assertiveness and self-protection skills, and how they are teaching students to confront bullies.
Desmond Lee responded that the Ministry of Education will address these questions in a future parliamentary session.

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22 Sep 2025

Assessing Graduate Employability and Strengthening Student-industry Collaboration Beyond Internships

The Ministry of Education is assessing graduate employability outcomes and is considering curriculum reviews to align academic programs with industry demands.
The government monitors employment rates and salaries of fresh graduates, which have remained stable, with a low long-term unemployment rate for younger workers.
Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) are enhancing student-industry collaboration beyond internships through initiatives like job shadowing and project collaborations.
IHLs are updating curricula to include industry-relevant skills, particularly in AI, and are focusing on developing competencies such as critical thinking and collaboration.
The Ministry and IHLs will continue to work with industry partners to ensure that educational offerings meet evolving job market requirements.

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22 Sep 2025

Evaluation Criteria for Partner Operator Applications for Preschool Services

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat inquired about the specific criteria used by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) to evaluate Partner Operator applications for preschool services and the feedback process for unsuccessful applicants.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the evaluation considers factors such as the applicant's track record, financial sustainability, accessibility, and commitment to quality and affordability in preschool services.
The ECDA is currently evaluating applications for the next term of the Partner Operator scheme, set to begin on January 1, 2026, with results to be announced soon.
Unsuccessful applicants are informed about the relative suitability of their proposals based on the evaluation criteria used.
The selection principles and communication practices for the next term will align with those of the current term.

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22 Sep 2025

Extending Drone Operation Training to All New NS Enlistees to Maximise Operational Versatility across Vocations

Mr. Lee Hong Chuang inquired about the Ministry's plans to extend drone operation training to all new National Service enlistees, including both combat-fit and non-combat-fit recruits.
The Ministry of Defence aims to train all service-fit recruits in drone operations, with continued training during their full-time national service.
Drone operation training will also be introduced for Operationally Ready National Servicemen, starting with in-camp training in mid-2026.

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22 Sep 2025

Ventilation and Cooling Standards in Schools to Ensure Equitable, Cognitively Optimal Learning Environment for All Students

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns about "thermal inequality" in classrooms and its impact on learning, particularly for lower-income students, asking the Ministry of Education about standards for cooling and ventilation.
Desmond Lee responded that the Ministry aims to create a conducive learning environment through heat-resilient school designs, including natural ventilation, shading, and the use of cool paint on building exteriors.
The Ministry is implementing additional cooling measures, such as installing more fans, designing new schools with more windows, and using mixed-mode air-conditioning in school halls.
Lee emphasized the importance of considering local climate and context when exploring further heat adaptation and cooling measures to ensure equitable learning environments for all students.
The Ministry is committed to improving thermal comfort in schools to support effective learning, regardless of the type of school attended by students.

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22 Sep 2025

Percentage of In-service Early Childhood Educators Who Have Completed Certificate in Inclusive Practice Course

Ms. Eileen Chong Pei Shan inquired about the percentage of in-service early childhood educators who have completed the Certificate in Inclusive Practice (CIP) course and the Ministry's plans to promote this course.
The Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, stated that the CIP course has been offered since 2022, with around 80 educators enrolling each year.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is integrating inclusive practices into early childhood training and professional development courses to enhance educators' skills in supporting children with developmental needs.
ECDA has initiated the Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) in six preschools to provide early intervention and support for children needing additional assistance, with training for educators involved.
The ECDA is dedicated to collaborating with partners to foster inclusivity in preschools and ensure a strong foundation for all children.

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22 Sep 2025

Reducing Civil Service Job Postings That Focus on Academic Requirements to Emphasise Skills-based Hiring

Patrick Tay Teck Guan proposed that the Public Service Division reduce job postings emphasizing formal academic requirements to promote skills-based hiring.
Chan Chun Sing, representing the Prime Minister, stated that the Public Service already supports skills-based hiring, with most job ads not listing specific academic qualifications.
He noted that for specialized roles, such as in accountancy, engineering, and legal services, relevant professional qualifications may still be necessary and will be justified by agencies.

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22 Sep 2025

Update on Evaluation of Inclusive Support Programme Pilot in Preschools

Ms. Eileen Chong Pei Shan inquired about the evaluation status of the Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) pilot in preschools, including effectiveness factors and potential scaling timelines.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the evaluation is nearing completion and focuses on the impact of InSP on both children with developmental needs and typically developing children, as well as on caregivers.
Further details regarding the evaluation results and future plans for the InSP will be announced shortly.

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22 Sep 2025

Data on Enrolment, Graduation, Non-completion and Employment of Students under ITE Work-Study Diploma Programme

The ITE Work-Study Diploma programme has seen a significant increase in enrolment from 100 in 2018 to approximately 1,300 in 2024, with stable completion rates around 80%.
Employment outcomes for graduates are strong, with about 90% securing full-time jobs within six months of graduation and a median monthly salary of around $2,900.
Approximately 70% of graduates remain with their training employers after six months, and about 10% progress to further education at universities or polytechnics.
ITE provides support for non-completers through career counselling and options to pursue other educational pathways or reapply for the programme with recognition of previously completed modules.

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22 Sep 2025

Data on Fresh Graduates Employed on Fixed-term Contracts with Durations of One Year or Less

The Ministry of Education tracks the employment status of fresh graduates, including those on fixed-term contracts of one year or less, through the Graduate Employment Survey (GES).
Over the past five years, approximately 90% of employed graduates secured full-time positions, with around 90% of those being permanent roles.
The proportion of fresh graduates on temporary contracts varies by institution: about 5% for autonomous universities, 20% for polytechnics, 10% for ITE graduates, and 20% for private institutions.
A significant number of polytechnic graduates (close to 50%) reported pursuing further studies as a reason for accepting temporary employment.

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22 Sep 2025

Anti-bullying Reporting and Investigating Protocols

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat proposed the publication of an annual School Safety Scorecard with anonymized bullying data and suggested establishing a national anonymous anti-bullying reporting line.
He Ting Ru inquired about the Ministry of Education's collaboration with external agencies to enhance trauma-informed and victim-centric practices in schools.
He Ting Ru also asked about the existence of investigation protocols for reported bullying incidents and whether these protocols are developed with child safety experts.
Desmond Lee indicated that the Ministry of Education would provide a comprehensive oral response to these questions at the next available opportunity.

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22 Sep 2025

President's Speech

The debate centered around the President's Speech, which highlighted significant global and domestic challenges, including geopolitical tensions, economic transformation, and social issues such as job security and the rising cost of living.
Key challenges identified include securing the nation against various threats, transforming the economy in light of climate change, ensuring social support for citizens, and fostering a united society based on trust and shared purpose.
There is a notable concern regarding the mismatch between job seekers' skills and employers' needs, particularly for fresh graduates, leading to high unemployment rates despite a low overall unemployment figure.
Suggestions for addressing these issues include expanding traineeship and apprenticeship programs, enhancing collaboration between government, businesses, and educational institutions, and supporting small businesses facing rising operational costs.
The debate emphasized the importance of a "we first" mindset to foster inclusivity and community support, ensuring that economic growth benefits all Singaporeans and addresses the needs of vulnerable populations.

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5 Sep 2025

Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education (MOE) aims to enhance the education system to help Singaporeans thrive in an AI-driven future, focusing on lifelong learning and future-ready skills.
MOE is reducing the emphasis on academic results by revising examination scoring and admission criteria, promoting holistic development and 21st Century Competencies.
Support for students' social-emotional well-being is being strengthened through initiatives like Grow Well SG, and schools will foster inclusivity and interaction among diverse backgrounds.
MOE is implementing Full Subject-Based Banding in secondary schools to customize learning experiences and is enhancing support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and those from complex family backgrounds.
The ministry emphasizes a collective effort involving individuals, employers, and training providers to ensure lifelong learning and industry-relevant skills, while also supporting teachers and parents in nurturing students' mental health and resilience.

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8 Apr 2025

More Leave Days for Technical Workers in Lift and Escalator Industry to Attend Training and Courses

Mr. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim proposed that more leave days be mandated for technical workers in the lift and escalator industry to attend training and courses.
He inquired about the number of cases reported to the Ministry of Manpower regarding workers being forced to use annual leave for training or attending training outside of working hours without compensation.
Minister Tan See Leng stated that employees required to attend training outside normal hours should receive compensation and encouraged workers to report any issues to the Ministry.
The Ministry has not received complaints in the past three years regarding the misuse of annual leave for training in the lift and escalator sector.
The Ministry supports training through initiatives like the Workfare Skills Support Scheme, which helps employers cover costs associated with training lower-wage workers.

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8 Apr 2025

Proportion of Malay Graduates across Different Age Groups and Efforts to Increase Malay Graduate Numbers

Mr. Saktiandi Supaat inquired about the proportion of university graduates among Malays compared to Chinese and Indian communities, specifically for age groups 25 and over, and 25 to 34 years.
The Minister for Education, Chan Chun Sing, reported that 11% of Malays aged 25 and over have a university degree, compared to 35% of Chinese and 41% of Indians; for ages 25 to 34, the figures are 20% for Malays, 66% for Chinese, and 50% for Indians.
The Ministry does not track university graduation rates by ethnicity but focuses on providing support to all students to help them succeed academically.
The approach emphasizes merit-based admissions and various support initiatives to assist students in completing their courses.

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8 Apr 2025

Data on Teachers Who Sought Counselling Services

Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the number of teachers seeking counselling services in FY2022 and FY2023, specifically from the Ministry's in-house services and the whole-of-Government hotline.
Chan Chun Sing reported that approximately 60 teachers used the Ministry of Education's in-house counselling services each year in 2022 and 2023.
He also noted that around 90 MOE staff utilized the whole-of-Government counselling hotline annually during the same period.
Teachers have access to additional well-being resources, including online platforms and wellness programmes organized by the MOE.
The MOE provides peer support through designated wellness ambassadors in schools.

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8 Apr 2025

Monitoring Graduate Cohorts for Longer Periods to Track Full-time Permanent Employment Data

Leong Mun Wai raised concerns about the increasing number of fresh university graduates not securing full-time permanent employment and suggested longer monitoring of graduate cohorts.
He inquired whether the Ministry of Education would track these graduates over extended periods to assess their employment status.
Chan Chun Sing indicated that this issue had already been addressed in a previous response related to employment trends and measures for fresh graduates.

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8 Apr 2025

Support for Children, Teachers and Parents Affected by Relocation of Ang Mo Kio Preschool

Ms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about the relocation plans for The Schoolhouse preschool and whether the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) was consulted.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli confirmed that The Schoolhouse complied with the ECDA Code of Practice by providing the required notice to parents regarding the relocation.
The Schoolhouse plans to cease operations on December 31, 2025, and has engaged parents regarding alternative arrangements for their children.
ECDA is monitoring the situation to ensure a smooth transition for affected children, teachers, and parents.
The Schoolhouse is managing staffing and continuity of care during the transition period.

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8 Apr 2025

SkillsFuture Credits to Cover Cost of Qualifying Examinations for Registered Patent Agents

Dr. Tan Wu Meng inquired about the possibility of using SkillsFuture Credits for the costs of qualifying examinations to become a registered patent agent.
Chan Chun Sing confirmed that SkillsFuture Credits can be used by self-sponsoring candidates to offset the costs of these examinations, which are administered by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).
The base tier of SkillsFuture Credits includes a $500 opening credit and a one-time $500 top-up for eligible Singaporeans.
The Ministry of Education will continue to collaborate with sector agencies to improve the SkillsFuture Credit scheme for professional development.

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