Education

Wan Rizal asked about measures to encourage more eligible Singaporeans to use their $500 SkillsFuture Credit top-up before it expires in 2025, given that only 26% have utilized it. Chan Chun Sing confirmed the top-up's expiration and noted that many individuals have pursued training without using the credit. He highlighted the availability of around 30,000 skills-related courses on the enhanced mySkillsFuture portal and encouraged individuals to plan meaningful uses of their credit. The government offers personalized guidance through free Skills and Training Advisory services and is seeking more community partners to raise awareness about SkillsFuture Credit and its benefits.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned the Minister for Education about the internal distinctions in secondary school assignments following the less-differentiated PSLE scoring system introduced in 2021. Chan Chun Sing confirmed that the Ministry of Education (MOE) uses a defined set of criteria for the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise, which includes PSLE scores and tie-breakers such as citizenship and school choice order. He stated that about one in ten students required computerised balloting for school assignments over the past three years. The criteria for assignment, including tie-breakers, are publicly available on the MOE website.

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim questioned the exclusion of certain SkillsFuture-approved courses from the SkillsFuture Mid-career Support programmes. Chan Chun Sing explained that the $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) is designed to aid mid-career Singaporeans aged 40 and above in upskilling and reskilling efforts. The credit can be used for over 7,000 courses that enhance employability, including academic qualifications and industry-specific training. SkillsFuture Singapore plans to collaborate with sector agencies and providers to update courses to meet economic and workforce needs.

Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Education about the availability of internship places for penultimate year students at public and private Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and whether there are enough opportunities to meet increasing student demand. Chan Chun Sing responded that all students required to complete an internship for graduation have been able to secure one. IHLs are actively collaborating with companies to create quality internship opportunities, and students are encouraged to seek internships independently for their education and career development.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned whether the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) considers home-childcare centre distance for prioritizing childcare slots when centres reach capacity. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that ECDA plans preschool places based on various factors and has significantly increased capacity over recent years. While most preschools operate on a first-come, first-served basis, some consider factors like sibling enrollment and distance from home when capacity is reached. ECDA encourages parents to explore nearby childcare options and has introduced a new search function to assist in finding available vacancies.

He Ting Ru raised inquiries with the Minister for Education concerning the 2024 Secondary 1 posting exercise, specifically about the number of Primary 6 students not placed in any of their chosen schools and how this compares to previous years. Shawn Huang Wei Zhong responded that over 90% of students were successfully placed in their choices, with efforts to accommodate the larger cohort. He addressed the need for guidance to parents regarding school choices due to fluctuating cut-off points and confirmed that appeals are relatively low; specific guidance for parents on appeals will be reinforced. Additionally, He requested clarification on the role of distance in tie-breaker situations for school assignments, emphasizing the importance of considering actual commute times.

Neil Parekh Nimil Rajnikant raised questions regarding the take-up rates and usage of the $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (SKC) top-up for Singaporeans aged 40 and above, as well as future initiatives by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to keep course offerings relevant. Also, Foo Mee Har and Patrick Tay queried about the number of beneficiaries and the types of courses pursued under the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme since its start on May 1, 2024. The Minister of State for Education, Gan Siow Huang, reported that over 25,000 individuals have utilized the top-up, with a focus on information and communication technologies. SSG plans to increase awareness and ensure courses align with industry needs through continuous collaboration with training providers and sector agencies while emphasizing the importance of evaluating course effectiveness and industry recognition.

Usha Chandradas and other members of parliament expressed concerns regarding the decline in English literacy skills among older workers in Singapore, as indicated by the latest OECD PIAAC survey results. The Minister of Education, Chan Chun Sing, acknowledged the trends and highlighted factors contributing to skill decline, such as cohort effects, skill atrophy, and obsolescence due to market changes. Chan emphasized the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling through initiatives like SkillsFuture while also promoting a reading culture and adult learning strategies. There was also discussion about refining training programs based on PIAAC findings and potentially lowering the age threshold for training subsidies under SkillsFuture, with an emphasis on fostering a joy of learning beyond test-oriented education.

• The debate focused on improving digital literacy among elderly citizens to reduce isolation and enhance their connectivity.
• The Government supports seniors through initiatives like Age Well SG and the Silver Generation Office, which provide outreach and services tailored to their needs.
• Significant progress has been made in digital literacy for seniors, with programs like the Mobile Access for Seniors scheme and the Seniors Go Digital initiative, benefiting over 340,000 seniors.
• A recent survey indicated that 96% of seniors are now communicating online, reflecting a notable increase in digital engagement since 2017.
• The Government plans to continue enhancing digital literacy efforts to ensure seniors can age actively and maintain social connections.

• Ms. Carrie Tan inquired about evidence-based approaches from other countries that the Ministry for Social and Family Development is studying to enhance home ownership and school attendance among lower-income families.
• She highlighted concerns from the latest report indicating that a significant percentage of ComLink+ families ready for home ownership have not moved out of public rental housing, and a low percentage of families with preschool-aged children are attending school regularly.
• Minister Masagos Zulkifli explained that the ComLink+ initiative considers the complex challenges faced by lower-income families and provides support through social workers and family coaches to help set and achieve goals.
• The government is implementing ComLink+ with a focus on practical support rather than further studies, utilizing strategies like financial top-ups to encourage progress in home ownership and education.
• The initiative is still in its early stages, with ongoing efforts to address the specific challenges faced by families regarding home ownership and preschool attendance.

• Ms. See Jinli Jean raised concerns about the OECD Survey of Adult Skills 2023, highlighting that Singaporean adults' average literacy score is below the OECD average.
• She inquired about specific sectors with below-average scores, government plans to improve literacy in these sectors, and strategies to help individuals overcome literacy challenges, especially in relation to AI.
• Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that the Ministry of Education will address these questions in a future parliamentary session.

• Patrick Tay Teck Guan proposed that retired civil servants should be allowed to continue accessing their Learn.gov.sg accounts to promote lifelong learning.
• Chan Chun Sing, representing the Prime Minister, stated that the Learn.gov.sg platform is intended for current public officers and addresses specific job needs.
• Retired civil servants who are re-employed can access Learn.gov.sg, while others can utilize SkillsFuture courses and national programs for continued education.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised concerns about the impact of Mother Tongue Language (MTL) options on student stress levels and questioned if the focus on textbook competency undermines functional literacy.
• Minister Chan Chun Sing emphasized the importance of MTL for cultural understanding and regional opportunities, acknowledging that students have varying abilities in language learning.
• The Ministry of Education has implemented differentiated MTL curricula and support programs to accommodate students' diverse learning needs and reduce stress.
• Practical applications of MTL in daily life and engaging activities are incorporated into the curriculum to enhance learning and alleviate anxiety among students.
• The education system aims to develop students holistically, catering to their strengths in various subjects while ensuring they acquire essential language skills.

• The Singapore government plans to add 40,000 infant care and childcare places by 2029, raising concerns about the recruitment and training of qualified early childhood educators.
• The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is working to grow the workforce and maintain high standards, with an estimated need for an additional 1,500 educators in the coming years.
• Measures are being implemented to improve the attractiveness of early childhood education as a profession, including salary increases and better working conditions for educators.
• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is coordinating with various sectors to address manpower shortages and ensure that the expansion of childcare services does not negatively impact other industries.
• The government is also focused on keeping preschool fees affordable for parents while ensuring that preschool operators remain sustainable through subsidies and fee caps.

See Jinli Jean asked about gaps in the Singaporean core workforce as identified by foreign chambers of commerce, specifically regarding specialized skills, technical skills, knowledge, and experience. Tan See Leng noted that there is a shortage of technical skills, particularly in IT, and relevant experience, with over 40% of PMET vacancies unfilled due to these issues. The Government is investing in upskilling initiatives, including Career Conversion Programmes and SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme, to help Singaporeans acquire emerging skills. Additionally, the Government is promoting overseas experience for locals through initiatives like the Global Business Leaders Programme and the Overseas Markets Immersion Programme.

Wan Rizal raised concerns about the rise in vaping among youths, asking the Minister for Health about measures to prevent and educate against vaping in schools, as well as enforcement effectiveness and recidivism statistics. Ong Ye Kung responded that multiple agencies are collaborating to enhance enforcement against vaping, including increased operations at various locations and streamlined processes for issuing penalties. The Health Sciences Authority has removed approximately 6,000 online listings of e-vaporisers in 2024, with 15% of offenders being repeat violators. The government acknowledges that combating vaping requires ongoing public education efforts, especially targeting the youth.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned the Minister for Education about the usage of school-issued devices in secondary schools, specifically regarding gaming and social media usage versus educational purposes, instances of devices being reset to bypass restrictions, and the number of students using other methods to circumvent these restrictions. Chan Chun Sing referenced a prior response given in a different parliamentary session regarding these issues and directed the member to that for detailed information.

Yip Hon Weng asked if the Ministry of Education has considered elements of the Japanese school lunch program to promote civic responsibility among students and requested an update on the initiative for students to clean their own classrooms. Chan Chun Sing responded that schools aim to nurture good character by involving students in daily cleaning tasks as part of Character and Citizenship Education, fostering a sense of responsibility and dignity in labor. He mentioned that schools also implement various values-based experiences to encourage civic participation, emphasizing the importance of support from parents and society in these educational programs.

Ang Wei Neng raised questions about the progress and future plans for developing IT and AI professionals under the Career Conversion Programme, citing a goal to convert 5,000 mid-career professionals to AI roles in the next three to five years. The Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, Tan Kiat How, responded that over the past three years, the Career Conversion Programme and TechSkills Accelerator have helped a significant number of workers transition into tech roles, with plans to triple the number of AI practitioners from 5,000 to 15,000. He clarified that the figure of 190 individuals transitioning to AI roles was specific to a particular training program under the Job Transformation Maps initiative. The government aims to enhance education pathways and collaborate with industry partners to further support upskilling in AI and related fields.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Education if Chinese dialects could be introduced as electives in current school programs, given concerns about younger generations' declining proficiency in dialects. The Minister of State for Education, Ms. Gan Siow Huang, responded that there are no current plans for such an introduction, as the focus remains on English and Mother Tongue proficiency. She acknowledged the cultural significance of dialects and encouraged interested students to explore classes through clan associations or online resources.