Education

Sharael Taha asked the Minister for Education about the implications of discontinuing the Gifted Education Programme and primary schools implementing their own enrichment programs. He sought clarification on how the Ministry will ensure consistent quality across such programs and if differences in quality might increase competition for Primary 1 places. Chan Chun Sing indicated that this question had already been addressed in a previous parliamentary session, and members were directed to the official transcript for details.

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Education about the annual number of complaints received by the Committee for Private Education since 2016 and the top ten complaint categories. Chan Chun Sing reported that SkillsFuture Singapore averaged approximately 650 complaints per year from 2016 to 2018, decreasing to around 200 complaints per year from 2019 to 2023 due to new regulatory standards. Complaints fell into three main categories: administrative matters, academic issues, and course fees/payment-related concerns.

Carrie Tan inquired about psychological safety training for senior management in social service agencies and support for mental well-being of social workers. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) offers leadership training that includes staff motivation and creating supportive environments. He encouraged social service agencies to adopt good practices for psychological safety as recommended by the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Health and Well-being. Funding is available for agencies to enhance their people practices, and resources for managing mental well-being are accessible through NCSS's online Wellness Resource Hub and the Caring for Social Service Professionals Scheme, which subsidizes counseling services.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Education about data on students' sleep patterns and plans to track sleep deficiency due to its importance for health and well-being. Chan Chun Sing responded that the Ministry of Education conducts regular surveys to monitor sleep sufficiency, with the latest 2023 survey showing that Primary 5 and Secondary 3 students average seven hours of sleep on school days. Schools incorporate lessons on the importance of sleep and good sleep habits into the Physical Education curriculum, and parents are encouraged to support their children's sleep habits.

Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the average monthly fees charged by government-supported and private preschools, the differences in government funding per child for both types of preschools, and how quality is ensured across them. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that government spending per preschool child has significantly increased, with higher expenditures for government-supported preschools and children from lower-income families. Additional funding for Anchor and Partner Operators is aimed at enhancing access to affordable preschool options, with fee caps for these operators set significantly lower than the median fees of private preschools. Plans are in place to increase the number of government-supported preschool places, targeting 80% enrollment by 2025, and initiatives for professional development and quality assurance have been established to benefit all preschools.

Saktiandi Supaat asked about efforts to make Mother Tongue Language (MTL) learning more engaging and relevant, the focus on functional language use in the curriculum, and potential lessons from private language centers. Chan Chun Sing responded that the MTL curriculum aims to enhance values, cultural understanding, and communication skills, using engaging methods like role-playing and gamification. The curriculum includes selected idioms and phrases to enrich vocabulary and promote cultural awareness. The Ministry of Education regularly updates the MTL curriculum, incorporating best practices and technological advancements to remain effective.

Pritam Singh questioned whether the entry requirements for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the National University of Singapore have become stricter since 2019. Chan Chun Sing responded that there have been no changes to the entry requirements for the faculty during this period.

Tan Wu Meng questioned the need for trainees in certain medical specialties to pay an additional monthly training fee and whether this affects applications from less well-off junior doctors. Ong Ye Kung explained that postgraduate medical training is heavily subsidized by the Government, with a $450 monthly co-pay for residents in popular specialties to balance training costs and encourage diversification into less sought-after areas of specialization to meet healthcare needs.

Patrick Tay and other Members of Parliament raised concerns over a cybersecurity incident involving the Mobile Guardian Device Management Application, which wiped students' study notes and compromised personal data. The Minister for Education, Chan Chun Sing, explained that the Ministry is actively assisting affected students and is reviewing the use of technology in education to prevent future incidents. The Mobile Guardian app has been removed, and legal actions are being pursued against the supplier, with plans to implement a new device management solution by January 2025. He emphasized the importance of digital hygiene practices, including regular data backups, in light of the incident and the ongoing reliance on educational technology.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked about improving well-being resources for special education (SPED) teachers to combat stress and burnout. The Minister for Education, Chan Chun Sing, acknowledged the emotional and physical challenges faced by SPED teachers and outlined the Journeys of Excellence Package, which includes funding for competitive salaries and professional development to enhance teacher retention and professionalism. MOE is actively working on various measures, such as developing relief teacher pools for training absences, improving workplace safety, and including non-teaching staff in well-being initiatives. Chan stressed the importance of collaboration across SPED schools to improve teaching capabilities and address workforce challenges, emphasizing the need for collective action to support SPED educators and their varied roles.

Denise Phua questioned the lack of a system in the newly announced Gifted Education Programme (GEP) that allows students to choose subjects based on their interests and abilities. Chua Kheng Wee Louis raised concerns about average class sizes in the GEP and how they might change with the new program. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that the GEP will now focus on developing students' specific strengths and interests rather than a uniform approach, allowing students to join at different times during their primary education. He emphasized the importance of quality teachers and tailored teaching environments over merely reducing class sizes. The new program will offer opportunities for individual growth without stigmatizing students who leave the program or pursue different interests.

• The Ministry of Health conducts regular engagements through surveys, workshops, and consultations to assess pharmacist job roles and skills, which informed the 2020 Development Framework for Pharmacists outlining competency domains.
• Public healthcare institutions sponsor pharmacists for postgraduate training to prepare them for enhanced clinical, specialist, and leadership roles, such as in antimicrobial stewardship or specialized clinics.
• The government leverages postgraduate skills by deploying pharmacists into higher-level positions that align with their advanced competencies and institutional needs.

• Joan Pereira asked when the next review of the $300 monthly basic subsidy for working mothers with Singapore citizen children in full-day childcare will be held and what factors will be considered for any increase.
• Masagos Zulkifli explained that the government regularly reviews preschool affordability and has enhanced it through other means, such as raising the income ceiling for additional subsidies and imposing fee caps on supported preschools.
• He noted that fee caps for full-day childcare at Anchor and Partner Operators were lowered in 2023, reducing household preschool expenses as a percentage of income, and further reductions are planned for 2025 and 2026.
• The government is also expanding the number of Government-supported preschool places, aiming for 80% coverage by 2025, which is seen as more effective than increasing the basic subsidy alone.
• Masagos emphasized that these broader measures have already lowered out-of-pocket expenses for most families and will continue to do so, making preschool more affordable without relying solely on subsidy adjustments.

• The government has invested significantly in preschool education, with 95% of Singaporean children aged five to six already enrolled, and aims to increase government-supported preschool places to 80% by 2025.
• Instead of making kindergarten compulsory, the focus is on removing barriers to access by ensuring affordable and quality preschool options, including government-supported preschools and targeted subsidies for lower-income families.
• Lower-income families receive priority enrollment and can pay as low as $1 per month after subsidies, addressing practical challenges in attendance and enrollment.
• The government currently has no plans to mandate kindergarten education, as it believes the current approach of improving accessibility and affordability is sufficient.

• Private Education Institutions (PEIs) in Singapore are required to comply with baseline standards under the Private Education Act and are supported by the EduTrust Certification Scheme, which sets minimum requirements for student protection, academic quality, and operational standards.
• Data from PEI Annual Returns and the 2022/2023 Graduate Employment Survey indicate that about 36% of full-time external degree graduates from PEIs are foreigners, with 55% of foreign graduate respondents securing full-time employment.
• Employers are responsible for assessing the suitability of foreign PEI graduates, while SkillsFuture Singapore focuses on enhancing local workforce capabilities through initiatives like the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme.

• Hazel Poa queried why non-ASEAN international students at polytechnics or universities with tuition grants sometimes pay lower fees than those in secondary school or junior college, and sought the government's justification.
• Chan Chun Sing explained that international students pay higher fees than Singaporean and PR students at all levels, and that fees at polytechnics and universities are higher than at secondary and junior college levels for international students.
• International students at polytechnics and universities can apply for a tuition grant that reduces fees but requires them to work in Singapore for three years after graduation, a condition not applied to secondary or junior college students.
• The minister clarified that even with the tuition grant, international students' fees remain higher than those of Singaporean students in the same course.
• The fee discrepancy is justified by the policy that the tuition grant provides a subsidy contingent on post-graduation employment, thereby offsetting costs for Singapore while maintaining fairness for Singaporean students.

• The Government acknowledges private sector surveys like Singlife’s Financial Freedom Index 2024 and prioritises data from its own 2021 National Financial Capability Survey, which shows improved basic financial habits among Singaporeans.
• Key concerns include ensuring sound financial decisions and stability for all, with particular focus on youth who show higher financial literacy but still need support in long-term planning.
• Steps to enhance public education include partnerships with industry, free workshops by the Institute for Financial Literacy, a Basic Financial Planning Guide tailored to life stages, and integrating financial literacy into school curricula from primary to tertiary levels.

• Over the past five years, only one case of unregistered children was escalated to the Compulsory Education Board, which resulted in the child being placed in a primary school with regular attendance.
• No legal action has been taken by the Ministry of Education against uncooperative parents during this period.
• The Ministry engages parents through outreach and works with other agencies to support families before escalating cases.

• Mr Don Wee asked if SkillsFuture Credits can be used for professional certifications like SCAQ, CFA, and IFOA to boost careers.
• Chan Chun Sing stated that the base tier credits cover over 200 approved exam-only certifications, requiring industry recognition and agency support.
• Appeals can be made for reimbursements for relevant certifications not on the approved list, including overseas bodies.
• The government will continue reviewing how the credits support industry-relevant training and certifications.

• Member Melvin Yong raised concerns about the increase in bad credit card debts and asked whether consumer finance literacy can be improved and if more regulation on credit card spending is needed.
• The Minister, representing the Prime Minister, noted that credit card usage has rebounded post-COVID with increased rollover balances but emphasized that delinquency rates remain stable and below pre-pandemic levels.
• The government promotes financial education through MoneySENSE and the Institute for Financial Literacy, offering free resources, workshops, and one-on-one clinics to help consumers manage debt and spending.
• MAS has implemented safeguards to prevent over-indebtedness and will continue monitoring the situation, reviewing measures as necessary.
• The response concluded that existing safeguards are generally adequate, and consumers and employers are encouraged to actively participate in available financial education programs.