Education — Topics

18 Sep 2023

Justification for Requiring Students Taking Higher Mother Tongue Languages to Attain PSLE Score of 14 or Below

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned the rationale behind requiring students to achieve a PSLE score of 14 or below to take Higher Mother Tongue Languages, given their strong performance in mother tongue subjects.
The Ministry of Education explained that the Higher Mother Tongue curriculum is more rigorous and designed for students with strong interest and aptitude, with the eligibility criteria ensuring they can manage the additional workload without compromising other subjects.
Schools retain the flexibility to offer Higher Mother Tongue to students who do not meet the PSLE score requirement if they are assessed to have strong ability and interest in the language and can handle the extra workload.

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18 Sep 2023

ITE Students Attaining Grade Point Average between 2.0 and 2.5 and Proceeding to Polytechnic

Hazel Poa requested statistics from the Minister for Education on the number of ITE students with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 over the past five years, including how many proceeded to polytechnics and their completion rates.
Chan Chun Sing responded that approximately 300 Higher Nitec students with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 progressed to polytechnics annually.
The Minister noted that the performance and completion rates of ITE graduates in polytechnics generally correlate with their GPA, with students above 2.5 performing better than those below.

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18 Sep 2023

Extent of Incorporation of Overseas Art-related Study Trips into School Curriculums

The Ministry of Education stated that schools are not required to incorporate overseas art-related study trips into curriculums, though some institutions offer them as part of broader learning opportunities, with local art museums and organizations used to deepen cultural appreciation.
Over the past decade (2013–2022), approximately 50 overseas art-related study trips have been organized by schools, while art colleges and universities provide additional overseas programmes and exchanges.
Funding for such trips comes from various sources, including support for needy Singaporean students, but the Ministry did not specify metrics for measuring their effectiveness or plans to increase their frequency.

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18 Sep 2023

Sexual Offences Committed against Students in Schools and Penalties and Support Efforts in Place

Mr Alex Yam Ziming raised questions about the incidence, reporting obligations, penalties, support measures, and stakeholder collaboration in schools regarding sexual offences against students.
Minister Chan Chun Sing reported low numbers of such cases between 2018 and 2022, confirmed that schools must report offences to Police regardless of the perpetrator’s age, and outlined educational and corrective measures including suspension and counselling for offenders.
Schools provide timely counselling and support for victims, working with parents and partners like REACH to ensure intervention and monitoring.

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18 Sep 2023

Rationale for Requiring Homeschooled Children to Meet 33rd Percentile Benchmark for Taking PSLE

Chan Chun Sing explained that the PSLE serves as a checkpoint to assess mastery of core concepts and guide subject placement in secondary school, with the benchmark ensuring homeschooled children have a baseline foundation for further learning.
The requirement for homeschooled children to meet the PSLE benchmark and take it at Primary 6 is to provide an objective, fair measure for school postings, while recognizing that students learn at different paces through existing flexibilities like Foundation subjects and Full Subject-Based Banding.
The Ministry will continue to refine policies to provide flexible education pathways, supporting all students in achieving their full potential without committing to a review of the specific PSLE timeline or autonomy for homeschoolers.

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18 Sep 2023

Allowing Standard First Aid Recertification for Sports Instructors to Commence Upon Expiry of Existing Certificate Instead of Upon Renewal

Ms See Jinli Jean proposed that first aid recertification validity should begin upon expiry of the existing certificate rather than renewal, and suggested extending certification validity from two to three years for sports instructors.
Ong Ye Kung responded that renewal start dates depend on training providers' administrative systems, and the Singapore Resuscitation and First Aid Council (SRFAC) will work to standardize practices.
SRFAC maintains a two-year validity for Standard First Aid courses to ensure skills currency and address practical challenges of more frequent retraining.

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18 Sep 2023

Support for Lower- and Middle-income Workers Facing Stagnant Wages to Cope with Inflation

Gan Thiam Poh asked for sustainable long-term measures to help lower- and middle-income workers with stagnant wages cope with inflation.
Lawrence Wong emphasized boosting real wages through economic growth, job creation, and continuous education and training, supported by SkillsFuture, Company Training Committees, and Jobs-Skills Integrators.
The government has enhanced Workfare and the Progressive Wage Model, with most lower-wage workers covered and real income growth for lower-wage workers outpacing median income growth from 2017 to 2022.
Through the Forward Singapore exercise, further support for workers to gain skills for better jobs and higher wages is being considered.

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18 Sep 2023

Guarantee of Admission to Local Universities for Polytechnic Students with Required Grade Point Average

Wan Rizal inquired whether the Ministry of Education plans to guarantee university admission for polytechnic students with a GPA of 3.5 and above, similar to recent changes for ITE-to-polytechnic progression.
The Minister for Education, Chan Chun Sing, responded that there are no such plans, as Autonomous Universities manage their own admissions based on merit and varied criteria.
Admissions to universities consider factors beyond GPA, including interviews and assessments, and are evaluated objectively across different courses and institutions.
Polytechnic graduates admitted to universities may receive credit exemptions for related courses, recognizing their prior learning.
The Ministry's decision not to introduce guaranteed admission is based on the principle that university admissions should remain flexible and course-specific.

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18 Sep 2023

Determining Whether Children With Special Needs Are Better Catered to in Special Education School or Mainstream School

Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim questioned the criteria for deciding between special education (SPED) and mainstream schools for children with special needs, the support mechanisms in mainstream schools, and the circumstances for parental involvement in the classroom.
Chan Chun Sing explained that decisions are guided by early intervention professionals using joint guidelines, with students with mild special needs attending mainstream schools and those with moderate to severe needs placed in SPED schools for customized support.
Mainstream schools support students through inclusive practices, SEN Officers, and targeted interventions, with exceptional cases allowing parental or professional support for transition, while MOE facilitates transfers to SPED schools when necessary.

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18 Sep 2023

Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain

The Ministry of State for Social and Family Development, Ms Sun Xueling, outlined a multi-layered safeguard system involving regulations, training, and enforcement, while announcing mandatory CCTV installation in all preschools by July 2024 to enhance child safety and investigation capabilities.
In response to the Kinderland incidents, ECDA will strengthen investigation protocols, review and potentially enhance penalties for errant operators, and work with training providers to improve educator training on prohibited and positive child management strategies.
The Ministry emphasized support for educators' well-being, including salary uplifts, removal of Saturday operations from 2025, and reviews of non-contact time, while ensuring whistleblowing channels remain accessible and that policies do not hinder reporting of wrongdoing.

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3 Aug 2023

Publication of Eligibility Criteria for IHL-specific Financial Aid Schemes

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Ministry of Education if it would require all Institutes of Higher Learning to publish the eligibility criteria for their financial aid schemes.
The Ministry of Education stated that most IHLs already publish general eligibility criteria and have recently advised all to do so.
The Minister’s response indicates that publishing eligibility criteria is encouraged but not yet mandatory for all IHLs.

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3 Aug 2023

Steps Taken to Increase Mental Health Literacy and Support in Schools and Higher Education Institutions

The Ministry of Education has integrated mental health education into the refreshed Character and Citizenship Education curriculum from primary to pre-university levels, with Institutes of Higher Learning offering modules and workshops to equip students with skills like emotional regulation.
Educators are trained to recognise signs of distress and common mental illnesses, provide early support, and refer students to counsellors or external resources as needed.
These efforts aim to increase mental health literacy and build resilience among students, addressing suicide as a leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 29.

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3 Aug 2023

Expanding Primary 1 Intake for Kong Hwa School to Cater to Children from new BTO Flats in Vicinity

Lim Biow Chuan inquired whether the Ministry of Education would expand the Primary 1 intake at Kong Hwa School due to an increase in young children from nearby new BTO flats.
Chan Chun Sing responded that school places are planned regionally based on current and projected demographic changes, with adjustments made as needed.
He noted that the number of Primary 1-going children in the region around Kong Hwa School is expected to remain stable, with sufficient places available even with new BTO flats.
The Ministry has no immediate plans to expand the intake at Kong Hwa School or other schools in the area, but will continue to monitor demand and adjust supply when necessary.

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3 Aug 2023

Training for Migrant Domestic Workers in Caregiving for Individuals with Special Needs

The Agency for Integrated Care and SG Enable provide training courses for caregivers of individuals with special needs, which migrant domestic workers (MDWs) can attend if hired by households, with costs potentially covered by the Caregivers Training Grant.
Employment agencies facilitate matches by requiring employers to specify caregiving tasks, and MDWs have the chance to clarify job expectations and training before accepting assignments.
MDWs who feel unsure or uncomfortable with caregiving tasks should inform their employers to request additional training or support, and may also seek help from their employment agencies.

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3 Aug 2023

Health and Wellness Modules in Institutes of Higher Learning

Dr Wan Rizal proposed mandating health and wellness modules in institutes of higher learning, citing recent research on the economic and societal impact of anxiety and depression among young adults.
The Ministry of Education currently implements a mandatory mental wellness literacy curriculum for first-year polytechnic and ITE students, which has received positive feedback for improving awareness and coping strategies.
Autonomous universities also offer various mental health programmes, including resilience and stress management modules, alongside a broader ecosystem of support involving educators, peer leaders, and counsellors for early detection and assistance.

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3 Aug 2023

Impact of Marking and Assessment Boycott at UK Universities on Students Taking the Bar Examination in Singapore

Ms Hany Soh questioned whether the UK university marking and assessment boycott would affect Singapore Bar Examination applications and what support the Ministry of Law would provide.
The Ministry is monitoring the situation with SILE, which requires graduates to submit certifications to prove eligibility for Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations or legal training.
SILE may allow affected students to proceed with Part A Examinations or training first and submit certifications later if they cannot produce them due to the boycott.
Students facing issues can approach SILE or the Ministry of Law for assistance.

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3 Aug 2023

Jobs in Sustainability or Green Economy Sector and Initiatives to Boost Workforce Capability

There is currently no globally accepted definition of a green economy, but the Green Skills Committee is working to identify and size jobs and skills in this area.
The government has launched training programmes under Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture Singapore to help workers upskill for roles like sustainability officers and carbon analysts.
Institutes of Higher Learning offer over 250 sustainability-related courses to equip the workforce with green skills.
The government is collaborating with the Green Skills Committee, industry players, and training providers to expand workforce development efforts.
The Ministry did not provide specific current or projected job numbers, indicating that the exact magnitude of growth is still being assessed.

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3 Aug 2023

Enhancing Adult Employment Opportunities for Tradesmen

The Ministry supports adult tradesmen through entry-level and upskilling courses provided by institutions like ITE, BCA Academy, and the Singapore Institute of Power and Gas, with SkillsFuture funding available for mid-career learners.
Training is delivered in English but paced to suit proficiency levels and supplemented with visual aids, while the government partners NTUC to redesign trades for better salaries and career progression.
The Minister did not specify targets for evaluating effectiveness or provide details on outreach efforts to attract tradesmen to adult learning programs, focusing instead on existing course offerings and partnerships.

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3 Aug 2023

ITE Students who Will Qualify for Entry into Polytechnics with New Grade Point Average Requirements

The government will raise the minimum entry requirement for ITE Higher Nitec students to enter polytechnics from a net GPA of 2.0 to 2.5 starting from the 2027 intake, with an estimated 4,000 students expected to qualify each year, similar to current numbers.
Students can use the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) to apply for polytechnic courses not mapped to their ITE course, and flexibility is provided through Common Entry Programmes and lighter course loads to help students adjust and cope with academic demands.
While some ITE students with lower GPAs may struggle, especially in math and science, the government offers alternative pathways such as work-study diplomas at ITE, and encourages exploring micro-credentialing and other career options rather than focusing solely on university admission.

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2 Aug 2023

Retaining Unsuccessful Secondary School Students within Education System

Murali Pillai inquired about the number of secondary students asked to leave school after multiple retentions and whether they could enter Institutes of Technical Education without GCE “N” or “O” Level exams to stay in the education system.
Chan Chun Sing responded that on average five students per year over the past five years left school due to repeated retentions and that these students can enroll in ITE General Education courses to obtain GCE “N” or “O” Level qualifications or in ITE Skills Certificate courses for foundational training.

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