Education — Topics

21 Apr 2023

Support Freelance Exercise Professionals to Obtain Certificates to Register on National Registry of Exercise Professionals

Sport Singapore will launch the National Registry of Exercise Professionals (NREP) in phases, allowing freelancers to register with specific certifications, a provisional membership for those without first aid certification, and subsidised training.
The Ministry has been engaging over 400 exercise professionals and industry stakeholders like gyms and fitness businesses to raise awareness of the NREP and encourage its use in hiring criteria.
The response from the industry has been positive towards the NREP, and engagement efforts will continue through all implementation phases.

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21 Apr 2023

Career Options and Prospects for Trained Singapore Oral Health Therapists

Oral health therapists in Singapore have diverse career options in both private and public dental clinics, including general and specialist settings, as well as non-clinical roles in education and administration.
The Ministry of Health is expanding the clinical scope of oral health therapists to address an ageing population, with a new training roadmap this year to upskill them for care across different ages and settings.
The government plans to explore additional career tracks for oral health therapists, such as in research and administration, and has accredited a diploma for entry into dentistry studies at the National University of Singapore.

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21 Apr 2023

Primary School Children with Limited or No Access to Digital Devices and Network Connection for Learning

The debate focused on the percentage of primary school children with limited or no access to digital devices and WiFi for learning and the schemes to ensure access.
MOE provides all primary schools with sufficient Internet-enabled devices for in-school learning and periodically reviews provisions.
Schools can loan computers and Internet-enabling devices to students who need them at home for school work.
Students also have the option to use computing facilities in school to support their learning.
The Minister of State for Education addressed the question during the parliamentary session.

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18 Apr 2023

Debate on President's Address

Several MPs stressed the need to adapt Singapore's education system for a fast-changing world, proposing curricular reforms like reducing syllabus volume, lowering class sizes, and enhancing pathways such as through-train schools to reduce exam stress.
Debates highlighted challenges in ageism and supporting an ageing population, with calls to better value seniors, address workplace discrimination, and improve inter-generational support and caregiving policies.
Proposals were made to refresh Singapore’s social compact through broader meritocracy, stronger social safety nets, and policies to tackle economic pessimism, such as a minimum wage, redundancy insurance, and housing affordability reforms.

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17 Apr 2023

Debate on President's Address

The debate centered on the President's Address, with speakers supporting the Government's long-term plans for Singapore's future, including infrastructure, sustainability, and innovation, while emphasizing the need for consensus, trust, and unity to execute these decades-long projects effectively.
Key discussions highlighted challenges in meritocracy, social inequality, and cost of living, with calls for broader definitions of success, support for lower-wage workers, and measures to address wealth disparities, including inheritance taxes and improved social safety nets.
Education reform was a major focus, with proposals to reduce exam pressure, introduce through-train programs, and enhance financial literacy, while also stressing the importance of lifelong learning and skills development in a changing economy.
The debate underscored the need for collective responsibility, tripartite cooperation, and a refreshed social compact to ensure inclusive growth, support for vulnerable groups, and resilience in the face of global uncertainties, with the Forward Singapore exercise aimed at engaging citizens in shaping policies.

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10 Apr 2023

Ministry of Communications and Information

The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) plans to develop strategic digital infrastructure through a new Digital Connectivity Blueprint and invest in research like quantum and AI, while supporting SMEs with digital transformation, cybersecurity, and international Digital Economy Agreements.
MCI aims to boost digital skills for workers and students, including upskilling in areas like 5G and AI, through partnerships with ministries and industry to ensure access to tech opportunities across the economy.
MCI will strengthen trust by protecting users from harmful content, enhancing cybersecurity, promoting digital literacy, and providing accurate information to combat scams and misinformation.
The ministry will enhance digital inclusion for all Singaporeans, especially the elderly and vulnerable groups, through subsidized devices, tailored training, outreach programs, and public-private partnerships.
MCI supports local content creation to reflect Singapore's values, including subtitling and sign language in media, to foster social cohesion and national identity in a digital future.

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10 Apr 2023

Ministry of Education

MOE is refreshing its meritocracy system through stronger partnerships with families, communities, and industry, and shifting from a one-size-fits-all approach to implementing Full Subject-Based Banding and expanding diverse admission routes to recognise all students' strengths.
The ministry will continue to invest in early childhood education, provide holistic socio-emotional support, and step up efforts for learners from different backgrounds to interact and support one another.
To adapt to global changes, MOE will strengthen the SkillsFuture movement for lifelong upskilling, especially for mid-career workers, and evolve economic practices to create new value.
MOE will enhance support for students with Special Educational Needs by improving the quality and remuneration in the SPED sector, and leverage technology like AI-driven adaptive learning to customise teaching.
The debate emphasises a broader definition of success that moves beyond paper qualifications, encouraging contributions to the common good and a growth mindset to strengthen national resilience.

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22 Mar 2023

Provision of School Bus Services

The Ministry of Education is monitoring school bus services, noting a stable demand but facing challenges from a shortage of drivers and rising fuel costs, which have led to fare increases of up to 10% in 2023, with Special Education schools seeing higher hikes due to fewer providers.
To improve affordability, the school bus subsidy for lower-income students was enhanced from 60% to 65% of monthly fares, and additional financial support is available through schools, while eligible Special Education students can apply for the Enabling Transport Subsidy.
The Ministry is engaging with stakeholders to address the industry's viability, including the fragmentation with many sole proprietors and potential aging exits, and Special Education schools specify required skills in contracts rather than MOE providing direct operator training.

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21 Mar 2023

Support for Teachers with Young Children and Those Returning to Work after Extended Absence

The Ministry of Education provides flexible work arrangements for teachers with medical needs or caregiving responsibilities, but does not collect data on their usage as arrangements are often ad hoc and localised.
Teachers facing childcare challenges due to early work hours are encouraged to discuss their needs with school leaders to explore feasible solutions, though schools must balance these with their duty of care to students.
The Ministry is open to exploring partnerships with agencies like the Early Childhood Development Agency to facilitate childcare arrangements, but notes that parents' personal preferences must be respected.

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20 Mar 2023

Provision of Multi-religious Prayer Rooms at Autonomous Universities, Polytechnics and ITEs

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim queried whether multi-religious prayer rooms should be provided across all autonomous universities, polytechnics, and ITEs, and what constraints might prevent this.
Chan Chun Sing emphasized that Institutes of Higher Learning are secular institutions meant to foster a shared Singaporean identity among students of all backgrounds.
He noted that informal spaces on campus are available for personal religious needs and that multi-purpose quiet rooms already exist for various uses.

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20 Mar 2023

Stepping Up Recruitment for Non-teaching Positions in Schools

Louis Ng asked the Ministry of Education about the non-teaching positions it is recruiting for and the targets for these efforts.
The Ministry has increased recruitment for allied educators and administrative staff to support teachers with counselling, student needs, and administrative tasks.
The focus is on finding suitable individuals with the right disposition and competencies rather than setting fixed short-term recruitment targets.

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20 Mar 2023

Individuals Convicted of Offences under Compulsory Education Act

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Ministry of Education for data on convictions under the Compulsory Education Act over the last five years and the threshold for absence before the Act is invoked.
Chan Chun Sing clarified that schools adopt a holistic approach, engaging parents and students with counselling, home visits, and community support before escalating cases to the Compulsory Education Unit and Board.
Legal enforcement is a last resort, and due to the effectiveness of these interventions, no parent has been convicted under the Compulsory Education Act since its inception in 2003.

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20 Mar 2023

Local Workforce's Ability to Meet Current Demand for Artificial Intelligence Skills

The government is actively growing AI talent through initiatives like the TechSkills Accelerator, which has placed and trained over 2,600 individuals in AI roles since 2016, with successful outcomes such as high job offer rates and salary increases for participants.
Efforts are being made to expand top-quality local AI research talent, including new partnerships like the AI Investigatorship and the existing PhD Fellowship Programme to support advanced research and mentorship.
Outreach programs aim to increase AI literacy across society, with over 100,000 attendees in initiatives like "AI for Everyone" to broaden awareness and adoption.
The government acknowledges that demand for AI skills may continue to outpace supply and commits to scaling up collaborations to empower more citizens in this growing field.

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20 Mar 2023

Awareness on Spotting Signs of Abuse in Schools

The Minister of State for Education highlighted that student safety is a top priority, with Character and Citizenship Education lessons teaching students how to protect themselves from abuse and encouraging them to seek help from trusted adults.
Schools have established peer support structures to encourage students to look out for one another and report distress to adults, alongside providing resources and community helplines.
The Ministry for Social and Family Development has introduced tools like the Sector-Specific Screening Guide and Child Abuse Reporting Guide since 2015 to assist schools in handling abuse cases, with school leaders collaborating with counsellors and welfare officers to report suspicions to Child Protective Services.

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6 Mar 2023

Plans to Deepen Character and Citizenship Education in Primary and Secondary Schools

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about enhancing the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum to include digital ethics and respectful online civic discussions for primary and secondary students.
The Ministry of Education has improved the curriculum since 2021 to focus more on guiding students' online learning and interactions, including discerning online content and respecting privacy.
Secondary and pre-university students are taught to engage in respectful online discussions and appreciate multiple perspectives through these lessons.
MOE also collaborates with parents to emphasize the importance of respectful discussions both online and offline.

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6 Mar 2023

Relocation of Schools to Suburban Areas and Its Impact on Housing and Rental Prices

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked about the relocation of Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) to Tengah and whether more schools will move to suburban areas and affect housing and rental prices in non-mature estates.
Chan Chun Sing referred to a previous Ministry of Education reply on 28 February 2023 that addressed considerations for school relocations.
The debate focused on the potential impact of school relocations on property markets in newer towns.
No specific plans or impacts were detailed in the provided speeches beyond referencing an earlier response.
The exchange highlighted concerns about education planning and its ripple effects on housing affordability.

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6 Mar 2023

Lessons on Dangers of Online Scams and Plans to Expand Financial Literacy Programmes in Schools

Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Ministry of Education about lessons on online scam dangers and whether financial literacy programmes will be expanded to cover banking services and safe online banking habits.
Chan Chun Sing explained that schools already teach scam awareness through Character and Citizenship Education, Food and Consumer Education, and Social Studies, focusing on evaluating online information, recognising scams, and understanding cybersecurity risks.
The Ministry also uses the Singapore Student Learning Space for self-paced financial literacy lessons and collaborates with agencies to promote anti-scam messages in schools and higher learning institutions.
The response emphasised that while school programmes are in place, public education for adults remains necessary as scams evolve.

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3 Mar 2023

Committee of Supply – Head I (Ministry of Social and Family Development)

MSF outlined its vision of a strengthened social compact centered on stability, self-reliance and social mobility for families, highlighting increased social spending, targeted subsidies, and initiatives like KidSTART and ComLink to support lower-income households.
Members raised questions on various policies, including support for single unwed mothers, preschool affordability, early intervention for children with developmental needs, and enhancing training and employment pathways for persons with disabilities.
The Minister shared updates on family support programmes, the expansion of KidSTART nationwide, and new Enabling Services and Business Hubs to better integrate services for persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

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3 Mar 2023

Assessing Employability Impact of Training Courses Supported by Government Funds

The Minister detailed that SkillsFuture Singapore uses the TRAQOM survey and other studies to assess training outcomes, publishing results on MySkillsFuture and using them to evaluate training providers for continued funding.
Studies such as the 2019 evaluation of Work-Study Post-Diploma programmes and the 2018 WSQ training review showed positive wage outcomes for trainees.
The Minister confirmed that training providers with consistently poor feedback may face corrective actions or cessation of funding, though specific data was not available.

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3 Mar 2023

Training for Service Staff at Telecommunications Companies to Spot Possible Scams Targeted at Customers from Vulnerable Groups

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim raised a case where an intellectually disabled adult was scammed into signing multiple telco contracts, prompting a question on safeguards for vulnerable groups.
The Senior Minister of State outlined existing IMDA regulations requiring telco staff to verify identities and explain contracts, alongside public education programmes like Seniors Go Digital.
The Minister agreed to work with telcos to review and potentially enhance frontline staff training to identify red flags and prevent scams targeting vulnerable individuals.

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