Education — Topics

6 Feb 2023

Training for Officers Who Enforce Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act and Wildlife Act

Louis Ng asked the Minister for National Development about the training provided to officers enforcing the Endangered Species Act and Wildlife Act, and whether they are trained in species identification.
Desmond Lee stated that NParks provides regular training covering CITES provisions, Singapore’s legislative framework, investigative methods, and species identification under these Acts.
NParks also trains officers in using science and technology, such as DNA barcoding by researchers at the Centre for Wildlife Forensics, to support enforcement.
Officers attend international conferences and workshops, like those by INTERPOL, to stay updated on developments and share best practices in combating wildlife crime.
These efforts collectively strengthen Singapore’s enforcement against wildlife-related offences under the Endangered Species Act and Wildlife Act.

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6 Feb 2023

Success of Job-related Help Including Career Support, Professional Conversion and Capability Transfer Programmes

Since 2016, over 40,000 locals have benefited from the Career Conversion Programme (formerly Professional Conversion Programme), with nearly $1 billion committed, while the Capability Transfer Programme has supported over 1,000 local workers with about $5 million in funding.
The Career Support Programme was discontinued in 2020, and the Capability Transfer Programme saw low take-up during the pandemic but is expected to increase as travel resumes.
The SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package placed about 200,000 locals into jobs, traineeships, or attachments from April 2020 to April 2022, with nearly 80% entering permanent roles.

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6 Feb 2023

Students Using Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Exams and Assignments

Several MPs asked about how AI tools like ChatGPT affect student assessments, opportunities, and challenges in education, and how to inculcate skills to remain relevant.
The Minister responded that AI presents both opportunities and challenges, and MOE is guiding educators to use it to enhance learning while teaching students to avoid over-reliance and plagiarism.
Schools and higher education institutions use multiple assessment modes and technological tools to detect AI-generated content and plagiarism, while promoting integrity and critical thinking.
The Ministry plans to offer courses to help students and educators use AI responsibly, emphasizing skills like discovering, distilling, and discerning information to create new solutions.
Cheating is not tolerated, and policies are communicated to students; the focus is on values education and the learning process, not just obtaining correct answers.

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10 Jan 2023

Subsidised Master's Degree Programmes at Autonomous Univerisities

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Ministry of Education about the percentage of subsidised Master’s programmes at autonomous universities, the target year for full self-funding, and whether any programmes had ceased due to lack of subsidies.
Minister Chan Chun Sing stated that around 20% of Master’s by coursework programmes at autonomous universities are subsidised, with no target set for them to become fully self-funded.
He noted that universities decide whether to seek MOE funding based on viability, and subsidised programmes include those serving as entry requirements for certain professions like architecture.

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10 Jan 2023

Appeals for Review of 2022 PSLE Results for Mathematics Paper and Outcomes

About 1.5% of the 2022 PSLE cohort appealed for a review of their Mathematics results.
Independent senior markers conducted a thorough check of marking and mark entries for all appeals.
Only one student had their PSLE Mathematics grade adjusted after the review.
The Minister confirmed that the rest of the appeals were found to be in order with no changes needed.

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10 Jan 2023

Adjustment of Workload for Teacher-counsellors to Allow Them to Balance Teaching and Counselling Duties

Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the Ministry's monitoring of whether schools are appropriately reducing teaching or CCA duties for teacher-counsellors to help them balance their workloads.
Chan Chun Sing responded that schools, guided by MOE, have the flexibility to reduce teaching or other duties for teacher-counsellors to provide more time for counselling students with moderate needs, such as by reducing classes or committee work.
Chan Chun Sing added that the training and deployment of teacher-counsellors are monitored at both school and Ministry levels to ensure they are adequately supported.

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10 Jan 2023

Review of Gifted Education Programme on Its Relevance

Patrick Tay asked whether the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) extends into secondary school and if there will be a review of its relevance.
Chan Chun Sing explained that the GEP is a three-year primary-level programme, while secondary students are catered to through diverse programmes like the School-based Gifted Education Programme and central research programmes.
MOE regularly reviews the GEP to ensure it meets student needs, with recent changes including mixed form classes at primary GEP centres to foster common educational experiences.

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10 Jan 2023

Spending by Households on Tuition and Enrichment Classes for Children

Leon Perera proposed a study on average household spending on tuition and enrichment classes, broken down by income decile, to better understand the private tuition industry’s effects across income groups.
Chan Chun Sing, representing the Ministry of Education, stated that MOE does not conduct such specific studies but noted that the Department of Statistics’ Household Expenditure Survey collects data on private tuition and educational course expenditures every five years.
The debate centered on whether existing data from the Household Expenditure Survey sufficiently addresses the need for detailed, income-decile analysis of tuition spending.

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10 Jan 2023

Take-up of E-Government Services by Persons in Different Age Groups

The Government tracks e-service adoption by age group, showing high overall digital transaction rates but lower usage among seniors, with 58% of the 3% not using Singpass aged 65 and above.
To address digital exclusion, the Government improves accessibility through features like larger fonts and clearer contrasts while offering digital literacy training via programmes like Seniors Go Digital, which has engaged over 210,000 seniors.
Non-digital options remain available, including physical ServiceSG centres and agency-specific appointments, to ensure all citizens can access services regardless of digital ability.

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10 Jan 2023

Skills Development Levy (Amendment) Bill

The Minister of State for Education introduced the Skills Development Levy (Amendment) Bill, noting its connection to the previously debated SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (Amendment) Bill.
The Minister explained that the amendments in both bills had been detailed earlier and invited additional questions or views from Members.
The Bill proceeded through Second Reading, Committee of the whole House, and Third Reading without amendments, ultimately being passed.

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10 Jan 2023

SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (Amendment) Bill

Members supported the SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (Amendment) Bill to strengthen regulatory powers against fraud and abuse, but raised concerns about the qualifications and safeguards for appointed inspectors, the narrow definition of "advertisement," and the need to address unscrupulous marketing agents.
Several MPs highlighted the low participation rate in SkillsFuture (only 30% of eligible citizens, with lower uptake among older workers) and called for measures to boost engagement, improve training quality, simplify access to information, and ensure accountability in funding and enforcement.
The Minister of State clarified that the amendments aim to protect public funds and learner interests, outlined safeguards for inspectors’ powers, and noted ongoing efforts to improve fraud detection, communication with training providers, and resource allocation for effective implementation.

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9 Jan 2023

Requirement for Occupational Therapists to Complete Return-to-work Competency Certification from Approved Institutes

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked whether the Ministry of Manpower plans to make it compulsory for private and public hospital occupational therapists to complete a return-to-work competency certification from an approved institute before facilitating a worker's return to work.
Tan See Leng clarified that there is no mandated requirement for such certification, as occupational therapists are regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council and trained to rehabilitate patients for everyday activities, including work.
Tan added that those who voluntarily complete return-to-work certification courses receive extra training for better case management, including employer collaboration for workplace adjustments.
The Ministry of Manpower previously had MOUs with restructured hospitals to fund return-to-work certification courses, which concluded in 2022, and such programmes improved return-to-work rates from 75% to 95%.
Hospitals continue to run return-to-work programmes, but there is no move to mandate certification for private practice or hospital therapists.

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9 Jan 2023

Platform to Digitalise Preschool Administrative Forms

Mr Don Wee suggested that ECDA digitalise preschool administrative forms through its Centre Management System to promote green practices and reduce data errors.
ECDA has already introduced the Centre Management System in 2019 and provided grants for preschools to adopt digital solutions, with 400 centres using e-forms for accurate data transfer.
ECDA is reviewing ways to fully digitalise the enrollment process for parents, aligning with the goal of improving efficiency and convenience.
The ministry acknowledged the suggestion and emphasized the benefits of digitalisation for both parents and preschool staff.

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9 Jan 2023

Median Starting Salary of Foreign Graduates from Local Universities and Polytechnics who Entered Workforce

Hazel Poa requested data on the number and percentage of foreign graduates from local universities and polytechnics entering Singapore's workforce over the past 20 years, along with the median starting salary for both foreign and local graduates.
Chan Chun Sing responded that international students make up about 10% of students in local higher education institutions and that their employment outcomes and wages are comparable to those of local students.
The debate centered on the need for transparency regarding the employment and salary statistics of foreign versus local graduates from Singapore's educational institutions.

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9 Jan 2023

Number of Private GCE "A" Level Examinations Candidates by Age, Gender and Subject

From 2012 to 2022, the number of private candidates for GCE "A" Level examinations declined from about 1,500 to about 1,100 per year.
Approximately 60% of private candidates were aged 20 or below, and about 30% were between 21 and 30 years old.
Around 60% of private candidates were male.
The most common subjects taken by private candidates were H1 General Paper, H2 Mathematics, and H2 Chemistry.
The Minister provided a breakdown by age, gender, and subject for the requested years, though specific annual data was not detailed in the response.

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9 Jan 2023

Number of Private GCE "O" Level Examinations Candidates by Age, Gender and Subject

From 2012 to 2022, the number of private GCE "O" Level examination candidates declined from about 8,000 to about 3,000 per year.
The majority of private candidates were 20 years old or younger, with about 15% aged 21 to 30, and 60% of them were female.
English and Mathematics were the most common subjects taken by private candidates during this period.

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9 Jan 2023

Ratio of Student Welfare Officers to Students in Primary and Secondary Schools

Mr Louis Ng asked for the median and average ratio of Student Welfare Officers (SWOs) to students in primary and secondary schools over the past five years.
Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that SWOs support students absent for long periods, those with legal issues, probation, or under child protection, and that a needs-based approach is used rather than looking at averages across schools.
Schools with higher need for such support have one or two SWOs each, with 102 school-based SWOs currently deployed, while other schools rely on teachers, school counsellors, and 21 roving SWOs for support.
The Ministry of Education will continue to periodically review SWO numbers and collaborate with partner agencies to support at-risk students.

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9 Jan 2023

Review of Eligibility Income Threshold for Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy Scheme Given Cost-of-living Inflation

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked whether the government will review the income threshold for the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) scheme due to cost-of-living inflation.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M explained that TTFS provides up to 100% tuition fee subsidies for eligible Malay students from households with per capita income of $2,000 and below.
The government is committed to ensuring access to higher education for financially challenged Malay students and regularly reviews TTFS eligibility criteria, considering the prevailing economic situation.

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9 Jan 2023

Subsidies for Master's Degree Programmes at Autonomous Universities

The Ministry of Education explained that subsidies for master's programmes are limited to those serving as entry requirements for certain professions, with most courses like the MBA offered on a non-subsidised basis by universities.
Universities have autonomy to decide on seeking MOE funding, and the NUS withdrawal of subsidies is part of this broader policy, with fee rebates and other support available for eligible students.
To enhance accessibility, Singaporeans can receive up to 90% subsidies for modular courses that stack into postgraduate programmes and use SkillsFuture Credit to offset fees.
MOE will continue collaborating with Institutes of Higher Learning to ensure education upgrading opportunities remain available and accessible for Singaporeans.
The impact on programme accessibility is mitigated through existing subsidies, rebates, and alternative funding options for adult learners.

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9 Jan 2023

Government Scholarships for Encouraging Students to Work with Local SMEs

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Trade and Industry about the existence and rationale of Government scholarships specifically aimed at encouraging students to work with local SMEs.
The Minister confirmed that the Government administers the Singapore-Industry Scholarships (SgIS) in partnership with local SMEs and other companies, which support students across various industries.
Additionally, sector-specific scholarships like the SG Digital Scholarships are available for local SMEs to tap on for talent development.
Beyond scholarships, EnterpriseSG and MOE run talent development programmes, including internships and work-study schemes, to help local SMEs attract and develop young talent.
The Government's approach combines scholarships with broader initiatives to support local SMEs in building a skilled workforce.

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