Education — Topics

7 Nov 2022

Training of Security Officers on Dealing with Abusers

Christopher de Souza asked how the Ministry for Home Affairs works with private security agencies to train officers in dealing with abuse.
K Shanmugam stated that preventing abuse requires a whole-of-society approach and noted security officers' exposure to conflict in their duties.
The Ministry is collaborating with tripartite partners to enhance training in public engagement and conflict management skills for all security officers.
Training will be made more relevant for new officers and incorporated into refreshers for serving officers.
The Ministry will continue to ensure security officers' welfare and intervene where necessary.

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7 Nov 2022

Utilisation of $100 Million Rail Manpower Development Package

The Rail Manpower Development Package has seen good utilisation, with over 2,900 rail workers trained in emerging technologies like data analytics and condition-based monitoring since October 2021, and is on track to exceed the target of training 3,000 workers by end-2024.
The package has supported 20 Polytechnic and Undergraduate Scholarships and 53 In-Service Sponsorships to build Singapore’s rail engineering talent pipeline, and a branding campaign has attracted more than 390 students for industrial attachments.
LTA will co-invest in training hardware such as virtual reality equipment and simulators, with the first grant awarded in November 2022 to enhance training efficiency and effectiveness.

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7 Nov 2022

Citizens who Apply to Read Medicine in Local Universities and Are Rejected

Over the past five years, an average of about 2,400 Singapore Citizens were rejected annually from medical programmes at NUS and NTU, with roughly two-thirds failing to meet the entry criteria set by the universities.
Admission to local medicine programmes is based on merit, requiring applicants to meet minimum academic prerequisites, present a personal portfolio with referee reports, and undergo interviews assessing attributes like care for others and communication skills.
The Government has increased the combined intake for local medical schools by about 60% over the last decade to meet healthcare manpower needs, rising from around 320 in 2010 to 510 in 2019.
Entry requirements for local medical schools are published on university websites, while the acceptance of foreign medical qualifications is governed by the Medical Registration Act, with no tracking of overseas admissions criteria.

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7 Nov 2022

Sufficiency of Driving Schools and Number of Instructors to Meet Demands from Those who Wish to Obtain Class 3 Driving Licence

Dr Lim Wee Kiak questioned if the current number of driving schools and instructors can meet demand for Class 3 licence lessons.
As of September 2022, there are three schools with 845 instructors and 345 private instructors, with monthly enrolment at 7,100 learners, higher than pre-COVID levels.
The increased demand may cause longer waits or difficulty booking slots, but schools are hiring more instructors to address the issue.

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7 Nov 2022

Usage of SkillsFuture Credits and Effectiveness of Training Received

Over 840,000 Singapore Citizens, or about 30% of eligible individuals, have used their SkillsFuture credits, with the highest utilisation rate among those in their 30s at 36%, followed by those in their 40s (33%) and 50s (30%).
Popular courses using credits include those in the Food and Beverage, Information and Communications, and Security and Investigation sectors, with post-course feedback indicating 96% of trainees performed better at work and 90% took on more or new job responsibilities.
For those who used credits on recent SGUS and SGUP-CT programmes, about 65% of trainees (approximately 6,700) had found employment as of March 2022.

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7 Nov 2022

Funding Required to Support Adult Learning to Ensure Acquisition of New Skills for Evolving Jobs

The Ministry of Education noted that in 2021, the Government spent nearly $1.2 billion on skills training for the workforce, a 40% increase from $0.8 billion in 2019, excluding COVID-19-related support.
Funding required for lifelong learning per adult varies based on individual factors such as aspirations, learning ability, work nature, and industry, and is not a fixed amount.
The Government plans to continue investing in Continuing Education and Training and collaborate with industry and workers to ensure the system remains responsive to evolving job and skills needs.

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7 Nov 2022

Scope of Strategic Partnership Co-Curricular Activity Programme

The Minister of State for Education provided an update on the Strategic Partnership Co-Curricular Activity (SP-CCA) programme, noting it began in 2019 for secondary school students and expanded to include water polo, with plans to monitor and consider extending it to other levels and activities.
The Minister emphasized that SP-CCA aims to offer students additional options for sports and arts not available at their schools, with student preference and passion being key considerations, rather than forcing participation based on strategic national representation.
It was confirmed that MOE collaborates with Sport Singapore and the National Arts Council to align SP-CCA programmes with MOE's curriculum outcomes, and there is ongoing discussion with National Sports Associations for potential future involvement.

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7 Nov 2022

Measures to Reduce and Compensate for Attrition of Doctors in Public Sector

The Ministry has increased local medical school intakes by about 60% over the past decade and admitted extra students during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also recruiting around 200 returning Singaporean doctors annually from countries like Australia, the UK, and Ireland, and supplementing with foreign doctors from India, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and the UK.
The attrition rate of doctors leaving the public sector for private practice is considered acceptable at 3-5% from 2019 to 2021, and efforts are ongoing to retain doctors in public healthcare.
The Ministry maintains that academic and safety standards for medical school admission and full registration must not be lowered, whether for local polytechnic graduates or foreign-trained doctors, to ensure competence and patient safety.

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20 Oct 2022

Checks on Authenticity of Doctors' Degrees and Quality of Candidates

The Ministry of Health only recruits doctors from two recognized Indian medical schools who have at least three years of work experience in selected hospitals, and these applicants undergo interviews by a panel of local clinicians to assess their clinical competencies.
Applicants must provide a Certificate of Good Standing from the India National Medical Commission and testimonials from their workplaces, and the Singapore Medical Council conducts source verification of their medical qualifications before they are allowed to practise.
The recruitment process involves multiple checks, including interviews and document verification, with the Singapore Medical Council responsible for verifying the authenticity of degrees and ensuring the quality of candidates.

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20 Oct 2022

Vacancies in Kindergartens, Childcare and Infant Care Centres in Vicinity of Yishun Spring BTO Estate

Mr Derrick Goh asked for the number of vacancies in kindergartens, childcare, and infant care centres near the Yishun Spring BTO estate and whether the Ministry can handle increased demand when new residents move in by the second half of 2022.
As of July 2022, the Yishun Planning Area had 9,200 childcare and 580 infant care places with about 80% enrolment, with 34 childcare and 6 infant care centres having immediate vacancies, and additional centres expected to have vacancies within a year.
There are 11 kindergartens in the area, enrolling 1,300 children with an average enrolment rate below 50% across two daily sessions.
The Early Childhood and Development Agency (ECDA) works with HDB to develop preschools near new public housing, with 170 new childcare and 25 new infant care places planned by anchor operators in Yishun by end-2022, sited within the new Yishun Spring precinct.

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20 Oct 2022

Study on Effectiveness of CONNECT Plan in Retaining Teachers

Louis Ng asked if MOE has studied the effectiveness of the CONNECT Plan in retaining teachers, what the findings were, and why the plan continues if no studies have been done.
Chan Chun Sing explained that the CONNECT Plan is a 30-year retention scheme with periodic payouts and is part of broader strategies like competitive salaries and professional development.
MOE stated it cannot isolate the effectiveness of individual strategies but has maintained a low and stable average annual teacher resignation rate of around 2%, lower than other Civil Service groups.
Teachers have expressed appreciation for the CONNECT Plan in staff engagements, and it helps in recruitment efforts.

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20 Oct 2022

Attendance at Moot Parliament Programme

Mr Leon Perera asked about the annual intake, age restrictions, and potential expansion of the Moot Parliament Programme (MPP), which is currently limited to Year 3 and 4 students from Integrated Programme schools.
Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that MPP aims to foster interest in legislation and active citizenry, with about 200 students participating yearly due to constraints like mentor availability.
The Minister noted that MPP is one of many programmes promoting civic engagement, including Social Studies, Model UN, and community-based initiatives accessible across schools.

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20 Oct 2022

Applications for Pre-Employment Grant by Singaporeans Studying Medicine Overseas

Member Gerald Giam inquired about annual statistics on Singaporean students applying for the Pre-Employment Grant (PEG) for overseas medicine studies, including approval rates, median grant amounts, reasons for rejection, and whether the grant quota could be increased to attract more doctors to return.
Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed the PEG was introduced in 2010 to encourage overseas-trained Singaporean doctors to return, with about 120 students awarded annually and a median grant of approximately $80,000 over two years.
The Minister explained that approval rates vary yearly based on applicant pool and public healthcare hiring demand, with applications assessed holistically on academic performance, professionalism, and commitment to serve locally.

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20 Oct 2022

Formal Curriculum for Students in Space Technology and Nuclear Technology

Miss Cheryl Chan asked whether the Ministry of Education plans to create formal curricula for space and nuclear technology and facilitate overseas exchange programmes for interested students.
The Minister for Education responded that schools already build strong fundamentals in science, including topics like satellite motion and nuclear radiation applications, and introduce emerging technologies and their societal impacts.
For advanced studies, Institutes of Higher Learning offer relevant courses and modules in fields like physics, AI, robotics, and engineering, such as NUS's minor in Medical Physics and the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative's scholarships for postgraduate studies abroad.

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20 Oct 2022

Facilitating Employers' Checks on Employees' Fulfillment of Training Requirements for Progressive Wage Model

Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman asked whether an online portal could be developed for HR to retrieve employees’ WSQ training records to check Progressive Wage Model requirements, especially for mature workers struggling with Singpass access.
Chan Chun Sing noted that workers can access WSQ e-certificates via MySkillsFuture and employers can verify them through the Enterprise Portal for Jobs & Skills, with plans to simplify and enhance employer access.
The government will also build on the MySkillsFuture portal to create a “journey planner” that curates courses and supports lifelong learning and career planning.

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20 Oct 2022

Impact of Wearing Face Masks during COVID-19 Pandemic on Preschoolers' Social Development

Mr Murali Pillai asked whether MOE has commissioned any study on the impact of preschool children wearing face masks during COVID-19 on their social development and strategies for Primary school transition.
MOE has not commissioned formal studies on the impact of mask wearing on preschool children's social and emotional development, noting it is hard to determine effects within this short timeframe.
Based on child development theories and feedback from teachers and parents, children benefit from seeing teachers’ and caregivers’ faces and full expressions for language and social development.
While most children may have adapted to mask wearing, the efficacy of their coping strategies cannot be ascertained, but teachers will continue monitoring and supporting holistic development.

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5 Oct 2022

Median and Mean Number of Primary and Secondary School Students in Classes Headed by Form Teachers

In 2021, the mean form class size for both primary and secondary schools was 33 students, with median class sizes of 32 in primary schools and 36 in secondary schools.
MOE employs a needs-based resourcing approach, providing additional resources to schools with students requiring specific learning support to conduct smaller group teaching.
Examples include the Learning Support Programme for lower primary students in pull-out classes of eight to ten and the School-based Dyslexia Remediation programme in classes of four to six.
This targeted and flexible strategy ensures the prudent use of limited financial and manpower resources while addressing diverse learning needs.

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5 Oct 2022

Participation of Autonomous University Undergraduates in In-person International Exposure Opportunities in Last Five Years

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Education about the proportion of local Autonomous University undergraduates who participated in in-person international exposure opportunities over the last five years.
From AY2017 to 2019, about 20% of local undergraduates participated annually in in-person overseas programmes such as exchanges, internships, and immersions.
In-person overseas programmes were mostly halted in AY2020 and AY2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With easing border restrictions, Autonomous Universities are resuming overseas programmes while considering travel advisories and guidelines.

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5 Oct 2022

Increasing Number of Schools Offering Staggered Work Hours for Teachers

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked whether the Ministry of Education will mandate all schools to offer staggered work hours for teachers, or explain why not and what steps will be taken to increase such arrangements.
Chan Chun Sing responded that MOE gives school leaders autonomy to implement staggered hours based on their specific contexts, rather than imposing a blanket mandate, to ensure student care and educational outcomes are maintained.
MOE encourages flexible work arrangements such as part-time work, time-off for personal needs, working from home when not required in school, and virtual meetings at preferred locations.
Teachers can discuss flexible arrangements with supervisors to balance school and personal needs, while MOE will continue sharing good practices to support teacher well-being.

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5 Oct 2022

Review to Ensure Continued Relevance of GCE “A" Level Curriculum for Singapore Schools

The Minister for Education confirmed that the GCE “A” Level curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure its relevance, with recent enhancements like Project Work and a focus on 21st Century Competencies.
Alternative pathways such as the International Baccalaureate and Polytechnic diplomas provide choices for students, and the GCE “A” Level pathway remains popular.
For students who pass but do not enter universities, options include advanced standing at Polytechnics and exploring micro-credentialing with universities like SIT.
The Minister noted that offering GCE “A” Level exams in June is challenging due to alignment with Cambridge and potential stress increases, but it could be considered based on demand.

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