Education — Topics

3 Oct 2022

Allied Educators Hired to Support Teachers at Special Education (SPED) Schools

Pritam Singh inquired about the number of allied educators in SPED schools on contract or part-time versus permanent bases, plans to increase their numbers, and current recruitment gaps for specialized instruction.
Chan Chun Sing explained that allied staff such as Teacher Aides, Allied Professionals, and Vocational Education personnel support SPED teachers, with around 1,000 such staff complementing 1,600 teachers across 22 schools.
The Ministry of Education, National Council of Social Services, and SG Enable will collaborate to hire more SPED teachers and allied staff as new schools open, focusing on professional development, career progression, and staff well-being.

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3 Oct 2022

Number of Teachers Breaking Teaching Bonds in Past Five Years and Their Reasons

Louis Ng asked for the number and percentage of teachers breaking teaching bonds over the past five years and the top three reasons for doing so.
Chan Chun Sing replied that about 10 teachers per year (1.5% of average annual recruitment) left without completing their bonds.
The main reasons cited were pursuing other career interests, family reasons, and medical reasons.

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3 Oct 2022

Support for Students on Financial Assistance Scheme to Develop Good Reading Habits and Access Digital Devices

The Ministry of Education provides schools with print and digital reading resources, including library collections, Singapore Student Learning Space materials, and National Library Board access, to support reading habits.
Schools implement reading programmes, curriculum time for extensive reading, and partner with external organizations like the National Library Board to promote reading, especially for students from lower-income families.
All secondary students receive Personal Learning Devices under the National Digital Literacy Programme, and those on the Financial Assistance Scheme can obtain these devices with zero cash payment.
Students on the Financial Assistance Scheme can access affordable internet through IMDA’s Home Access or NEU PC Plus programmes to support digital reading.
The Ministry facilitates access to news and digital resources for older students to cultivate interest in current affairs.

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3 Oct 2022

Workplace Grievances Surfaced to NTUC-affiliated Teachers' Unions and Associations

The Ministry of Education engages four NTUC-affiliated teachers' unions regularly to discuss staff issues and gather feedback on policies.
MOE receives about 60 cases annually from the unions, including workplace grievances, appraisal concerns, posting or leave requests, and general HR policy enquiries.
All cases referred by the unions are followed up by MOE, and the outcomes are communicated to both the individual members and the unions.

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3 Oct 2022

Review of Qualifying Income Criteria for MOE's Financial Assistance Scheme

Abdul Samad asked about the timeline and frequency of reviews for MOE’s Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) income criteria, the parameters used to set these criteria, and which income percentile qualifying households belong to.
Chan Chun Sing stated that FAS aims to support students from around the bottom 20% of households by income and that the criteria are reviewed periodically, with the last revision in 2018.
He added that MOE is currently conducting a review and will announce any changes in due course.

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3 Oct 2022

Support for Self-employed School Canteen Stallholders to Manage Higher Costs of Ingredients and Utility Charges

Ms Ng Ling Ling raised concerns about rising ingredient and utility costs affecting self-employed school canteen stallholders and asked for support measures to prevent price increases for students, including potential bulk utility rate negotiations.
Minister Chan Chun Sing outlined that MOE monitors canteen food quality and prices, supports affordability through low stall rentals ($5–$15 monthly), and reviews subsidies for low-income students to cope with inflation.
MOE provides guidelines on food prices and seeks favorable utility rates for schools, extending these rates to canteen stallholders where possible to help manage higher costs.

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3 Oct 2022

Plan to Train 1,000 Automotive Technicians to Maintain Electric Vehicles and Build Up Workshop Capabilities

The Singapore Motor Workshop Association Training Academy has trained around 100 technicians for EV maintenance since January 2021, with plans being reviewed amid COVID-19 impacts and growing alternative training options.
Government agencies are collaborating with higher education institutions and industry partners to upskill the workforce for EV maintenance roles.
Thirteen automotive workshops received the Enterprise Development Grant between December 2020 and September 2022 to develop EV and charging system capabilities, while none used the Enterprise Financing Scheme for this purpose.

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3 Oct 2022

Safe Riding Habits for Students Using Active Mobility Devices to Get to School

The Land Transport Authority partners with schools to promote safe riding through assembly talks and the Confidence on Wheels programme, which includes practical riding exercises.
Since December 2021, over 40 sessions have been conducted, and safe riding toolkits are shared with educators to foster a path-sharing culture.
Collaborations with groups like the Singapore Kindness Movement help integrate safe riding content into student outreach.
The Ministry encourages schools to engage with LTA to explore further partnerships for public education.
Efforts focus on building safe and gracious riding habits among young students from an early age.

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3 Oct 2022

Support for Social Service Agencies to Provide More Suicide Prevention Support

The Ministry supports Social Service Agencies through funding and training, including NCSS funding Samaritans of Singapore’s capacity expansion and a text messaging service, and IMH partnering on a youth mental health curriculum.
Efforts focus on early identification and reducing stigma, with NCSS and AIC training frontline staff and caregivers, and the “Beyond the Label” movement developing targeted strategies for different groups.
The Government plans to strengthen support for agencies to assist at-risk individuals, including higher-risk groups like men and Indian men, and encourages community vigilance.

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3 Oct 2022

Beneficiaries and Targeted Competencies under Talent and Leaders in Finance Programme

The Talent and Leaders in Finance programme supports Singaporeans at all career stages to build deep specialist and leadership skills, focusing on technology, sustainability, and senior roles.
Beneficiaries include students, mid-career professionals, and existing workers, with initiatives like internships, career conversion programmes, and overseas stints to develop in-demand competencies.
The programme targets competencies in technology (e.g., data analytics, software engineering) and sustainable finance, alongside leadership development to help Singaporeans secure senior finance jobs and support Singapore’s growth as a global financial hub.

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3 Oct 2022

School Programmes for Students to Engage in Grassroots Activities

Leon Perera inquired about the number of schools and students involved in grassroots programmes with the People’s Association and MPs over three years, whether schools can contact any MP regardless of party, and the reasons if not.
Chan Chun Sing stated that schools remain non-partisan and do not engage in MP- or party-led political activities but may support People’s Association programmes with educational and age-appropriate objectives.
He noted that MOE does not track student participation in community activities undertaken in their personal capacity.

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3 Oct 2022

Training for Work Pass, Long-term Visit Pass and Dependant Pass Holders

Ms Hazel Poa asked about government-subsidised training schemes for work pass, long-term visit pass, and dependant pass holders, including details and subsidies spent over the past three years.
Minister Chan Chun Sing stated that training subsidies are primarily for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents to support local workforce upskilling and meet industry skills demand.
Long-Term Visit Pass Plus (LTVP+) holders, who are eligible foreign spouses of Singapore Citizens, are extended some training subsidies, but they account for less than 0.02% of total subsidies since October 2021.
The government’s focus is on local workforce development, with limited subsidy provisions for specific foreign pass holders like LTVP+ holders.
No specific subsidies for work pass or dependant pass holders were mentioned, indicating these groups do not receive similar training support.

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3 Oct 2022

Determination of Top-tier Universities Listing in Complementarity Assessment Framework

Leong Mun Wai asked which international rankings are used to determine the top 100 universities under the top-tier category in the Complementarity Assessment Framework and whether the full list of top-tier institutions will be published.
Tan See Leng stated that the Ministry of Manpower is currently reviewing which international rankings to use for determining the top-tier universities.
The Ministry will publish details of the rankings used and the complete list of top-tier educational institutions on the MOM website in March 2023.

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13 Sep 2022

Criteria for Admission to Preschools Supported by Anchor or Partner Operator Schemes

The Ministry requires preschools under the Anchor Operator and Partner Operator Schemes to give priority to Singapore Citizens during enrollment.
Enrollment decisions by these preschools consider additional factors such as whether siblings are already enrolled and the proximity of the child’s home to the centre.
The Ministry has not specifically required prioritizing Singapore Citizens living within one kilometre of the preschool, though proximity is already a consideration.

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13 Sep 2022

Additional Places Offered by New SPED Schools under Enabling Masterplan 2030 Recommendations

He Ting Ru asked the Ministry of Education about the number of additional student places from new Special Education schools under the Enabling Masterplan 2030.
Chan Chun Sing responded that five new SPED schools will be established by 2030, adding approximately 1,400 places for students.

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13 Sep 2022

Increase in Primary School Capacity in Housing Estates with New Developments

Derrick Goh requested an increase in Primary 1 places at North View and Huamin Primary Schools to accommodate new residents in Yishun Spring BTO estate.
MOE explained that school planning considers current and future population trends, and adjusts intakes year-by-year to meet demand from new housing developments.
There are sufficient Primary 1 places in Yishun for the current registration exercise, with 70 places still available in a nearby school after Phase 2C.
MOE will continue monitoring demand and supply trends and adjust intakes as needed in the coming years.

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13 Sep 2022

Assisting Students and Staff in Schools with Less Established Alumni Networks

Don Wee asked the Minister for Education about measures to support students and teachers in schools with less active alumni networks and plans to narrow resource disparities between neighbourhood and established schools.
Chan Chun Sing explained that schools collaborate with alumni in various ways, such as through advisory committees, mentorship, and career guidance, and also work with Parent Support Groups and other community partners.
MOE strengthens school-community partnerships via initiatives like UPLIFT to support vulnerable students through befriending, mentoring, and interest-based programmes, and actively matches community resources with schools that need them most.
The Ministry welcomes and appreciates sustained support from individuals and organisations for school programmes, including education and career guidance, Applied Learning, and Learning for Life Programmes.

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13 Sep 2022

Malay University Applicants Enrolling in Courses with Lower Cut-off Points Despite Qualifying for Those with Higher Cut-off Points

The Ministry does not track whether applicants enrol in courses with lower indicative grade profiles than their academic results, as Autonomous Universities publish reference data to guide choices based on aspirations and strengths rather than just cut-offs.
The debate highlighted that while Malay applicants’ enrolment patterns in less competitive courses were queried, no comparative data with Chinese and Indian applicants is available or collected.
The focus of the response was on enabling informed decision-making by students rather than monitoring course selection based on academic eligibility.

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13 Sep 2022

Salary Review of Polytechnic and ITE Educators

Wan Rizal asked if a salary review for Polytechnic and ITE educators would be conducted, considering the competitive job market and the salaries of adjunct lecturers and project staff.
Chan Chun Sing affirmed that Polytechnics and ITE regularly review salaries to keep them competitive with market benchmarks.
A study on the competitiveness of salary schemes for all academic and non-academic staff, including adjuncts, is currently ongoing and will be shared with staff upon completion.

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13 Sep 2022

Set-up and Sustainability Plans for Enabling Business Hubs

The first Enabling Business Hub (EBH) pilot is expected to be operational next year in the West region, with plans to set up a few more EBHs across Singapore after gaining experience from the pilot.
Each EBH will hire persons with disabilities directly and train others for employment, contributing to the target of a 40% employment rate for persons with disabilities by 2030.
Staff at EBHs will be trained in areas such as understanding disability types, disability etiquette, communication, and job interviews through providers like the Enabling Academy and NCSS’ Social Service Institute.
The total capacity and exact number of EBHs in the scaled-up phase will depend on the pilot outcomes, but the focus is on expanding support for persons with disabilities needing customized work support.
MSF and SG Enable will collaborate with service providers having the necessary expertise to train and place persons with disabilities in employment.

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