Education — Topics

13 Sep 2022

Lower-income's Access to Schools in Higher-income Estates After Change in Primary 1 Distance-based Allotment

Dr Shahira Abdullah raised concerns about ensuring lower-income families can still access popular schools in higher-income estates under the new distance-based Primary 1 allotment, noting social capital studies on upward mobility.
The Minister for Education explained the new framework prioritizes home-school distance and citizenship to give more children, including those from lower-income families, a fair chance to enroll in nearby schools.
Dr Abdullah highlighted the need for social interactions between students of different socioeconomic backgrounds to value all ties, not just those with higher SES, for better mobility.
The Minister agreed, emphasizing MOE's efforts to foster cross-background interactions, citing examples like combined sports teams to build mutual understanding and strengthen social cohesion.
Both sides acknowledged the ongoing challenge of societal stratification and committed to monitoring and reviewing policies to promote inclusive access and meaningful social mixing.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

13 Sep 2022

Development and Retention of Special Education School Teachers

The Ministry of Education (MOE) collaborates with Social Service Agencies and has implemented initiatives like the Journeys of Excellence Package to improve career progression and salaries for the 1,600 SPED teachers, while funding pre-service and in-service training, but has not committed to enrolling all SPED teachers under MOE, preferring to explore new models based on five key criteria.
The Minister emphasized that any future model for SPED must better support children, families, professional development, community engagement, and care continuity, while acknowledging the emotional demands of the sector and the need for more Singaporean educators, though planning is complex due to varying student needs.
Parliament members raised concerns about attracting and retaining talent, the inclusion of allied professionals in compensation discussions, and potential operational disconnects between MOE and MSF, with the Minister assuring close inter-ministry collaboration and a focus on the post-school care continuum.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

13 Sep 2022

Review of Salary, Workload and Progression Pathways for Early Childhood Educators

The Minister for Social and Family Development announced that the salary review for early childhood educators is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022, with implementation to follow from 2023, aiming to ensure salaries are competitive and commensurate with educators' contributions.
The review will also consider workload management through digitalisation initiatives and expanded career pathways, such as Lead Early Years Educator and Curriculum Specialist, to support professional development and retention.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli highlighted ongoing efforts to address educators' well-being, including ergonomic improvements like providing proper seating and workstations to mitigate physical strain.
Dr Wan Rizal inquired about further support for digitalisation and ergonomic issues, with the Minister responding that preschools are adopting digital tools for administrative tasks and ensuring a better work environment.
NCMP Leong Mun Wai asked for a comparison of early childhood educators' pay with school teachers, but the Minister indicated that specific figures were not available and that maintaining balanced relativity across job families is key.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Training of Staff Manning Suicide Counselling Hotlines in Handling Cases Involving Children

The Minister explained that The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) operates a 24-hour suicide hotline funded by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) with a rigorous selection and training process for staff and volunteers.
Training includes e-learning modules, lessons by experienced trainers, and supervised learning, followed by a final assessment before deployment to ensure competency in handling cases.
Deployed volunteers are overseen by staff members who can assist with more complex cases, and both volunteers and staff undergo refresher training to maintain standards.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Steps Taken to Ensure Affordability of Food Sold in School Canteens

Schools monitor canteen food quality, portions, and prices based on MOE guidelines to ensure affordability and meet nutritional needs, with vendors checked for practices like shrinking portions.
School meal subsidies for low-income students are regularly reviewed and enhanced, with MOE Financial Assistance Scheme boosted by 20% to 30% from January 2023.
Additional funds are provided to schools for extra assistance to lower-income households beyond the MOE FAS, including for those who may not qualify for the scheme.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Full-fee Paying vs Tuition Grant-receiving Non-Singaporean Students in Government-funded Autonomous Universities

Hazel Poa requested data on non-Singapore citizen students in government-funded autonomous universities, including numbers and percentages of full-fee payers versus tuition grant recipients, and comparisons with data from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Chan Chun Sing responded that international students make up about 10% of undergraduate enrollments in autonomous universities, with permanent residents under 5%, and around 20% of international students pay full fees while the rest receive tuition grants tied to a three-year work obligation in Singapore.
He noted that data on international student numbers and fees varies by country and that Singapore does not track comparable data from the UK, Australia, or New Zealand.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Oversubscription of Primary 1 Places at Princess Elizabeth Primary School

Mr Murali Pillai highlighted the persistently high oversubscription for Primary 1 places at Princess Elizabeth Primary School due to new housing developments, asking if MOE will build an additional school nearby.
MOE explained it carefully studies local demand and supply trends, considering demographics and regional planning, and avoids creating new schools too quickly to prevent cannibalising existing ones.
For Bukit Batok, sufficient Primary 1 places remain at nearby Lianhua and Bukit View Primary schools, with about 200 places (14%) unsold this year, slightly higher than last year.
MOE is closely monitoring trends and projected demand from planned housing developments, having factored them into ongoing planning and being close to finalising plans.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Changes to Primary 1 Registration Framework in Reducing Number of Schools Requiring Balloting

Dr Shahira Abdullah questioned if the Primary 1 registration changes successfully reduced the number of schools needing balloting.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing clarified the changes were not aimed at reducing balloting but at increasing reserved places in Phase 2C.
The framework doubled reserved places from 20 to 40 to help children without prior connections secure places near their homes.
The policy's objective was to improve accessibility rather than directly address balloting frequency.
The response emphasized equity in school placements over minimizing balloting incidents.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Foreign Students' Applications to Study at Local Private School in Past Five Years

From 2017 to 2021, ICA received an average of 52,700 Student's Pass applications annually for private schools, with about 80% approved and 20% rejected.
A school offer does not guarantee a Student's Pass, as ICA assesses each application individually and holistically.
Rejections can occur due to adverse personal records or insufficient ability to financially support oneself for the course duration.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Students on Overseas Attachments in Post-COVID-19 Landscape and When Smoking of Cannabis is Legalised in Some Countries

Dr Lim Wee Kiak inquired about the number of students on overseas attachments, their duration, comparability to pre-COVID levels, and pre-departure briefings especially concerning cannabis-legal countries.
Chan Chun Sing reported that around 6,200 Institute of Higher Learning students will go on overseas exposure programmes in Academic Year 2022, about 16% of pre-COVID participation, with plans to increase this significantly.
The programmes vary from a few days to half a year and include immersions, academic trips, exchanges, and internships, with pre-trip briefings covering personal safety, insurance, and local and Singaporean laws, including drug prohibitions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Observations with Resumption of National School Games This Year

The National School Games resumed with all 29 sports, featuring adjustments like shorter playing durations and more substitutions to ensure safe participation without compromising competition quality.
Participation numbers were comparable to 2019, with students showing high motivation and sportsmanship, though competition standards varied, with younger athletes slightly below pre-COVID levels due to later training resumption.
Teachers and parents supported the events, noting student growth in social-emotional competencies and character development through the experience.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Reasons for Listing GCE "O" Level Grades in Singpass App

Mr Don Wee asked why GCE "O" Level grades are listed in the SingPass app despite the current focus on skills and updated certifications.
Chan Chun Sing explained that over 12,000 individuals yearly request GCE O-level results statements for job applications or education admissions.
The digital service in SingPass allows individuals to retrieve and share these certificates via their Skills Passports in MySkillsFuture accounts.
This initiative aims to provide greater customer convenience and improve administrative efficiency at agencies.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Matching Salary Increments for Early Childhood Educators to Those for MOE Kindergarten Teachers

Member Melvin Yong asked whether the government would work with early childhood operators to align educator salaries with those of MOE kindergarten teachers.
The Ministry stated that government-supported preschool educator salaries have risen about 20% over the last three years.
A salary review for early childhood educators is underway and expected to conclude in Q4 2022, with implementation planned from 2023.
The review aims to ensure salaries reflect educators’ contributions and skills while remaining competitive to attract and retain talent.
The Early Childhood Development Agency will collaborate with government-supported operators to implement the review outcomes.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Review of Curricula in Institutes of Higher Learning

Abdul Samad inquired about the last review of curricula in Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and the frequency of such reviews.
Chan Chun Sing stated that IHLs regularly review curricula, with annual reviews at the course level and deeper institutional reviews every three years for ITE and polytechnics.
Autonomous Universities conduct curriculum reviews every two to five years, with more frequent reviews for fast-changing sectors like ICT, and all institutions use industry advisory panels for feedback.
The Ministry of Education will continue collaborating with institutions to align curricula with industry needs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Bullying Cases Reported in Primary and Secondary Schools in Past Three Years

Melvin Yong asked the Minister for Education for the number of bullying cases reported in primary and secondary schools in 2021 and 2022, and whether these numbers have risen compared to before 2021.
Chan Chun Sing stated that the Ministry of Education takes bullying seriously and works with schools to discourage hurtful behavior.
The number of bullying incidents reported to schools has remained low and stable over the past five years.
The reported bullying rate is about two incidents per 1000 primary students and five incidents per 1000 secondary students.
This stability indicates that bullying cases have not significantly increased in recent years.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Encouraging More to Join Social Service and Disability Care Sector

The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) collaborates with Social Service Agencies to attract and retain professionals through funding schemes like the Professional Capability Grant, which includes scholarships, awards, and career conversion programmes that have supported 349 individuals over the past five years.
NCSS actively promotes the social service sector through rebranding efforts and partnerships with Workforce Singapore and e2i to increase public awareness, communicate career pathways, and provide job matching and advisory services.
To support professional development, a Skills Framework for Social Service has been developed with WSG and SkillsFuture Singapore, outlining career progression, competencies, and training programmes, alongside sector salary guidelines to ensure competitive compensation.
A tripartite taskforce is working to develop a competency framework and training roadmap for disability care staff by March 2024, enhancing their skills and role preparedness.
The Community Capability Trust curates additional schemes and initiatives to help Social Service Agencies strengthen their people practices and organisational capabilities.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Measures to Protect School Staff from Abuse by Parents and Students

Schools in Singapore support teachers through leadership and student management teams who investigate incidents, engage parents, and apply consequences to address student defiance.
When parents use abusive language or threats, school leaders and MOE take a firm stand, and in serious cases, may involve police or legal action to protect staff.
Schools partner with parents to nurture students, emphasizing mutual respect and creating an environment where educators feel supported in their mission.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Removal of Quota for Each Grade under Performance Management System for Teachers

Louis Ng asked whether the Ministry of Education would remove the quota for each grade in the performance management system for teachers.
Chan Chun Sing noted that MOE follows Public Service Division guidelines for staff performance appraisal and ranking.
He explained that performance quotas help differentiate staff performance meaningfully while maintaining discipline and consistency.
Chan stated that the current system continues to serve its purpose and will be continually reviewed for relevance.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Review of Income Eligibility Criteria for Monthly School Bus Subsidies for Primary School Students

Murali Pillai asked whether the income eligibility criteria for school bus subsidies could be expanded to assist more low-income families, especially those whose children were balloted out during Primary 1 registration for nearby schools.
Chan Chun Sing stated that the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme already provides school bus subsidies to all eligible primary school students from lower-income families.
He announced that MOE will increase school bus subsidies for these students from 60% to 65% of fees starting January 2023.
Households needing further support beyond the MOE criteria are advised to seek school-based assistance.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Sep 2022

Appeals for Children's Admission to Primary Schools Near Residences

Lim Biow Chuan asked the Ministry of Education (MOE) about the number of parental appeals over three years for admission to primary schools near their homes and whether appeals influence MOE’s assessment of school place sufficiency.
Chan Chun Sing responded that MOE receives about 300 appeals annually, representing around 1% of yearly Primary 1 enrollments, and that these appeals are considered alongside broader planning factors.
MOE’s review of primary school places incorporates national and regional demand and supply trends, planned housing developments, and public feedback including appeals.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source