Education — Topics

13 Sep 2021

Proposal for Interest-free Financial Support to Singaporeans Pursuing Degrees at PSB Academy

Abdul Samad asked the Minister for Education whether interest-free financial support will be provided to Singaporeans studying at PSB Academy.
PSB Academy is a Private Education Institution and not part of the public education system, so it does not receive Government funding.
The Government has not extended Government-funded loans to students of Private Education Institutions.
Students at PEIs can apply for financial assistance from the institutions themselves or use education loans from commercial banks.

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13 Sep 2021

Enhancing Employment Opportunities and Training for Individuals with Autism and Intellectual Disability

The government supports employers through the Enabling Employment Credit (EEC) to provide wage offsets for hiring persons with disabilities, and the Open Door Programme (ODP) offers job placement, support services, and training grants with 95% course subsidies and allowances.
New programs like Place and Train, Attach and Train, and Skills Development Programmes launched amid COVID-19 provide 90% course fee subsidies and salary support to enhance training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) offers higher support of up to $54,000 per hire for employers hiring persons with disabilities, and initiatives like the President’s Challenge and Enabling Mark accreditation promote inclusive hiring and recognize best practices.
The government is implementing recommendations from the Third Enabling Masterplan to better prepare special education students for employment, create new job opportunities, and support skills upgrading for persons with disabilities.
Efforts will continue to monitor existing measures and explore enhancements for lifelong learning and employment through the Enabling Masterplan 2030.

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13 Sep 2021

Addressing Findings in Survey that Showed Top Stressors for Youths are Anxiety over Future and over Finances

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, together with the National Youth Council, acknowledged youths' anxiety over the future and finances as top stressors and outlined a range of government measures to support them, including job placement schemes, financial grants, and mental well-being initiatives across schools, workplaces, and the community.
To address financial and career concerns, over 110,000 locals were placed into jobs and development opportunities under the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package, with additional support through programmes like YouthTech and Youth Corps Internship Scheme, alongside COVID-19 financial grants for affected youths.
Mental wellness support is being enhanced across life stages, including training teachers and hiring school counsellors, establishing peer support structures in schools and Institutes of Higher Learning, and providing workplace guidance via the Tripartite Advisory and iWorkHealth tool.
Community and online initiatives include campaigns like "Brave the New," resources on Youthopia, peer support networks through Youth Corps Singapore, and partnerships with tech companies to promote digital safety and mental health awareness.
The government has established an Interagency Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-being to develop a national action plan, with MCCY collaborating with other ministries to coordinate efforts and engage community partners in supporting youths' mental wellness.

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13 Sep 2021

Self-defence Lessons for Primary and Secondary School Students

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Ministry of Education to consider incorporating self-defence lessons, including violence prevention and de-escalation strategies, into the physical education curriculum for primary and secondary schools.
Chan Chun Sing responded that student safety is paramount, and the current approach emphasises de-escalation, avoiding physical confrontations, and using the "Run-Hide-Tell" response in emergencies.
The Ministry currently does not teach self-defence in physical education, as it may encourage physical confrontations that could increase risk to students even with some self-defence skills.
Students interested in self-defence can pursue it through co-curricular activities or community-based programmes outside the formal curriculum.

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13 Sep 2021

Degree or Diploma Qualifications for Social Work Employees

Carrie Tan questioned why only degree holders can be social workers and proposed allowing experienced diploma holders to upgrade through short professional courses.
The Minister explained that social work requires rigorous theoretical knowledge, professional standards, and ethical practice, which are best ensured through undergraduate degree training.
He noted that internationally, a Bachelor’s degree is the standard entry requirement for social workers, and diploma holders in Singapore can already transition to degrees at NUS or SUSEL.

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13 Sep 2021

Awarding of Grades to Students who Miss National Examinations Due To COVID-19 Quarantine Order

The Ministry of Education and Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board have updated examination arrangements to include ART and PCR testing for students on Leave of Absence, with a study break for graduating cohorts to reduce transmission risk.
Students who miss national examinations due to COVID-19 quarantine can apply for special consideration, which uses an evidence-based approach to project grades based on their performance in other papers and the school cohort’s results.
Make-up examinations will be provided for oral assessments but not for written papers, as this would lengthen the examination period and disrupt downstream processes like marking and results release.

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13 Sep 2021

Review of Primary 1 Registration Process

MOE has concluded its review of the Primary 1 registration framework, with changes effective from the 2022 registration exercise, including combining Phases 2A1 and 2A2 into a single Phase 2A and increasing reserved places in Phase 2C.
Balloting will continue to prioritize citizenship and home-school distance, while retaining Phases 2A and 2B to maintain school heritage and community links.
The government aims to balance access to nearby schools with recognition of alumni and community contributions, avoiding major disruptions to the current system.
A proposal to use citizenship and home-school distance as primary allocation means across all phases was rejected as a significant departure that could cause disruptions.

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13 Sep 2021

Proposal for Course on Tripartism for Graduating Students at Institutes of Higher Learning

Abdul Samad proposed that a module on tripartism be included as part of the graduating year for students in Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).
Chan Chun Sing highlighted that the curriculum in secondary and pre-university institutions already exposes students to tripartism through subjects like History, Social Studies, Economics, and Character and Citizenship Education.
IHLs build on this foundation with modules covering topics such as the role of trade unions, employee relations, labour laws, and dispute resolution.
IHL students also gain additional exposure through dialogues with representatives from government, industry, and labour unions outside the formal curriculum.
The government’s current approach integrates tripartism education across multiple levels of learning rather than through a single dedicated graduating module.

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13 Sep 2021

Local Universities' Support of Artists and Sportsmen

Local universities support the holistic development of students through arts and sports activities, competitions, and elective modules.
They provide facilities, scholarships, talent development programmes, and academic flexibility for student artists and sportsmen.
Specialized arts education is further strengthened by LASALLE, NAFA, and a forthcoming University of the Arts alliance.

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13 Sep 2021

Training and Post-Education Employment Trends for Persons with Disabilities

Schools and Institutes of Higher Learning equip students with disabilities with life skills, work exposure, and values through Education and Career Guidance counsellors, Allied Educators, and dedicated SEN Support Officers for internships and pre-employment workshops.
Special Education schools provide vocational training from age 13, focusing on soft skills and industry-specific competencies, with some offering certifications and internships that lead to job placements.
The School-to-Work Transition Programme offers customised training and job support for work-capable SPED graduates, with about half progressing to further education or employment in sectors like F&B and hospitality.
According to the Ministry of Manpower’s Labour Force Survey, 29% of residents with disabilities aged 15–64 are employed, though this excludes those with milder needs who may not identify as disabled.
The Ministry encourages employers to partner educational institutions to provide internships, training, and employment opportunities for students with disabilities.

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13 Sep 2021

Estimated Value and Impact of Private Tuition and Enrichment Industry for School-going Children

The Ministry of Education does not track the total value of the private tuition and enrichment industry but noted that households spend on average $112 monthly based on the 2017-2018 Household Expenditure Survey.
While tuition can benefit students needing extra help, the Ministry is concerned about excessive tuition that reduces independent learning, adds stress, and conflicts with holistic education goals.
The Ministry believes regulating the tuition industry is unlikely to be effective without addressing underlying demand drivers and is instead focusing on policy changes to reduce overemphasis on academic results.
Reforms include reducing school assessments, changing the PSLE scoring system, introducing Full Subject-Based Banding, and broadening admissions criteria to promote holistic education.
Long-term change requires collaboration between the Ministry, parents, and the community to shift mindsets toward self-directed learning and a broader definition of success.

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13 Sep 2021

Reasons for Merger and Alignment Plans for Yale-NUS College and other NUS Schools, and Impact on Students' Educational Experience

The Minister explained that the merger of Yale-NUS College with the University Scholars Programme into the New College aims to create a more inclusive, affordable, and interdisciplinary liberal arts education that integrates better with NUS’s broader ecosystem, building on lessons from the Yale partnership.
Financial considerations, including higher costs for Yale-NUS students and unmet fundraising goals, were noted as secondary to the educational vision, with the New College expected to offer lower fees and economies of scale.
Current Yale-NUS students will complete their studies under the same degree program with no disruption, and support will be provided for those considering transfers, while faculty and staff will not face redundancies and their contracts will be honored.
The decision was made through discussions with Yale University and NUS leadership, with the announcement timed to allow maximum transition period, though there was no prior consultation with students or staff due to strategic sensitivities.
The New College will retain key features like small-group teaching and residential learning but will offer a wider range of majors and greater integration with NUS, while the Yale-NUS degree will remain recognized and valued by employers and postgraduate institutions.

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3 Aug 2021

Number Working in COVID-19-related Short-term Roles Taking up Retraining Programmes and Matched to Other Roles

Over 15,000 workers have been placed into public sector or Government-funded short-term COVID-19 roles under the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package since the start of the pandemic.
About three in 10 of these workers were temporarily redeployed and are expected to return to their parent companies when demand recovers.
For the remaining workers, job matching services and retraining programmes such as SGUnited Traineeships and Mid-Career Pathways are available to help them transition to other roles.

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3 Aug 2021

Plans to Increase Take-up Rate of Caregivers Training Grant and Widen Support for Carers Supporting Elderly or Sick Family Members

The government has enhanced the Caregivers Training Grant by offering more online courses and raising awareness through various channels such as AIC Links, websites, and community partners.
Support for caregivers of elderly or sick family members includes the Caregiver Support Action Plan with community outreach teams, support networks, respite care options, and the Home Caregiving Grant providing $200 monthly cash payout.
A new pilot was launched to provide structured support for caregivers when their loved ones are first diagnosed with dementia.
The Ministry of Health will continue to review and strengthen support measures for caregivers, including those caring for frail seniors or individuals with dementia.

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3 Aug 2021

Proactive Policing of Internet and Blocking of Violent Content Accessible to Children and Youths in Singapore

The government uses the Internet Code of Practice and IMDA powers to prohibit and block violent content deemed harmful to public order and security.
Internet Service Providers are required to offer parental control services, and schools conduct cyber wellness lessons to educate youths on safe internet navigation.
Public education campaigns by the Media Literacy Council aim to promote responsible online behavior, though awareness and effectiveness are ongoing areas for improvement.

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3 Aug 2021

Revising Start Time for Schools

Several MPs raised concerns about school start times, citing insufficient sleep among students and research recommending starts no earlier than 8:30 am, suggesting potential benefits for adolescent health and learning.
The Ministry of Education confirmed it is conducting two local research studies on student sleep patterns and will consider their results alongside factors like parent feedback, transport, and after-school activities before making any policy changes.
The Minister of State emphasized that current school start times are already flexible and that any future adjustments would be informed by research and a holistic approach, including promoting better sleep hygiene and managing student workload.

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2 Aug 2021

Measures to Ensure Sufficient Infant Care Centres, Child Care Centres and Kindergarten Places in Each Constituency

ECDA plans for preschool demand by Planning Area, using demographic and enrollment data to coordinate with agencies like HDB and URA to develop new centers in housing projects and on government land.
As demand changes, ECDA regularly reviews plans and works with preschools and HDB to expand facilities in community spaces or vacant land, with a focus on areas with high demand like Punggol and Sengkang.
The government has increased full-day childcare places by 50% since 2015, to about 190,000 places, and will add 10,000 more full-day places by 2023, mainly in new housing developments.
For half-day kindergarten services, accessible and affordable options are provided by Anchor Operators and MOE, with the number of MOE Kindergartens set to grow from 36 to about 60 by 2025.
ECDA continuously monitors and adapts to factors like COVID-19 and changing family needs to ensure adequate preschool provision across all Planning Areas.

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2 Aug 2021

Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Rates for Students Aged 12 to18

As of late July, over 90% of students aged 12-18 in MOE schools and IHLs had received at least their first vaccine dose, with more than 70% fully vaccinated, and rates are projected to reach 80% by early August and 90% by early September.
Students were prioritized for vaccination from June 1, 2021, especially graduating cohorts sitting for major examinations like GCE N, O, and A Levels, with over 80% of these students fully vaccinated by end-July.
Students with vaccination appointments during school hours or experiencing side effects are given time off and support to minimize academic disruptions.
Ample capacity at community vaccination centers allows students to reschedule appointments to avoid clashing with school activities.
The measures collectively aim to ensure high vaccination rates while minimizing the impact on students' education and schedules.

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2 Aug 2021

Assistance to NTU to Resolve Hall Allocation Issue Faced by Students

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned the Ministry of Education on the assistance being provided to NTU to address student hall allocation challenges.
The Ministry highlighted that NTU prioritizes hostel allocation for Years 1 and 2 students, while Years 3 and 4 students are prioritized based on participation in hostel and co-curricular activities.
NTU faced a 20% surge in hostel applications this year, prompting MOE to collaborate with Autonomous Universities to increase hostel capacity while maintaining strict COVID-19 safe management measures.
NTU has expanded hostel allocations, including for previously guaranteed students and those with exceptional circumstances, and is providing alternative housing support and enhanced shuttle services for unallocated students.

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2 Aug 2021

Priority for Tuition Centre and After-school Care Centre Enrichment Teachers in Future Vaccination Exercises

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked whether enrichment teachers at tuition and after-school care centres can be prioritized for COVID-19 booster vaccination in future exercises.
MOH is reviewing international and local data on booster shots, and will decide on their availability based on public health needs and vaccine supply.
If booster prioritization is required, MOE will collaborate with MOH to determine priority groups within the education sector.

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