Education — Topics

10 May 2021

Incentive Programmes Offered to Public Transport Companies for Reliability

The Rail Reliability Incentive (RRI) is a temporary grant from 2020 to 2023 that rewards rail operators for meeting performance targets, such as achieving a Mean Kilometres Between Failure (MKBF) of at least 500,000, with full incentives for reaching 1 million MKBF or better.
Incentives are tied to performance standards, with financial penalties for breaches, and in 2023, SMRT and SBST received the full RRI amounting to $173 million, based on a rate of 0.3 cents per place-kilometre and proportionate to operating capacity.
The government also established the Rail Manpower Development Incentive (RMDI) to support workforce upskilling, with over 1,300 workers trained to date, and created the Singapore Rail Academy to enhance rail workforce capabilities.

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10 May 2021

Support for Pre-schoolers Identified with Special Needs or Learning Disabilities

Mr Sitoh Yih Pin asked about the number of pre-schoolers in mainstream pre-schools identified with special needs or learning disabilities and whether early childhood educators have the necessary skills to support them.
The Development Support and Learning Support (DS-LS) Programme supports children aged five and six with mild developmental delays at about 550 pre-schools, offering sessions with educators or therapists.
For nursery children with moderate to severe delays, pre-schools can refer them to hospitals or the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) for more intensive support.
The government is studying the appropriateness of identifying and intervening for younger nursery children with mild delays through the DS-LS programme.
Additional support is provided through KidSTART for low-income families, forming a range of assistance including KidSTART, DS-LS, and EIPIC.

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10 May 2021

Efforts to Help Fresh Graduates from Private Education Institutions (PEIs) Secure Jobs and Accreditation Process for PEIs

The government currently relies on the voluntary EduTrust Certification Scheme for private education institutions (PEIs), which focuses on academic and organisational processes but does not assess academic standards or industry relevance, making a centralised accreditation framework challenging due to the diversity of PEI programmes.
PEIs are expected to independently collaborate with industry partners to ensure their curricula remain relevant to employers, and SkillsFuture Singapore publishes the annual PEI Graduate Employment Survey to help prospective students make informed enrolment decisions.
Graduates from PEIs can access government-supported job search initiatives, including career matching services at WSG’s Careers Connect, NTUC-e2i centres, and SGUnited Jobs and Skills Centres, as well as traineeship opportunities under the SGUnited Traineeships programme.

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10 May 2021

Availability of Safe Spaces for Youths of Institutes of Higher Learning to Engage and Have Difficult or Contentious Conversations

The Minister for Education affirmed that Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) are committed to providing a safe and conducive environment for students to engage in rational discourse and develop critical thinking skills.
IHLs’ Codes of Conduct emphasize civil, respectful, and balanced discourse, allowing students to voice differing opinions objectively without fear of being "cancelled."
At the national level, platforms like Youth Conversations and the Youth Action Challenge, organized by the National Youth Council, offer additional safe avenues for youths to discuss diverse perspectives with peers and experts.

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10 May 2021

Background Checks Conducted Prior to Hiring of Non-teaching Staff and Safeguards in Place to Ensure Schools Remain a Safe Environment for Students

MOE conducts pre-employment background checks on non-teaching staff, including Police screening and reference checks, before hiring for school positions.
MOE enforces a professional code of conduct for all staff, with serious disciplinary actions, suspension, or redeployment for misconduct, and refers cases to Police when necessary.
Schools strengthen staff communication on conduct boundaries and vigilance to protect students, while the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum teaches personal safety from Primary 1 onward.

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10 May 2021

Statistics on Entry to Local Universities and Extension of Education Subsidies to Singaporean Students Studying in Private Universities Locally

The proportion of polytechnic graduates admitted to local universities has risen from about one in four in 2015 to one in three today, alongside expansion of university places.
Admission to autonomous universities is based on merit and assessed fairly for all applicants regardless of their prior educational pathway, with no priority given to junior college students over polytechnic graduates.
There are no plans to extend education subsidies to Singaporean students studying at private universities locally, as private institutions are not part of the public education system and their programmes vary in quality, making blanket government funding challenging.

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10 May 2021

Adoption of Work-from-home or Flexible Working Hours for Staff in Schools

MOE aligns school work arrangements with government advisories, requiring teachers and staff to be physically present to support students, though flexibility is offered when operationally feasible such as staggered hours or working from home on non-teaching days.
The flexible work arrangements have been effective in balancing school operational needs with staff flexibility, supported by IT devices and digital tools for collaboration and virtual engagement.
Staff have generally adapted well to new technologies, with positive examples of innovative teaching and digital tool use enhancing student learning experiences.

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10 May 2021

Statistics on International Researchers in Local Universities

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Education for the proportions of international researchers in local universities across four categories: Masters research students, PhD research students, post-doctoral research fellows, and assistant professor and above.
In 2019, about one-third of Masters by Research students and two-thirds of PhD students and post-doctoral research fellows in Autonomous Universities were non-residents.
Around 40% of research-active faculty, including assistant professors and above, were non-residents.
The government stated that local universities attract international academic talent to pursue excellence in research and education, while also building up the local academic and research pipeline.
MOE collaborates with universities to support local academics through schemes like the Singapore Teaching and Academic Research Talent (START) programme, offering scholarships and mentorship.

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10 May 2021

Addressing Issue of Suicide Amongst Youths

MSF and MOE have adopted a multi-pronged approach to prevent youth suicide, focusing on building mental resilience, early identification, supporting at-risk groups, and providing crisis support through programs in schools and institutes of higher learning.
Efforts include enhancing curricula, training staff to identify and refer students in distress, establishing peer support structures, and promoting help-seeking by reducing stigma through campaigns like "Beyond the Label."
Crisis support is available via 24-hour hotlines and text-based services, with agencies coordinating through an inter-agency research workgroup and the Youth Mental Well-being Network to strengthen whole-of-society efforts.

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10 May 2021

Achievement Points for Sports Not Offered at National School Games

Mark Chay inquired about CCA points and national colours for students whose sports are not offered at the National School Games.
Lawrence Wong explained that MOE resumed NSG with 12 non-contact sports to safeguard student well-being and ensured all selected representatives receive equal recognition and CCA achievement points.
The SSSC Colours Award requires top four placings in NSG, so students whose sports are not offered cannot qualify based on NSG achievements alone.
However, students representing Singapore through official sports bodies at major games can still be nominated for the award.
This approach aligns with the measures taken in 2020 when NSG was suspended for all sports.

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10 May 2021

Educating Youths in Schools about Hate-based Violence to Avoid Pitfalls of Radicalisation

Schools teach social cohesion and racial harmony through subjects like Social Studies and Character and Citizenship Education, focusing on countering extreme ideas and fostering empathy.
Students engage in teacher-facilitated discussions to recognize and counter hate speech and harmful content, with a peer support structure in place by 2022 to promote inclusivity.
Co-curricular activities, learning journeys, and cultural celebrations help build cross-cultural understanding and sensitivity among students.
Institutes of Higher Learning extend these efforts with programmes that promote critical thinking and a supportive campus environment.
Parents and community groups also contribute to guiding youths toward socially desirable values and attitudes.

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10 May 2021

Plans to Increase Hiring and Training of Healthcare Professionals

Melvin Yong questioned how to address the shortage of nursing professionals and suggested accelerating the Professional Conversion Programme for nurses to one year.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong outlined plans to grow the nursing workforce, including increasing training intakes by 45% since 2014 and expanding mid-career conversion programmes.
He explained that the current two-year duration for nursing conversion programmes is necessary to ensure trainees acquire the required competencies for safe patient care.
The ministry is also enhancing nurses' salaries by 5% to 14% over two years and improving career progression and recognition to support the profession.

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10 May 2021

Evolution of Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Schools to Stay Relevant

SAP schools were established in 1979 to develop bilingual students amid declining enrolment in Chinese-medium schools and have evolved to promote mother tongue learning, cultural preservation, and bilingualism in response to global and regional changes.
They now offer programmes like Conversational Malay and cross-community initiatives to foster multicultural understanding, with examples including Dunman High’s Diversity and Inclusivity programme and collaborations with heritage centres.
The government plans to continue evolving SAP schools to nurture bilingual leaders, support multi-racial society, and prepare students for opportunities in a changing world, while similar programmes exist for Malay and Tamil languages.

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10 May 2021

Effectiveness of Incubation Stall Programme in Building Up Hawker Numbers and Culture in Singapore

Since its launch in 2018, 34 aspiring hawkers have enrolled in the Incubation Stall Programme (ISP), with 16 completing it and eight becoming full-fledged hawkers, while 10 are ongoing and eight did not complete.
The ISP provides subsidised rentals and has been enhanced based on feedback, including extended rental discounts to help hawkers build clientele and stabilise operations.
Success in the hawker trade depends on culinary and business skills, with ISP participants required to pass a food tasting and develop a feasible business plan.
Additional support, such as the Hawkers’ Development Programme, offers apprenticeships with veteran hawkers and mentorship to further aid aspiring hawkers.
Lessons from failed ventures and programme refinements aim to better support hawker sustainability and culture in Singapore.

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10 May 2021

Interest-free Deferments of Student Loan Repayments During Pandemic

Henry Kwek proposed that the Ministry of Education collaborate with tertiary institutions and banks to offer interest-free deferments of up to 24 months for student loan repayments for graduates struggling to find good jobs.
Lawrence Wong stated that the Ministry had already suspended loan repayments and interest accrual for government-funded loans from June 2020 to May 2021 as part of COVID-19 support measures.
He noted that traineeship programmes and job placement efforts had helped graduates secure employment, but the government remains vigilant and will consider further assistance if economic uncertainties persist.

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10 May 2021

New Courses at Institutes of Higher Learning to Support Green Economy

IHLs are introducing new sustainability-focused programmes, such as Republic Polytechnic’s Diplomas in Sustainable Built Environment and Environmental and Marine Science, and SMU’s sustainability major.
Existing courses are being updated to include sustainability components, including NTU’s new common module on sustainability and Temasek Polytechnic’s revamped diploma in architectural technology and building services.
IHLs are offering upskilling opportunities for working adults, such as Singapore Polytechnic’s Food Manufacturing Programme and SIT’s course on Building Energy Modelling.
IHLs will continue collaborating with industry partners to ensure students and workers gain the skills needed for the green economy.

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10 May 2021

Teaching of Malay and Tamil Languages at Pre-schools

The Ministry is expanding Mother Tongue Language (MTL) teaching in pre-schools, with over 90% of centres offering at least one MTL and about 160 offering all three languages.
Efforts include doubling Malay and Tamil language provisions at Anchor Operator centres to about 350 by 2022 and increasing MOE Kindergartens to 60 by 2025 to improve geographical coverage.
There are about 10,500 educators qualified for Chinese, 2,800 for Malay, and 700 for Tamil, with targeted training programs like the Certificate in Pre-school MTL Teaching to enhance teaching capacity.

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10 May 2021

Delaying or Cancelling School Mergers to Evaluate Effectiveness of Smaller Class Size

Chong Kee Hiong requested deferring the merger of Guangyang and Townsville Primary Schools due to upcoming BTO flats increasing demand, suggested locating the merged school at Guangyang for its newer facilities and proximity to a secondary school, and asked about naming considerations and preserving Guangyang's history.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed instead of merging nine pairs of schools, using half as a pilot to evaluate smaller class sizes' impact on student performance.
Lawrence Wong explained the merger decision considered declining enrolment, future housing plans, and site suitability, with the merged school located at Townsville for better catchment and facilities, and noted MOE will preserve each school's heritage regardless of the new name.
Wong argued that avoiding mergers for a pilot would hinder optimal teacher redeployment to schools with greater needs and reduce holistic educational experiences for students in shrinking schools.

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5 Apr 2021

Number and Type of Landscape Jobs and Skillsets Expected in Next Five Years and Plans to Meet Training Needs

NParks expects 1,000 new and upgraded landscape jobs over the next five years, with 70% in arboriculture, horticulture, and landscape design, 25% in the Resident Gardeners Programme, and 5% in related fields like IT and facilities management.
These jobs will cater to fresh graduates from ITE, polytechnics, and universities, as well as mid-career applicants, with estimates subject to change based on industry developments and pilot programme results.
Training needs will be met through collaboration with stakeholders and Institutes of Higher Learning, including curriculum revisions at ITE to include digital skills and Work-Study Diplomas in arboriculture and horticulture.
NParks’ Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology will conduct skills training programmes for professionals, and the Resident Gardeners Programme will train residents to use mechanised tools.
These efforts are part of NParks’ Landscape Sector Transformation Plan to digitalise, mechanise, and professionalise the landscape sector.

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5 Apr 2021

Breakdown of Number of Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Students in Mainstream Schools and Schools Offering Singapore Sign Language to Hearing Students in Past Five Years

Over the past five years, the number of deaf and hard-of-hearing students in mainstream schools has remained stable, with about 500–700 at the primary level, 500–650 at the secondary level, and 250–450 at the pre-tertiary level.
Only designated schools like Mayflower Primary and Beatty Secondary, along with MOE Kindergarten @ Mayflower, offer Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) support for students with hearing loss, but no mainstream schools currently offer SgSL as a language to hearing students.
The Ministry is not considering offering SgSL as a third language but supports its learning through community courses and programmes by organizations such as SADeaf and ExtraOrdinary Horizons.

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