Education — Topics

5 Nov 2019

Proportion of Kindergartens Operated by Private Providers and Autonomous Operators Offering Before and After-school Care

Under current regulations, kindergartens are licensed to provide only half-day education programmes and cannot offer before and after-school care services, but such care can be provided by licensed childcare centres or student care centres.
Pre-schools may offer before and after-school care for children aged seven to 14 during operating hours if approved by ECDA, but must use separate spaces, limit enrolment to 10% of capacity, and adhere to safety and supervision standards, with no kindergarten having applied to do so yet.
Private kindergarten operators may offer before and after-school care after hours or off-site, and three such operators are currently registered to administer the Student Care Fee Assistance Scheme while meeting required standards.

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5 Nov 2019

Study on Special Education Policy Framework in British Columbia and Plans to Review Career Paths of Educators in Special Needs Sector

MOE has studied international models like British Columbia’s mainstreaming approach but adopted a multi-pronged strategy in Singapore, placing about 80% of SEN students in mainstream schools and the rest in SPED schools with specialized support.
Career structures for Allied Educators (Learning and Behavioural Support) were enhanced in 2016, including new senior roles and professional development opportunities to support their growth.
The number of SPED teachers has increased by about 40% since 2014 to meet rising enrolment, with ongoing efforts to recruit educators with suitable skills for SPED schools.
Singapore’s approach balances mainstream inclusion with specialized settings, ensuring diverse SEN needs are met through tailored curricula and trained professionals.
Continuous professional development, scholarships, and structured progression paths are provided to strengthen the special needs education sector.

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5 Nov 2019

Safeguards to Ensure Singaporean Youths are Protected Against Vice Activities Peddled Online

The Government employs a multi-pronged strategy that includes blocking vice websites, conducting enforcement operations against online syndicates, and proposing legal amendments to strengthen actions against such activities.
Public communication efforts are made to raise awareness and encourage reporting of online vice, with dedicated hotlines and digital platforms available for the public to submit information.
Educational programmes like the Cyber Wellness Education Programme and the Digital Media and Information Literacy Framework are in place to teach youths about online risks and safe internet practices.
Community and parental involvement is emphasized, with organizations like the Media Literacy Council providing resources to help youths and parents deal with inappropriate online content and predators.

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5 Nov 2019

Measures to Reduce Unemployment Among PMETs

Leon Perera questioned the government about the rising unemployment among PMETs and what measures are being considered to address it.
Josephine Teo noted that PMET unemployment fell from 3.1% in 2016 to 2.9% in 2018, with over 28,000 job vacancies and employment growth in sectors where PMETs are prevalent.
The government is monitoring specific groups like mature and long-term unemployed PMETs, who face hiring challenges due to wage and skills mismatches.
Initiatives like the Adapt & Grow program offer support through salary incentives and professional conversion programs to help reskill and place PMETs.
Workforce Singapore is collaborating with agencies and companies to expand training and preemptively retrain workers at risk of retrenchment.

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5 Nov 2019

Use of Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) Monies for Studies at Private Universities

Sylvia Lim asked the Ministry of Education to review the policy allowing the use of the Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) for studies at private universities, highlighting cases where reputable foreign universities collaborate with local institutions.
The Senior Minister of State for Education explained that PSEA is restricted to publicly-funded institutions and selected subsidized programs to ensure quality and industry relevance, noting that private institutions are not part of the public system and lack consistent quality standards.
The Ministry emphasized that alternative pathways like work-study programs and part-time degrees exist for further education, and the EduTrust mark focuses on institutional governance rather than course quality or graduate outcomes.
The Ministry stated it does not have a blanket policy for PSEA use at private institutions but considers quality and relevance, and is open to reviewing suitable courses from private providers on a case-by-case basis.

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5 Nov 2019

Stance on Participation of LGBTQ+ Speakers, Artists and Performers in Events at Institutes of Higher Learning

The Ministry of Education stated that Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) have autonomy to manage campus activities, including inviting LGBTQ+ speakers, artists, and performers, but must respect Singapore’s social norms and laws and exercise sensitivity on divisive issues.
Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked if institutions should base decisions on established policy and national interest rather than personal views, citing cases where LGBTQ+ performers were asked to censor content.
The Second Minister for Education replied that decisions should not rely on personal views, emphasizing that IHLs must ensure safe, neutral spaces for diverse audiences and exercise discretion based on the context and comfort of attendees.

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5 Nov 2019

Performance of Singapore Sports School

The Minister outlined that the Singapore Sports School tracks 14 sporting, academic, and well-being targets, having missed three in 2016, one in 2017, but achieved all in 2018.
For the 2019 SEA Games, 101 Sports School athletes were selected across 21 sports, though the Minister noted that government agencies do not track all athletes’ originating schools.
The Sports School consistently outperforms national and global averages in GCE "O" level and International Baccalaureate results, supporting its dual academic and athletic development mission.

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5 Nov 2019

Good Jobs for ITE and Polytechnic Graduates in Light of Economic Slowdown

The Minister for Manpower outlined that most ITE and Polytechnic graduates are successfully employed within six months, a trend that has remained stable over the past decade despite economic headwinds.
The ministries collaborate on various programs, including structured career guidance, SkillsFuture Work-Study programmes, and the new Career Starter Programme to boost employability for graduating and fresh graduates.
Additional support is available through WSG's Careers Connect, NTUC's e2i centers, and online resources like MySkillsFuture and MyCareersFuture to aid in career development and job matching.
While businesses face uncertainty, employment has continued to grow in sectors such as Professional Services and Community, Social, and Personal Services, with the ministries closely monitoring the labour market to ensure ongoing support.

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5 Nov 2019

Provision of Student Care Centres and Standard Requirements for Private Operators

The Ministry plans to add 2,000 government-supported preschool places in Yishun and has four student care centres in Nee Soon South with sufficient capacity, while monitoring demand for future expansion.
Registered student care centres, including private operators, must meet standards such as a clean environment, proper supervision, and at least three square metres of space per student, with audits conducted at least every two years.
The Ministry is on track to have student care centres in all primary schools by 2020 and will continue to address feedback on space constraints and access for middle-income families.

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4 Nov 2019

Amount of Subsidies Given to Anchor Operators of Childcare Centres and Kindergarten in Past Five Years

The government funds pre-schools through the Anchor Operator scheme to ensure affordable and quality education, with five operators currently serving about 60,300 Singapore Citizen children across 570 centres.
For 2018, the average government grant was about $6,000 per Singapore Citizen child in Anchor Operator centres, with the highest per-child grants given to MY World Preschool, E-Bridge Preschool, and Skool4Kidz.
The Anchor Operator scheme, introduced in 2009, requires operators to adhere to fee caps, improve quality, invest in teacher development, offer Malay and Tamil language instruction, and support enrolment from low-income families.

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4 Nov 2019

Bursaries and Scholarships Awarded by Autonomous Universities in Past Five Years

In Academic Year 2018, Autonomous Universities awarded over 34,000 bursaries and scholarships, a significant increase from about 21,000 in AY 2014.
The government spent $65 million on bursaries in FY2018, enhancing support from AY2020 to cover up to 75% of subsidised tuition fees for Singaporean undergraduates from families with incomes up to $9,000 monthly.
Autonomous Universities use endowment fund returns and reserves to provide additional financial aid, with criteria varying by institution based on financial need, academic merit, or co-curricular performance.
In FY2018, Autonomous Universities spent $23 million on bursaries for Singaporean undergraduates from their own funds.

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4 Nov 2019

Update on Plans for Primary Schools in Buangkok

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar asked for an update on plans to build a primary school in Buangkok due to new housing blocks and pre-schools increasing demand.
MOE said school planning considers housing developments and projected population to ensure sufficient school places for families.
There are six primary schools within 1 km and another 10 within 2 km of Buangkok, with vacancies after Phase 2C registration showing capacity to meet demand.
MOE will continue monitoring the supply and demand in the area and make adjustments, including possibly opening more places in nearby schools if needed.

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4 Nov 2019

Online Versions of Syllabus on Schools' Websites for Access by Parents

Joan Pereira asked whether online versions of school syllabuses could be posted on school websites for parents to access and if guidance workshops for parents could be offered.
Ong Ye Kung responded that syllabuses are already available online via MOE’s website and that schools share key learning programmes and activities through their websites and parent briefings.
He emphasized that these efforts help parents understand what children are learning and support holistic education at home by fostering self-management and ownership of learning.

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4 Nov 2019

Statistics on Mid-career Professionals Joining Nursing Profession Through Healthcare Professional Conversion Programme

In the past three years, nearly 300 mid-career Singaporeans joined nursing through the Healthcare Professional Conversion Programme (PCP), with 40% from non-nursing roles in health and social services and the rest from diverse sectors like manufacturing, finance, and public administration.
The PCP for Registered Nurses at Diploma and Degree levels is an accelerated programme that lets mid-career individuals complete training in two years, compared to three years for fresh school leavers.
The Ministry of Health has not specifically announced an accelerated Nursing PCP for informal caregivers returning to the workforce, but the existing accelerated PCP framework could potentially support such individuals.

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4 Nov 2019

Assisting Retiring SCDF Officers to Transit into Civil Emergencies or Fire Safety-related Industries

The Ministry of Home Affairs has partnered with SkillsFuture Singapore to accredit SCDF training modules under the national WSQ framework, making officers' competencies more recognizable to employers for post-retirement careers.
MHA provides retiring officers with time-off and course subsidies, such as for Fire Safety Manager qualifications, and actively engages employers through networking sessions and job attachments to facilitate career transitions.
Over the last two years, more than 200 retiring SCDF officers have participated in these career transition programs, which include a new online portal and one-on-one career coaching for job information and guidance.

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4 Nov 2019

Hands-on Community Activities for Singapore Students on Overseas Cultural Immersion Trips

Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Education whether overseas cultural immersion trips for Singapore students can include hands-on activities that allow meaningful contribution to the local communities.
Ong Ye Kung responded that such trips aim to develop 21st-century competencies like cultural enrichment and education, and may include community projects depending on the trip's objectives.
He noted that students might conduct English and Math lessons, paint school walls, or refurbish libraries to foster empathy and learn from the resilience of local communities.

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4 Nov 2019

Subsidies for School Bus Services

Christopher de Souza queried if subsidies for school bus services are available, particularly for families with multiple children attending school.
The Ministry of Education's Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) provides financial support for lower-income Singapore Citizen students, covering school fees, textbooks, uniforms, meals, and a 50% subsidy on school bus charges.
FAS is applied per child, ensuring families with multiple children are not disadvantaged.

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4 Nov 2019

Para Sports in Schools during Physical Education or Character and Citizenship Education Classes

Member Yip Pin Xiu proposed including para sports as a basic experience in Physical Education or Character and Citizenship Education classes in all schools.
The Minister of Education highlighted existing initiatives like para events at the National School Games, the Play Inclusive program, and trained teachers for inclusive PE to support students with diverse abilities.
The Minister emphasized that while MOE supports such activities, it will carefully consider making them compulsory, preferring to integrate them organically into existing lessons.

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4 Nov 2019

Performance Metrics to Track Efficacy of SkillsFuture Programme

Ong Teng Koon asked the Minister for Education to specify performance metrics for evaluating the SkillsFuture programme’s impact on productivity and employment.
Ong Ye Kung noted the lack of universal metrics but cited Singapore’s use of employer and trainee feedback, with over 80% of trainees and 92% of employers reporting improved performance.
Programme-specific studies show positive outcomes, including wage premiums of up to 6% for WSQ trainees and about 10% for SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme graduates compared to peers.
National data indicates the training participation rate among residents rose from 35% in 2015 to 48% in 2018, reflecting growing engagement with SkillsFuture initiatives.

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4 Nov 2019

Plans to Make Higher Education in Singapore More Accessible for Differently-abled

The Ministry of Education has established dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support Offices in all Institutes of Higher Learning to provide one-stop services from pre-enrolment to graduation for students with disabilities.
Students with disabilities can access financial support from the SEN fund to purchase assistive technology and support services, with varying grant limits based on the severity of their impairments.
IHLs offer career guidance, internship opportunities, and partnerships with organizations like SG Enable for mentorship and job matching to prepare students with disabilities for the workforce.
Faculty and staff receive training to increase awareness and understanding of SEN, fostering a more inclusive campus culture across all IHLs.
Pre-enrolment arrangements and information sharing between schools and IHLs help facilitate a smoother transition for students with disabilities into higher education.

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