Education — Topics

4 Sep 2019

Nurturing Local Start-ups and Talent in Electronic Game Development and E-sports

The government is supporting local game and e-sports start-ups through initiatives like Startup SG and PIXEL, while also fostering talent via courses at institutions like DigiPen and by attracting international studios.
Officials emphasized that market mechanisms should guide commercial decisions, such as publisher agreements, and that public funds should address market failures rather than pick winners.
Concerns were raised about post-graduate training avenues and gaming addiction, with the government highlighting on-the-job learning with leading companies and prevention-focused efforts to manage gaming disorders.

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4 Sep 2019

Measures at Educational Institutions to Detect, Minimise and Combat Bullying Based on Gender Expression

The Ministry of Education affirmed a zero-tolerance policy on bullying, with existing measures including prompt investigation, counselling for victims, disciplinary action against perpetrators, and collaboration with parents, while teaching respect and empathy through the curriculum.
Assoc Prof Walter Theseira highlighted documented bullying against LGBT youths and raised concerns about teachers inadvertently reinforcing stereotypes, asking about specific initiatives to combat gender stereotypes and targeted sensitivity training for staff.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary detailed the role of school counsellors in providing a safe environment for students with sexuality-related issues, emphasizing problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, and facilitating family support when appropriate.
Teachers receive extensive training at the National Institute of Education to handle bullying, address gender identity or sexual orientation issues, and foster inclusive classroom cultures, with support from senior staff and peer support groups.
Both the government and the questioner emphasized a shared responsibility among parents, schools, and the community to develop sound values and ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

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3 Sep 2019

Care-givers Usage of Care-givers' Training Grant

Anthea Ong requested data from 2013 to 2018 on the number of caregivers using the Care-givers' Training Grant, broken down by caregiver type like family members or domestic workers, as well as the most popular caregiving course.
Gan Kim Yong reported the number and profile of unique caregivers who used the grant during that period, noting that eldercare courses, particularly those assisting with daily living and dementia care, were the most frequently taken.
The response highlighted trends in caregiver support through the grant, focusing on practical training for seniors' care needs.

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3 Sep 2019

Provision of Sensitivity Training to Police and Other First Responders to Victims of Violence

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether sensitivity training is provided to police and other first responders for handling victims of violence related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, including LGBTQ victims of family and intimate partner violence, and how such training is conducted.
The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, responded that police officers are trained to be sensitive to all victims, including those from the LGBTQ community, covering issues like trauma causes, victim needs, vulnerabilities, and victim management.
The training aims to ensure that first responders effectively address the specific needs and challenges faced by LGBTQ victims of violence.

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3 Sep 2019

Size and Usage of Endowment Funds of Autonomous Universities in Past Five Years

The Minister for Education provided the endowment fund sizes of the six Autonomous Universities at the end of Financial Year 2017, noting that these and reserve amounts are detailed in their public financial reports, with endowments used primarily to support operating expenditures, bursaries, scholarships, student enrichment programmes, research, and professorships.
A Member sought clarification on the correlation between the size of endowment funds and the amount of bursaries and scholarships awarded, questioning whether larger reserves directly translate to more financial aid, which the Minister said requires detailed breakdowns to compare accurately.
The Minister stated there is currently no cap on the size of endowment funds for Autonomous Universities, as their accumulated amounts are not excessive compared to international institutions, and the government encourages donations that are well-utilized.
A Nominated Member raised concerns about equity, noting that wealthier universities can offer more resources to students, but the Minister highlighted that the government provides higher matching rates for newer universities to support their endowment growth.
The Minister emphasized that the government does not aim to enforce aggressive redistribution of endowment funds, as donations are voluntary and reflect donor trust in specific institutions and causes.

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3 Sep 2019

Programmes to Support Companies to Adopt More Age-friendly Work Practices

The government has supported over 1,800 companies through the WorkPro Job Redesign Grant since 2013, benefiting around 20,000 older workers, while many other companies have implemented age-friendly practices like flexible work arrangements and well-being programmes.
Training rates for older workers aged 50 to 64 have increased from 26% in 2015 to 40% in 2018, supported by schemes like the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy offering up to 90% funding for eligible courses.
Over 90% of eligible local workers aged 62 and above who wish to continue working are offered re-employment, with similar high rates for those aged 63 to 67, and most retain the same wages during re-employment.
The Tripartite Workgroup on Older Workers recommends broader job redesign across organisations and structured career planning to help older workers stay relevant, moving beyond task-specific interventions.
The government continues to encourage companies to create age-friendly workplaces and support older workers’ skills upgrading to enable longer, more productive careers.

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3 Sep 2019

Support for Global Education Programme for ITE and Polytechnic Students to Gain Regional Exposure

The Ministry of Education and polytechnics/ITE fund overseas exposure programmes through subsidies, donor support, and government agencies, with over 40% of students participating in trips and additional aid from the Opportunity Fund for low-income families.
Funding has increased, with the Opportunity Fund grants rising from $2M to $3M annually for ITE and $5M to $6M for polytechnics, and income criteria removed to allow more flexible, needs-based support.
Specific programmes like the Overseas Industrial Attachment, Student Exchange, and Service/Development initiatives under the Global Education Programme benefited about 4,000 students in 2018, with plans to enhance regional exposure.

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2 Sep 2019

Training Participation Rate of Unemployed Persons and Their Utilisation of SkillsFuture Credits in Last Three Years

Anthea Ong asked for the training participation rate and SkillsFuture credits utilisation among unemployed persons, broken down by gender, over the last three years.
The Minister provided data showing unemployed males had a significant training rate increase from 2016 to 2017, with a slight dip in 2018, while females’ rates rose steadily over the same period.
The government does not have a breakdown of SkillsFuture credits utilisation by employment status, but overall gender utilisation has been relatively balanced since the credits began in 2016.

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2 Sep 2019

Operating Expenditures of Libraries in Autonomous Universities and Polytechnics in Last Three Years

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for Education to provide the operating expenditures of libraries in Autonomous Universities and Polytechnics for the last three years, broken down by electronic database/journal subscription costs, physical book/journal/media acquisition costs, and staff/administration costs.
The Minister responded that library operating expenditures vary across Institutions of Higher Learning based on factors like research volume, academic disciplines, and student and faculty size.
For Polytechnics, library operating expenditures ranged from $1 million to $6 million per year, while for Autonomous Universities, they ranged from $1 million to $32 million per year, representing 1% to 4% of each institution’s total operating expenditure.
Institutions of Higher Learning share resources through inter-library loans and are exploring joint subscriptions to e-resources to enhance access for students.
The Minister provided a table detailing the breakdown of library operating expenditures for Autonomous Universities and Polytechnics over the past three years.

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2 Sep 2019

Education of Young Persons with Disabilities

Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Ministry of Education for statistics on the percentage of young persons with disabilities in special versus mainstream schools, changes in their proportion over the last 10 years, and programmes for community integration.
MOE reported that as of December 2018, about 32,000 students with Special Educational Needs were enrolled, with 80% in mainstream schools and 20% in special schools, and the proportion rose from 5% in 2014 to 7% in 2018 due to increased awareness and better identification.
Mainstream schools promote inclusivity through classroom lessons and school-based programmes emphasizing values like respect and empathy, while special schools partner with mainstream schools for social mixing activities such as combined community service and co-curricular programmes.
MOE collaborates with schools and partners on inclusivity initiatives in arts and sports, including the Play Inclusive programme and participation in events like the National School Games and National Day Parade.

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2 Sep 2019

Upcoming Increase in Subsidies for Pre-school Education

Desmond Choo and Liang Eng Hwa questioned how the Ministry will prevent pre-school operators from raising fees in response to increased subsidies, thus negating the benefit to parents.
Desmond Lee explained that Anchor and Partner Operators are subject to fee caps maintained since 2014 and 2016, with moderate adjustments allowed for sustainability, while private and not-for-profit operators set fees flexibly but must announce increases in advance.
The Ministry is expanding affordable pre-school options, aiming for 8 in 10 places to be in government-supported schools by 2025, with plans to lower fee caps further so parents pay near primary school fees before subsidies.

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2 Sep 2019

Mother Tongue Language Exemption for Special Educational Needs Students

The Ministry of Education explained that exempted SEN students are assigned Mother Tongue scores between AL6 to AL8 for PSLE posting to ensure fairness, as most students taking Foundation MTL score within this range.
Simulations show similar proportions of exempted SEN students qualify for the Express stream under both the old and new scoring systems, and DSA pathways are expanded to support their school admissions.
MOE declined to delay the new scoring system for current cohorts or create a separate system, citing the need for consistent comparison in secondary school posting, but committed to supporting SEN students through transitions and DSA options.

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6 Aug 2019

Average Per-undergraduate Student Annual Expenditure on Teaching and Education Services

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked for the average per-undergraduate student annual expenditure on teaching and educational services by faculty and source for autonomous universities.
MOE funds universities based on per-student cost norms for similar courses rather than varying grants by actual expenditure, to encourage cost discipline.
Government grants remain the primary funding source, with students paying about 25% of education costs and endowment income supplementing funding.
Expenditure varies by faculty and course, such as higher costs for law programs due to better faculty ratios and for lab-based courses like computing and engineering.

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6 Aug 2019

Support for Broadcast of Research-based Children’s Educational Programming on Free-to-air Television Channels

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked if the Ministry of Education would develop a media strategy to support research-based educational programming on free-to-air TV or online platforms to improve young children's learning and development.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary explained that MOE guides schools on using technology appropriately, with a focus on hands-on learning for pre-schoolers and curated educational resources like the Singapore Student Learning Space for older students.
Assoc Prof Theseira raised concerns about commercial children’s programming aimed at selling merchandise rather than educating, and asked for standards to define educational content on free-to-air channels.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary responded that MOE collaborates with agencies to ensure wholesome educational experiences, provides guidelines for pre-school technology use, and promotes cyber wellness to help children make beneficial choices.

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6 Aug 2019

Grants for Fees for Faith-based Pre-schools Run by Non-profit Organisations

Intan Azura Mokhtar asked if the Ministry will provide grants for fees at faith-based pre-schools run by non-profit organisations.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary explained that various subsidies and funding schemes already support both parents and operators, including faith-affiliated and non-profit pre-schools, through cash gifts, account grants, basic and additional subsidies, and specific development funds.
Mokhtar later suggested expanding the Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme to all pre-schools and asked if the Pre-school Opportunity Fund is available to students in faith-based kindergartens.
Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim confirmed that the Opportunity Fund is accessible to non-AOP pre-schools, including faith-affiliated ones, and noted that the Ministry is reviewing pre-school subsidies while considering the suggestion to expand fee assistance.

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6 Aug 2019

Professional Conversion Programmes for Mainstream Teachers Interested in New Career as Pre-school Educators

Workforce Singapore, SkillsFuture Singapore, and the Early Childhood Development Agency jointly run the Professional Conversion Programme and Place-and-Train Programme under the Adapt and Grow initiative to equip mid-career individuals for pre-school teaching roles.
Over the past three years, more than 2,000 jobseekers have been placed with over 400 employers in the early childhood sector, with participating pre-schools receiving salary and training support.
The government aims to attract more mid-career individuals to fill demand in the expanding pre-school sector and will continue raising awareness of these programmes among employers and jobseekers.
Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar inquired about target numbers to meet sector demand and the review of salary and professional development support under the Adapt and Grow initiative.
The Minister for Manpower highlighted the importance of career development and attractiveness of pre-school roles, noting the Ministry of Social and Family Development oversees these aspects through ECDA's commitments to Anchor Operators.

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5 Aug 2019

Support for Professional Conversion Programme and Measures to Help Companies and Employees Vulnerable to Technology Disruption

Over 2,000 companies have participated in the Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) since 2016, placing more than 10,000 individuals in new roles across over 100 programmes in 30 sectors, with plans to expand in growth areas.
The government emphasises that technology disruption primarily changes tasks rather than entire jobs, and actively works with companies to reskill at-risk workers before retrenchment, redeploying about 1,300 workers last year.
Measures include proactive engagement with companies on restructuring plans, offering salary and training support under the Adapt and Grow initiative, and raising awareness to encourage more companies to partner with Workforce Singapore for upskilling.

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5 Aug 2019

Teaching of Bahasa Indonesia as Optional Module in Institutions of Higher Education

Leon Perera asked the Ministry of Education about the availability of Bahasa Indonesia as an optional module and exchange programmes in Singapore's Institutes of Higher Education.
Bahasa Indonesia is offered as an optional module at the National University of Singapore and the Singapore University of Social Sciences, while Malay is more widely available due to its status as an official language.
Institutes of Higher Learning facilitate exchange programmes and internships in Indonesia, with 120 students participating last year, and plans to increase this number as economic opportunities in Indonesia grow.

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5 Aug 2019

Guidelines for Wearing of Headgear Worn in Celebration of Racial Harmony Day in Schools

The Ministry of Education allows students to wear headgear that complements ethnic outfits during Racial Harmony Day celebrations in schools.
However, headgear may not be permitted for safety reasons during activities like Physical Education, laboratory work, or workshops, even on this day.
Some schools recently conveyed requirements in a way that led to misunderstandings, which have since been clarified with parents.

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5 Aug 2019

Take-up Rate for SME Transformation Programmes

Minister Chan Chun Sing provided take-up rates for SME transformation programmes, noting that about 10,000 SMEs have benefited from the SMEs Go Digital programme, 5,000 companies from the Market Readiness Assistance programme, and around 5,370 companies from the Productivity Solutions Grant across 6,400 projects.
He emphasized that grants are tools to enable capability building and competitiveness, urging companies to focus on clear transformation plans rather than just seeking grants.
The minister highlighted the importance of linking enterprise transformation with worker training, mentioning the SkillsFuture Training Subsidy of up to $10,000 per company to support skills upgrading alongside business transformation.

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