Education — Topics

20 Nov 2018

Effectiveness of Efforts to Attract and Retain Singaporean Medical Students Studying Abroad to Work in Singapore

MOH has increased local medical school intakes by 40% since 2012, making them the primary source of doctors, which is expected to reduce reliance on overseas-trained Singaporeans.
Over 200 overseas-trained Singaporean doctors return annually, a doubling since 2010, with over 90% remaining in practice and 80% staying in the public sector for five years or more.
The government is enhancing retention through improved work environments, technology to streamline workloads, and more career development and training opportunities for doctors.
Retention efforts also extend to other healthcare professionals like nurses, with increased salaries, autonomy, and training opportunities, alongside higher intakes in local nursing courses.
MOH will continue to review manpower strategies based on future healthcare needs to ensure adequate supplies of medical staff.

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20 Nov 2018

Structural Gaps in Existing Support Programmes for Low-income and Vulnerable Families

Minister Desmond Lee acknowledged that while outcomes for low-income families have improved, structural gaps persist, particularly in intergenerational mobility, economic insecurity, and the need for more coordinated, holistic support.
The government is investing earlier in children’s education for disadvantaged families, expanding preschool access, and partnering community groups like Temasek Foundation to provide night care for children of night-shift workers.
To address economic insecurity, schemes like Workfare Income Supplement, Adapt and Grow, and SkillsFuture are being enhanced to support lower-wage workers, reskill the unemployed, and promote lifelong learning.
Agencies are working to improve service coordination by sharing information, appointing lead agencies for complex cases, and setting up community spaces near rental housing to tailor support for vulnerable families.
The government is strengthening whole-of-society efforts through the SG Cares Community Network and cross-agency collaborations to pool resources and co-create localized programs for low-income and vulnerable groups.

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20 Nov 2018

Applications for Financial Assistance Scheme in Past Five Years

The Ministry of Education received a query about the number of applications for the Financial Assistance Scheme over the past five years, the success rate, reasons for unsuccessful cases, and a request to review and raise the per capita income criterion to assist more middle- and low-income students.
The Minister stated that education in Singapore is highly subsidised, with the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) targeting low-income students and having its income eligibility cap raised in 2018, and that about 51,000 students currently benefit from FAS.
The Minister noted there is no cap on FAS awards, all eligible students receive support, and students not qualifying for FAS can receive school-based financial assistance with resources provided by MOE.

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20 Nov 2018

Achievement of Key Performance Indicators for SkillsFuture Study Awards

Ms Irene Quay asked about the key performance indicators and achievement percentage for the $19.91 million SkillsFuture Study Awards programme in FY2017/2018.
As of September 2018, about 2,300 awards have been given across 40 specialisations, but training outcome data is not yet available as most recipients are still studying or have recently finished.
The Minister stated that outcomes like job responsibilities or performance enhancements will be monitored and publicised once the data is ready.

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20 Nov 2018

Review of Practice to Rank Teachers for Performance

Mr Zainal Sapari questioned the annual ranking of teachers for performance appraisal, asking if it effectively cultivates a high-performance workforce while raising concerns about its impact on teamwork and whether alternatives exist.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary defended the ranking system as a fair and objective method to differentiate performance, recognize high achievers, provide developmental support, and ensure common standards across the civil service.
MPs suggested alternatives such as adopting a criteria-based appraisal, using 360-degree feedback for development, and involving students and parents in evaluations, while also proposing to move away from forced ranking and certain award schemes to reduce competition.

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20 Nov 2018

Reviewing Adequacy of Statutory Levers in Children and Young Persons Act

Murali Pillai asked the UPLIFT Taskforce to review the adequacy of statutory levers in the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) to better support disadvantaged students, but the Second Minister clarified that CYPA’s primary focus is on protecting children from serious harm, not educational underperformance, and thus a review is not a priority for the taskforce.
The discussion highlighted that UPLIFT will instead concentrate on multifactorial issues affecting disadvantaged students, such as motivation, school absenteeism, and parental engagement, while welcoming community and mentoring support suggestions.
In follow-up exchanges, it was acknowledged that some cases may be intractable and require a suite of options, but widening CYPA’s ambit for educational neglect was cautiously considered, with an emphasis on using statutory measures as a last resort to foster voluntary cooperation.

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20 Nov 2018

Wide-ranging Review by Taskforce on Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families

The UPLIFT task force is reviewing support for students from disadvantaged families across all ages, not just preschoolers, with a focus on older children and youths.
While prioritizing preschool and primary school interventions for maximum long-term impact, the task force will also examine other age groups and identify three key focus areas: boosting student motivation and resilience, addressing long-term absenteeism, and strengthening parent engagement and outreach.
The task force has begun engaging frontline stakeholders such as teachers, social workers, and community partners to gather insights and develop practical strategies to uplift students and help them realize their potential.

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19 Nov 2018

Traffic Violations by Heavy Vehicle Drivers

The most common violations by heavy vehicle drivers are speeding and red-light running, with violations increasing by an annualised rate of 6.7% from 2013 to 2017.
The Traffic Police conducts road safety talks and dialogues with heavy vehicle owners and drivers, sharing causes of accidents and promoting good road safety practices.
Drivers are encouraged to refresh their skills through government-supported training programmes, with safety tips posted on the Traffic Police’s online portal.
Technological solutions like devices alerting to risky driving behaviour are being tested with partners, and effective solutions may be promoted for wider adoption.
The Ministry aims to reduce violations through education, skills upgrading, and technological innovation, given the potential for heavy vehicles to cause greater damage and loss of life.

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19 Nov 2018

Pipeline of Skilled Local Car Mechanics to Support Hybrid/Electric and AVs Using Automation Technology

There are about 15,000 car mechanics in Singapore and the Singapore Motor Workshop Association is leading efforts to upskill them for hybrid, electric, and autonomous vehicles by establishing a centralized training academy.
The association is enhancing local EV diagnostic and repair capabilities through training by German specialists and overseas attachment programs, with funding support from Workforce Singapore.
The Land Transport Authority is conducting autonomous vehicle trials to understand maintenance needs and inform long-term manpower development plans, as AV technology is still nascent.

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19 Nov 2018

Singaporeans Enrolled in Courses Related to eSports

Dr Lim Wee Kiak inquired about the number of Singaporeans enrolling in eSports courses, career prospects in the industry, and the Ministry's plans to expand opportunities for youths.
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth highlighted initiatives like the ASEAN youth esports tournament Hyperplay and support for establishing a National Sport Association to develop the eSports ecosystem.
Private sector companies such as Razer, Sea, and Singtel are creating business and career opportunities, while educational institutions offer related programmes in design and media.
The Ministry will continue monitoring eSports development to support youth passions and potential in this growing field.

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19 Nov 2018

Care Resources for Students with Special Needs and Mental Health Conditions in Polytechnics

The Ministry of Education ensures that polytechnics have Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support Offices to provide funding for assistive devices and services, collaborate with welfare organizations for internships and job matching, and conduct staff training to foster an inclusive campus culture.
With parental consent, SEN-related information from secondary schools is shared with polytechnics to support students' transition, including advice on suitable courses and special orientation programs.
Polytechnics support student mental wellness through curricular and co-curricular programs on mental health, peer support initiatives, and para-counsellors as a first line of support, with professional counsellors and external agencies like the Community Health Assessment Team and Singapore Association of Mental Health providing additional help.

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19 Nov 2018

Ensuring New Opportunities and Job Roles from Automation will be Equally Distributed to All Workers

The Minister outlined government initiatives such as Adapt and Grow, Professional Conversion Programmes, and SkillsFuture to support workers affected by automation through career coaching, job matching, and heavily subsidised training.
Over 11,600 individuals have been placed in new jobs since 2016 via these programmes, with training participation rising from 35% in 2015 to 48% in 2017 among the resident labour force.
The government partners private companies and sector agencies to develop targeted reskilling programmes, such as in banking and data analytics, to help workers transition to new roles before retrenchment.

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19 Nov 2018

Adequacy of Healthcare Professionals with Three Medical Schools Fully Established

Prof Fatimah Lateef questioned how Singapore is meeting healthcare professional needs and the doctor-to-population ratio amid three established medical schools.
The Ministry of Health increased local medical intakes by 40% between 2012 and 2018, aiming to build a strong local core of doctors supplemented by overseas-trained professionals.
Singapore’s doctor-to-population ratio rose from 1.9 in 2012 to 2.4 in 2017, comparable to South Korea and Japan but lower than the US and UK, though comparisons require caution due to differing healthcare systems.

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19 Nov 2018

Achieving Even Spread of Students from Different Socio-economic Status in Schools

The Minister for Education, Ong Ye Kung, stated that the government does not aim for an even distribution of students by socio-economic status across schools, as it would require a fundamental change to admission policies based on phases and academic criteria.
To prevent segregation and encourage social mixing, MOE has implemented policies such as reserving places in primary and secondary schools for students without prior connections or affiliations.
MOE also promotes interaction through co-curricular activities, combined school teams, and the MOE-OBS Challenge Programme, which brings students from different schools together.
The ministry emphasizes that all schools are well-resourced and provides additional support like literacy and numeracy programmes and school-based care for students who need it.
The commitment is to ensure every child receives a strong educational foundation, regardless of their school or socio-economic background.

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19 Nov 2018

Mental Wellness and Resilience Training for Primary and Secondary School Students

Prof Fatimah Lateef questioned how mental wellness and resilience training could be expanded in primary and secondary schools and what roles the MOE’s Psychology Division staff play.
Ong Ye Kung stated that mental health is a growing global issue, especially among youth, and requires collaboration across home, school, and community environments.
MOE has strengthened socio-emotional learning in schools, ensured every school has at least one counsellor, and promoted peer support programs to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking.
Teachers are trained to identify signs of distress and refer students to counsellors, while HPB provides mental health resources and briefings for school staff.
MOE’s educational psychologists design curricula and provide assessments, and the Ministry engages parents to support students’ mental health beyond school.

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2 Oct 2018

Review of Effectiveness of Mental Health Education in Schools

The Ministry of Education has enhanced mental health education through the Character and Citizenship curriculum, incorporating socio-emotional learning to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
Schools have increased mental health programmes, secured at least one counsellor per school, and implemented early detection measures including hotlines and peer support training.
Institutes of Higher Learning integrate mental wellness into curricula, with examples like compulsory LifeSkills modules at Republic Polytechnic and ITE, and have similar support structures in place.
Health Promotion Board provides annual mental health briefings and resources for teachers and counsellors to improve their ability to support students.
There is a commitment to ongoing monitoring and expansion of mental health support, including plans to enhance resources for young adults in higher education institutions.

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2 Oct 2018

Singaporeans Awarded Scholarships by Foreign Universities

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked how many Singaporeans were awarded scholarships by foreign universities over the past three years.
Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that many foreign universities offer scholarships to international students, reducing or waiving tuition fees, with examples including Cambridge, Hong Kong University, Peking University, Fudan University, and Waseda University.
He noted that some European countries like Austria, France, Germany, and Norway offer free or significantly reduced tuition for all students, including international ones.
The Ministry of Education does not actively track the number of Singaporean students receiving such scholarships from foreign universities.
The debate highlighted the availability of foreign scholarships but pointed out the lack of detailed data on Singaporean recipients.

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2 Oct 2018

Funding Models for Education and Training Programmes for Singaporeans

The government distinguishes between Pre-employment Training (PET) for youth foundational education and Continuing Education and Training (CET) for adult skills upgrading, with funding allocated more heavily to PET but with generous subsidies for CET, especially for displaced workers, older employees, and SME staff.
There is a push to blur the lines between PET and CET by encouraging Institutes of Higher Learning to offer lifelong learning programs and integrate workplace skills into education, supported by strong tripartite partnerships.
Funding for adult learners seeking additional degrees or high-demand skills is available through schemes like the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy and Professional Conversion Programmes, with subsidies calibrated based on age, employer type, and career transition needs.

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1 Oct 2018

Singaporeans Receiving Training in Continuing Education and Training Modules in IHLs under SkillsFuture Series

By the end of 2018, more than 16,000 Singaporeans were expected to have completed training under the SkillsFuture Series, which offers emerging and critical skills courses at Institutes of Higher Learning with subsidies up to 70% of fees.
Participants in Continuing Education and Training programmes in 2017 were distributed across age groups as approximately 30% below 30 years old, 40% aged 30 to 49, and 30% aged 50 and above.
The educational attainment profile in 2017 showed about 15% with primary qualifications, 35% with secondary qualifications, 30% with diploma or post-secondary qualifications, and 20% with a degree.
The Government expects to spend an average of $25 million per year on the SkillsFuture Series for the first three years, with revenue details for each Institute of Higher Learning not specified.

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1 Oct 2018

Usage of SkillsFuture Credits

Dr Lee Bee Wah asked about the number of Singaporeans who have used up their SkillsFuture credits, updates on the scheme’s next phase, and potential top-ups.
As of end 2017, about 50,000 Singaporeans (2% of the eligible pool) had fully used their credits.
The government will consider credit utilisation rates, fiscal position, and overall training participation when reviewing future top-ups.
SkillsFuture is part of a broader support system, including subsidised programmes like SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace and free workshops like SkillsFuture Advice.

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