Family & gender

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised concerns about the closure of Little Professors Learning student care centres, asking whether affected schools are relying on existing staff to provide support and if the Ministry of Education would consider engaging external providers to alleviate teachers' burdens. Desmond Lee stated that this question had been previously addressed by the Ministry in a prior parliamentary response regarding the governance of student care centres and minimizing disruptions from closures.

Cai Yinzhou asked about the current utilization rates of school-based Student Care Centres (SCCs) and holiday programs, as well as waitlists for SCC places and measures to expand capacity for low-income families. Desmond Lee reported approximately 30,000 students are enrolled in 182 primary school SCCs, with no demand for secondary school services. Schools are working with SCC operators to expand capacity and prioritize lower-income students who need after-school care. There are a few children on waitlists, but they have alternative care arrangements. The Ministry of Education will continue collaborating with agencies to ensure access to student care services for all families.

Cai Yinzhou questioned the Minister for Social and Family Development about the protocol for contacting unresponsive households through ComLink+, the number of families remaining uncontactable after various time intervals, and measures to monitor vulnerable children in these households. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that approximately 10% of families engaged remain unresponsive despite multiple contact attempts. Social Service Offices work with community partners to engage these families, and in cases of potential abuse or domestic violence, legal powers can be invoked to ensure access to children and appropriate interventions can be assessed by the Protective Service.

Hazlina Abdul Halim asked about how the Ministry of Social and Family Development tracks user satisfaction with ComLink+ and ensures consistent service quality among family coaches. Masagos Zulkifli explained that ComLink+ aims to support lower-income households in achieving stability, self-reliance, and social mobility across six domains. The Ministry does not formally collect feedback from families on their coaches but encourages direct feedback to Social Service Offices when necessary. New family coaches receive structured training on various competencies, and a Practice Guide has been developed to standardize best practices in support delivery.

Hamid Razak raised concerns about the CDC Vouchers eligibility for caregiving arrangements where related family members live at the same address, such as married children caring for aging parents. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary acknowledged the broad purpose of the CDC Vouchers Scheme and highlighted existing support measures for caregivers, including financial assistance programs. Hamid Razak noted specific cases in his constituency where blended family households are affected by the current rules, leading to difficulties in obtaining vouchers. He suggested considering household size and providing a calibrated approach to voucher distribution for larger households, a point acknowledged for further review by the Senior Parliamentary Secretary.

David Hoe questioned the Prime Minister about the disparity in childcare leave, noting that parents receive six days for children under seven but only two days for those aged seven to twelve, highlighting the broader caregiving responsibilities. Indranee Rajah referred Hoe to a previous written response while explaining that younger children require more support due to their lack of independence. The Government is committed to supporting working parents and will consider the suggestion during the review of current leave provisions.

Valerie Lee asked about the expected number of children under four at risk of developmental delays and behavioral issues due to caregiver ill-treatment in 2025 and the expansion of the Anchor Programme. Masagos Zulkifli stated that the Ministry of Social and Family Development does not track such cases. He confirmed that the Anchor Programme is not limited by geography as it serves children from all over Singapore and encourages other hospitals to adopt similar initiatives if necessary.

Shawn Loh raised concerns regarding the financial viability and operational sustainability of Student Care Centre (SCC) operators, seeking clarity on audits and government governance processes to prevent abrupt closures. The Ministry of Education (MOE) confirmed it is actively supporting students and families affected by the recent closure of Little Professors Learning Centre and is sourcing new operators for after-school care. The MOE acknowledged the need for improved monitoring of SCC operators and has begun reviewing existing safeguards to ensure operational resilience and better communication with parents. Assistance for affected staff and families regarding unpaid salaries and GP payments is ongoing, with investigations into financial irregularities in progress. Teachers who stepped up during the crisis will be formally recognized for their additional workload.

David Hoe asked if the Government would consider reintroducing larger-format HDB flats for families with young children to promote marriage and parenthood, and what alternatives are being explored for larger families' space needs. Chee Hong Tat responded that the HDB currently offers 5-room and 3Gen flats designed for larger families and allows for the combination of smaller flats through the HDB Conversion Scheme. Additionally, the Third Child Priority Scheme allocates priority for flats to families with three or more children. The Ministry of National Development will continue to assess housing policies to address the needs of various family sizes in Singapore.

Valerie Lee requested the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to consider reviewing and enhancing the Working Mother's Child Relief (WMCR) to better address rising childcare and household costs. Indranee Rajah explained that the WMCR aims to encourage married women to stay in the workforce and has transitioned from a percentage of earned income to a fixed dollar amount for equitable support. The government has also introduced various initiatives, including enhancements to the Baby Bonus and expanded subsidies for preschool and childcare, demonstrating their commitment to supporting families. Regular reviews of policies will continue to ensure they meet the needs of parents effectively.

David Hoe asked if the Government would consider commuting support measures to promote marriage and parenthood, such as transport rebates for families with young children, particularly those with lower and middle incomes. Indranee Rajah responded that the Government already provides various financial support measures for families, including cash payouts that can help offset transport costs. Families are receiving Child LifeSG Credits and additional benefits under the Large Families Scheme, which supports families with three or more children. The Government is committed to reviewing and enhancing its policies to further assist families.

Yeo Wan Ling asked about the sufficiency of child minding services for working mothers on shifts, particularly in light of the upcoming removal of the requirement for childcare centres to operate on weekends. Masagos Zulkifli explained that this decision was based on extensive consultations and that over 99% of surveyed families did not require Saturday childcare services. He highlighted alternative caregiving arrangements available for parents needing weekend support and emphasized the role of employers in creating family-friendly work environments. The introduction of Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests aims to help workers balance caregiving and work commitments effectively.

Cai Yinzhou asked about potential subsidies for Elective Egg Freezing and Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) for older couples. He also inquired if there are plans for enhanced co-funding for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) to support diverse family-planning aspirations. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Prime Minister's Office is reviewing fertility health policies with the Ministry of Health, including financing support for Assisted Conception Procedures, and will provide more details later.

He Ting Ru raised questions regarding gender representation within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifically asking for statistics on female officers and the career stage with the most pronounced gender divergence. Vivian Balakrishnan responded that approximately half of MFA employees are women, with women holding about a quarter of senior positions. The Ministry acknowledges the disruptive nature of overseas postings for officers with families and has implemented policies to support work-life balance, including considerations for personal circumstances. Selection processes prioritize merit, with a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace for all officers.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the attendance of first-time newlywed Muslim couples at the Cinta Abadi Marriage Preparation Programme and inquired about fee waivers for students. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim reported that approximately one in seven first-time Muslim couples have participated in the program since 2021. The Ministry of Social and Family Development offers a rebate of $170 for eligible Singaporean couples attending their first approved program, with full subsidies available for low-income households.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the exclusion of children of unwed mothers from Baby Bonus and Working Mother's Child Relief, as well as the potential annual costs of extending these benefits and comparisons to other support programs. Indranee Rajah stated that there were about 745 non-marital live births per year from 2020 to 2024, and that the benefits in question were not extended to single unwed parents as they were meant to encourage marriage. The government does not track the costs of potentially extending these benefits, but unwed parents are eligible for various forms of support including childcare subsidies and financial assistance. Additional support options are available through platforms like SupportGoWhere and family service centres.

Foo Cexiang raised a concern about Singapore's declining total fertility rate (TFR), which has fallen to 0.87, indicating an urgent need for enhanced governmental support for marriage and parenthood. He emphasized that the government's efforts historically have not fully addressed the multi-faceted challenges leading to low birth rates, including societal pressures and financial burdens. Chee Hong Tat responded with a commitment to collective efforts in understanding challenges related to parenthood and enhancing pro-family workplace initiatives. The government plans to form a workgroup to address these challenges, emphasizing collaboration with Singaporeans, businesses, and community sectors to cultivate a supportive environment for families. There is also a focus on integrating policy changes that reflect evolving societal attitudes towards family formation and support measures for those facing fertility issues.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about financial assistance options for parents in the Early Childhood Development Agency's Childminding Pilot in addition to using Child Development Account funds. Goh Pei Ming stated that the government provides subsidies to make childminding services affordable, resulting in lower out-of-pocket expenses for parents. Over 80% of families enrolled are using CDA funds to cover costs, but the minister acknowledged concerns about lower-income families facing barriers to participation. Current support for low-income households includes more substantial subsidies in government-supported preschools, allowing costs to be as low as $40 per month.

Gerald Giam Yean Song raised concerns about the availability of extended care services at preschools beyond 7pm, noting that only around 20 preschools currently offer this service, a decrease from 40 five years ago. He highlighted challenges faced by working parents, particularly those without flexible work arrangements, and suggested that the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) consider requiring at least one preschool per HDB estate to offer extended hours to better support these families. The Minister of State for Social and Family Development, Goh Pei Ming, acknowledged the issue of rigid cut-off times and emphasized the importance of flexible work arrangements for supporting working parents. He noted that decisions regarding extended preschool hours are left to individual preschool operators, who may not see sufficient demand to justify extending their hours beyond 7pm.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the application and success rates for Special Approval for Additional subsidies for childcare by non-working applicants since 2023. Masagos Zulkifli B M M explained that non-working applicants can receive equivalent subsidies under certain circumstances, with common reasons including caregiving, job seeking, training, pregnancy, and illness. From 2023 to 2025, about 3% of Basic and Additional Subsidy recipients applied for Special Approval, with a high approval rate of around 90%. Full childcare subsidies have been extended to families with a monthly income of $6,000 or below, regardless of working status, and families under specific social assistance schemes automatically qualify for maximum subsidies.