S Iswaran
Singapore
“The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has incorporated the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 regulation in its Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Air) Regulations 2022. The Regulations are applicable to Singapore-registered ships and all other ships while they are in Singapore waters.”
“The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) plans to progressively roll out the charging infrastructure for electric harbour craft operations in the Port of Singapore from 2025.”
“Since 2018, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has imposed minimum bicycle parking provisions covering different types of developments. The requirements are determined by multiple factors, including the developments’ use, location and gross floor area (GFA).”
“I had addressed similar Parliamentary Questions by Mr Gerald Giam on 29 November 2022 and 10 January 2023, as well as in my Ministerial Statement on 8 May 2023. The Member can refer to these past answers and statement as there has been no material change in the allocation of Certificates of Entitlement.”
“To encourage the uptake of electric cars, the Government has rolled out the Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive and enhanced Vehicular Emissions Scheme. When taken together, it provides up to $45,000 off the Additional Registration Fee of an electric car upon registration.”
“The Land Transport Authority studies all potential changes to the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system carefully, including conducting sensitivity analysis where appropriate.”
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“As Minister Ng has mentioned already, MOE has decided to invest up to a billion dollars to create 20% increase in capacity in the five polytechnics in phases over the next four years. For 2010, MOE will increase the number of polytechnic places to 25,900. Dr Amy Khor and Assoc. Prof. Paulin Tay Straughan asked if we are planning to open up more places to train medical doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals. Mr Chairman, our investment in medical talent is and should be informed by Singapore's healthcare needs. This is determined by the Ministry of Health (MOH) including parameters like doctor-patient ratios. Therefore, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, MOE plans to gradually increase the annual intake of the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, from 250 in academic year 2007 to 300 in 2012. The Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School admits 50 students a year. And we are also studying the possibility of establishing a third medical school in NTU, as Assoc. Prof. Straughan mentioned, and we will provide updates when we are ready. For nursing and allied healthcare, our tertiary education institutions have also been working closely with MOH to increase their intakes in recent years. Now, over 80 places are available in NUS' nursing degree programme each year, while Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Nanyang Polytechnic together offer over 1,000 places in their Nursing diplomas. Nanyang Polytechnic also offers over 200 places in their allied health diploma programmes. In addition, I am pleased to share with Members that SIT is working to bring onboard an overseas university partner to establish degree-level programmes in allied healthcare, possibly by next year. So this will be a further augmentation of that space.”
“More ITE graduates – from 12% in 1995 to about 19% currently – are doing well and progressing to study at the polytechnics. Mr Christopher de Souza would be pleased to note that the Ministry of Education (MOE) is working with the polytechnics and ITE to increase the progression rate of our ITE graduates in the coming years. Furthermore, ITE recently launched Technical Diplomas in collaboration with quality foreign institutions to provide an upgrading pathway for students in niche, skills-based programmes not offered by the polytechnics. One example is the Technical Engineer Diploma in Automotive Engineering offered by ITE in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Graduates from these diploma programmes can also seek admission into affiliated degree programmes offered by the foreign institutions. Our polytechnics and ITE will continue to provide industry-relevant education and skills training on a full and part-time basis. They remain a bedrock of our education system and they play a key role in enabling our workforce to upgrade their qualifications, gain a foundation in new skill areas and boost their productivity. There is a growing local demand for education at our polytechnics today. It stems not just from our 'O' level and ITE students who are performing better in examinations but also from a rising number of JC-eligible students who opt for polytechnics in response to the wide choice of courses on offer. This is testament to the strength of our polytechnic education, which has consistently provided a high quality, industry-relevant and practice-oriented education. Dr Amy Khor asked if there were plans to increase the number of polytechnic places to respond to the growing demand.”
“Mr Chairman, let me now move on to the area of technical education. Mr Christopher de Souza has quite rightly noted that the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) has evolved into an internationally-recognised post-secondary education institution over the years. Indeed, ITE's success is reflected not only in positive feedback from employers but also in the international accolades its students and graduates have garnered. For example, at the recent WorldSkills Competition, dubbed the "Olympics of Skills" held in Canada last year, ITE graduates and students distinguished themselves among a pool of 900 talented youths from over 50 countries in a variety of skill areas. A team of ITE Nursing graduates, Adeline Mah and Carolyn Choo, outshone their peers from European countries to attain a Gold Medal for their outstanding performance in patient care. Adeline said that the experience boosted her confidence tremendously and she saw it both as a learning platform and a practical showcase for them. Yew Rui Qi and alumnus Chua Ka Wen attained Medallions for Excellence for achieving high scores in Restaurant Service and Beauty Therapy respectively. Ka Wen is currently a teaching associate in ITE and is also on a teaching associate study award pursuing a degree in beauty therapy in the University of the Arts in London. At the regional level, our ITE students Muhammad Hamdany bin Abu Hassan and Leow Ying Jie achieved a Gold and Best of Nation medals in the Mechatronics Team event at the 2008 ASEAN Skills competition. Muhammad Hamdany said that the participation in this competition gave him a deeper appreciation of mechatronics and the confidence to further his studies at the polytechnic level.”
“It will have new dedicated spaces in each polytechnic which will help in the development of esprit de corps and identity for the students but, at the same time, it will leverage on the resources of the polytechnics in the areas where there are synergies. For instance, by sharing engineering laboratories. We envisage SIT will cater primarily to Singaporeans. Students enrolled in SIT will be subsidised, as Members already know, by the Government, and will typically pay fees of around $9,000 per year for a two-year programme although this may vary across programmes. This sum is significantly lower than the cost of studying at the home campuses of these overseas universities or, for that matter, an equivalent private university established in Singapore of comparable quality. The sum is also competitive vis-a-vis our autonomous universities here in Singapore. Local SIT students will also be eligible for all existing Government financial assistance schemes. In addition, students can complete their degrees in a shorter time. Why? Because they build on the strong foundation of our polytechnic education. And this is a key point because it is not a compromise on standard but it is to leverage on the quality of the educational foundation of polytechnics, which the SIT seeks to build on. I want to point out that SIT will also welcome polytechnic graduates with work experience to apply for places, as their maturity and real-world knowledge would bring a valuable perspective into the classroom. This means that polytechnic graduates who are already in the workforce will have the opportunity to upgrade themselves at SIT. Work experience, grades and personal qualities will form part of the holistic admissions framework for the Singapore Institute of Technology.”
“I would like to thank Members for their comments and questions on the topics of tertiary education, private education and English Language. I would like to start by addressing the Members' specific queries on tertiary education. Mr Christopher de Souza and Dr Amy Khor asked about new upgrading opportunities for our polytechnic students. Today, we know that about 40% to 50% of our polytechnic graduates upgrade to degrees within five years of graduation. The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) was therefore established to augment the quality pathways that our polytechnic graduates can pursue to obtain good industry-relevant degrees in Singapore. At SIT, polytechnic graduates would be able to leverage on their applied education and work experience to obtain a university degree in about two years. 1.15 pm SIT will cater to growth areas in our economy which offer good job opportunities, such as in engineering, applied sciences, digital media and design, allied health care and hospitality. As pointed out by Mr Inderjit Singh, SIT will certainly bring about great diversity in our higher education sector, and give our students greater choice. The five initial overseas university partners of SIT have been very carefully selected, precisely because of their very high international academic standing and, equally, their strong commitment to provide quality education. The degrees would be conferred in the name of the overseas universities and will be equivalent to those awarded in their home countries. SIT will adopt a "decentralised campus" approach with premises in all five polytechnics.”
“Sir, when we measure tourism outcomes, we are really looking at a few things – visitor arrivals, how long they stay, and how much they spend. So it is quite critical that what we should be able to do is to have good products, new products in the pipeline and constant refreshing of the products, which is an important of it. As the Member observed quite correctly, we have got some very good products at the moment which are making an impact, not just regionally but globally. At the same time, we have others in the pipeline. As I mentioned in my speech, one area is cruise tourism – the international cruise terminal which will come onstream in about two to three years. I think that will create a whole new segment for us. Apart from that, we have the Gardens by the Bay product which is going to be quite exciting in its own right. Our wild life reserve is going to have a third gate – River Safari – and the pandas will be there. So I think all these will add to the buzz and attraction over the next few years. There is a steady pipeline. The other key thing is marketing – how we reach out to our target markets, a point that many Members raised and I responded to earlier. The important thing is that Asian markets are growing – a potential source of additional demand for us. China and India in particular, I think in the next few years are going to have tremendous possibilities for us. So, STB's marketing strategy really is how we can reach these target groups through conventional channels and new channels like digital media, and make them aware of our new products, not just engender visitor arrivals but repeat visitors.”
“But, at the same time, I want to make the point that if we were not importing gas but importing electricity from a neighbour, the overall risk to us as a system, in my view, remains the same, with the exception of the connectivity issues. But beyond that, I think the key point is really that there is no fixed idea of where we can import the electricity from but, in principle, it is an idea which we should consider. Therefore, naturally the corollary is that we cannot really say for sure which way the price would go, whether it would be higher or lower. But, clearly, if it were to add value to our system, then it would only make sense if a proposal were to be put forward by a private operator or an entity, that it should be able to price electricity competitively in the context of our system; otherwise it would not make sense. And finally, pricing policy and whether this augurs a higher share of energy in a household budget. Mr Chairman, I think it is hard to predict this. If you had asked me the question last year, I would say, well, it is actually going to be a lower percentage because fuel and oil prices went down. And that is precisely the point: there is a lot of volatility; we cannot tell for sure which way it will go in the short term. But the long-term trend, in terms of energy vis-à-vis other product groups, tends to be relatively higher. And that is something that we should accept. The sooner we recognise it and undertake fundamental measures to mitigate through competition and other efforts and, where necessary, intervene in a targeted way to help, the sooner we have a system that is clear and unambiguous in its intent, I think the better we will be, whether it is households or as an economy.”
“Sir, on the point of the tiered system, I understand what the Member is saying. I think the issue is not just about cross subsiding from one higher end user group to another. The most fundamental question we got to ask ourselves is: if a government were minded to establish tiered levies for electricity consumption, how does a government go about determining what are justifiable, reasonable tiers, given that no two households are alike. And even if you take a HDB-type household in a 3-room flat, the consumption can vary quite a bit. So, this is why the problem is inherently egregious and it is superior to have a clean system but with targeted subsidies. I take the last point on this issue of targeted assistance, which is really a question for the Minister of Finance because any assistance is really driven by the fiscal position. But I think, in general, the Government's position has always been that help will be made available to those who need it in a targeted manner; and that is a policy that cuts through many agencies and many Ministries. So, energy would be no exception in this regard. Which countries do we expect to import the electricity from and would imported electricity price be higher or lower? Mr Chairman, I think when the ESC Sub-Committee made the recommendation, it is not with a view to any particular country being a source. But, clearly, to some extent, the limits of technology and infrastructure would suggest that the most obvious sources would be in our neighbourhood. Today, we import our natural gas from our immediate neighbours. Any sourcing of electricity that can go beyond that would help us in terms of our diversification objective.”
“Rather, they have done well because we have created a vibrant R&D community that attracts and develops the best and brightest, both local and international, and that will continue to shape the way we go forward with our R&D strategy and the development of our manpower pool.”
“To that end, in the next phase of our R&D development, we aim to facilitate greater collaboration between private sector and public sector R&D, creating the infrastructure for test-bedding innovative solutions, and establishing platforms for industry practitioners and researchers in academia and institutes to work together on research projects that can potentially lead to commercial application and value. A key success factor for our R&D drive is the availability of a deep pool of scientific talent. Ms Sylvia Lim has asked about the extent to which locals are part of this talent pool. Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents take up the majority of R&D jobs, and this share has been increasing over time. Based on the 2008 National R&D survey, there were more than 25,000 research scientists and engineers in Singapore, of which about 21,000 were Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents. Between 2001 and 2008, the number of Singapore citizen and Permanent Resident research scientists and engineers has grown at 8% per annum, compared to 5% per annum for non-locals. Amongst the population of PhD students, the proportion of SCs and PRs have grown from 22% to 26% in the same period, that is, 2001 and 2008, and this number of PhDs will increase further as many of the PhD scholars under A*STAR scheme return to work in Singapore under various institutions. Mr Chairman, I want to conclude on this point by making one key observation. We have been able to grow our local R&D talent not because we have protected them or kept out foreign talent.”
“However, we still have some way to go before we can close the gap with countries like Sweden and Switzerland. In terms of the ratio of public sector to private sector spending on R&D, we are on par with countries like the Netherlands and Denmark. Our private R&D investments are twice that of our public sector – a significant improvement from 20 years ago when public and private investments were equal. It also has resulted in ventures such as the strategic alliance between Roche and our medical and scientific institutions. This partnership which will expand the knowledge of disease biology to develop new personalised treatment approaches has brought in private R&D investment of close to $100 million. Finally, with regard to economic spin-offs and commercialisation, we have made good progress. A*STAR's spin-off, A-Bio, for example, has been catalysing the growth of a new biologics segment within our biomedical sector. In the past three years, Singapore has secured six major biologics manufacturing investments totaling more than $2 billion. SMEs have also benefited from our public sector R&D capabilities. One example, is CEI Contract Manufacturing Ltd, which with the help of a scientist from A*STAR, will be able to qualify its product for High Level Assembly and Testing to meet a US customer's standard. So, we are not lagging or underperforming like Ms Sylvia Lim asked, but we can do more in the commercialisation of R&D – which is also a key recommendation of the ESC.”
“If we were to introduce a tiered system today, it means Government is deciding what is an acceptable level of electricity consumption and establish that as the threshold, as Ms Sylvia Lim puts it, and the Government then has to decide at what level of additional manageable threshold should be. This is quite a problematic process in terms of determining the key levels of thresholds. So it would be far superior to allow the market to work, for us to give targeted subsidies to those who need it and when the market is fully liberalised, the players can then work out the schemes as we see in other sectors like telecoms. Sir, let me now move on to research and development (R&D). R&D cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader innovation ecosystem that we seek to create. The ESC has recommended that we make innovation pervasive and strengthen the commercialisation of R&D. Indeed, these are MTI's priorities too. Ms Sylvia Lim has asked how the outcomes and output of our R&D sector compare with other advanced economies. As she has acknowledged, it is a difficult matter to measure and there is no single measure for this, so let me just highlight just three aspects: the generation of intellectual property, the degree to which public R&D helps to catalyse private R&D, and the extent to which R&D leads to economic activity or commercialisation. In of the area of IP creation, our R&D sector is broadly comparable to other advanced countries. The World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report ranks Singapore 11th globally, in terms of patents per 1,000 population, ahead of countries like the Netherlands and Denmark. In terms of published Science and Engineering papers per 1,000 population, we are ahead of OECD countries like Japan and South Korea.”
“Instead, our approach is to provide targeted assistance through the Utilities-Save (U-Save) and other schemes. In addition, we promote competition in our energy markets to keep prices competitive. As evidenced since liberalisation in 2001, fuel oil prices have gone up by about 160% and our tariffs have risen by about 15%. That is not a bad track record. This is an ongoing process and in the last year, we have also taken a number of additional steps. At last year's COS, I informed the House that EMA was studying ways to inject more competition into the household electricity market. EMA has since completed the tender of 10% of household electricity demand. The tendered price will be incorporated into the electricity tariff starting from April 2010. Going forward, EMA will put out more tranches for tender and the savings will be passed on to households. Mr Chairman, Sir, in the long term, EMA is working towards opening up the household electricity market for competition so that consumers will be able to purchase electricity direct from different suppliers through a range of retail packages that they offer. Ms Lim asked whether the Government will allow such retail electricity sellers to use a tiered system. Once such a market is established, then we should leave it to the market to work out what are the different ways they can meet customer needs. But it is quite a different question which is a point that Ms Sylvia Lim also alluded to, whether Government should in fact be introducing a tiered structure at this stage. We have had this discussion before and I want to just re-emphasise the key point.”
“Coal also has a cost advantage though this may be eroded by any future global carbon pricing regime. However, combustion technology is evolving, making coal cleaner than before and we must, therefore, keep this option open. Precisely because the technology is evolving, I do not think it is necessarily a step back to consider this as a possible option for ourselves, a point that Ms Sylvia Lim raised. Electricity imports could also help us gain access to alternative sources of energy such as hydropower from the region and also free up valuable land in Singapore. Ms Lim asked what are the risks of importing electricity. In a sense, it is a very similar risk to importing the fuel in order to generate the electricity locally. The key additional risk factors would really be a reliance on the infrastructure that conveys the electricity to Singapore. So, we will study the safeguards necessary to mitigate any risk from being exposed to a disruption in imported electricity supply and how it could feature potentially as part of our overall energy system. The second plank of our energy strategy is to keep our energy markets competitive. Ms Sylvia Lim has asked about energy pricing and let me just set out the broad framework. We are price-takers in the global energy market because we are small and import almost all our energy requirements. We therefore must allow the full cost of energy to be reflected in prices. Subsidising energy would be encouraging wasteful consumption and it will also be a drain on public finances. Many countries which subsidise energy, including oil and gas producers, have found to their detriment that they impose an unsustainable fiscal burden over time.”
“Research and development in this field is promising and could potentially yield therapeutic and economic benefits. Dr Muhammad Faishal has raised the issue of public concern over the potential use of nuclear energy in Singapore. Dr Lam Pin Min and Mr Liang Eng Hwa have asked if the risks associated with nuclear energy are acceptable. It is precisely to address these and other valid questions and concerns that we need to embark on a feasibility study of nuclear energy. MTI will, therefore, lead a multi-agency effort to undertake this feasibility study. The aim is to ensure that we fully understand, and objectively evaluate from all perspectives the opportunities, challenges and risks involved with nuclear energy. The study will commence later this year. It will entail a careful, deliberate and rigorous examination of the technical, economic and safety aspects of nuclear energy. It is premature at this stage to talk about details such as what form, and so on, which Dr Muhammad Faishal raised. What we should acknowledge is that this is an important first step in assessing a possible long-term energy option for Singapore. Mr Chairman, for the medium term, we also need to keep our options open for other sources of conventional energy to further diversify our energy portfolio. These options will have to be considered on a market basis, after our LNG demand has stabilised. Ms Sylvia Lim has asked about the implications of using coal and electricity imports in Singapore. Clean coal could be a component of our energy diversification strategy. Currently, coal makes up more than 40% of global power generation. And, it is expected to remain at this level until at least 2030 given the relative abundance of coal sources in the world.”
“These are developed nations with high standards of living and exacting safety regulations. The nuclear energy option is also being revived and explored in many countries. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), China is expected to build 25 new nuclear power plants by 2020, a rate of two new plants a year. In the US, loan guarantees totaling US$8 billion have recently been approved for two new nuclear power plants. Closer to home, in ASEAN, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia have all begun exploring nuclear energy as an option with different timelines. Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked whether there is an ASEAN stand on the issue. I think each country has evolved its own strategy and policy towards this. But at the ASEAN level, there is an effort to try and develop a common understanding on what would constitute a nuclear energy safety regime in this part of the world. Thirdly, science and technology have evolved much since nuclear power plants were first built 50 years ago. Dr Lam Pin Min has noted the challenges associated with nuclear energy given Singapore's location, size and urban density. Indeed, these were some of the reasons for not considering the option before. But new technologies are being developed to address some of the key concerns associated with nuclear energy, and to make nuclear reactors smaller and safer, at a lower cost and with less high-level waste. Some of these technologies are in early stages of commercialisation and we need to study if they could be feasible in our context. Finally, there is merit in building up our knowledge and expertise in nuclear science which has applications in diagnostic medicine and cancer treatment.”
“Public buildings like Changi Airport’s Budget Terminal, the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Ngee Ann Polytechnic are also active participants in our solar test-bedding and industry development initiatives. For those who wish to install solar PV (photo-voltaic) systems, Dr Fatimah Lateef raised this point, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) recently published a comprehensive Handbook for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. EMA also provides information on Licensed Electrical Workers (LEWs) who have the skills to install, maintain and test solar installations. 3.45 pm Mr Chairman, given the limited potential for renewable sources to meet our base load electricity requirements, it is imperative that we explore other options as well. In that regard, MTI agrees with the ESC recommendation that we should study the feasibility of nuclear energy and develop expertise in nuclear energy technologies. Mr Chairman, Members have listed a range of pros and cons and asked why are we prepared to study nuclear energy as an option now. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, it can potentially enhance energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and mitigate the impact of volatile oil and gas prices – thus it could meet potentially all our objectives embedded in the national energy policy. Second, several developed countries have been using nuclear energy for a long time and many others are now considering nuclear energy seriously. France has been using nuclear energy since the 1960s and currently generates 80% of its electricity from this source. Small countries like Switzerland and island-nations like Japan have also made significant strides in the use of nuclear energy over the last four decades.”
“Our liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal is one important step towards a more diversified energy portfolio. It will enhance the resilience and competitiveness of our energy supply by providing access to an integrated global LNG market that draws from gas sources from around the world. The project is on track for completion in the year 2013. Beyond the advent of our LNG terminal, we must consider a range of energy options, based on emerging technologies and new sources, to meet our long-term needs. We will adopt a pragmatic approach by evaluating the alternatives on the basis of energy security, economic viability and environmental sustainability. Mr Chairman, allow me to elaborate on solar energy, nuclear energy and other energy options, in response to Members’ questions. Among the renewable energy sources currently available, solar is one of the more promising in our context for electricity generation. While still relatively expensive today, solar energy prices could achieve grid parity in the medium term. But as pointed out by Dr Fatimah Lateef, in order to harness solar energy effectively, we need to develop the infrastructure. We must upgrade our building infrastructure for efficient installation and integration of solar panels. The Government has put in place incentive schemes to develop capabilities in these areas and to test-bed new technologies. The $20 million Solar Capability Scheme (SCS) encourages innovations in the design and integration of solar panels in private sector buildings. For example, this scheme supported the 500-kilowatt peak solar photo-voltaic (PV) system at Resorts World Sentosa, the largest single system in Singapore to date.”
“STB will also develop more signature events, such as the Asia Fashion Exchange, to position Singapore on the international stage. With this array of initiatives, Singapore is well positioned to ride the growth in the global and Asian tourism market. Mr Chairman, I will now move on to address Members’ questions related to our energy policy. We are currently in a healthy position to meet our energy needs. Our total generation capacity is in excess of 10 gigawatts, which is more than sufficient to meet our peak electricity demand of six gigawatts. However, given that we import almost all our energy, Singapore remains exposed to the vicissitudes of global energy markets and faces several challenges. Firstly, notwithstanding the brief respite during the recession, global energy prices are on a long-term upward trend, driven by energy demand in Asia. There will also be intermittent bouts of energy price volatility due to the business cycle and other episodes. Secondly, and consequently, there is a global race to secure adequate and reliable energy supplies from diverse sources. Thirdly, our energy plans must accommodate the possibility of a carbon constrained future. Singapore has committed to reduce carbon emissions substantially as part of a global deal on climate change. Our goal is to make Singapore a Smart Energy Economy with an energy ecosystem that is secure, sustainable and competitive. Our strategy to meet the global energy challenges rests on two key thrusts: diversification and competitive energy markets. The Government agrees with the Economic Strategies Committee’s (ESC) recommendation to adopt a portfolio approach towards energy – in other words, no one energy option will be adequate to meet our varied energy objectives.”
“Second, these changes ushered in by the Integrated Resorts will enable us to achieve longer stays and higher yields from our visitors, which is our objective. STB is also collaborating with the IRs to maximise the benefit from their facilities and resources. One example is the support STB has given the Integrated Resorts to secure new BTMICE events for Singapore. Through this partnership, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa will host a range of BTMICE events which are projected to draw in more than 11,000 visitors to Singapore this year. With the IRs opening in phases, the full benefits of these new tourism products will only be realised over the next few years. There has also been a quantum leap in our events landscape. Flagship events like the Formula One (F1) night race and the F1 Rocks concert have elevated Singapore’s international standing as a global city with a vibrant lifestyle. The F1 races in 2008 and 2009 collectively brought in over 70,000 overseas visitors and generated about $260 million in incremental tourism receipts. Each race also profiles us to a "live" television audience around the world of about 100 million. We will continue to refresh the F1 and enrich the entertainment content, to ensure that Singapore remains a must-see event on the F1 calendar. Our tourism precincts are also constantly being refreshed. Last year, the opening of three new retail malls, ION Orchard, Orchard Central and 313@Somerset, complemented our makeover of Orchard Road. Other key projects in the pipeline include Gardens by the Bay, River Safari which is a project by the Wildlife Reserves Singapore, and the International Cruise Terminal, all of which will open over the next two to three years.”
“The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) forecasts that Singapore will be India's top outbound destination in the next two years. PATA also expects Singapore to be among the top four destinations to be visited by Chinese travellers, excluding Hong Kong and Macau. To further strengthen our destination awareness in the major Asian markets, STB has undertaken several key branding and marketing initiatives. Our participation at the World Expo in Shanghai, from May to October this year, is one example. The Singapore Pavilion will showcase our city as a place to live, work and play to the 70 million Chinese and international visitors. Last year, STB entered a three-year marketing partnership with VISA that will not only attract more visitors to Singapore but also to help stimulate their spending here. With Internet penetration increasing worldwide, STB is also focusing on digital media marketing to seek out the growing pool of IT-savvy travellers. This marketing effort is complemented by a suite of key projects which are coming to fruition. Mr Chairman, these projects will transform our tourism landscape and further differentiate Singapore from other tourist destinations – a point that Dr Muhammad Faishal raised. Combined with our strong air connectivity, we are in a strong position to capitalise on the economic recovery and to tap on the Asia’s growing markets. The advent of the two Integrated Resorts (IRs) will contribute significantly to our tourism landscape on two counts. First, with internationally acclaimed shows, events, restaurants, and Southeast Asia’s largest theme park, the IRs will enhance the quality and variety of our tourism offerings.”
“Mr Chairman, first, I would like to thank Members for the wide range of issues that they have raised. My Minister has set out MTI’s overall strategy to take advantage of growth opportunities as our economy recovers. I will supplement his response by addressing specific questions that Members have raised by relating to three broad areas – tourism, energy, and research and development. The first, tourism. Last year was a difficult year for Singapore’s tourism industry. Visitor arrivals to Singapore declined by about 4% from 2008 to reach 9.7 million, though this exceeded the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) projection of 9 million to 9.5 million. We start 2010 with clear signs of recovery. Visitor arrivals registered overall positive growth from the fourth quarter of last year and surpassed 900,000 in January this year. This is the highest ever recorded for the month of January. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) forecasts international tourist arrivals to grow between 3% to 4% in 2010, with Asia leading this rebound. STB projects our visitor arrivals in 2010 to increase by more than 20% to between 11.5 million and 12.5 million. Tourism receipts are expected to be $17.5 to $18.5 billion, which is about 40% above 2009 levels. Dr Muhammad Faishal has asked how we will tap on the growth of Asian markets. Our destination appeal to Asian visitors is strong. In 2009, more than 70% of our visitors came from Asia. Indonesia, China, India and Malaysia were four of Singapore's top five source markets by visitor arrivals and tourism receipts – in other words, both quantity and value. Vietnam is another promising market registering double digit growth of 11% last year.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not sure why the Member has this impression. How is our ITE curriculum developed? It is developed not just by the ITE colleges coming together and coming up with a course or pedagogy methodology. It is one that is worked out in close collaboration with industry, so the industry's feedback is the key element. In securing industry feedback, we are trying to establish where our ITE graduates would go out and fit in in the broader workforce. That is how we have to calibrate it. Now, if there are changes in our ITE system, it is not because of an arbitrary increase in standards or a desire to move unilaterally in a particular direction. But it is largely given by the fact that ITE is responding to the needs in our market. The needs in our marketplace are changing and Members would agree that it changes quite dramatically in some instances. So it is important that our ITE curriculum is dynamic, is able to, not just offer a variety of courses but a variety of courses at a level which will command respect and currency in the labour market. And that is the objective of the exercise. I think the fact that over 80% are able to complete their full course, it suggests that calibration is about right.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have the specific number of counsellors deployed. I want to re-emphasise this point – it is not just about specific counsellors. I think it has to be an ITE-wide effort, that is why the emphasis is on the training of our lecturers because they have the greatest contact time with the students and they will be able to pick out where there are issues. If they can be an effective first line in interfacing with the students, that will make a big difference. On class sizes, this varies according to the disciplines but typically, if my memory serves me right, it is about 20 odd students per class. But of course, then you have the lectures and so on which will be in larger groups.”
“In terms of skills acquisition, clearly if they finish their course and even if they do not finish everything, some of them, as I said, acquire certification in some core modules which is also quite helpful, I think that would be a big first step and what ITE is then doing is also facilitating re-entry because some may decide at a particular point in time that they want to discontinue for perhaps valid reasons but they would want to re-enter at another time when they recognise that they need skills upgrading and ITE is prepared to facilitate that as well so I think we have to look at this holistically. It is a bit too early I think to assess whether the more recent set of measures are yielding dividends because it has been only couple of years but I think in the long run if you look at it, based on our historical track record, we have done quite well but we should continue to press ahead so that we can help the 18% or so who dropped out.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Member for her questions. I think we should be very clear. Our basic strategy for this group of students must be for them to enrol and stay in ITE for the full length of their course so that they complete their education in ITE, acquire a marketable and recognised piece of qualification which will then hold them in good stead when they enter the workforce. So the predominant focus of our efforts must be channelled in this direction and, indeed, that is what has been happening. The Member says that 18% is high. It is relative, which is why I gave the comparison with international. In fact, when you compare internationally and across vocational institutions, our achievement is, in fact, quite remarkable and widely recognised as quite outstanding. But that does not mean that we cannot do more and, indeed, that was the objective of the review. The Member has outlined a range of ideas and possibilities to be undertaken and I think these are all embedded in my reply. If I can recap, for example, when you focus on counselling, peer group development, the idea is to create an environment within which the students will be able to develop greater rootedness in the ITE for the course because sometimes there are other considerations, like family and peer pressure and they need counter weighing factors. That is an important element and giving the lecturers the additional capability to also deal with this is an important factor.”
“Mr Teo Siong Seng asked the Minister of Education in view of the new Chinese Language teaching methods to cater for average students coming from non-Chinese speaking home environment, what assurance or choice will his Ministry give to parents who want their children to perform well or do much better than average students in the Chinese Language studies and examinations.”
“This is because as you have business cycles, as you have demand growing and subsiding, there is a concomitant impact on energy demand and therefore in the way prices move. The recent crisis was a case in point. In the 18-month period, we have seen the oil price go from a peak down and it is now back up again to around $90. So volatility is something we must get used to. The long term trend is probably upward because of the various fundamental pressures like more demand for energy from developing markets. We have going for us is that our market is a strong and competitive one. So we are able to etch out as many efficiencies as we can. And secondly, in our system, whilst we do not have subsidies, we have other measures which help our households cope with some of these price increases. The chief among which is the Utilities-Save programme which Members would be familiar with. For example, if you take a three-room HDB household, the average monthly electricity bill may be about $60. After we take into account the Utilities-Save rebates, assuming they use it fully to defray the costs, the cost per month will be reduced by about 25%, down to say $40 to $45 a month. These are the ways we help to mitigate the impact on households. But we cannot insulate Singapore or Singaporeans from the global energy market and the long term trends or volatility in global energy prices. NEW METHODS FOR TEACHING CHINESE LANGUAGE 3.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Member for the questions. Firstly, are households paying more? Sir, I just gave statistics that compared to eight years ago, prices are 15% more costly per kWh, so the answer must be yes. And Member asked what is the source of this cost increase? Is this due to competition? Competition mitigates against the cost rises. In fact, that is the evidence we have seen in our market and it has also been the experience in many other markets. So that is a clear outcome that we have achieved. Having said that, when you compare across jurisdictions, and say that "Well, price in Singapore is x and price in country A is y. Why is there a difference?" There are many other factors that come into play. One of them is the mix of fuels they use. In Singapore, we use 80% gas and our gas is pegged to fuel oil prices. In many of the countries we compare with a substantial amount of electricity comes from coal-fired plants. Now coal is cheaper and coal does not price in externalities like carbon emissions and so on. That is one point of comparison – what is the energy mix they use? Secondly, in some of these jurisdictions, there are also subsidies. The subsidies mask the true price of electricity and, therefore, when we compare, we must compare like for like and take into account the different constraints the different jurisdictions face. The third question is can households expect stable electricity prices? It is difficult to answer this. It is a little bit of crystal-ball gazing which I do not like to indulge in but I would make this point. I think our experience in recent times and, really, when you look ahead, what it suggests is that volatility is going to be part and parcel of the energy markets of the world.”
“If I understand the Member's question correctly, the point is whether the same benefits could have been achieved without liberalisation. I think this is a bit of a conjecture because at the end of the day, we are dealing with hypotheticals. I would say that the evidence across the world demonstrates that when you have liberalisation, which basically means you open up the sector to allow more players to come in to compete, and achieve several advantages. The first is efficiency gains because they compete to bring their costs down in order to gain a competitive advantage, vis-a-vis each other, which is quite different to the behavioural or incentives for a single market player. Secondly, when you have a diversity of players, they bring with them different technological backgrounds and different market experiences which will enrich the market environment we are in. For example, in our market today, after the divestment of the Generating Companies (gencos) by Temasek, we have players from China, Japan, France, Malaysia and also from Singapore. We have significant diversity and each of these players has a footprint not just in Singapore but around the world in different markets. So these are benefits that are clear and I think they would be difficult to achieve if we had not gone through liberalisation. So I would say in summary that it is a difficult question to answer because it is hypothetical but I would say that the evidence, when you look at experiences around the world, including places like Australia and Britain which have liberalised since the 1990s, I think it is quite clear that that is the better path if we want to achieve a system that is efficient and that brings benefits to consumers.”
“Sir, I think the short answer is that we will have to continually look for innovative ideas to enhance the attractiveness the Singapore Race in order to continue to position it as one of the top two or three races in the F1 calendar every year. 3.00 pm”
“I would tell them to study hard, do well in their course and get their degree completed because there is no reason to think that the course they enrolled for is in anyway suspect. But if, in fact, it turns out that there are some problems, then there would be remedies instituted, whether it is for the student to complete his course or to find some alternative deployment for him or her to complete the course. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Mr Iswaran]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. Column No : 1390 Column No : 1390 ADJOURNMENT Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn. – [Mr Lim Swee Say]. Adjourned accordingly at Thirteen minutes past Six o'clock pm. WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER NOT ANSWERED BY 3.00 PM Column No : 1391 ELDERCARE LEAVE 10. Ms Ellen Lee asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports in view of the ageing population whether the Government will consider introducing eldercare leave for working children and funding such leave.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. There are two parts: one is, what is the kind of protection? I think the Member's point is that students would rank quite low in the list of creditors who would be reimbursed if a PEI were to go under and therefore how does the students' interest get protected. That is precisely why we will look to find ways that insulate the students' exposure. Certainly under EduTrust, if you are going to have the insurance scheme, it would be outside the general action that will follow a bankruptcy and creditors' claims. Secondly, providing adequate protection, and some Members raised the example of Brookes. The problem with Brookes was not that there was no insurance; it was under insurance. So the key thing is to make sure that insurance coverage is adequate, so that students are well-protected. As for students having a cost-effective means of seeking redress, this is not just about fees but I think in general about other disputes. This is precisely why CPE intends to have dispute resolution mechanisms. Whether it is through our mediation centres or other mechanisms, CPE will designate those so that the students can then avail themselves of these without having to go through a more costly civil suit exercise. That is the intention. Assoc. Prof. Paulin Tay Straughan: Thank you, Sir. If I am a student who is in the midst of my programme right now and I have two more years to go, what would the Senior Minister of State advise? They are thinking, "I am watching this, I am really concerned, I do not know whether I will be able to complete my degree course in due time". What would be the best advice the Senior Minister of State could give to students in this kind of position while they await the registration outcomes?”
“First of all, I am not sure that all Members here would agree that Singapore students are all savvy and not in need of protection. I think that was in fact the point of some discussion today. The intention really is not about whether you are a student from overseas or from Singapore, all students are worthy of full protection under this Bill if it is enacted. And that is the way we will go forward. But having said that we do recognise that for the students who come from overseas, apart from language differences, there are cultural differences and they may therefore miss the nuances and therefore not be able to appreciate all the details. So apart from its own website, information services and the students' service centre that it is going to set up – these are going to be important elements – I think the CPE will be engaging students from overseas. Most would normally have a point of reference in their own missions here. That would be an important point of contact for our CPE officials in order to fully apprise them of what is happening so that they can, in the language that is most comfortable for the students from their home country, explain this with more clarity. This will also be extended to the home country itself, particularly where large numbers of our students from overseas are coming to Singapore. So, the point is acknowledged. We have to look for different ways of dealing with that problem.”
“I would be happy to give that assurance once again. The intention is very clear. The reason why there is a criminal offence with possible jail sentence that goes with some of these more extreme offences is really to underscore the point that we are not just talking about a particular student or a particular institution, we are talking about the system. And that the system takes a hit when one player misbehaves, and therefore it is fully the intent that when we go about the work of the CPE, there will be vigorous enforcement and the more egregious the case, we will press for more deterrent punishment.”
“Sir, the Member raises a good point. I think we are quite clear about the EduTrust elements. So I think we can leave that aside. The question now is, because of the thousand or so institutions, we are looking at a vast majority who may not go for EduTrust and they are operating as registered private education institutions in Singapore. What we have today, as envisaged under the Bill and in the intended regulations, is to cap the amount of fees that the institution can collect in advance. One of the problems today is that the PEI could potentially collect one year's fees in advance and then this collection is not backed by adequate protection. In the scheme that we envisage, going forward, there would probably be a cap of perhaps two to three months of fees to be collected in advance. That automatically limits the financial risk exposure for the students, because you are paying at the most, three months in advance. We could consider allowing these registered PEIs – because they have a capital requirement and they may want to find ways to generate more capital – a greater upfront fee collection if it is commensurate with a higher level of protection afforded to the students in some form. This is what we need to explore and discuss with the industry because at the end of the day, if you make it mandatory, the cost will flow right through and the students will pay more. The question is, is that what we want to do? MOE's primary focus is at least in the first year to minimise the risks and we evaluate from there and see whether there is a need to do anything further, in discussion with the industry.”
“It is also important for us to keep the balance, between students and the PEIs. Yes, we want to guard against unscrupulous practices of private education institutions. But we also want to make sure that students do not game the system and take advantage, in order to get maximum benefit for themselves. Several Members have touched on this point. And that is exactly why in enforcing these rules and taking action, the CPE will have to judge each case on its merits and decide how to go forward. To conclude, I wish to reiterate that the Private Education Bill is a necessary move towards uplifting the standards of the sector. The CPE will work with other Government agencies and the industry players in implementing the new regulatory regime. With the passing of the Bill, we will have stronger legislative and regulatory levers to raise the quality of the private education sector overtime. But we need to ensure that the other elements – information provision, consumer sophistication and education, and industry development – are all in place as well if we have to take the sector to a higher level. I, therefore, urge all Members to give the CPE your full support and we look forward to raising the bar for the private education sector in Singapore.”
“The CPE will take firm action against PEIs who seek to mislead through their advertisements or other publications. Mr Inderjit Singh asked: can they put in their advertisements that they are accredited by foreign bodies? The answer is, yes, they can if that is the truth. And then students have to judge. But as far as the Singapore elements are concerned, they can say what we have allowed them to say. Even with such protection measures in place, I want to reiterate that risks can only be mitigated, we cannot eliminate the risks. Even in very mature jurisdictions, in this case, like in New Zealand and Australia, you continue to see recent cases where you have egregious players who have sought to dupe students and indulged in fraudulent activities. So our consumers, our students, must be aware and take appropriate diligent steps even after that, with this regulation and legislation, there may still be instances that might be problematic. But the consumers need to be savvy in their decision-making process, taking into account the length of time students have to invest in the public institutions and private institutions in order to acquire similar qualifications. If you go to an autonomous university – NUS, NTU or SMU – and it takes you four years to get a Degree, and somebody comes along and offers you the same Degree in one or two years, I think it would be appropriate to ask some questions and not take it at face value. We are talking about students who are looking at tertiary education, who are going to invest a significant portion of either their families' resources and their time in something like this. I would imagine that the students would be quite motivated to satisfy themselves that they are getting value and quality for what they are doing.”
“A Singapore student applying and enrolling in an EduTrusted PEI would enjoy the same level of protection and the same services as a foreign student, and there is no difference there. Members have asked if the new regulatory regime will provide for sufficient protection of students studying in the private education institutions. Let me assure the House that the new regime will strengthen student protection measures. Managers of private education institutions must fulfil their responsibilities in the event of a school closure, including issuing fee refunds to students. Under the Enhanced Registration Framework, the Council will also stipulate the level and mode of protection and the maximum amount of fees that the PEI can collect upfront under the Enhanced Registration Framework. So, there are some very specific provisions. What is the maximum amount of fees a PEI can collect? That is an important element and beyond that, the other elements of student protection and information provision. These are aspects that we have to bundle together and look at in totality. Now, should this extend to various ideas that have been put forward by Members – escrow, performance bonds or insurance, although some Members expressed some concern about it. The reality is, if you have a well administered insurance scheme, students will generally be well protected. A performance bond and escrow type arrangement imposes significantly higher cost compared to an insurance scheme. But whichever the mechanism, at the end of the day, the CPE must be satisfied that proper student protection schemes are put in place, both in the case of EduTrust and also in terms of the Enhanced Registration Framework.”
“We are raising corporate and academic governance standards; we are enhancing student protection measures, perhaps not to the same extent as under EduTrust, but still significantly higher; compelling disclosure of key information and also requiring periodic renewal – in other words, you have to apply and renew your registration. It is not a case of once you have passed the post, that is it. So, that is why it is important that we keep this in context. There is only one registration scheme. All our PEIs will be required to meet that standard and those who so desire can aspire to the voluntary EduTrust certification scheme. I appreciate the concerns of some Members that the pre-requisite of requiring a foreign student to enrol in an Edutrust-certified PEI might be misconstrued as according more protection to foreign students. As I have clarified before and I want to clarify again, there is no differential treatment between Singapore students and foreign students. Members may be well aware that student passes are easily susceptible to being exploited as a means for foreigners to work illegally here in Singapore, and this was alluded to by some Members. One approach in mitigating such immigration risks is to be selective in who we let in under a student pass. From an education perspective, it would not be unreasonable for the immigration authorities to seek certain assurance by pegging eligibility to the quality of the PEI offering enrolment. So EduTrust certification is useful as one signal as CaseTrust has been in the past. But that does not mean that we are differentiating between foreign and local students.”
“But this is really an attempt to distinguish yourselves, to set a higher bar and say that I have actually aspired to and attained something higher and presumably entities want to do this in order to have market advantage. So being a quality mark, it is also reasonable to expect that not every registered private education institution will be able to attain EduTrust certification. To mandate EduTrust certification for all PEIs, including the student protection schemes, will translate into additional cost for PEIs and students. There are two arguments here really. One is cost. If you mandate something, and it is a much higher bar than what we have already raised the basic bar to, then the cost will be passed on and either the PEI or the students, or both, will bear it. But there is another element which is, you do not always need this EduTrust certification. For example, there are courses, as I mentioned in my Second Reading speech, which are conducted within the context of a particular industry, ie, short courses which have WSQ certification, and so on. In these instances, the consumers, which are the industry players, the students and the service providers, all know each other very well, they know that the quality is vouched for, and there is no need to go into this additional EduTrust certification or other kinds of quality assurance certification. The point about information asymmetry has been highlighted. Mrs Josephine Teo and Mr Calvin Cheng made the point that registration on its own can be used by a business as a statement that says "I have, therefore, met the standards of the Singapore Quality mark implemented and I can, therefore, market myself". That is precisely why even under the Enhanced Registration Framework, we have significantly higher standards.”
“If the answer to all these questions is yes and it fulfils the key criteria set out by the CPE, then the CPE should be able to allow them to display their names. So that is the test. There have been several comments among Members about the Enhanced Registration Framework and EduTrust certification scheme that they create a two-tier system and that they should be combined and made mandatory. I want to take this opportunity to clarify this and make it absolutely clear. There is only one regulatory tier in this system. There is only one regulatory standard and that is the Enhanced Registration Framework. That sets the bar and all our entities in the private education sector have to meet that bar in order to be able to continue their business. The question was asked – should we merge the EduTrust requirement into the basic Enhanced Registration Framework? Sir, I would like to draw an analogy with the corporate sector so that Members get a sense of the framework we are operating in. In the Companies Acts, for example, companies are registered, they are required to fulfil a certain set of Government requirements and a certain set of other requirements set out by the Registrar. Now, some companies may go beyond that, to acquire ISO certification, Singapore Quality Class certification and other forms of additional voluntary certifications in order to differentiate themselves. And this is a common practice in the industry. That does not mean that the companies that do not have such certifications are somehow deficient. They do meet the standards that have been set out. They meet those requirements.”
“The regulatory approach will be taken as a calibrated one, aimed at uplifting the standards of the PEIs over a graduated period of time, in order not to cause sudden market consolidation or disruption, which may cause quite significant dislocation to the studies of existing students. Let me assure Mr Inderjit Singh that it is not the CPE's intent to impose Singapore curriculum or standards per se on foreign system schools or to be overly rigid in applying the restriction on the use of PEI premises for activities which are compatible with education. If a foreign system school is providing curriculum and preparing the students for an examination or certificate from their home country, then they just need to produce the evidence to support that from their home country. That would be sufficient and they do not need to meet Singapore's standards on the particular curriculum. Similarly for activities in their premises, as long as they are compatible with education and the core function there, it should be something that the CPE will look upon favourably. This is really more to guard against illegitimate or disguised uses which run contrary to the core declared mission of education. Similarly, the Council will exercise discretion in dealing with the foreign university seeking to operate a branch campus in Singapore. Due consideration will be given to universities who meet certain quality criteria and are substantively involved and committed in local operations. So the test really is – is this foreign university here engaged, significantly committed, in terms of its resources and substantively involved in the running of the programme?”
“If there is evidence of such persons continuing to assert management influence, behind the scenes or through proxy, as some Members have suggested, on any PEI, the CPE will investigate and take appropriate action against the PEI and the individuals involved. On the issue of the impact on businesses, I agree with the observation made by Mr de Souza and others that there are good private education providers in the market and that they should be encouraged to grow. Mr de Souza, together with Mrs Josephine Teo, Mdm Cynthia Phua, Assoc. Prof. Paulin Straughan and Mr Zainudin, have raised concerns over the impact on genuine private education providers, and we share their concerns. The CPE will provide transitional arrangements that will give genuine private education providers time to adjust to the new regime. The CPE will also provide information to assist them in their applications. The idea is really that we have a new regime, we understand that some organisations may need more time and help, and we will allow for that. In addition, the CPE will be working with SPRING Singapore to provide capability development assistance to PEIs, so as to make their transition into the new regime as smooth as possible. But as I said in my Second Reading speech, even though we are giving grace periods, notwithstanding that, the CPE will enforce especially when negligent practices come to light. Mdm Halimah Yacob also pointed out that there are many small players in the PEI sector with very limited capital, resources and capabilities to enable them to make a quantum leap in standards and quality. This was one of the considerations MOE took into account when deliberating and fine-tuning the new regulatory framework.”
“For example, any private education institution, or person who provides false or misleading advertisements, may be liable for a fine of up to S$5,000 or a jail term of up to six months, or both. For more serious offences, such as the failure of the PEI to seek the Council's permission to offer courses or advertising and soliciting fees from students for unpermitted courses, the penalties would comprise a fine of up to $10,000, or a jail term of up to one year, or both. So does it have bite? I would argue, yes, because while the fee or fine is one component, the threat of imprisonment is a major deterrent. I think this is seen not just in the context of this Bill but in any other piece of legislation. So, we need to take that into account. Secondly, Mr Lim Biow Chuan raised this point, whether charges will be pressed individually or collectively. Mr Lim is a lawyer and I think at the end of the day, this will rest in the hands of the prosecutor's office. But, at the end of the day, the important point I want to register is this – the CPE will enforce, and enforce vigorously, because the intent really is to make sure that having established this regulatory framework, we must ensure compliance and that the standards are upheld. So, enforcement is a critical part of this. In enforcing it, it will expect that right through the system, the gravity of the offence will be reflected in the kind of penalties that are meted out. Persons who have been previously disqualified, will also be barred from holding the position of managers for a period of five years.”
“And it comprises officers overseeing inspection, assessment, policy and industry development roles for the private education sector. From a handful of officers, the staff strength of the secretariat has grown to around 60 officers currently. And I foresee that the organisation will continue to grow as it expands on its roles and responsibilities, and takes on new challenges in the years ahead. But we also want to strike a balance, because we anticipate that in the immediate one, two or three years, there will be a significant amount of resources and activities required of the CPE. But once we clear this hump, then we will be in a steady state where the system can then sustain itself. Therefore, the intention is to make sure the CPE remains lean and efficient. The core group in the CPE will be supported by a pool of adjunct inspectors and assessors to augment the full-time team with the relevant industry knowledge, especially in niche areas. Mr Christopher de Souza, Mr Lim Biow Chuan and Mr Calvin Cheng have asked that a higher quantum of fines be considered in the Bill. Essentially the question is whether the fines are of sufficient magnitude to have enough bite, as Mr de Souza put it. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the fines imposed need to be viewed in the context of the overall graduated range of penalties for the contraventions of varying seriousness, which the Bill provides for. For example, if a PEI fails to deploy teachers of qualifications and experience as prescribed for in the Bill, the CPE could censure the PEI, impose additional conditions of registration, in addition to imposing a financial penalty of $5,000. Contraventions requiring strong deterrence would constitute criminal offences.”
“But beyond that, it is true that there is coordination needed among the agencies. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has various bodies that are involved in aspects such as SPRING, EDB, IAE and STB. So, clearly the CPE will have to have close collaboration with them, to ensure that, first, the quality standards are maintained as its primary function and, secondly, to ensure that in the communication, particularly overseas, the message is put up clearly and students and any other facilitators who reside overseas, will be able to internalise that information in guiding students to make choices about education options in Singapore. Being a new statutory body, the CPE itself will also need time to grow and expand its regulatory and development functions for the private education sector. Mdm Halimah is right in pointing out that the CPE will require a sufficient pool of manpower, with the relevant skills-set, to perform its roles effectively. Let me assure the House that, perhaps, in anticipation of the resounding support of Members, the preparation for the set up of the CPE has already been under way for quite some time. To oversee transitional arrangements to the new regime, a Pro-tem Council was formed in January 2009, headed by Mr Lim Cheng Ton, the former Principal and CEO of Nanyang Polytechnic, whose academic experience and leadership skills are well-known among Singapore educationists and business leaders. The Pro-tem Council members are individuals with expertise in the field of education, quality assurance and business. The secretariat to the Pro-tem Council was set up in July last year, as a new division within the Ministry of Education, to incubate this new capability.”
“If an entity is incorporated in Singapore, for the purpose of providing education services, and even if it does not provide those services in Singapore, the fact is it has chosen to be incorporated in Singapore, because it recognises that there is a certain value that accrues to it from that registration and to be able to say that. And, therefore, it is incumbent on us to ensure that it does the work to serve the minimum standard that we impose on the sector. So that is the context of it, not to be overly burdensome because, if indeed the intent is to wholly and exclusively provide education services in a third country, then the entity should just incorporate there and do so. We do not need an incorporation in Singapore for that purpose. I agree with Mdm Halimah Yacob that there are currently different Government agencies overseeing various aspects of Singapore's growth as an education hub. The CPE, as a new sectoral regulator, will work with these agencies to complement existing efforts. Mrs Mildred Tan asked a question: what is the KPI for the CPE and indeed for this entire effort? I would say that the single biggest contribution that the Council for Private Education, through this legislation, can make is really to ensure that our private education sector rests on a very firm foundation of quality, trust and reliability. That I think is a fundamental thing. Because if you do not have that, no amount of capability development and marketing is going to make a difference. Because it will give lie to the claim that the product is of quality. So that is the primary objective and indeed this is where the CPE should be channelling most, if not almost all, of its resources certainly in the earlier years.”
“Mr Calvin Cheng asked about part-time diplomas, they are also covered by the Bill. Ms Denise Phua asked about special education schools and to be more generic in the definition, so that it is all inclusive. The answer is basically all SPED schools, which are not Government-funded are covered by the Bill. So I think in terms of coverage, there is quite a lot there. The intent, at the end of the day, as I said earlier during the Second Reading of the Bill, is to cover those courses that are leading towards certification, diplomas, degrees and which entail significant time and money cost for our students. As I mentioned earlier, the CPE will also undertake additional responsibilities of promoting consumer awareness, providing student services and facilitating industry development. And this is to ensure that a balanced and holistic approach is taken towards developing a quality private education sector that benefits students and raises standards in the sector over time. To be a credible education hub, we have to guard against players who aim to capitalise on Singapore's reputation, to market their courses overseas, whatever their quality. That is why the Bill requires any private education institution registered as a company in Singapore, to also register with the CPE, even if some or none of its courses are operating in Singapore. Mr Inderjit Singh raised this point. The issue here is the flexibility that can be accorded to private enterprises and education service industry against the reputation that they are capitalising on, ie, Singapore's reputation in this instance.”
“Sir, I will endeavour to address some of the key points or principles and policies that Members have raised. But I would also beg the Members' indulgence that on some of the more specific issues which I think I do not go to the heart of the Bill, but they are more about specific implementation issues, I will refer them to the CPE to take up in their regulations and follow-on implementation. Firstly, on the whole issue of the private education sector where the CPE is involved, Mrs Josephine Teo, Mdm Halimah Yacob and Ms Denise Phua among others, have asked about the vision for the CPE, in terms of the private education sector, and what is its roles and functions. Let me elaborate on this. The vision is really for the private education sector to be a complementary pillar, which augments Singapore's strong public education system and it will support Singapore's position as a global education hub. The new Private Education Bill provides the legislative framework for the CPE to uplift the standards in the sector. And over time, as the private education institutions improve on their current level of academic and service qualities, they will be better able to provide additional avenues for aspiring Singaporeans, as many Members have spoken about, to attain higher qualifications and, indeed, also for us to attract foreign talent to Singapore. There have been a series of questions on what actually is the coverage of specific examples cited. I will just address a few of them and I think we can cover them in greater detail through communication to specific Members. One of the questions asked, I think by Mrs Josephine Teo, was: what about self-developed diplomas? The answer is yes, they are covered by the Bill.”