Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Singapore
“EDB conducts regular reviews to GIP to ensure its effectiveness in attracting only top-tier business leaders who are interested to drive the growth of their businesses and investments from Singapore.”
“MAS may vary the size of the additional capital requirement imposed on the bank and take other regulatory actions depending on the outcome of ongoing reviews. MAS requires all retail banks in Singapore to ensure that their mission critical systems supporting digital banking are resilient.”
“This question will be answered in the reply to Dr Tan Wu Meng's Parliamentary Question filed for tomorrow's Sitting. [Please refer to "Probe into Recent Disruptions of DBS' Digital Bank and Physical ATM Services and Preventive Measures Implemented", Official Report, 5 July 2023, Vol 95, Issue 107, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Ans…”
“Borrowing from the banks is one of the ways in which MAS carries out MMOs to soak up such excess liquidity. Like other central banks, MAS does this daily through an auction system, enabling MAS to withdraw liquidity through the Primary Dealers that submit the most competitive prices.”
“To mitigate consumer over-indebtedness, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) requires financial institutions (FIs) to implement a range of safeguards when extending mortgage loans and unsecured credit.”
“The Monetary Authority of Singapore imposes on external asset managers the same stringent regulatory standards for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism that it imposes on banks.”
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“At present, the interventions for potential suicide cases are: Firstly, counselling which is currently provided by Family Service Centres, SAGE Counselling Centre, the Samaritans of Singapore and hospitals; Secondly, specialised treatment, including counselling for psychiatric cases, which is available at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH); and, Thirdly, hospice care which provides for the management of patients, including the elderly, with serious illnesses where curative treatment is no longer appropriate. Some examples include the Dover Park Hospice and St Joseph's Home. Other than these intervention services, I would like to share with Members the efforts of an inter-agency workgroup - the Golden Life Workgroup - which aims to raise public awareness about elderly suicide and the help available, and to equip professionals with better intervention measures to prevent such suicides. Formed in early 2000, this workgroup is chaired by the Singapore Action Group of Elders (SAGE), with representatives from various organisations, including MCDS, Ministry of Health, Institute of Mental Health, Samaritans of Singapore, National Council of Social Service, NTUC Eldercare, hospitals, hospices and family service centres. Thus far, the workgroup has produced a training manual for professionals, such as social workers, nurses, doctors and the police, on the management of elderly suicide. The workgroup also conducts regular training workshops for professionals and caregivers to help them to identify suicidal tendencies among the elderly and render necessary assistance. To raise public awareness on elderly suicide, the workgroup launched a public education campaign in September last year.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is principally a responsibility of the principal of the school rather than the Ministry. The Ministry's guidance specialists do help the principal in undertaking this task, but this is really a task for the principal to handle. If we had in fact evidence of problems that are building up that are not being addressed, then the Ministry might have to do something more. At this stage, the problems are being quite well addressed. SUICIDE AMONG THE ELDERLY 7. Ms Braema Mathiaparanam asked the Acting Minister for Community Development and Sports (a) how many elderly persons aged 65 and above committed suicide in 2000, 2001 and the first six months of this year; (b) what are the issues or problems faced by this group of vulnerable elderly; and (c) what measures his Ministry has taken and will undertake to help the elderly. The Acting Minister for Community Development and Sports (Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim): Mr Speaker, Sir, there were 68 elderly suicides in year 2000, 74 cases in year 2001, and 16 cases for the first six months of this year. According to a study carried out by MCDS on elderly suicides between 1995 and 2001, poor health and depression were the main reasons for elderly suicide. This is consistent with the findings of research conducted in other Asian countries. Elderly suicide is, however, a multi-faceted issue requiring a concerted effort among the various stakeholders, including health and social service providers, families and the police.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not sure I fully understand the question. Within schools, there is a proper system to monitor the activities of the external counsellors. It is usually a senior member of the school staff, ie, vice-principal or head of pupil welfare, who oversees and monitors the counselling process. We do not know of any significant or widespread problems in schools arising from poor quality counselling. We know that there is a limited pool of counsellors in Singapore, but the schools have so far not had great difficulty in having the problems addressed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no lack of funds in most schools. The principal has the latitude to decide how best to deploy the funds available to the school, how much to deploy in counselling, and how much to rely on external counsellors. Funding has not been a constraint. Over 90% of our schools engage external counsellors, and of those that do, about two-thirds use counsellors on a regular basis, meaning at least three hours a week. These figures indicate that there is really no constraint on the schools' ability to engage external counsellors.”
“The Ministry's guidance specialists also help the principal in professional supervision of the school counsellors.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, counselling support in schools is provided by a tiered system comprising trained teacher counsellors, MOE-appointed school counsellors and external counsellors engaged by schools on a need basis. Counselling services are also provided by the Ministry's psychologists and guidance specialists. Teacher counsellors and MOE-appointed school counsellors are teachers or retired education officers with professional training in counselling; they need not be trained in social work or psychology. Given their background as educators and certified training in counselling, these personnel are well equipped to meet the basic emotional needs of students. For cases of a more complex nature or which require the services of more qualified counsellors, schools engage them from organisations that specialise in counselling work. Most schools have indeed been doing so on a regular basis. Schools are given a directory of organisations that provide professional counselling services. The majority of the counsellors engaged by our schools work at organisations dedicated to counselling, such as Family Service Centres. All external counsellors engaged by schools have relevant training and qualifications in guidance and counselling, psychology or social work, with 60% having a basic or Masters degree in these areas. The principal of the school has ultimate management responsibility over the counselling services rendered to students by the teacher counsellors, MOE-appointed counsellors and external counsellors that the school engages. The principal would usually appoint a key member of the staff - typically the head of pupil welfare or the vice-principal - to help oversee the process and monitor the performance of the counsellors.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no fixed timeframe. How long we take to work with and counsel the parents depends on the particularities of each case. SCHOOL-BASED COUNSELLORS (Number of trained social workers or psychologists) 6. Ms Braema Mathiaparanam asked the Minister for Education (a) how many of its present group of school-based counsellors are trained social workers or psychologists; and (b) how does his Ministry monitor the appointment and performance of these counsellors in the respective schools.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry seeks to track the parents based on all available information. It is not always possible to track the parents down. Some may have left the country, some are no longer at their last registered address. But the Ministry has been able to track the majority of the parents of children who have not registered in the past.”
“Qualified professional counsellors offer personal guidance and counselling supported by a network of para-counsellors drawn from among the academic staff. They provide a range of services, not just one-to-one counselling but also regular workshops and talks on topics like emotional health, building of relationships, and stress and time management. The universities, polytechnics and ITE have the autonomy to deploy their resources in ways that best serve their students, including providing more counselling services if they feel that this is necessary. PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES (Motion) 1.38 pm”
“Sir, our schools run a tiered counselling system to meet students' counselling needs. All teachers are in the first tier in dealing with students who need counselling and advice. They are all given training in Basic Counselling Skills. Pupils who need a higher level of help are referred to Teacher Counsellors. There are two in each school. These Teacher Counsellors are trained in more advanced counselling and crisis intervention skills. Pupils requiring further assistance are referred to educational psychologists and guidance specialists at the MOE, ie, the Psychological and Guidance Services Branch of the MOE. We have about 40 such specialists, all with post-graduate training in either education psychology or guidance and counselling. Schools are also provided with funds to engage part-time counselling services, and indeed this is quite prevalent. To further augment the counselling resources of schools and school clusters, the School Counsellor Scheme was introduced last year. We have trained suitable retired education officers under the scheme, so that schools can tap on them as additional counselling support. By July this year, 30 school counsellors will be deployed to our schools or school clusters to provide further counselling support. MOE is prepared to train more of such counsellors if schools need their services. More broadly, schools work with Family Service Centres, VWOs and the self-help groups. Taken in totality, we have a comprehensive network of support, and the Ministry and schools will be quite happy to work with the various agencies to improve our use of this network of support. Our universities, polytechnics and ITE run their own counselling services to meet the needs of their students.”
“Sir, the short answer is no. If we look at the schools, we have expanded the number of places. We have provided for more autonomous schools, besides the independent schools, over time. All our schools are good schools, of course. But if we take those at the top end of the academic spectrum, there are now many more schools providing an excellent education and places for local students. So, there is no trade-off between the number of foreign students we take in and the number of local students able to get into the best schools. Likewise, if we look at the universities and polytechnics, we have greatly increased the number of places over the years for local students. So, there is no trade-off.”
“Sir, I beg to move. 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 Tharman Shanmugaratnam]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ANIMALS AND BIRDS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 5.00 pm”
“Clause 6 provides for wider representation in the constitution of the Board. Section 5(1) of the current Act stipulates that the Board shall consist of members representing the interests of the Government, employers, trade unions, professional and academic staff of the institutions of higher learning in Singapore. Clause 6 amends this section to allow Board members to come not only from these bodies, but also from any other sectors or classes of persons, such as the business community. This will provide greater flexibility in the selection and appointment of Board members. Clause 14 amends section 42(3) to increase the maximum penalty for offences under regulations made under the Act. It raises the maximum fine from $5,000 to $10,000, and the maximum imprisonment term from 6 months to 2 years. This is principally aimed at aligning the penalty for non-compliance (by conformity assessment bodies) in the testing and assessment of controlled goods, with the penalty under the Consumer Protection Act for the supply of non-registered controlled goods. Both offences result in the same consequence, that is, the supply of unsafe controlled goods, but at present the penalties under the PSB Act are much less than those under the Consumer Protection Act. Mr Speaker, Sir, the proposed amendments to the PSB Act address the fundamental need for Singapore to progress up the innovation ladder in order to remain competitive. We need to help local SMEs, in particular, to anticipate and adapt to emerging trends, discard models and practices that have outlived their usefulness, and reinvent themselves. We need to usher in a new SPRING of fresh ideas, new capabilities and creative initiatives in the workplace and in the business environment, in order to propel our economy to greater heights.”
“It will also pay particular attention to the development of our local SMEs, whose productivity lags significantly behind the larger companies in Singapore, as well as that of SMEs in the developed countries. In addition, PSB will continue to promote standards and quality to enhance productivity, to ensure product safety, and to promote market recognition and acceptance of our products. PSB's new name, SPRING Singapore, encapsulates these changes in its mission and functions. SPRING stands for Standards, Productivity and Innovation for Growth. It connotes innovativeness, dynamism and renewal - all attributes needed for future competitiveness and economic success. The amendments to the PSB Act reflect this new name, and the enlargement on the mandate, powers and functions of SPRING Singapore. Let me now move on to the key aspects of the Bill. Clause 5 of the Bill renames the Productivity and Standards Board as the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board, and enables it to carry out its functions under the business name "SPRING Singapore", or any other business name as the Minister may specify. This will give the Board the flexibility to change its business name as and when circumstances require, without having to change its legal name - Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board. Clause 7 expands the functions and duties of SPRING Singapore. The new functions include: (a) raising total factor productivity through the promotion of innovation; (b) promoting the development of the domestic sector; (c) being Singapore's national accreditation authority to accredit conformity assessment bodies; and (d) administering the Weights and Measures Act, which PSB took over from the previous Weights and Measures Office in April 1999.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Productivity and Standards Board (or PSB) was formed in April 1996 through the merger of the National Productivity Board (NPB) and the Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research (SISIR), with the mission of raising Singapore's productivity. Its focus then was on three key areas: productivity; standards and metrology, and small and medium enterprises. Over the last 20 years, PSB has spearheaded the nation-wide Productivity Movement as a key part of our economic strategy. Going forward, there is a continued need to champion productivity, as it will determine how competitive we are, and how fast our living standards can rise. However, as Singapore progresses from an investment-driven to an innovation-driven economy, we should refocus our productivity strategy. The emphasis has to be on increasing Total Factor Productivity (TFP), in other words, getting increases in output through better use of resources and better ways of organising firms' and industries' operations. There is a limit to how much we can raise productivity through greater capital investments alone. While capital investments remain critical for economic growth, gains in productivity will increasingly come from new ideas and quality improvements. PSB has thus revised its mission to focus on increasing our TFP by promoting innovation. It will help our workers and enterprises build up their capabilities to innovate and create higher value. PSB will help upgrade our domestic non-tradable sectors to make them more productive and resilient.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the scheme was revised in April last year. When MCDS revises its criteria, we will do accordingly. This scheme is not the only way in which we are assisting pupils. To begin with, schooling in Singapore is almost completely subsidised. The cost recovery rates are very low. I mentioned the range of schemes available through the community, and through all the schools. We also have the Edusave Merit Bursary which is for pupils doing well and who fall below a certain income band. That covers quite a broad percentage of our students. If there is any student, or family, who still faces difficulty, they can approach their MP who, I am sure, will be quite willing to see how he can be assisted. STATUTORY CORPORATIONS (CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 12.55 pm”
“On compulsory education, Mdm Halimah raised the issue of parents who may not register their children for primary school, even though compulsory education will be coming into effect next year. Compulsory education will be implemented from next year. Registration for Primary 1 in national primary schools will take place in July and August this year. There will be media announcements and publicity on the exercise. Parents will be reminded that compulsory education will be implemented from 2003, what this means and how this can help their child. The extent of non-registration for Primary 1 for 2003 will only be known in September this year. MOE does try to visit all cases of non-registration where they are contactable. We will be deploying people after this year's exercise to visit homes to counsel families to register their children for school. If they have financial problems, we will get the community to help them and advise them that the school can help them after they have registered. Financial difficulties are not a reason for a child not attending school. They can be attended to. Mdm Halimah also asked about the preparedness of the madrasahs for compulsory education. The Acting Minister for Community Development and Sports and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Yaacob Ibrahim, will be addressing this issue during MCDS' debate in the Committee of Supply.”
“The first is that cognitive development of a child in these early years proceeds hand in hand with the development of these other basic skills, including social and communicative skills that enable a child to listen with understanding, to express himself, to be curious, and to explore. A second reason relates to what Mr Gan Kim Yong mentioned, which is the importance of character development, and the fact that the building of the character has to begin in the early years. The new curriculum framework will be disseminated at the end of this year. Mr Chiam had commented on the need for kindergartens to be more innovative and interesting and referred to the Danish experience. One objective of developing the pre-school curriculum framework is to help kindergartens in planning and implementing more innovative programmes. Currently, there is a range of approaches adopted in the kindergartens. Some of them are quite innovative. Some kindergartens emphasise child-directed learning. Others have adopted approaches such as project work, real life situations, field trips, interest corners, dramatisation and role-playing, and fun-filled language activities. More kindergartens are also involving parents in learning activities during curriculum time. The Danish experience is interesting and so are the experiences of some other countries which we intend to study. There is something to be learned. The Danish experience is, in fact, one which focused, at an initial stage, principally on the training of teachers. This is what we are seeking to do now. This is the first and most important step in leveraging up the quality of pre-school education. We will continue to study these overseas experiences and learn what we can from their strengths, as well as their weaknesses, as we go along.”
“The Joint MOE-MCDS Pre-school Qualification Accreditation Committee, which was set up last year, has to date accredited 33 courses from 15 training agencies, including the National Institute of Education, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and other private training organisations. Mr Iswaran asked about the pilot study that was mentioned a while ago as part of the work of the Steering Committee. First, let me say that international studies on the benefits of pre-school education are varied. That is why we are embarking on a pilot study of our own, in the first instance to test the effectiveness of the new curriculum design and teaching methodologies that are being put in place. And in the longer term, to look at the benefits of improved pre-school education - the benefits in terms of cognitive development, social skills and so on. The initial two-year phase of this longitudinal study was implemented last year, and would be completed at the end of this year. The results will be made known at the beginning of next year. Mr Iswaran had also asked if there will be a skills benchmark of sorts for different subjects that are taught at pre-schools for students who are entering Primary 1. MOE has considered this earlier and decided that the pre-school curriculum framework will not benchmark skills for different subjects in relation to the Primary 1 syllabus. The framework instead emphasises the holistic development of children - their social skills, values, communicative and motor skills, self-concept and confidence, and of course, cognitive skills. MOE is encouraging kindergartens to move away from the current pre-dominantly academic focus towards a more balanced curriculum aimed at the all-round development of the child. There are two reasons for this.”
“Instead of becoming a provider of pre-school education, MOE is therefore putting resources into areas which would have the greatest leverage on the quality of pre-school education. The Pre-School Steering Committee, which was chaired by Dr Aline Wong, and which I now chair, is an on-going Committee. It has implemented a number of initiatives which are focused on key areas of leverage. These include drawing up a set of Desired Outcomes of Pre-School Education, developing a curriculum framework, setting standards for teachers and accrediting teacher-training programmes. MOE is also putting in place a licensing scheme to regulate kindergartens and to help ensure that standards are maintained. However, MOE has to regulate with a light touch. We can set the requirements for teacher qualifications, we can encourage kindergartens to develop coherent curricula and we can help them to achieve good standards in delivery of that curricula, but we cannot intrude to the extent that we effectively run the kindergartens. This licensing scheme is being developed. It will be introduced soon. It is essentially modelled on the scheme that MCDS has for child care centres. The best way to leverage up the quality of pre-school education is by better training of principals and teachers, and by attracting and retaining well-qualified personnel. That is why the Government has provided, beginning from this year, annual recurrent grants to eligible kindergartens so that they can structure attractive pay schemes to incentivise training and to attract better qualified personnel. Most pre-school education providers are on track in meeting the targets that have been set for training of principals and teachers.”
“Madam, I will answer the questions that have been raised on pre-school education. Mr Zainudin has asked about the Ministry's policy towards the pre-school sector, and whether the Ministry should not in fact take responsibility for the pre-school sector, as it does for schools. Mr Gan Kim Yong spoke of the benefits of pre-school education, and asked that the Government provide funding and curriculum guidelines for pre-school education. Mr Iswaran spoke about the ways in which we could raise quality, curriculum standards and teacher training. He also asked about the progress of the Pre-school Steering Committee. And I will come to Mr Chiam's point later on. 5.45 pm Let me start by saying that the Ministry does not view pre-school education as providing children with a simplified primary school curriculum in preparation for formal education at Primary 1. Pre-school education should aim to meet the distinct development needs of the child in his early years. It should aim to help the child develop socially, emotionally, physically, and not just provide literacy and numeracy skills to prepare the child for Primary 1. MOE has no intention of taking over the provision of pre-school education. Various community and private organisations are providing a range of pre-school education programmes to cater to different needs. It is important to preserve this diversity for the very reason that there is no single model for developing children at an early age. I agree fully with Mr Iswaran's comments in this regard - diversity is important, especially at the pre-school stage. Parents should have a choice of pre-school models to select from, according to their preferences and their children's needs.”
“We are not ruling out the possibility of recommending that the Government allow for a few private schools who have a particular niche to serve, and who can provide an added source of ideas and innovative practices in education. Sir, to conclude, the review of the JC and upper secondary education system is an important part of MOE's efforts to meet future challenges. The Review Committee will put up a consultation document for further public comment in a few months' time, and make its final recommendations to the Government within five months. We are embarking on major innovations in our upper secondary and Junior College system. Any changes that the Government decides to adopt will have to be thought through in detail, and prepared for extensively. Teachers will have to be prepared, and will have to be confident of teaching any new curriculum well. A major change to the JC curriculum will take about five years to develop and implement. If we allow some schools to offer integrated programmes leading to Junior College, those that are conducted within the existing curriculum framework can take off within the next two years. Mr Sin Boon Ann (Tampines) Sir, a clarification on the Minister's earlier statement. In asking Singaporeans to redefine the definition of success, I would like to ask the Minister whether the Government is prepared to set the example by doing away with the distinction in labelling within the civil service itself. It is common perception that within the service, there is a distinction made between ---”
“This could include allowing one or two schools to offer alternative programmes such as the International Baccalaureate, with appropriate local content. We have to accept that a more diverse education system, including new school structures or schools with different curricula, will carry with it a greater sense of differentiation. However, admission into such programmes has to be open, fair and meritocratic. Dr Wang raised the issue of whether the PSLE was an appropriate point at which students should be selected for integrated programmes leading up to JC. We are studying this carefully. There could be different points of entry for different schools offering integrated programmes, depending on how they structure their integrated programmes. One method being considered is for schools offering an integrated programme to admit students after the PSLE, as they currently do, and to assess after the lower secondary years, whether a student is suited to progressing on the integrated programme. Not all students in such schools will want to skip the "O" levels. The schools offering integrated programmes should also be able to take in a certain number of students at some point after the PSLE entry level. The school could do this by administering its own admission tests. As we consider freeing up the mainstream state-funded school system to allow for greater choice, the case for schools which are privately run and privately funded has been less compelling. Participants in the public consultation process have placed greater priority on the need for diversity within the state-funded system. However, the Review Committee has kept an open mind on the issue of private schools at this point.”
“For instance, an Arts School or a Mathematics and Science School, modelled along the lines of the Sports School, which will be operational in 2004. Dr Wang asked if such schools should not be run by the Ministry of Education. MOE will fund specialised independent schools in the same way it funds other independent schools. However, we prefer to have a specialised school run by a community that is willing to support the school and has an interest in its success, such as the arts community in the case of students with special talents in the arts. This is the best way of ensuring that there is demand for the school, and that the expertise, resources and energy of the community are brought to bear in the running of the school, not just initially but on a continuing basis. The community has to take ownership for the school to succeed. Another area that has attracted much discussion is the possibility of allowing some schools or Junior Colleges to offer integrated programmes, including both the upper secondary and JC level, within the same school. There is support in our public consultations for this proposal. Integrated programmes could be either four-year programmes beginning in Secondary 3, up to JC 2, or six-year programmes from Secondary 1 to JC 2. They can be offered by a single institution or by a family of institutions. One of the possibilities that is opened up by an integrated school is for some of its students - those who are confident of doing well in their "A" levels - to skip the "O" levels to free up time to develop their interests and for other broader educational experiences. We are also studying the possibility of allowing students in some schools to work towards different final qualifications, instead of the "A" levels.”
“The changes we introduce to the JC curriculum must therefore achieve an appropriate balance between breadth and depth of coverage, between content mastery and process skills, and between the academic and non-academic components of the curriculum. We must not compromise on the rigour of our JC curriculum. If we adopt a broader or more flexible curriculum, the learning process must remain demanding. We have to broaden the scope of the students' curriculum without lowering standards, the way it has turned out in some countries. But there will have to be trade-offs, so that we do not increase the overall load on students and teachers. There is no slack in our JCs, unlike the situation in the UK, for instance, before they introduced recent reforms requiring students to take more subjects at the "A" levels, or what they called "half-A levels". We cannot inject greater breadth without reducing the scope of content which students learn within the subjects they choose to specialise in. So there are trade-offs. The Review Committee is also studying whether we can achieve greater diversity in the structure of the upper secondary and JC education system, by allowing some schools to offer new pathways to a university education, new curricula and new assessment methods. We need this diversity in our system because there can be no single formula for preparing our young for an innovation-driven future - and an unpredictable future, a future which Mrs Yu-Foo described as "a change every day". In our public consultation sessions, there has been positive feedback on the case for specialised independent schools to develop students with special talents and abilities.”
“Employers, teachers and parents alike have emphasised the need to nurture strength of character, team spirit, enterprise, and a passion in what the students do. Whatever they choose to do, they must have passion. The Review Committee is studying various approaches to broaden the academic curriculum in JCs. One of these is a modular approach to the junior college curriculum, that will allow students to offer a core curriculum as well as electives in different areas. The elective subjects would be quite unlike the 'S' papers today, for instance, which drill deeper into subjects that students are taking at the "A" level. The broader JC curriculum could also be shaped to take into account what a student studies in his upper secondary years. All JC students would thus undergo a holistic programme of academic development over four years, in a range of subjects at their "O" and "A" levels, and at varying levels of difficulty. So as not to confuse Members, this is quite distinct from the issue of integrated schools, or through-train schools, which I will come to in a moment. The proposal I have just mentioned is one of those being studied for all JC students as part of the comprehensive review of the JC curriculum. 2.00 pm There is also support in the Review Committee and in our public consultations for retaining adequate depth in the JC curriculum. The main reason for this is that students have to pursue some subjects to a sufficient level of depth and difficulty in order to train their thinking skills and develop their powers of critical analysis. The traditional reasons for depth are also not irrelevant - the foundations that students acquire at JC in preparation for university cannot be too thin, particularly for those going on to pursue engineering and the sciences.”
“But the current JC curriculum, like that in the UK, but unlike that in the United States, grooms future engineers who have no exposure to biology at the JC level, and often even earlier. Within the framework of four 'A' level subjects, those wanting to do engineering at university will typically take two mathematics subjects, physics and chemistry. There is no room to spare for biology. NUS and NTU are now remedying this by requiring engineering students to take biology during their first year at university. But the long-term solution is to give some of our future engineers exposure to biology at JC, without them giving up any of the other subjects that they wish to take. This is an example of why we need a broader and more flexible JC curriculum. A key part of the work of the Review Committee is public consultation. Over the past two months, we have had dialogue with various groups with a stake in education - parents, employers, entrepreneurs and professionals, academics, principals and teachers, and students themselves. There has been broad support in the public consultation on the need to broaden the JC curriculum, in a number of respects. First, on the academic component of the curriculum, there is consensus in favour of students acquiring a broader range of knowledge, and for greater emphasis to be given to critical process skills, such as thinking and innovative skills, the ability to make connections across subject disciplines, and communication skills. Second, there is considerable feedback that there should be adequate emphasis on the non-academic curriculum, so as to develop life skills and enhance the leadership qualities of our JC students.”
“Further, most students who are now sitting for the 'A' levels go on to university, unlike the situation 20-30 years ago. It is no longer a terminal qualification. Our 'A' level curriculum requires students to narrow their interest after the 'O' levels, before they broaden out again at university. Dr Wang Kai Yuen described the structure as having a Coca Cola bottle shape. We are reviewing the JC curriculum, not because it has worked badly, but because of the fundamentally different environment which young Singaporeans will have to engage in in future. We have transited to a knowledge-based economy. We have to prepare the young, as Dr Wang says, for uncertainty, in a rapidly changing environment. Flexibility, and an ability to understand and draw on different knowledge disciplines, will be at a premium. It will be difficult for students to know at age 17, or even when they are at university, what jobs they will do when they enter the workforce, or what new jobs they will take on over the course of their careers. Further, whatever profession they are in, they will have to pick up new knowledge and skills every so often, to stay on top of their jobs and to keep an edge over the competition. More of this knowledge will be drawn from the interconnections between disciplines. Many of the major breakthroughs in knowledge, and the economic opportunities that come with them, are coming out of the spaces between traditional subject disciplines. We have to prepare our young for this future. An example is bio-engineering, already an area of tremendous opportunity. To groom talent in bio-engineering, we ideally want engineers who know something about biology.”
“Sir, Dr Wang Kai Yuen has expressed views on the issues under MOE's review of the junior college and upper secondary education system. The Review Committee on JC and Upper Secondary Education, which comprises both educationists as well as people from the people sector, private sector and public sector and which I chair, is looking into two main areas. First, the principles and framework for a revised JC curriculum; and, second, the introduction of greater diversity of programmes within schools. The current JC curriculum has its strengths. The 'A' levels have served as the standard bearer for the rigour and high standards of our JC and pre-university education for the last 30 years. Over the years, we have continuously improved the JC curriculum, but the basic structure of the 'A' level programme is unchanged from the time we adopted it from the British. It is a system that was designed to provide students at age 17-18 with a strong core of knowledge in a few subjects - 3 or 4 subjects - to prepare them to enter the workplace. It also prepared students to go on to universities in the British mould - universities which require students to complete relatively specialised degrees within three years. The basic structure is one of specialisation at the 'A' levels after a broad secondary school education leading up to the 'O' levels. It is like the British system, but quite unlike that in the US and most of the European countries, where students undergo a broad-based curriculum throughout their school and pre-university years. Our universities have, however, departed from the British model. They offer 4-year degree programmes in many disciplines, and are now providing a broader education within the first and second years of university.”
“Sir, we agree with Dr Tan Boon Wan that certain industry associations should be eligible for support under the Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme (LETAS). Currently, SPRING Singapore is already supporting industry associations that cater principally to SMEs. Project supported could be aimed either at upgrading the associations' own operations, so as to better serve the needs of the SME members or at upgrading the industry they represent.”
“Mr Ang Mong Seng and Mr Ong Kian Min had commented that tenants in JTC's amenity centres should be allowed extensions in their leases beyond the current nine years. Mr Ang also suggested fixed rental rates to help keep costs down. JTC amenities are leased out on 3-year terms, with an option to extend the lease for a further 3-year term, up to a maximum of nine years. The amenities are put for re-tender after the nine years. Re-tendering is part and parcel of market competition. It provides opportunities for new entrants, and establishes fair market value. Existing operators should be able to recover their investments over a nine-year period as the upfront investment in canteens is not high. Re-tendering to establish fair market value is better than JTC having to decide on an appropriate fixed rental. JTC recognises that its earlier tender mechanism may have contributed to overly high bidding by new entrants. It has improved its tender mechanism to ensure that the process is fair and transparent to all parties. It has introduced premature termination clauses to discourage bidders from submitting unrealistically high bids just to try out. Other recent improvements include an open e-bidding system, somewhat similar to the open COE bidding system, where bids are transparent for all to see.”
“It has seen several new state-of-the-art specialised parks, such as Tuas Biomedical Park, Jurong Island Petrochemical Hub and the Chemical Logistics Hub. However, although there have been new housing developments, shopping centres and leisure facilities in the Jurong region, Jurong was planned as a predominantly industrial-use estate. This has given rise to the perception of a lack of buzz in Jurong. JTC and URA are therefore looking at how Jurong can be reinvigorated, including introducing more mixed uses and creating a work-live-learn-play environment in the long term. The transport infrastructure in Jurong will also be improved - last October, the Ministry of Transport announced plans for a new light rapid transit line in the Jurong region. In addition, JTC is undertaking en bloc development of selective sites to rejuvenate the estate. And the experience of those en bloc exercises so far has been very successful. We will get more feedback from Mrs Yu-Foo and other MPs in Jurong as our plans progress. Mr Ong Kian Min has highlighted that industrialists in Tuas find it difficult to attract employees, due to inadequate public transportation infrastructure there. We have had similar feedback from industrialists. As Tuas Industrial Estate is new, public transportation is not as extensive or as frequent as desired because of the high costs involved in providing a service to cater for the peakish ridership over a widely dispersed area. JTC is currently working with the Ministry of Transport and the public transport operator (SBS Transit) to improve public transport service levels. As an immediate solution, SBS Transit will be refining some of the existing services to provide a direct connection to Tuas and shorten the travelling time from Boon Lay.”
“The ERC Subcommittee on Domestic Enterprises is considering a proposal to allow merchants or neighbourhood associations to initiate the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) for their neighbourhoods, rather than leaving the selection to HDB. Sir, it would be mistaken to assume that the entire SME sector is mired in problems. I have highlighted a few examples of enterprising SMEs that have thrived in this difficult business environment. SMEs, as a whole, are also expressing more confidence now that the economic downturn is bottoming out. SPRING Singapore's survey of SMEs in December last year showed that 82% of SMEs felt that they could survive at least seven months or longer, up sharply from 46% of SMEs in July. In March this year, another survey showed that the proportion of SMEs reporting worsening cash flow dropped to 56% from 86% in December. The Government will do what it can to improve and refine the assistance it renders to SMEs. But Government can only act as a catalyst, and not a continuing source of support. We can give promising firms a leg up, not a crutch. The best way for the Government to help SMEs grow is to provide a pro-enterprise environment that facilitates the growth of enterprises by keeping taxes low, removing barriers to entry and exit, and maintaining a level playing field for all competitors. The SMEs are responsible for their own survival and growth in this competition. If they continuously upgrade their capabilities, develop their human capital, and invest in innovations, they can get ahead of the competition and withstand the vicissitudes of the economic environment. Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked that Government upgrade and revitalise Jurong Industrial Estate. Jurong is a vibrant industrial district.”
“45 pm Sir, the LETAS scheme, which I mentioned earlier, helps SMEs improve their business capabilities in a range of areas - product, business and market development, brand development, as well as technical and operations improvements. Even in the economic downturn, the number of grants approved under LETAS increased by 11% last year. In addition, SPRING Singapore's Jumpstart E-commerce Programme has helped one in three SMEs make e-commerce part of their business operations, by getting them to adopt affordable ready-made shared solutions. Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed expressed concern that improving the productivity of companies may lead to less employment. Sir, if our enterprises are more productive and efficient, they will be more competitive. Most, even if not all, will hire more workers as their business volume goes up. A productive economy and vibrant enterprise scene will also attract new investments and new businesses, leading to greater employment overall. Sir, Miss Penny Low asked that Government help SMEs who cannot upgrade and cannot compete effectively to exit gracefully. As a general principle, entry and exit have to be left to the market. However, the SME retail sector in HDB estates faces a special, structural problem. There is an excess supply of shops in some estates and not enough business. Some rationalisation is unavoidable and will help those shopkeepers whose business remains viable. As Members know, the Government has piloted a Voluntary Retirement Scheme in seven selected estates. Last year, about 95 shopkeepers, or 35% of those affected, decided to take up the offer of ex-gratia payment and exit from the business.”
“From a small family business running a traditional cafeteria at the Singapore General Hospital, Tac's now has a 7,000 square feet factory with its own R&D department, creating original soybean based bakery products, including OKARA burgers. A second example is BreadTalk, a boutique in what must be one of the oldest food industries. They have been able to differentiate themselves from other bakeries by creating original pastries that appeal to Asian tastes, such as their signature pork floss bun. George Quek, BreadTalk's founder, started his entrepreneurial career in Taiwan, where from a very humble start, he built up a successful food stall. He returned in the early 90s and started his first food court at Junction 8, where he introduced the concept of profit sharing with his stall operators, and brought in foreign fare like Thai and Japanese food in addition to the regular food court staples. From his experience in running a multi-fare food court, George struck on the idea of putting traditional Asian favourites like "bak hu" and "tom yam" into bread and buns. He started BreadTalk, which has now grown to 13 outlets in Singapore and is now planning his expansion into China and the rest of the region. Sir, neither Bill Lee nor George Quek started off in high-tech or knowledge-based businesses. But they have succeeded by experimenting and investing in new concepts, taking calculated risks and executing their strategies carefully. Both firms received grants and loans from Government to help them in their innovations. Both are located at JTC's Kampong Ampat Foodlink, which is a facility designed to allow for cost synergies among food manufacturers. 1.”
“But SMEs can grow and succeed by developing the capacity to innovate. Many other high cost countries have a vibrant SME sector. Denmark is one example. It has thriving SMEs, and their level of productivity averages 86% of that of large enterprises. In Singapore, SMEs' productivity is about 60% of the national average. In Germany, most of the companies in the precision engineering industry, where Germany is widely acknowledged to be the world leader, are SMEs. In the state of Bavaria, for instance, SMEs account for over half of the total manufacturing sector's employment and about 40% of manufacturing turnover. Sir, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua said that we should not neglect Old Economy firms. We agree with her. Innovation is as important in the Old Economy as in the New Economy, and the labels themselves are wearing thin as knowledge-based enterprises spring up in what used to be thought of as Old Economy industries. We have had several home grown successes in some of these industries. The food industry is a good example. Apart from well-known examples like Tee Yih Jia and others who have made it big internationally, there are several other local companies with great promise. Let me mention two companies which I visited earlier this year, and whose founders I met. They are examples of companies which have, even in the downturn, continued to innovate and experiment with new products, processes and concepts, and have succeeded. The first example is Tac's Pte Ltd. Tac's turns industrial waste in the form of raw soybean residue into nutritional bakery food products which are high in dietary fibre. The residue is called OKARA. It is a Japanese concept. The idea came from founder Bill Lee's encounter with a Japanese scientist who introduced him to the concept.”
“The LEFS and LETAS enhancements are due to expire at the end of next month. Government has decided to extend them to the end of the year to help tide SMEs over while the economy is recovering. SPRING Singapore is also exploring a Loan Insurance Scheme for SMEs, whereby participating financial institutions buy insurance on the market to cover part of the risk of loan default. SPRING Singapore will help defray the insurance premium costs. It hopes to introduce the scheme later this year, which should widen the financing options open to SMEs. Mr Inderjit Singh has also suggested that the LEFS scheme be expanded to allow for hybrid financing by participating financial institutions, for example, where VCs and investors provide convertible loans or subscribe for preferred shares. We agree with Mr Singh that this is worth looking into. However, we will need to adjust the terms for LEFS, including the question of whether it would still be appropriate for Government to share 80% of the risk when the investors are using equity-type instruments. Dr John Chen asked for the Government to take more direct stakes in SMEs and start-ups. This is indeed what EDB's Start-Up Enterprises Development Scheme (SEEDS) seeks to do. SEEDS was set up in October last year. So far, about 40 applications have been approved, amounting to an equity injection of $10 million from SEEDS, with a matching injection of $10 million from the private sector. Next, capability development. Sir, the Government has sought where it can to improve SMEs' access to financial markets. That is the first prong. The second prong of Government assistance to SMEs is to help them build up their capabilities. Our cost environment will never match that of countries with a lower standard of living than us.”
“This has led to particular difficulties during the economic downturn, because of falling asset values. The Ministry is encouraged by the interest of some banks to develop cash flow financing facilities. The banks will have to build up the expertise to make cash flow projections and monitor companies' positions on an ongoing basis. But the SMEs themselves will have to open up their books to the banks, much more than is the case for traditional financing, and develop better methods of financial management. SPRING Singapore has implemented a Financial Advisor grant scheme to help SMEs in doing so. Dr John Chen and Mr Arthur Fong were concerned that present Government financing schemes for SMEs were also asset based and do not provide working capital or business cycle financing. Sir, the Government has been paying special attention to working capital financing, including cash flow financing. Under the Local Enterprise Finance Scheme (LEFS), Government has made working capital loans to over 400 firms last year, compared to 35 a year earlier. SPRING Singapore's new Micro Loans Programme, which provides loans of up to $50,000, very small amounts but to very small companies, without requiring evidence of orders in hand, has been very popular. More than 500 Micro loans have been granted since November last year, when the scheme was first started. Sir, the Government has also increased its share of the loan risk under LEFS, from 50% to 80%, in the two off-Budget packages last year to encourage the participating financial institutions not to cut back on lending under the scheme during the economic downturn. Similarly, Government funding for certain schemes under the Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme (LETAS) was raised from 50% to 70%.”
“Mr Singh also suggested that we categorise SMEs into those with and without growth potential. This is indeed what EDB and IE Singapore have been seeking to do, so as to focus resources and assistance on companies with the acumen and willingness to upgrade, and which have had some measure of success. However, the definition of what constitutes a growth company will have to remain soft, to ensure that promising companies are not denied support on the basis of inflexible criteria. If every company had to smell like a rose, look like a rose and feel like a rose before it stood the chance of being accepted as a rose, we would end up with a very small rose garden. Mr Wee Siew Kim has asked that Government be more pro-active in identifying global and regional champions. However, Mr Inderjit Singh felt that Government should outsource the selection of promising local enterprises (PLEs) to the private sector, as Government officials cannot be relied upon to choose winners correctly. The Government's approach is to recognise winners that have been chosen by the market. We welcome feedback and nominations of PLEs and potential regional champions from the private sector. Next, access to financing. Mr Inderjit Singh, Mr Ong Kian Min, Mr Arthur Fong, Dr John Chen and others have pointed out the difficulties that SMEs have in obtaining financing. Their concern is valid. In fact, in most countries, start-ups and SMEs at an early stage find it difficult to obtain bank loans. In the US, for instance, few start-ups and early stage ventures obtain their financing. As Members have pointed out, the tradition among Singapore-based banks has been to lend on the basis of balance sheets rather than cash flows.”
“As the Minister has just mentioned, SPRING Singapore is the primary agency serving domestic SMEs. It also provides SMEs with a one-stop service to advise them on which assistance schemes, anywhere in Government, are best suited to their needs, and refers them to other agencies where necessary. SPRING Singapore has advised several thousand SMEs in this process of seeking out the best assistance in Government, given their needs. We still find cases where SMEs are sent from pillar to post when they seek Government assistance, but the instances are now few. The multi-agency approach, with SPRING Singapore serving as a central point of contact, allows for solutions to be customised to a very diverse range of companies - some domestic, some going international, some very small, some past the mezzanine stage, some with financing needs and others with various specific capabilities that need jacking up, and across a whole range of industries. However, MTI agrees that we need to streamline and rationalise our incentive and assistance schemes, and intends to do so. Mr Singh also felt that we are imposing MNC-type rules and criteria when assessing applications by SMEs for grants and incentive schemes. Sir, the schemes operated by EDB and IE Singapore to help companies grow do not give special preference to small companies. However, Members may be surprised to know that where EDB schemes are concerned, 50% of the total number of projects assisted last year were for local enterprises, and 10% were for local SMEs. Under IE Singapore's grant scheme to help companies develop overseas markets, 73% of the projects assisted were for SMEs. Further, all of SPRING Singapore's assistance schemes are focused on SMEs. There is no lack of support for SMEs.”
“SMEs no longer find themselves having to engage consultants to produce in-depth business plans as part of their applications. All this reduces cost. Mr Inderjit Singh suggested that owners of factories should be allowed to sell back their factories to JTC and then lease the premises from JTC. JTC is not keen to take on this role. Buying back and leasing is essentially a financial arrangement that the private sector is able to provide and, indeed, has begun to provide in a number of cases. Sir, the other major component of costs is wages. To stay competitive, wages cannot run ahead of productivity. However, the objective of economic policy is not to force wages down but to raise productivity, so that workers can enjoy higher standards of living. We may have to cut wages during a bad economic downturn to save jobs, as the Government has done by reducing employer's CPF contribution rates across the board. But the longer-term solution for competitiveness lies in upgrading skills and capabilities in Singapore so as to increase productivity. Sir, we agree with Mr Inderjit Singh that other cost components, in particular Government fees and utility charges, should be kept as low as possible, so as not to load up business costs, except where there are specific policy objectives, such as energy and water conservation. Mr Raymond Lim will be elaborating on keeping such costs competitive, including the business of electricity tariffs. Sir, there is a wide array of assistance schemes to help SMEs. Mr Inderjit Singh feels that there are too many schemes administered by too many Government agencies, and suggested that we should form a one-stop agency overall in charge of nurturing and growing local companies.”
“For lessees, as distinct from tenants, they are allowed to sublet as much space as they want after the first five years. This liberal subletting policy allows the firms to better manage operating costs. It also makes it easier for small firms to obtain space by subletting from someone else, instead of paying for an entire factory unit. Sir, companies affected by the downturn are now allowed to defer their committed investments for a year or more on a case-by-case basis by the JTC, so that they can use their available funds to meet immediate operational requirements. In addition, industrialists whose leases are expiring but who are unable to decide on their investment plans due to business uncertainties are allowed to defer the renewal decision for two years while remaining in their sites as tenants. JTC also has a scheme to help small companies that are starting out new businesses or new product lines to overcome cash flow difficulties during the initial years. It gives them rental discounts of 70% in the first year, reducing to 30% in the third year. This is the New Business Creation Incentive Scheme. JTC is, in addition, designing no-frills facilities to help SMEs who need fairly standard functional spaces to minimise their costs. Under a further relaxation of JTC rules, exiting tenants no longer have to restore their premises to their original use if the incoming tenants are prepared to take over the premises in their current state. This saves cost for both the exiting and incoming tenants. JTC has also increased the supply of land with shorter tenures of 20 years or less, in response to requests from SMEs. Finally, the application process for JTC space has itself been vastly simplified. Application forms have been shortened from 11 pages to 3.”
“JTC now builds factories, which used to be on the ground level, on multiple storeys with vehicular access. These are popular with companies. Our petrochemical companies occupying huge tracts of reclaimed land are also competitive because of the advantage of large scale integration. Sir, current land prices in Singapore are competitive. JTC's posted industrial land rentals in urban and suburban areas have declined by about 40% since the peak in 1996, while those in outlying areas have fallen by about 19%. Singapore's prime CBD office occupation costs are now much lower than in Hong Kong, Taipei, and even Beijing. They also remain lower, of course, than Tokyo, London and New York. Not every business will find Singapore's land costs competitive with other locations for the particular activity they are engaged in. But at current prices, we are fully able to attract a range of industries that add value to Singapore. During the current economic conditions, the Government has reduced rentals so as to help companies, especially SMEs, cushion the downturn in their revenues and cash flow. The JTC rental rebates are due to expire in June. The Government has decided to extend the rebates to the end of the year. A total of 9,000 companies, including 5,000 SMEs, will continue to benefit from JTC rental rebates, which are currently about 20% on average and, in some cases, up to 30%. 1.30 pm Besides giving direct rebates, JTC has liberalised several of its policies to give its customers greater flexibility in managing their costs. I will cite several of these measures because the specifics are important. Members may not be aware of them, and they do add up to a significant improvement in business costs. First, JTC now allows firms to sublet up to 50% of their space.”
“Sir, many Members have expressed concerns about the problems and challenges that our SMEs face. Sir, the Government places great importance on developing a vibrant SME sector. It recognizes the difficulties faced by small firms in getting access to financing, or in investing in technologies and capabilities before they have acquired economies of scale. I will address Members' queries on how Government is assisting the SMEs. But first let me elaborate on the issue of business costs as was raised by several Members, including Mr Inderjit Singh, Mr Ong Kian Min, Miss Penny Low, Mr Arthur Fong, Dr John Chen and Mrs Lim Hwee Hua. As the Minister has said, the Government takes very seriously the issue of cost. There are three main components in business cost: land, wages, and what Mr Inderjit Singh referred to as hidden costs, or charges and levies imposed by Government, such as utility fees. Land costs are of concern to the Ministry, particularly industrial land. We agree with Mr Inderjit Singh that land has to be priced to ensure that manufacturing remains viable in Singapore. Land is zoned for industrial use in Singapore for this reason. The State has provided a substantial amount of industrial land which will secure the long term requirements of our manufacturing sector. Land is scarce in Singapore and we cannot match land prices in much larger countries or those with much lower standards of living. Our approach in industrial land is therefore not to match the lowest prices internationally, but to make the most competitive use of the little land we have. Hence, we ask industrialists to make more intensive use of their land and cluster together to share common facilities.”
“Sir, I do not have figures on the success rate. But the impression that I have is that the programme has been quite effective so far. Schools have been able to deal with the problems that they see, work with parents and help turn around a child. In general, that has been the experience, but I do not have figures with me. MEDICAL STUDENTS IN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE (Cost of training) 6. Dr Lily Neo asked the Minister for Education if he could provide a breakdown of the cost of training a medical student at the National University of Singapore. The Minister of State for Education (Dr Ng Eng Hen) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Medical Faculty of the National University of Singapore currently incurs a cost of $80,000 a year for every medical student. Each student pays $16,000. The Ministry of Education subsidises, per capita, to the tune of about $64,000. This cost includes operating expenditure and manpower. It does not include developmental costs, neither does it include specific research grants given to the institutions to do their research.”
“Sir, the answer has to be, in principle, yes, we should try to detect problems as early as possible. The question is how much of a teacher's time and energies can be focused on detecting problems that are not already apparent. There has to be a limit to what we can expect a teacher to do. Their principal task is to teach the curriculum well and to bring up their charges well. They will not be able to detect all problems early enough. The principal responsibility has to remain with the family. Teachers and schools will work closely with parents in that regard, but the principal responsibility is with the family.”
“Sir, that is indeed the methodology. When schools refer serious cases to the Ministry of Education, we will often, in fact, assist the school by referring the case to appropriate agencies, which include the Child Guidance Clinic, Family Service Centres and various voluntary organisations. Dr Ong Seh Hong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State whether the Ministry would consider actually doing more work on primary prevention rather than on secondary and tertiary prevention, when a problem happens. Many of these emotional and psychological problems could be alleviated or reduced if the students, family and teachers are properly trained to deal with their stress and emotional problems, and so on and so forth.”
“Sir, there is certainly no restraint on schools employing further resources but, as I mentioned, every school has two Teacher Counsellors who have been specially trained for this purpose. This is on top of the basic training which every teacher receives. So we have several layers of support beyond every teacher. First, the specialised Teacher Counsellors in every school, two per school; second, what we started last year, at the cluster level we are training retired education officers, providing them advanced training in counselling skills; and, third, at the level of the Ministry itself, where our specialists will be able to help schools when problems arise.”
“Sir, if I understand it correctly, that is indeed part and parcel of being a teacher. If they spot problems, they will follow up on it. Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman (Sembawang): Sir, in relation to dealing with more difficult cases, I understand that independent schools have used the model of employing full-time social workers and school counsellors to deal with more difficult cases. Will the Ministry consider allowing Government schools to employ professional social workers or school counsellors to be based in schools to deal with the cases directly and more immediately?”
“Sir, as I mentioned, teachers are trained to detect problems. They are not experts. They may not be able to detect all problems early enough. I do not think we would want to burden teachers with too many duties of this nature. Their principal task is to teach their classes well, to attend to their charges, to be able to spot problems when they arise, and to deal with them. But we should not put the responsibility on them to engage in too much diagnostics. When problems present themselves, they will have to react sensibly and in a fashion that provides care for the students. But we should not increase the duties of the teachers too far beyond their existing responsibilities.”