Learn to ‘struggle’ with AI to fight cognitive decline (1 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – After tackling a practice problem, Puah Joon Leng photographs his working and asks artificial intelligence to identify his mistakes. It is a deliberate ritual: he wants to have already wrestled with the problem before the answer arrives.
“When the AI schools me, it will be more impactful,” said the 23-year-old Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) engineering student.
On open-ended assignments, AI acts as a teammate that helps him map out the field, locate research papers, and stress-test his arguments.
Puah feeds AI tools like Perplexity, ChatGPT and Gemini with research papers, GitHub projects, builder blogs and LinkedIn posts to help him update his knowledge in fast-moving fields like AI and robotics. He does this by asking the AI tools to identify what is new or worth paying attention to and whether new research represents a genuine advance or merely hype.
“What I find most valuable is not just having articles summarised but having AI connect the dots.”
However, Puah stresses that the synthesis and final judgments remain entirely his own – yet another deliberate attempt to ensure he retains ownership of his critical thinking.
This willingness to struggle with a problem, rather than turning to AI for easy shortcuts, is a trait researchers and educators now consider increasingly precious. Bypassing this struggle, they warn, could cost students their critical thinking skills.
This concern over the technology’s long-term cognitive impact is the second wave of the AI debate taking hold in the education sector.
OpenAI’s 2022 release of ChatGPT ignited the first AI wave, which quickly triggered a massive arms race. Today’s generative-AI landscape is crowded with powerful alternatives – from Google’s Gemini and Meta’s Llama to models such as Anthropic’s Claude, and DeepSeek.
Immediately following the first AI wave, schools were less focused on the psychological nuances of productive struggle and more concerned with an immediate, existential threat to academic integrity.
The United States’ two largest public school systems, New York City and Los Angeles, banned ChatGPT shortly after its launch. Across the globe, universities from Paris to Bengaluru enacted similar bans, citing threats to academic integrity and plagiarism.
Then, Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) did not issue a blanket ban but instead committed a $1.8 million fund to boost AI skills and literacy among students in 2022. In 2023, MOE launched the EdTech Masterplan 2030 and started to introduce AI-enabled tools on the student learning platform.
Public universities here adopted a similar stance. Students are allowed to use AI tools to complete their assignments, but they cannot flout rules on things like plagiarism.
These rules were put to the test in 2025 when three students from Nanyang Technological University got zero marks for an assignment after they were found to have used Gen AI tools in their work. NTU upheld the zero mark given to one of the students penalised as it was found that the student had 14 instances of false citations or data in her essays, the university said.
The Singapore narrative
Since 2023, Singapore’s education sector has matured significantly, shifting towards a more measured and proactive approach.
For the 33,000 teachers in local public schools, MOE has progressively rolled out more AI-assisted teaching and marking tools. They include Markly, which helps teachers grade essays, and Authoring Copilot, which generates lesson ideas and activities.
MOE is also promoting the use of AI-enabled learning companions for school-going children as young as 10 years old, sparking a heated debate among parents about whether early exposure short-circuits the development of foundational thinking. These AI tools, available on the MOE-backed Student Learning Space, act as digital tutors that provide feedback on writing or maths problems.
Amplifying this shift is Singapore’s Personal Learning Device initiative, which guarantees secondary school students digital access, making AI tools more readily available.
Singapore’s trajectory stands apart from its neighbours’, not just in pace, but also in philosophy. For countries with less developed education infrastructure – where an AI-enabled device might be the only available teacher in a remote province – AI is primarily a tool for basic access.
For Singapore – where every student in the public school system already has a device, a qualified teacher and a curriculum-aligned AI platform – the conversation has moved on. The question is no longer about access, but about consequence: what exactly are students gaining access to, and at what hidden cost?"
Ways to prompt AI to ensure learning is not lost (1 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Artificial intelligence tools can be used without losing one’s capacity to think critically.
Here are ways to use AI to ensure learning is not lost.
1. Mathematics problem-solving
Instead of this: “Solve this algebra question for me: 3x + 5 = 20.” The AI will respond simply by giving the answer, x = 5, and the steps.
The student gets the solution but may not understand the steps to derive the answer to replicate them independently.
Try this prompt: “I am trying to solve this algebra question: 3x + 5 = 20. Do not give me the answer. Ask me questions one at a time to help me identify the next step.”
In this way, AI acts like a tutor guiding students through the problem.
2. Essay writing
Instead of this: “Here is my essay question. Write me a first draft.” The student may have the essay, but would lose any learning from wrestling with the various arguments, structuring and evidence gathering.
Try writing a rough first draft independently, even if it is bad or in point form. Then, paste the first draft into an AI tool and ask: “Read my essay like a strict teacher. Do not rewrite it. Identify my weakest argument and ask me one question that would help me strengthen it myself.”
In this way, AI becomes a source of feedback rather than a ghostwriter, and the voice or judgment behind the essay remains the student’s.
Anieyrudh R., an engineering product development student at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, said AI should be asked to critique and not complete. For instance, students should ask AI to check assumptions, logic gaps or weak reasoning and to provide counter examples.
An example of one such prompt is: “Do not solve this from scratch. Critique my current attempt. Identify assumptions and gaps, and where my reasoning is weak. Then ask me one question that would help me to refine the answer.”
Total eclipse of the heart: Family channels passion for chasing eclipses around the world into book (1 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – When Koh Joo Beng, 66, was doing national service as a young man, he was sometimes assigned guard duty outdoors.
He recalls his overnight shifts on the island of Pulau Tekong during his first three months of basic military training: “You’re looking up at the sky and you see shapes that move. But it’s not the stars that are moving – you are.”
Constellations shift their positions at night throughout the year. But they appear to move because of the motion of the Earth, which rotates on its axis and orbits the Sun.
Koh’s star-gazing days in NS sparked an interest in astronomy and chasing solar eclipses decades later. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, blocking all or some of the Sun’s rays from reaching the Earth.
The retired research and development director, who has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, acquired a master’s degree in astronomy from Australia’s Swinburne University of Technology in middle age. Around the same time, he and his wife Janet Tay ticked off his bucket-list goal of experiencing their first total solar eclipse in 2008.
The couple have since spent holidays chasing 14 solar eclipses across the continents, eventually drawing their three adult sons into this celestial quest.
Koh and his eldest son Jared Koh recently wrote and self-published a book titled Chasing Totality, which includes information on how to make the most of the total solar eclipse on Aug 12, which will pass over Greenland, Iceland and Spain. They will be viewing this eclipse – the elder Koh’s 15th – from a cruise ship off the coast of northern Spain, in a 16-strong group comprising family and friends.
Totality refers to the brief peak, lasting a couple of minutes, of a total solar eclipse when the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon, turning the sky dark as night. The entire eclipse could span several hours."
More students can take mother tongue language elective programme from 2027 (1 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – More students can deepen their study of mother tongue languages from 2027 as the Education Ministry (MOE) expands the Language Elective Programme at both the secondary and junior college levels.
The Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP) at the junior college level will be expanded to a sixth school, Anderson Serangoon JC (ASRJC).
The Tamil Language Elective Programme (TLEP) at both secondary and junior college levels will be expanded to the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre.
Students from schools that do not offer the TLEP can take it up at the centre, which also organises cultural programmes and showcases Indian performing arts.
Education Minister Desmond Lee announced these changes at the Mother Tongue Languages Symposium 2026, held at the Singapore Expo on Aug 1. The event is held every two years.
Those who wish to learn Malay as a third language can look forward to the expansion of the Malay (Special Programme), or M(SP), to a fifth centre at National Junior College (NJC).
The four-year M(SP), which leads up to the O Levels, is currently offered at 12 secondary schools and four “centres” – the MOE Language Centre (Bishan), Bukit Batok Secondary School, Tampines Secondary School and Zhonghua Secondary School.
Students whose schools do not offer M(SP) attend lessons at the centre nearest to their school.
This will allow those whose mother tongue is not Malay to learn the language and build an understanding of the socio-cultural aspects of the Malay community in Singapore and the region, said MOE on Aug 1."
Why Mohamed Latiff Mohamed’s Confrontation should be re-read after The Albatross File (1 August 2026)
"Who: Three-time Singapore Literature Prize winner Mohamed Latiff Mohamed (1950-2022) is best known for his Malay poetry, but is also a prolific writer of short stories and novels.
His determined efforts to write from the perspective of the disenfranchised during Singapore’s early nation-building years earned him the reputation of being a “poet of protest”.
It was anger that fuelled him - “If I'm ever happy with how things are, I'll stop writing,” he once said - and his provocations earned him the Cultural Medallion in 2013.
He was active regionally, serving as the vice-president of Malay literary group Angkatan Sasterawan 50. Several of his works have been translated into English, including Confrontation (2013), originally written in Malay with the title Batas Langit, or Sky's Limit, in 1996.
He migrated to Melbourne, Australia, in 2015 and died of natural causes in his sleep at 72.
What: Confrontation was translated by Shaffiq Selamat into English and published by Epigram Books in 2013. It was one of the recommended books by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Presidential Pop-up Library in 2025.
The book is split into two distinct halves. The first is an itinerant view of Kampung Pak Buyung, the abode of the colourful characters of the Banyan tree-climbing Adi, bomoh (witch doctor) Abang Dolah, drunken Kak Salmah and mentally challenged Pungut.
The second half accelerates through the political developments that culminate in Singapore's independence, packing in the general elections in 1959 and 1963, the formation of Malaysia, race riots, Konfrontasi - Indonesia's violent bombing campaign against Malaysia - and finally, separation.
Already, this is an unusual structure, emphasising post-colonial politics as rupture.
It also directly relates to how rapid political developments trans- formed participants' experience of formed participants' experience of time. While the first section focuses on the internal dynamics of the Kampung, the second half is crammed with big historical hits as characters begin determining their aspirations and fears in relation to the state.
Mohamed Latiff does not strike a celebratory tone for Singapore's self-determination, reframing the independent Singapore story as the dashing of Malay hopes.
In many ways, this is an anti bildungsroman of a nation, more daring and historically revelatory than many other texts."
The courage to go bald: Why more girls are shaving their heads for children with cancer (1 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Walking into the foyer of Yishun Innova Junior College on July 1, Gerlyn Ng was met with cheers and loud applause from her schoolmates.
She was not receiving an award. The 18-year-old was about to have her long, black hair shaved off in a show of support for children battling cancer, and was the only female in her school to do so that day.
“I was very nervous. But the whole thing took only about three minutes,” she said.
She is one of a growing number of females joining the annual Hair for Hope campaign by the Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) to raise awareness of childhood cancer and funds for the cause. People go bald in solidarity with young patients, showing them it is okay to lose one’s hair.
The 2026 edition, which runs from March 4 to Aug 16, aims to raise $5 million for programmes and services that the foundation provides to children who have cancer and their families.
Immediately after, Gerlyn headed straight for a mirror in the nearest toilet to take in her new look. She had been preparing herself by using TikTok filters to imagine herself bald. The reality, she found, was far better.
“I realised it’s not such a big deal. More people do look at me in public...but shorter hair is more convenient, more cooling. And my daily life still continues; it has not changed,” she said.
She was drawn to the cause when she heard about the event.
She sought courage from her friends to break the news to her family, thinking that her parents would object, as she had never worn her hair above her shoulders. Instead, after she explained why she wanted to do it, they encouraged her.
“Even my three brothers, who thought I was crazy at first,” said Gerlyn, the second oldest of four children.
A female schoolmate tried to discourage her, saying that she could not imagine Gerlyn without her hair.
“I understand why she felt that way. There is a stigma that girls look nicer with longer hair or that it is a big part of their identity,” she said.
Looking back, Gerlyn has no regrets and encourages more girls to take the leap for a good cause. As at July 27, she has raised $1,570 through donations for shaving her hair off, and hopes this sum will grow before donations close on Aug 16.
“I know girls worry about how they look bald, but it’s not that bad. It’s kind of cute,” she said.
The CCF partners about nine to 12 schools yearly to hold Hair for Hope satellite events. In 2026, nine co-educational schools took part. These included Hwa Chong Institution, Holy Innocents’ Primary School, Nexus International School and Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
Among the 448 students who took part at these school events, 19 were girls. In the past four years, between 15 and 30 female students have shaved their hair off each year in schools."
Stay curious in the age of AI, TikTok chief Chew Shou Zi tells NTU PhD graduates (1 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Hours spent playing computer games as a boy fuelled his curiosity about technology that eventually led Chew Shou Zi to become TikTok chief executive.
In a speech to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) PhD graduates on Aug 1, the Singaporean said he built his career on this curiosity, and the belief that impact often means doing things differently from what everyone expects.
Chew, 43, who was born in Singapore in 1983, said these ideas started early in life, with countless hours spent on a computer his father bought when he was a child.
He was speaking at the first of two ceremonies at which 575 graduates received doctorates. They are part of the largest batch of graduates in NTU’s history numbering over 14,000 who will graduate in 29 ceremonies this year.
Said Chew: “I would love to tell you that I was using the computer to code some brilliant software and building the future, but the reality is I was playing computer games. A lot of them.”
He told the graduates he later left his keyboard and Singapore to study economics at University College London, and worked at investment bank Goldman Sachs. He then went to Harvard Business School for a master of business administration.
It was while he was in finance that he found himself watching a massive shift as major investments began pouring into innovative new ideas and tech start-ups, he said.
“Over time, that pull I felt towards technology when I was younger kept resurfacing, and that’s the beautiful thing about genuine curiosity – it’s incredibly resilient,” he said. He followed this pull and left finance, moving into tech.
In 2015, he became chief financial officer of Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi. He later moved to ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, and has helmed TikTok since 2021.
Chew urged the graduates to keep their curiosity alive as artificial intelligence reshaped the workforce they will enter, like the digital transformation did when he was launching his career.
Massive change happening
He noted they were leaving school in a period of massive structural change.
He said: “We see it every single day, and an unprecedented, big-picture innovation era. This is a pivotal and exciting point in history – where change is not constant, but exponential and compounding.”
In the face of this, they should actively seek out the unknown and apply their knowledge to the messy, ambiguous problems of the real world, he said.
He added: “Seek out rooms where you are the least experienced person in them. Embrace uncertainty because that is where meaningful innovation happens.”
Government will continue to invest in infrastructure, education for Singaporeans: PM Wong (1 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The Government will continue to invest in education, housing and public infrastructure for Singaporeans, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, even as it steps up support for households during difficult economic times.
He was speaking on Aug 1 at the reopening of Fuchun Community Club in Marsiling.
PM Wong said the Government also continued to invest in the essentials that Singaporeans cared about. He added that the Government provides extra help in tougher times, pointing to support packages, including CDC vouchers and U-Save rebates, rolled out in 2026 amid higher costs stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.
But PM Wong stressed that building a stronger Singapore could not rest on the Government alone.
He said: “A strong community is made up of neighbours helping one another, residents taking ownership in the estate that they live in, residents stepping forward to be volunteers and grassroots leaders stepping forward to do their part for the community.”
He described this spirit of mutual support as “gotong royong” and said the history of Fuchun CC mirrored the history of Singapore’s development.
The club traces its roots to Hock Choon village and the original Hock Choon CC, which was opened by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1962. This was three years after Singapore attained self-government and two years after the People’s Association was formed to build community centres islandwide.
More than 600 residents and community partners turned up for its reopening. The redevelopment began in December 2022.
Roughly a third larger, the upgraded club includes a 99-seat theatrette, a wheelchair-friendly multi-purpose hall, a gym, dance studios and a culinary studio.
The CC is expected to serve around 70,000 residents across Woodgrove and the surrounding area.
MP Hany Soh, who oversees the Woodgrove division in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC said the new CC has been designed with inclusive spaces to serve all age groups.
Senior residents can look forward to legal-awareness initiatives like help with estate planning and TCM talks. Young families can enjoy the outdoor play area and attend classes at the enrichment centre in the club.
Said Soh: “Fuchun CC is a community hub that we hope serves every generation’s needs.”
‘I’m out of a deep hole’: 41-year-old mother on her two-year journey in building stability (2 August 2026)
"The last thing that Norasitah Mohd Tahir wanted was to chat with a stranger.
It was June 2024, and the then-39-year-old mother had just moved into a two-room public rental flat.
Her days were hectic – split between stirring pots of seafood for her home-based catering business and caring for her six-month-old daughter Zahra. She typically received three seafood bucket orders weekly.
TThe business brought in under $500 a month on average, barely enough to cover essentials like food and diapers, she recalls. Her Malaysian husband could not find full-time work in Singapore.
Every order, and every minute, counted.
So when a call from an unfamiliar number came, she picked up, listened briefly, then hung up.
On the line was Janice Ang, a family coach from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) Social Service Office (SSO) at Toa Payoh, who wanted to visit and share her work – journeying with ComLink+ families and connecting them with support services as they work towards their aspirations and goals.
ComLink+ pairs lower-income families with dedicated family coaches and case workers and provides financial top-ups to help them better their lives.
Norasitah was sceptical. Still, curiosity won. She searched “SSO” online one evening and called Ang back.
Their first meeting in July 2024 was emotional. Norasitah shared her worries.
“I was crying; (I was) concerned about how I was going to raise my daughter,” says Norasitah. “Then (Ang) told me ‘ok, we (solve) one by one’.”
Today, the 41-year-old works full-time as a patient service associate executive at the National Dental Centre, and Zahra, now two and a half years old, is in pre-school.
Her husband returned to Malaysia last year to care for his ailing mother. Norasitah is the sole breadwinner.
Her eyes still well up when the hard days come to mind. But they are also set on her next goal: owning a home.
“I feel relieved; I’m out of a very deep hole,” Norasitah says. “(Ang) really helped me.”
Making progress
Norasitah’s family is one of nearly 60 ComLink+ families Ang, 36, has worked with since joining MSF as a family coach in 2023.
Family coaches work with ComLink+ families to create goal-based action plans and navigate a network of resources. They typically stay with them through the move from public rental flats to home ownership, until their youngest child turns 21.
The first thing Ang did was to help Norasitah apply for financial assistance under the ComCare Short-To-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) scheme.
The monthly payout helped her pay for food and utility bills from October 2024 to October 2025 while she searched for work, Norasitah says.
The temporary financial assistance supports families and individuals such as those who are unable to work for reasons like caregiving, or are looking for jobs.
ComCare also offers long-term assistance (LTA) for those permanently unable to work due to old age, illness, or disability, with limited or no income and little family support.
Ang also linked the family with diapers and formula milk assistance from Society of St Vincent de Paul Singapore, a non-profit organisation.
Until then, Norasitah had relied on her home-based catering business and loans from her parents, who are both in their sixties. Her father works as a security guard, while her mother is a bus driver."
My child was surprised I was home before dark (2 August 2026)
"When I came home one late afternoon after a spate of busy days in the office that had seen me miss dinnertime with my children, one of my sons looked up in surprise.
“Mama, you’re home? But it’s not dark outside yet.” He didn’t mean to make me feel guilty - he was simply stating a fact.
I laughed. Then it hit me: He wasn't joking. Coming home before sunset had become unusual enough that my son thought it was worth commenting on.
His innocent observation stayed with me.
So, when British businesswoman and entrepreneur Emma Grede sparked outrage recently after describing herself as a “max three-hour mum” on weekends, I found myself having a very different reaction from many people online.
I wasn’t immediately judging whether three hours was enough - I was calculating how many hours I spend with my own children. And I suspect many working parents in Singapore did the same calculation.
The answer wasn’t particularly comforting.
On a typical weekday, I probably get around two meaningful hours with my boys. Sometimes a little more if I manage to leave the office early. Occasionally, I'll log back on after they’ve gone to bed to finish my work, buying myself a bit more time with them in the evening.
Like many working parents, my days are an exercise in squeezing. Squeezing work around school drop-offs. Squeezing dinner, bath time and bedtime stories into a narrow evening window. Squeezing deadlines, where possible, into the hours after my children are asleep.
There are evenings when my boys ask for “just one more book”, while I’m mentally calculating how many hours I have until this newspaper goes to print.
If I added up only the hours when we're fully present with one another, the total might not look all that different from Grede’s - but there’s one important distinction.
For Grede, spending three hours with her children was presented as a choice. She said she wanted time for herself afterwards - and she has an army of support: housekeepers, nannies, a chef and even a chief of staff. Whether people agreed with her or not, the implication was that she had options.
For many working mothers in Singapore, it doesn't feel like a choice at all. If someone asked me whether I wanted more than two or three hours a day with my children, my answer would be obvious - of course I would.
The problem isn't deciding how much time I want with them. By the time my alarm goes off, much of my day has already been decided: school drop-off, the commute to work, office hours, school pickup, dinner, bedtime.
By the time I finally get to choose how to spend my evening, there are only a couple of hours left. The question isn't whether I'd like more time with my children - it's whether I have any real control over how my time is divided in the first place.
Perhaps that's why Grede's comments resonated so strongly. Many mothers, I believe, weren't shocked because three hours sounded impossibly little. They were shocked because, after doing the maths, they realised their own weekdays didn't look all that different - except they never chose that arrangement.
My husband, too, has found himself racing against the clock. Some evenings, he has rushed home hoping to spend time with our boys before bedtime. More fathers today want to be present and involved in their children's daily lives, not just on weekends. Yet, like many mothers, they're often constrained by long working days, commutes and workplace expectations that leave little room for choice.
This is the reality for many dual-income families in Singapore.
Many pre-school children spend around 10 hours a day in childcare because that's what their parents' work schedules require. Parents rush from MRT stations to childcare centres before closing time. Grandparents help when they can, and domestic helpers keep many households running.
None of this necessarily reflects how parents would ideally choose to spend their time - but it does reflect the practical reality of making work and family fit together."
Marching towards inclusion: How S’pore’s first contingent of persons with disabilities train for NDP 2026 (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A chipped front tooth is a harrowing reminder to Hazel Koh of the day a schoolmate deliberately tripped her, sending her tumbling down two flights of stairs.
Koh, 35, has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a genetic condition that affects muscle strength in her limbs. So does her 11-year-old son, Keith Pah. Both of them wear leg braces.
More than two decades after Koh was bullied for her disability, Keith will be part of the first persons with disabilities (PWDs) contingent at the 2026 National Day Parade.
Although the attention they sometimes receive in public is unwanted, Koh is glad that all eyes will now be on Keith – for a different reason.
“I feel proud to see him (Keith) being included and encouraged, to feel like a part of everyone,” said Koh, who works part-time in administration.
Keith, a Primary 6 pupil from Seng Kang Primary School, is part of a 21-member contingent from the Singapore Disability Sports Council that will be joining other civilian contingents at NDP 2026.
The contingent is led by former para-athlete Yap Qian Yin, who won gold for Singapore in para-sailing at the 2014 Asian Para Games and the 2015 ASEAN Para Games. It includes people with physical and intellectual disabilities, as well as autism.
The contingent spends about 12 hours on Saturdays, from 8am to 8pm, at the National Stadium for rehearsals and preview shows."
‘No let-up on war on vaping’, says HSA chief executive; youngest abuser was 10 years old (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The youngest vape abuser caught in Singapore so far is just 10 years old, said Health Sciences Authority (HSA) chief executive Raymond Chua.
Beyond the worrying trend of younger users, vapes here have also been found laced with illicit substances such as ketamine, cannabis and benzhexol, he added.
Benzhexol is used medically to reduce tremors and muscle stiffness in those who suffer from movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Speaking to The Straits Times on July 29 for the first time since harsher penalties on vaping kicked in on Sept 1, 2025, Chua said: “What keeps me up at night is not about what I can see today, but what may emerge tomorrow, since the vaping situation here is constantly evolving.
“There could be new harmful substances, more discreet vape devices, or increasingly sophisticated syndicates that are harder to detect.”
Vaping was banned in Singapore in 2018.
But for years, many vaped in public, with a surge in reports and sightings in 2025 of people acting like zombies and suffering from seizures after abusing Kpods, which are vapes laced with the powerful anaesthetic etomidate.
This led to The Straits Times launching its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13, 2025, to raise awareness of the scourge.
In his National Day Rally speech in August 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the Government would be taking much tougher action against vaping and treat it as a drug issue.
The harsher penalties that came into effect on Sept 1 included caning for Kpod suppliers and rehabilitation for abusers.
Enhanced anti-vaping laws also came into effect on May 1, 2026, including allowing for the prosecution of adults who involve young people or vulnerable people in smuggling or supplying Kpods.
Chua said that for every vape seized in Singapore, many more could be imported. And if someone is caught vaping, but relapses after being penalised, HSA’s job will not be considered done.
He added: “This is why there can be no let-up on this war on vaping. Just like scams and drugs, vaping and its supply networks will continue to evolve. Even if one day we significantly bring down the number of vape users and suppliers, we won’t declare victory, because we must always stay vigilant.”
He noted the need to rehabilitate vape abusers, rather than just penalise them, adding: “Because rehabilitation gives them the chance to break the cycle once and for all.”
Between Sept 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, more than 8,300 people were caught possessing and using vapes.
Around 8 per cent of vape abusers caught were aged 16 and below."
8 men, 1 woman to be charged with sexual exploitation of minors (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Eight men and one woman have been arrested for their suspected involvement in the sexual exploitation of two minors, the police said.
The suspects, aged between 20 and 41, are set to be charged in court on Aug 3.
In a statement on Aug 2, the police said the two victims were under 18 years old at the time the offences were committed.
Officers from the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department arrested the nine suspects after investigations.
Preliminary probe revealed that the 20-year-old female suspect is alleged to have exploited both victims by facilitating the provision of commercial sexual services and profiting from these arrangements.
She is also believed to have recruited one of the victims for exploitation.
Through follow-up investigation, the authorities identified eight men who had allegedly obtained commercial sexual services from one of the victims.
The woman will be charged with trafficking for the purpose of exploitation and knowingly receiving payments in connection with the exploitation of a trafficked victim. She will also face additional charges relating to the facilitation of commercial sexual services and cheating offences.
If found guilty of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving a person for exploitation, she faces a fine of up to $100,000 and up to 10 years in jail.
The same maximum penalties apply if she is convicted of receiving payment in connection with the exploitation of a trafficked victim.
Additionally, if she is found guilty of living on the earnings of the prostitution of another person, she could be fined up to $100,000 and jailed up to seven years.
Each of the eight men will be charged with obtaining commercial sex with a minor under 18. Three of them will also face additional charges for possessing obscene films.
If convicted of obtaining sexual services of a person below 18, the men could each be sentenced to up to seven years in jail, fined, or both.
Those found guilty of possessing obscene films face a fine of up to $20,000, up to six months’ jail, or both."
Most working parents in the US say finding enough time is a challenge (2 August 2026)
"UNITED STATES – In most families in the United States, parents work full time - and 60 per cent of those who do say they spend too little time with their children, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
Nearly half miss events their children are involved in. Majorities say they do not have time for hobbies, socialising, exercising or relaxing. Most handle family responsibilities during the workday and do work during family time.
Yet even though they’re stretched thin, they also wouldn’t necessarily choose another arrangement, a variety of surveys show.
Most parents say they’re happy, they have positive relationships with their children, and they want to work. Their challenge, the results suggest, is having enough time and flexibility to do it all.
The findings echo another recent survey, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago on behalf of the New Practice Lab at New America, a think tank.
It found that the trade-off often came down to time versus money. Most parents, though they wanted to work, wished they had more time to spend on family and personal life, but needed the income to support their families.
Work is set up assuming there’s a parent at home, “someone who’s picking up the rest of your life and making those ends meet,” said Corinne Low, an economist studyinggender at the Wharton School at Penn. But that doesn’t reflect reality for most families today, she added.
Even as most parents work, they are also investing more time, money and effort into parenting than previous generations.
Mothers find it hardest to balance work and family, Pew found. They do more of the day-to-day parenting and household chores, and are more likely to take time off work for unexpected childcare. They’re also more likely to say they have too little time for leisure activities: 74% of full-time working mothers say they don’t have enough time for hobbies or interests.
But a significant share of fathers also feel crunched for time, reflecting the fact that the gender roles in families are less fixed today, and fathers are more involved in childcare than previous generations. (Pew’s survey, of 2,242 working parents, asked questions about division of household labour.)
Parents multi-task
Finding enough time is a challenge for working parents across demographic divides.
But parents who have children five and younger or who are low earners find work-family balance most difficult.
Low-income parents are least likely to have flexible schedules, predictable hours or workplace policies like paid leave or remote work that help them juggle.
More than half of low-income workers say they feel extremely or very worried about losing pay if they have to take unplanned time off work for a child-related reason. Roughly a third are concerned about losing their job, or worry their boss might think they’re uncommitted to work.
That anxiety is also heightened for single parents, the survey found.
“I feel like employers can sometimes look at you like, ‘Oh, you’re a single parent, are you going to call out? Are you going to be late?’” said Elise Yeung, a nurse in San Francisco. “Sometimes those situations aren’t on purpose.”
She has acquaintances who have lost their jobs because they had to take time off for childcare: “Those call-outs are used against you; you get written up or you get let go.”
She’s grateful to have a steady job. She became a single mother unexpectedly, without a career or college degree, and went to nursing school with the help of JVS, a nonprofit that helps people learn new skills.
But her son is always on her mind, even at work. She said she worries about getting caught checking her phone in case there’s a message from school, and relies on people from her church to watch him when childcare falls through.
This is a common experience for working parents, Pew found - they do parenting tasks while working, and work tasks while parenting."
More young S’poreans under 35 want to live independently. Will a new co-living initiative help? (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – In 2024, Kaelen Ong left her childhood home and rented a room in a condominium.
She wanted her own space to grieve her father’s death and felt she would not have the privacy she needed in her family’s three-room HDB flat, where she lived with her mother and elder brother.
Though the $1,400 monthly rent was costly, the aspiring theatre actress said the breathing room she needed outweighed the financial burden.
“It felt like (there was) pressure to have to continue living my life (normally),” the now 26-year-old said of living in her family home at the time.
For most young Singaporeans, moving out before marriage or at the age of 35 – when singles become eligible to purchase public housing – remains uncommon. But more are choosing to do so for greater independence, privacy, or simply to have a space of their own.
The number of Singaporean citizens and permanent residents under 35 living alone more than doubled from 10,500 in 2016 to 22,600 in 2025, according to data from the Department of Statistics.
Property experts have observed a similar trend.
ERA Singapore’s key executive officer Eugene Lim said young people were moving out of their childhood homes for reasons such as wanting greater independence and a more conducive living environment, especially if they worked from home.
A new independent living initiative under the SG Youth Plan aims to meet this need, with two private co-living operators offering more than 100 subsidised rental units to people aged 21 to 35.
The Government has said the initiative is not meant to address housing or supply issues, but is a private sector effort to give young Singaporeans a chance to live on their own.
PropNex chief executive Kelvin Fong said co-living recently emerged as a popular alternative to renting HDB flats or condominium units, as its flexible lease terms and shared amenities appealed to the younger crowd.
An engineer who wanted to be known only as Alicia, 29, has signed up for the SG Youth Plan’s co-living initiative. She hopes to rent a twin room at Coliwoo’s Bukit Timah property, which is closer to her workplace than her family’s HDB flat in Woodlands.
“I want my own freedom,” she said.
Alicia said she did not want to live with a landlord or be restricted from cooking if she had rented an HDB room. She also found the idea of meeting other young people in a co-living space appealing.
Cost remains a hurdle
But with monthly rates under the new co-living scheme starting at $1,800, property experts said cost could be a deterrent.
“It could be a stretch for young people who are early in their careers or saving up to buy their first home,” Fong said.
Though the rate is within Alicia’s budget, she is trying to find a roommate with whom she can split the cost.
PropertyGuru Singapore’s managing director Yao Lu said that, based on the platform’s July listings, the median asking rent for a room was $1,755 in Jalan Besar, $1,500 in Bukit Timah, and $1,200 in Boon Lay. The three co-living properties offered under the initiative are located in these areas.
Yao added, however, that the figures were not directly comparable as they reflect a wide mix of rental options.
Fong said the co-living units are more comparable with master bedrooms in private condominiums, with en-suite bathrooms and shared amenities such as gyms. In this light, the $1,800 rental is broadly in line with the market rate, he said.
But Ong said the price was out of reach for her: “$1,400 was the steepest I could go, and I could barely afford it.”
During the year she lived on her own, rent and utilities consumed more than half of her salary as a freelance drama instructor. Towards the end of her lease, she had to borrow money to cover the rent.
Sharing a room would halve the rent, but it would also defeat the purpose of living alone.
The hefty cost of long-term rental can eat into savings for a flat purchase, deterring young adults from moving out, said Realion’s chief researcher and strategist Christine Sun."
Young S’poreans see promise in job tasters, but hope for deeper and more targeted career support (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – During the school holidays, 17-year-old Marissa Ong plans to try one of the new job tasters introduced under a new national plan to support young people in their careers and personal development.
The junior college student hopes shadowing professionals at work will help her decide if she wants to pursue specific industries in the future. She also wants to hear their honest opinions about working in their industry and company.
Nanyang Polytechnic graduate Liao Er Qi, who completed a diploma in animation, games and visual effects in 2026, said the job tasters could be useful for someone like her who is still figuring out her long-term career path.
The 19-year-old freelance pottery assistant is considering a switch to the education sector and plans to apply to the National Institute of Education to become a teacher.
“Since I’m starting fresh, I don’t really have any education connections or foundation.”
Like Marissa and Liao, several youth said the moves under the recently unveiled SG Youth Plan are a good first step.
The five-year road map launched on July 25 aims to reach at least 500,000 young people aged between 15 and 35 through initiatives such as job tasters, mentoring opportunities, adulting programmes and a co-living scheme.
Up to 30,000 job taster opportunities lasting from half a day to a few weeks will be offered each year by 2030, giving young people first-hand exposure to different workplaces and industries. More than 10,000 such opportunities will be available in 2026.
The National Youth Council (NYC) offered about 11,000 job taster opportunities in 2025, with around 80 per cent taken up. Healthcare, finance and the arts were among the most popular sectors.
About 30 per cent of the opportunities took the form of career human libraries, where youth engage professionals in small-group conversations, and another 30 per cent were learning journeys.
Around 20 per cent were micro work experiences, with the remainder comprising project work, short-term work attachments and job shadowing.
Discover, a one-stop site for youth to sign up for the initiatives under the SG Youth Plan, was made available from July 25.
Some young Singaporeans say the initiatives offer them reassurance and resources at a time when many of them are worried about jobs and an uncertain future.
Others, however, questioned whether several programmes are geared mainly towards students and those just entering the workforce.
Recent National University of Singapore communications and new media graduate Latisha Sonia said the measures feel “promising”.
“The Government is not just throwing us into the deep end with the current financial climate and economy that we are made to live in but rather, help us navigate that transition from commencement to first full-time job,” said the 24-year-old who is looking for a job.
Clarence Ching, founder of social mobility charity Access Singapore, said job tasters are valuable because many youth make decisions with very limited exposure to the world of work.
“For youth from more privileged backgrounds, career insights often come naturally through family, social networks or personal connections,” he said, but many disadvantaged youth do not have the same access.
Job tasters at a national level can equalise such opportunities, Ching said.
But exposure alone is not enough.
While a one-day or short-term experience can generate interest, he said it is insufficient for a young person to fully understand an industry or develop the confidence to take the next steps.
To maximise impact, job tasters must be paired with mentoring, career coaching, structured reflection, among other efforts, he added. “This allows youth to translate initial exposure into informed decisions and concrete opportunities.”
This Normal stream student thought he was a failure. Now he’s opening doors for students like him (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Clarence Ching, 32, knows what it is like to grow up believing he was never quite good enough.
He was the only child of two educators – a teacher and a lecturer – who did everything they could to help him succeed.
His parents volunteered for two years to secure him a place at Henry Park Primary School, a popular school. His mother even took a year off work to coach him for the Primary School Leaving Examination.
Despite their efforts, he was a lacklustre student.
He scored 196 points in the PSLE and entered the five-year Normal (Academic) stream, spending an extra year in secondary school while many of his peers went to the four-year Express stream.
“With the Normal label slapped on you, you felt like a failure in the education system,” said the former Fairfield Methodist Secondary School student.
These experiences have shaped his life’s mission. Today, he is the founder of social mobility charity Access Singapore, which seeks to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds build the social capital they need to expand their opportunities in life.
Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in primary school, Ching struggled to concentrate and felt he was not cut out for academics.
Over time, he defined his worth by his grades. This changed only when he met one of his mentors in life, former MP for Jalan Besar GRC Lily Neo.
After his O levels, he started volunteering at Neo’s Meet the People sessions, drawn by a desire to help the low-income elderly living in her ward, having read about poor seniors and families in the news.
Over the next nine years, he helped her do research and draft parliamentary speeches and questions – responsibilities that he never imagined someone like him would be entrusted with.
“I felt I wasn’t good enough, but it was a self-limiting mindset.
“Why do I care so much about how others think about me or where I come from? So what if I didn’t come from ACS, Raffles or Hwa Chong?” he said, referring to some of the top schools in Singapore.
As his confidence grew, so did his sense of what was possible.
Unable to secure a place at a local university, Ching enrolled in Britain’s Durham University to study politics, funded by what he described as his parents’ “retirement fund”.
There, he became deeply interested in social mobility.
While many groups here sought to help lower-income students improve their grades through tuition, Ching felt that far less attention was paid to something harder to measure: social capital.
Exposure to opportunities, mentors and professional networks, he believed, could be just as or even more transformative as academic support. Such social capital can boost one’s confidence and potential, he said.
“Many of them feel they are not good enough,” he added. “If you have self-confidence, that’s half the battle won.”
In 2019, in his second year at Durham, Ching founded Access with nothing but a burning conviction.
He had no money and no volunteers to start with. He did not even have full-time work experience on his resume.
During the first three years of Access, he drew no salary. To make ends meet, he took on gig jobs, including delivering food.
“My wife called Access the third party in our relationship because I didn’t give her enough time,” he said. “But she knew solving social mobility is my life, and I couldn’t let it go.”
He and his wife, a freelance trainer who teaches mental health workshops, have no children.
What began as an outfit offering a work attachment programme for secondary school students has since grown into a charity running eight initiatives spanning mentorship, career exposure and apprenticeships.
The charity recently rolled out an apprenticeship programme where it places polytechnic graduates in 18-month work stints with firms, providing them with mentorship, structured training and other support.
And those who do well have a chance to be hired for a permanent role in the organisation."
National Day deals at Mandai Wildlife Reserve; Aug 9 fun at National Museum of S'pore; Mandarin play The Forest Heroes (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Make family time all the more special with these ideas and activities.
National Day deals, activities at Mandai Wildlife Reserve
If animals could speak, you and your children might hear some of them proudly declaring: “I was born in Singapore.”
In celebration of National Day this August, the spotlight is on a line-up of 11 beloved Stars of Mandai born and raised at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Among these animals is Singapore Zoo’s Ah Meng, a Sumatran orang utan who carries on the name of her late grandmother, once the park’s famous tourism ambassador.
There is also Arlo the king penguin at Bird Paradise, Bayu the Malayan tapir at Rainforest Wild Adventure and Neha the elephant at Night Safari.
Find out more at str.sg/BKvM
The National Day specials continue on Aug 8 with Wild Day Out. Co-organised with the Kranji Countryside Association, this farmers’ market invites you to shop for locally grown produce outside the entrance of Bird Paradise.
Go to str.sg/si2k for details.
On Aug 9 from 5.30pm, catch the National Day Parade’s live broadcast on a giant screen outside the Singapore Zoo entrance.
Until Aug 31, you can also take advantage of up to 30 per cent off admission to two parks.
Local residents can pair an outing to Singapore Zoo with a second attraction on the same day – choose from four options including Curiosity Cove and River Wonders.
The bundled tickets cost from $59 an adult and $44 a child aged three to 12.
Senior citizens aged 60 and above can enjoy a special admission rate of $25 to any of these attractions: Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise, Rainforest Wild Adventure and Exploria.
National Day celebrations at the National Museum
Take your family to the National Museum of Singapore on Aug 9 for a full day of free and ticketed activities to mark the nation’s 61st birthday.
The fun kicks off at 10am with a colouring competition for kids aged six to 10. They can put their creative spin on artwork inspired by the legend of Kusu Island, with prizes up for grabs from German stationery brand Staedtler. Entry is free, though you will need to register at str.sg/7LCc with a $10 deposit which is refundable when you attend the event.
At 3pm and 4.30pm, enjoy a multisensory storytelling experience tailored for children aged four to eight and their parents. The 45-minute sessions by Erudite Stories – a local group comprising two professional storytellers and a musician – will bring to life the tale of Sang Nila Utama, the 13th-century prince who founded Singapore. Tickets cost $12 for a child and an adult. Sign up at str.sg/yFzS
Teenagers can try their hand at assembling a Merlion-themed bento set, guided by facilitators from local events company PartyMojo. Kids aged 10 to 12 are also welcome with an accompanying adult. Tickets cost $49.50 a person for the 3pm workshop. Register at str.sg/dhrm
Meanwhile, all visitors, regardless of nationality, can enjoy free admission to the museum’s exhibitions, including Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time, which shows that Singapore was not always a modern city.
Finally, from 5.30pm, gather on the museum’s front lawn to watch the live telecast of the National Day Parade on a giant screen. Pack a picnic mat, some snacks and an umbrella or poncho in case of rain.
For the full line-up of activities, go to str.sg/3zCoW"
Will a $10,000 reward motivate my PSLE child? (2 August 2026)
"Q: My father has offered $10,000 to my Primary 6 son if he scores well enough to make it to the Integrated Programme in his alma mater. I am dead set against this, but my husband thinks it might work to get my son to work harder for the PSLE.
A: Should I offer a reward to my child in return for top grades? This question always comes up just before the PSLE, when parents get frustrated with their children not working hard enough for the exams.
In a last-ditch effort, they promise their child an expensive trip or the latest game console. Some, like your father, even offer cash.
Is it good to offer a reward in exchange for grades? Does it help to motivate the child, and what kind of rewards work?
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to pose these questions to experts on motivating young people.
Among them was motivational psychology expert Richard Ryan from the US. He is renowned for his work on Self-Determination Theory, which suggests that all humans have three basic, innate psychological needs: the need to belong or feel connected, the need to feel competent and the need for autonomy or self-determination.
When those needs are satisfied, we are motivated, productive and happy.
As Ryan explains, human beings are naturally motivated to be curious and to learn.
Hence, giving rewards for grades is definitely the wrong tactic if you want your child to become an independent learner and take responsibility for his own learning.
He, like many other experts, cautions that if a parent were to promise a big reward in return for achieving a top score, then even if the child ends up doing well, he would have done it for the reward.
Furthermore, the child will think that the only reason to learn is to get the reward. If he is not getting the reward that he wants, he is not going to be interested in learning.
So, what should parents do?
Experts agree that rewards can work to motivate children. But the downside is they may work in a not-so-helpful way or even in a bad way.
Take the example of a chief executive who is promised a huge bo- nus if he raises his company's stock price. He may reach that target, but by using unethical methods.
The problem is, often, rewards are given for outcomes as opposed to valued behaviour.
When you reward outcomes, you also reward any behaviours that get to the outcome, whether good or not.
Coming back to the question from many parents: How to encourage their children to work hard for an important examination.
The experts, including Ryan, say there is nothing wrong with giving things to your child. The issue is with making them contingent on grades.
What experts suggest is rewarding effort as opposed to grades.
Ryan said in a previous interview with The Straits Times: “Encouraging a child to do his or her best is enough. Conveying that you will love your child just as much no matter what the outcome is not only supportive, but it may also reduce anxiety, which itself can compromise performance.”
Pioneer cohort to graduate from the University of the Arts Singapore in August (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Singapore’s first arts university will see its inaugural cohort of students graduate in August, two years after it opened.
The University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), formed by an alliance between Lasalle College of the Arts and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), is a private university supported by the government.
A total of 135 students will graduate on August 7, comprising 102 from Lasalle and 33 from NAFA. Most of them were on the two-year pathway after completing a related diploma.
Another 52 Master of Arts degree holders from Lasalle graduated in November 2025.
UAS has taken in about 760 students each year since 2024 and is expected to have an annual intake of about 1,000 students within the next five years.
The university launched with 29 programmes, including eight new degrees in areas such as biophilic design, design for social futures, as well as Master of Arts degrees in arts and ecology, fine art, and music therapy.
One graduate, Jolene Ariana, 22, who studied biophilic design, was drawn to the benefits of incorporating nature into human spaces.
Biophilic design aims to connect building occupants more closely to nature through elements like natural lighting, materials and ventilation to improve overall well-being.
“I was intrigued because it’s an area that isn’t well known in the industry yet,” said Ariana.
Graduate Tiew Fang Kee, 25, is from the design for social futures course. She aims to design solutions for societal issues like environmental sustainability and the challenges of an aging population.
The interdisciplinary programme spans areas such as service design, speculative design and systems design.
Tiew said a unique experience from the course was the masterclasses she attended. She learnt from renowned design futurists Clive van Heerden and Jack Mama – founders of London-based design consultancy vHM Design Futures – and speculated on Singapore’s coastal resilience against rising sea levels.
“I designed a system that placed a levy on seafood purchases to encourage more responsible and conscious consumption in a hypothetical future,” says Tiew, who hopes to enter the social or environmental sectors.
UAS’ deputy vice-chancellors Venka Purushothaman and Tan-Soh Wai Lan say there is strong demand for such interdisciplinary courses.
Purushothaman, who is also president of Lasalle, said this is especially so for programmes that combine artistic excellence with interdisciplinary and future-focused skills, like art histories and curatorial practices or music business.
Tan, who is also president of Nafa, added: “We are seeing aspiring creatives seek an education that not only deepens artistic excellence, but also equips them to engage meaningfully with communities, and respond to evolving cultural, social and environmental challenges.”
University of the Arts Singapore marks first batch of graduates (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – With the graduation of the pioneer cohort from Singapore’s first arts university on Aug 7, a new generation of multidisciplinary artists will enter the workforce.
A total of 135 students will graduate from the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), formed by an alliance between Lasalle College of the Arts and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).
To beef up arts education in Singapore, UAS launched with 29 programmes, including degrees in areas such as art histories and curatorial practices, biophilic design and design for social futures, as well as Master of Arts degrees in arts and ecology, fine art and music therapy.
A UAS spokesperson says these programmes reflect evolving areas and wider societal interests, including in sustainability, health and well-being, and interdisciplinary arts.
The new programmes attracted strong interest. For example, the master’s in music therapy was oversubscribed well before its closing date.
Cassandra Chng, 31, studied music and audio technology when she was in polytechnic. She wanted to further her studies in music therapy but could not find such a course locally. She went on to do a degree in computer science but returned to her passion and found work as a pre-school music teacher.
She leapt at the opportunity to do a master’s degree in music therapy when UAS opened.
“Music is culturally unique. When I looked at overseas courses, I felt it would not work. If I want to practise in Singapore, I should be trained in Singapore,” says Chng. She is among the first batch of graduates from the two-year course, which includes clinical attachments.
Chng, whose graduation ceremony is in November, has found a full-time job as a music therapist at the Singapore Association for Mental Health.
“I believe that music is like an operational knife that can reach different parts of the brain where a surgical knife cannot reach,” she says of the healing power of music.
Chng’s experience is a testament to the university’s mission, says Kwok Kian Woon, vice-chancellor of UAS. He notes that an arts education goes beyond skills training and developing a pipeline of talent for the creative industries.
“It is about effecting personal and social transformation and inculcating our graduates with purpose and empathy,” the professor says.
He encourages graduates to “situate their practice within the context of their communities and to create with awareness and impact”. This is a mindset that sets them apart, he adds.
Artistic disciplines with real-world impact
The spirit of interdisciplinary inquiry is reflected in programmes that encourage students to connect artistic practice with areas such as sustainability or healthcare, while developing new ways of thinking and creating across disciplines.
For example, students who study biophilic design, or the integration of nature into the built environment, collaborated with partners, including the Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), to explore biophilic approaches to design.
A graduate from the course, Jolene Ariana, 22, was drawn to the field’s focus on the cognitive and psychological benefits of integrating nature into human spaces.
She did her final-year project with NCCS, with her team proposing a design for a patient waiting room and an adjacent garden.
Most of the waiting room chairs were initially facing the TV for patients to look at their queue numbers, but the group suggested turning the chairs to face the garden instead for therapeutic benefits. They also suggested moving the TV monitors towards the window, so patients could view both the TV display and garden, among other suggestions.
Her team was awarded the winning proposal by NCCS for best addressing the objectives, operational considerations and needs of various stakeholders.
Ariana says she gained confidence in presenting and justifying her designs through her course.
“Doing projects with clients gave me insights to how a real-life project would be like, for example, getting feedback and adjusting our proposal,” says Ariana."
‘I understand what it feels like to be excluded’: SMU grad started project to befriend migrant workers (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – When Siti Noormasliana Noorazman was the only Malay employee interning at an events company in 2021, she endured insensitive jokes and other microaggressions that left her feeling excluded and alone.
Around the same time, news of coronavirus cases in migrant worker dormitories struck a chord with Noormasliana, who goes by the name Masliana.
She felt she could relate to the community, many of whom had been confined to the dormitories for months to curb the spread of infection.
“I understood what it feels like to be excluded,” said the 24-year-old, who was a hospitality and tourism management student at Temasek Polytechnic at the time.
This got her thinking about how she could support migrant workers. She teamed up with fellow students from her co-curricular activity, Global Connect, to host Zoom chats with workers.
She also enlisted the help of ItsRainingRaincoats, a Singapore charity that builds bridges between migrant workers and Singapore residents, to set up the calls.
Over three Zoom sessions in the last few months of 2021, Masliana and her schoolmates checked in on the mental health of migrant workers and chatted about their different cultures.
She later developed the initiative into Project Candela under Singapore Management University’s Rotaract Club – a youth development club – with the aim of building a bridge between migrant workers and the wider community in Singapore.
She was among 215 graduates from the SMU School of Social Sciences at the convocation ceremony held at the university on July 30. Across five days of ceremonies, more than 3,800 students graduated from SMU in 2026.
Masliana’s interest in social causes began during her polytechnic days, when she tutored children from lower-income families. Her father is a retired security officer and her mother is a retired store assistant. She has three older brothers in their 30s.
Her curiosity about policymaking and social advocacy led her to major in political science and communication management at SMU.
There, she led students in conducting workshops on digital and financial literacy, as well as professional communication, for migrant workers in dormitories. They also organised activities such as badminton, yoga and drawing, and held celebrations for occasions such as Father’s Day, Deepavali and Christmas.
Some of her favourite memories are of volunteers teaching migrant workers TikTok dances and how to use Telegram stickers.
After seeing the same students every two weeks over the course of an academic year, the men became comfortable enough to show them photos of their wives and children, sometimes even video-calling their families with them.
They would reminisce about their home towns or lives back home, with one man sharing how he used to be a lorry driver, and another talking about his studies in mechanical engineering, Masliana said.
Her own university studies also fuelled her interest in migrant worker rights and policies. She wrote a research paper on the dreams of migrant workers and the right to rest, advocating the creation of third spaces where they could have equal opportunities for rest."
Aidha launches free financial education course, in-person helpdesk for domestic workers in S’pore (2 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Migrant domestic workers in the Republic can soon access more tools to help improve their financial literacy or speak to experts when they are facing money issues.
Local charity organisation Aidha marked its 20th anniversary on Aug 2 with the launch of a national campaign to improve the financial literacy of migrant workers in Singapore.
The Financial Literacy ACCESS Campaign, which stands for Advancing Capability through Community, Education & Sustainable Savings, will run for three years.
It aims to engage new stakeholders, develop new financial education programmes, and expand the scale and reach of Aidha’s existing initiatives, which cater to migrant domestic workers and lower-income Singaporean women.
Speaking at Aidha’s headquarters at Rochester Park on Aug 2, Acting Manpower Minister Jasmin Lau said domestic workers who have completed Aidha’s programmes since its inception in 2006 have seen their monthly savings rise by 46 per cent.
“This means that we are seeing thousands of women who are better able to support their families back home, plan for the future and face life’s uncertainties with greater confidence,” said Lau.
Reaffirming the Ministry of Manpower’s support for the programmes, Lau said Aidha also equips domestic workers with other life skills through its courses on the English language, mental wellness and scam prevention.
“These courses help to build knowledge and resilience, enabling our migrant domestic workers to better navigate their lives in Singapore and plan for their future,” she added.
Aidha chief executive officer Jacqueline Loh said the organisation has seen the power of financial education, which can change the trajectory of the lives of migrant domestic workers when they are able to make informed financial decisions.
Aidha announced a free half-day MoneyStart financial education course for newly arrived migrant domestic workers starting in August.
It aims to equip them with practical money management skills and help them build healthy habits.
Interested migrant domestic workers who are already in Singapore can also sign up.
A spokesperson for Aidha said the classes will first be offered monthly for the remainder of 2026, with plans to increase the sessions to twice a month in 2027. The charity will review the frequency over time to meet demand or operational needs.
In October, the charity will launch its in-person helpdesk to provide financial guidance and practical support for migrant domestic workers who are facing financial difficulties or need help navigating daily decisions involving their finances.
Manned by trained volunteer mentors and employees, the helpdesk will operate two Sundays a month between 11am and 2pm initially, with two people on each shift.
“We hope this timing accommodates migrant domestic workers who may only be free in either the morning or afternoon, and operationally it matches well with the availability of our volunteer mentors,” said the spokesperson for the charity."
8 men, aged 23 to 41, charged with obtaining commercial sex from 16-year-old girl (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Eight men and one woman, aged 20 to 41, were hauled to court on Aug 3 over their suspected involvement in the sexual exploitation of minors.
The woman, 20, who cannot be identified due to a court-imposed gag order, is accused of exploiting two victims, both 16, by facilitating the provision of commercial sexual services and profiting from these arrangements.
The court heard that naming the woman could lead to the identification of the victims. It was not mentioned how the woman and the two victims are related.
The eight men charged are: Muhamad Haziq Bakatiar, 23; Irham Hussaini Mohamad Hussain, 24; Syahirul Daud Abdul Razak, 26; Muhammad Ameerulah Noor Mohamed, 27; Wilfred Ang Shui Lai, 34; Muhammad Ngasri Sengngari, 36; Muhammad ’Aizat Khalis Daud, 38; and Fazal Hanafi Abdul Hameed Chaudhry, 41.
They were each charged with obtaining commercial sex from one of the 16-year-old girls.
Haziq allegedly paid the victim $50 to have sex with him at a staircase landing in Bedok North.
Irham and Syahirul are each accused of paying the victim $130 and $30, respectively, to perform a sex act on them at the same staircase landing on separate occasions.
Ameerulah allegedly paid the victim $30 to have sex with him inside a van at a multi-storey carpark.
Ang is accused of paying the victim $100 to perform a sex act on him at a staircase landing in Geylang Bahru.
Ngasri was given two charges over allegedly paying the victim $300 to have sex with him over two separate occasions – once in a handicap toilet and the other time at a staircase landing.
’Aizat was charged over allegedly paying the victim $150 to have sex with him in a parked car in Geylang Bahru.
Fazal is accused of paying $80 for the victim to perform a sex act on him at a staircase landing in Geylang Bahru.
The men’s alleged offences took place in February 2024.
Meanwhile, the woman is accused of recruiting one of the victims for the purpose of sexual exploitation, and knowingly lived in part on the earnings of the prostitution of the other victim.
The woman also allegedly received $1,435 in connection with the exploitation of a trafficked victim.
The woman was given five charges in total, including trafficking for the purpose of exploitation and the facilitation of commercial sexual services.
She told the court on Aug 3 she intends to admit to her offences and does not plan to engage a lawyer. She is expected to plead guilty on Sept 14.
On Aug 2, the police said: “We take a serious view of offences involving the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and young persons.
“We will spare no effort to investigate and bring to justice those who recruit, exploit or profit from the exploitation of minors, as well as those who obtain the commercial sexual services of minors.”
Who let the kids out? Children ‘take over’ official social media accounts, post ‘accidental selfies’ (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – An influx of blurry selfies of children has flooded social media, with even government organisations in Singapore not immune to the cuteness.
Babies have invaded the Instagram accounts of at least three government organisations over the weekend with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and gov.sg posting “accidental” kid selfies with no caption.
Each photo featured a different child whose face is cut off at the bottom of the frame, as if taken accidentally, in the latest trend to take over the internet.
Fittingly, the baby in LTA’s post also appears to be on a public bus.
Netizens have been gushing over the high cute factor, with some cheekily suggesting this is a strategy to boost the birth rate in Singapore.
A user commented on gov.sg’s post: “What is this coordinated media campaign? To encourage more babies, is it? Very cute though.”
One netizen added: “No caption needed when you are so cute.”
Singapore needs to redouble resources on reskilling to overcome smaller population: Jeffrey Siow (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Singapore needs to redouble the resources it is putting into reskilling efforts to ensure that workers are able to adapt quickly to a changing economy, said Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow.
This is how the country can turn its smaller population from a constraint into an asset, said Siow at a dialogue on Aug 3.
A smaller Singaporean population base means there are more resources available to invest in each person, said Siow, who is also Second Minister for Finance.
“I can invest more per person, train them more, train them more intensively and build a structure to enable them to get access to reskilling resources more quickly,” he said at the dialogue titled Keeping Singapore Competitive in a Disrupted World.
It was held at the Parkroyal Collection at Marina Bay and organised by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA).
Singapore already has a head start on reskilling through SkillsFuture, said Siow, speaking to moderator and SIIA chairman Simon Tay and an audience of about 300 including policymakers, academics and business leaders.
The Government started SkillsFuture Singapore, a statutory board administrating upskilling and reskilling, in 2015. On July 1, it merged with Workforce Singapore to form a new statutory board – the Skills and Workforce Development Agency – to create a more integrated ecosystem for jobs and skills.
Siow said: “If we can do more in that respect, we can help overcome that constraint.”
He was responding to a question from the audience on the trade-offs Singapore has to make as it moves to transform its economy for the future."
21 years’ jail, caning for man who repeatedly had sex with niece, 13; used blindfold, rope on her (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – For almost two years, a man manipulated his underage niece into a relationship with him, having sex with her and even using bondage equipment on her.
The 13-year-old girl had tried to end their relationship on at least eight occasions, but her uncle would guilt-trip her each time and she failed to break up with him.
When the girl began dating her teenage schoolmate, the uncle got jealous and threatened to upload her nude photos and videos to a pornographic site.
On Aug 3, the 38-year-old man was sentenced to 21 years’ jail and 16 strokes of the cane. He pleaded guilty to six charges, including statutory rape, sexual assault and threatening to distribute intimate images of the girl.
The offender cannot be named due to a gag order to protect his niece’s identity.
Deputy public prosecutors Chin Jincheng and Joelle Loy said the offender kept up a facade of being nothing but a caring uncle to the victim.
“In reality, the accused blatantly and repeatedly violated her parents’ trust,” the prosecutors said.
“Capitalising on his easy access to her, he robbed her of her innocence by taking her virginity when she was 13 years old and habituated her to all kinds of illicit sexual activity with him.”
According to court documents, the offender is the victim’s paternal uncle, and he had a close relationship with her father, who is his oldest brother.
Before she turned 13, the girl had seen her uncle only during family gatherings and on special occasions.
In September 2022, the offender took the victim to Suntec City to celebrate her 13th birthday. They met several days later for supper, during which the victim shared about her relationship with her former boyfriend.
The girl soon grew closer to her uncle, visiting him at his home after school, where he would sometimes tutor her in Mandarin.
On one occasion when she was at his home, he touched her private parts over her clothes and asked if that was what her ex-boyfriend had done to her. Despite being shocked by his behaviour, she did not react or object to it, said the prosecutors.
From October 2022, the man and the girl saw themselves as a couple, exchanging romantic messages daily.
During a family trip to Genting Highlands in November that year, he performed a sex act on her while they were alone in his room.
In the same month, the girl’s parents gave her permission to sleep over at his home, where they had sex.
The prosecutors said the pair continued to have sex around four times a week, with the man using sex toys and bondage equipment such as a blindfold, a feather and rope on the girl.
The pair avoided behaving intimately with each other when family members were around.
At the time, the offender was in a relationship with someone else, whom he later married in May 2024."
Kids seen standing through GetGo car’s sunroof; firm warns of penalties for unsafe driving (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Car-sharing company GetGo has warned that users who drive in an unsafe manner will be penalised, with the severity of the punishment depending on the offence.
The statement, made in response to queries from The Straits Times on Aug 3, comes after an image of four young children emerging from a GetGo car’s sunroof went viral on social media.
In a photo posted on Facebook Group SG Road Vigilante on Aug 2, the children can be seen with their heads and upper bodies emerging from a black Mazda sedan. A side decal indicates the vehicle belongs to GetGo.
One child on the far left appears to be perched on the roof of the car with her legs dangling inside. All four children are not fastened by seat belts.
Under Singapore’s Road Traffic Act, all drivers and passengers of a motor vehicle must wear seat belts. Drivers must also ensure that passengers below 1.35m in height are secured with an approved child restraint or body-restraining seat belt.
Offenders who fail to do so face a jail term of up to three months, fined up to $1,000, or both.
The picture has garnered more than 200 likes in 20 hours and sparked online discourse about road safety.
GetGo told ST: “We are in touch with the user involved and have highlighted this offence to them.
“GetGo’s terms of use clearly require all users to comply with traffic laws and to operate vehicles safely at all times – this includes ensuring all passengers have their seat belts fastened.”
It added: “We do not condone any behaviour that puts the safety of our users, drivers or other road users at risk.”
The firm said it will take appropriate action in line with its policies, adding that a user’s account may be suspended immediately for investigation in severe cases, and repeat offenders could face a ban from the platform.
It is unclear if GetGo made a police report on the incident but it told ST that “the investigation is ongoing”.
Under the company’s terms and conditions seen on its website, hirers are responsible for any breach of traffic rules, parking rules and regulations during the booking period.
Should the company receive a ticket, fine or penalty, GetGo will forward the hirer’s information to the authorities and impose a processing fee of $20.
It is not known if the hirer of the rental car had booster seats or child restraints for the children in the vehicle.
Checks by ST on GetGo’s FAQ page show that the car-sharing platform does not provide car seats or boosters."
Record low gap between births and deaths in S’pore poses demographic challenge (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The gap between the number of births and deaths in Singapore has shrunk to its smallest in almost a century.
In 2025, just 3,365 more babies were born than the number of people who died, according to the Report on Registration of Births and Deaths 2025 released by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority on July 27.
The figure is a steep drop from a decade ago, when there were 22,323 more births than deaths in 2015.
Checks of the annual reports on registration of births and deaths by The Straits Times for data dating as far back as 1931 found that the natural increase of 3,365 people in 2025 is a historic low.
Annual births typically exceeded deaths by tens of thousands, with the highest at slightly above 52,000 in the late 1950s. Post-independence, that gap shrank to below 10,000 for the first time in 2022 and has continued to narrow since.
The natural increase in the population – the difference between the number of births and deaths – is closely watched as Singapore’s population would shrink without immigration when deaths outnumber births.
Signs of this are already emerging among the Chinese community here, which is the only ethnic group to record more deaths than births so far.
In 2025, there were 3,071 more deaths than births among the Chinese, with 16,902 births and 19,973 deaths recorded.
The trend first appeared in 2022, when deaths exceeded births by 311, widening to 920 in 2023. It briefly reversed in 2024 – the Chinese Year of the Dragon, traditionally seen as an auspicious year for childbirth – when births exceeded deaths by 99, before slipping back into a deficit in 2025.
In 2025, the Malay, Indian and Others ethnic groups continued to record natural increases of 3,006, 1,199 and 2,231, respectively.
The Malays had 6,725 births and 3,719 deaths in 2025. There were 3,427 births and 2,228 deaths among the Indians, and 2,810 births and 579 deaths for those in the Others category.
Shannon Ang, an assistant professor of sociology at the Nanyang Technological University, said one reason why there were more deaths than births among the Chinese in 2025 is that the Chinese have the lowest birth rate among the races. This is even as the crude birth rates fell for all races over the decades.
For example, the crude birth rate fell from 8.6 in 2015 to 5.3 in 2025 for the Chinese.
Over the same period, it fell from 13.3 to 11.8 among Malays, and from 10.9 to 7.3 for the Indians. The crude birth rate refers to the number of babies born per thousand people in the resident population.
On top of that, the number of Chinese babies born in 2025 fell by 15 per cent compared with 2024, Ang added.
The crude death rates for the Chinese and Malays are the same, at 6.3 per 1,000 people in the resident population in 2025. It was 5 for Indians and 2.3 for Others.
The narrowing gap comes as Singapore has been battling a longstanding baby drought, with the overall number of births in 2025 falling to its lowest in the Republic’s post-independence history.
A total of 29,864 babies across all races were born in 2025, an 11.4 per cent fall from 2024.
Meanwhile, as the population ages, the number of deaths continues to rise.
Deaths rose marginally by 0.2 per cent from 26,442 in 2024 to 26,499 in 2025."
More rental housing options being studied as demand from young Singaporeans grows (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – More rental housing options could come on the market as the Government looks to meet younger Singaporeans’ demand for flexible accommodation.
These could include co-living, long-stay serviced apartments and Build-To-Rent models, said National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat on Aug 3.
The aim is to give people housing options for different stages of their lives, added Chee, who was speaking at the opening of Mber Co-Living and Serviced Apartments in Serangoon.
“While home ownership remains a key tenet of Singapore’s social compact, we recognise that there is also demand for flexible accommodation options, such as by younger Singaporeans who are looking to rent initially before buying their own homes,” he noted.
This group may choose to rent for various reasons, such as “to live independently or to enjoy greater flexibility”, he said.
“Maybe not forever, but for that period before you buy a home. I think this is something that will enrich and give greater options, greater diversity to our housing market,” added Chee.
However, he stressed that home ownership remains a key part of Singapore’s social compact.
The Government has worked with the private sector to explore a wider range of housing models, including long-stay serviced apartments which piloted in 2023.
These were introduced to meet the increased demand for rental housing from Singaporeans and those who work and study here.
In July 2026, a new independent living initiative was also announced under the SG Youth Plan. Under it, two private co-living operators will offer more than 100 subsidised rental units to people aged 21 to 35.
In his speech, Chee added that rejuvenating older estates should not mean leaving history and heritage behind.
He cited Mber as an example. Located on a site previously occupied by Lim Tua Tow Market, Mber’s tiered architecture was designed to recall the two-storey market and shophouses that once stood on the site.
Today, Mber houses both private ensuite rooms and serviced apartments with shared spaces for socialising. Communal areas include dining, quiet rooms, game rooms and sky rooms for yoga and meditation. Other facilities include rooftop gardens, herb gardens, a dog run and an indoor-outdoor gym.
“Instead of choosing between preserving or changing our existing spaces entirely, we can balance both by honouring the history of these spaces through thoughtful and sensitive design during the redevelopment process,” he said."
Man arrested after allegedly injuring teen with pliers during dispute in Yishun (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A man has been arrested after he allegedly injured a teenager with a pair of pliers during a dispute in Yishun.
In a statement on Aug 3, the police said they received a call for assistance in Yishun Ring Road at about 7pm on Aug 2.
Investigations found that the man had been involved in a dispute with a 14-year-old earlier that day, in relation to an incident involving the man’s power-assisted bicycle and the teenager’s e-scooter, resulting in damage to the man’s personal property, the police said.
During the dispute, the 39-year-old man used a pair of pliers on the teenager, causing superficial injuries, the police added.
The man is set to be charged on Aug 4 with voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means.
If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to seven years, as well as caned, fined, or both."
From CCAs to creator booths: How student clubs are joining Singapore’s ACG scene (4 August 2026)
"Student artists adjusted acrylic keychains hanging from display racks as visitors browsed stacks of colourful prints, stickers and handmade merchandise at the tertiary institution pavilion of Creators Super Fest 2026, held on July 11 and 12 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Conversations about favourite anime and games mixed with bursts of Japanese music drifted across the convention floor as students experienced running artist booths at a major anime, comics and games (ACG) convention for the first time."
‘People thought I was taking extra breaks’: The hidden pressures breastfeeding mothers face at work (4 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – When finance professional Amanda (not her real name) returned to work four months after giving birth to her first child in 2022, facilities were in place to help her continue breastfeeding.
She had access to a dedicated mothers’ room with private cubicles, hot water, sinks and refrigerators for storing breast milk.
But she soon realised that workplace culture was the biggest obstacle. Her boss expressed concern about her visibility in the office, and male colleagues joked about how it must be nice to take breaks in the middle of the workday.
The 36-year-old grew self-conscious about spending time away from her desk. Each pumping session took her about 40 minutes, after she factored in the long walk to the mothers’ room in another office block, setting up her pump, expressing milk, cleaning up and returning to her desk.
Instead of pumping twice at work, she cut it to one session during her lunch break.
“I just couldn’t deal with the perceptions that I had to manage around my breastfeeding. I had to adjust my pumping schedule to fit work rather than my baby’s needs,” she said.
“There were leaders who were more willing to start a meeting late because a colleague was just coming back from their smoke break, but wouldn’t be as understanding about a mother who needed to express milk.”
Amanda gave birth to her second child in March, and is due to return to work soon. Reflecting on her past experience, she has decided to stop breastfeeding once she starts working.
“When the workplace has these micro-aggressions and they are ignored by management and human resources, that’s when I don’t feel that it’s a safe space to keep pumping,” she said.
Amanda’s experience is far from unique.
A survey commissioned by social enterprise Go!Mama found that close to nine in 10 mothers who had breastfed within the past five years encountered at least one practical work-related barrier, including insufficient time to express milk, difficulty balancing breastfeeding and work commitments or the lack of suitable spaces.
About two-thirds said returning to work changed how they breastfed. This included shortening pumping sessions, switching feeding methods or stopping earlier than they had intended.
The poll of 202 mothers is part of a larger nationally representative survey that is expected to be released later in 2026.
The interim findings were presented on Aug 4 at the inaugural Global Women’s Health Equity Summit by Go!Mama at the Asian Civilisations Museum. The summit, which also marked Go!Mama’s fifth anniversary, featured panel discussions on women, breastfeeding and parenthood."
We are more aware of autism, but how well do we understand it? (5 August 2026)
"On a typical school morning, seven-year-old Jayden (not his real name) sits quietly at his desk, smiling at classmates who greet him as they stream into the classroom. As soon as his best friend sits down beside him, they start talking about their favourite topic – Pokemon.
Everyone in class knows that Jayden loves Pokemon – conversations with him often revolve around this interest. They have also learnt to navigate his preferences carefully and understand that he may become distressed when he loses games or when events do not unfold according to his expectations. To his teachers, he is academically capable and expressive, though he sometimes tends to interrupt lessons with his questions and needs reminders to wait for his turn.
Beneath this outwardly cheerful and competent appearance lies a daily struggle that is less visible to others. Jayden works hard to regulate himself, particularly when he becomes overwhelmed with rules he thought had been broken. During group work, he makes a conscious effort to avoid dominating conversations or redirecting discussions towards his own interests. His current primary school teachers began to understand his behavioural patterns more fully only after his parents shared his diagnosis of autism and the support he had received during his pre-school years.
Jayden was diagnosed with autism at the age of six, after his parents noticed that he seemed different from other children of his age. Initially, they attributed his frequent tantrums to his temperament. His outbursts, when he thought that rules had been broken, were a daily occurrence, until he started receiving behavioural help from his psychologist.
Jayden did not fit the image of autism that many people hold: a child who wanders aimlessly in public or withdraws entirely from others. Further evaluation was pursued only after teachers observed persistent behavioural challenges during kindergarten. In addition, Jayden also received behavioural and occupational therapy as well as social skills training, helping him regulate emotions and better understand friendships.
Stories like Jayden’s reflect how autism awareness in Singapore has expanded, particularly with improvements in early recognition and access to therapy or intervention. Yet they also raise an important question: Has understanding truly kept pace with awareness? Looking closely at Jayden’s journey, one might note that his parents’ initial concerns were not centred on autism itself, but on what seemed like a short temper. Public recognition of autism certainly exists, but it is often shaped by narrow and incomplete stereotypes. When societal perceptions remain limited, do we risk leaving some individuals undiagnosed, unsupported and unseen?
What is autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in how autistic individuals communicate and interact with others, as well as by restricted interests and/or repetitive patterns of behaviour. At first glance, autism may seem straightforward to define. In reality, its definition has evolved considerably over the past few decades, reflecting advances in scientific understanding and clinical practice.
Historically, autism was classified into several related diagnoses – such as Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified, and so-called “classic” autism – each intended to reflect differing patterns of language, social and cognitive development. A major shift occurred in 2013 with the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. These previously separate diagnoses were consolidated into one umbrella term: autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Beyond simplifying diagnostic categories, this change acknowledged that autistic traits exist along a continuum rather than within discrete boxes.
Clinically, these changes have offered clear advantages. Professionals can now recognise individuals who might have fallen between categories previously, and inconsistencies in the use of older labels have reduced. However, the umbrella approach has also introduced new complexities. A single diagnosis now encompasses individuals with widely differing profiles – from those who require intensive daily support to those who function independently in academic or professional environments.
Some clinicians and educators have raised concerns that the broad autism spectrum framework may mask meaningful differences. Individuals with very different needs, for example, can share the same diagnosis, potentially obscuring both challenges and strengths. Parents may also struggle to interpret the significance of an ASD diagnosis when it spans a wide range of abilities, particularly when autism is associated mainly with more visible impairments, leading to subtler differences dismissed as normal variation.
Although more specific descriptors have been proposed to enhance our understanding of autism, we need to keep in mind that every diagnostic model has its boundaries and carefully consider the clinical and practical usefulness of the umbrella model moving forward.
Beyond a straight line: Rethinking the spectrum
Public discourse often portrays autism as a straight line stretching from “mild” to “severe”, a metaphor that is simple but potentially misleading. Rather than a single sliding scale, autism is better understood as a constellation of traits, with characteristics varying in intensity and expression across individuals, contexts and stages of life. As a result, the type and level of support an individual requires may change over time.
This diversity is reflected in how traits present across different individuals. One person may have strong verbal abilities yet struggle with sensory sensitivities, while another may communicate minimally but display exceptional visual or analytical strengths. Some individuals function effectively in structured settings but become overwhelmed in unpredictable social environments, illustrating that abilities and challenges often coexist in complex ways.
Even within the same person, traits can shift across life stages, and stereotypical portrayals capture only a narrow range of experiences. A child who manages well in early schooling may face increasing demands during adolescence, while adults who appear socially confident may still experience profound anxiety beneath the surface. Viewing autism as a constellation rather than a linear spectrum, therefore, encourages a more nuanced perspective – one that moves beyond simplistic labels and focuses on individual strengths, needs and lived experiences."
Going beyond tackling misconceptions about autism (5 August 2026)
"The history of autism is, in many ways, a history of misunderstanding.
In the 1950s, an American psychologist and a few others in his field popularised the “refrigerator mother” theory. Essentially, it attributed a child’s autism to a mother’s cold parenting or aloofness.
It took years for that catastrophic diagnosis by Bruno Bettelheim to be discredited, but not before it inflicted damage upon families through stigma, guilt and shame, as researchers have described.
Since then, despite leaps in medical research and the advent of modern science, fallacies around autism have continued to emerge.
In the 1990s, disgraced British doctor Andrew Wakefield caused panic by spuriously linking the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to autism.
More recently, in September 2025, US President Donald Trump linked childhood vaccines and the use of pain medication Tylenol for pregnant women and children to autism. The claim was quickly and forcefully rejected by global medical experts.
In a perverse way, if there is a silver lining to all these endless battles with ignorance and misinformation, it is the unintended attention they force onto the subject – however flawed the context.
One can only hope that these distractions do not obscure the far more consequential task of steering society beyond mere passive accommodation of people with autism.
At its core, autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental condition marked by variations in brain signalling that dictates how one navigates human interaction, learning and communication.
For people with autism, the challenges can cut across every phase of life, from the sensory battlegrounds of school and difficulties in learning to the realities of adult independence and caregiver burnout.
Those realities are hardly unique to any one country. In Singapore, the experience reflects both progress and the challenges that remain.
A 2023 study by the National University Hospital and National University Polyclinics estimated autism prevalence at about one in every 100 children aged 18 months, compared with an earlier estimate of one in 150 children in Singapore in 2016. The shift reflects improvements in detection and research as much as any underlying change in prevalence.
Public awareness around autism has undeniably improved over the years, as has the support for early detection and intervention, integration in mainstream schools and skills training in the teenage and adult years.
Yet researchers, caregivers and those diagnosed with autism will tell you that critical gaps remain across the life cycle. As Singapore confronts the twin demographic challenges of becoming a super-aged society and grappling with a record low fertility rate, questions over the priority for finite public resources will only intensify.
How we resolve the trade-offs will determine if individuals across the spectrum are integrated into our social fabric or marooned at its periphery."
No system malfunction found, after 432 students report O-level English oral discrepancies (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Oral examiners and students were shown the same question during the O-level English Language examination on July 15, and investigations found no evidence of a system malfunction, despite 432 candidates reporting discrepancies.
Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary told Parliament on Aug 5 that the authorities had not observed any pattern across the reports of the candidates, who came from 200 different oral examiner teams. Recollections of the text prompts also varied significantly, he noted.
“There was only one source that all candidates’ and examiners’ accounts accessed,” Janil said, as he laid out the steps the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) took, including verifying the examination material and reviewing all digital logs.
It was also not a cybersecurity incident, he added.
Janil was responding to eight questions from MPs after some candidates alleged that they were shown a different question during the 10-minute preparation period from the one read aloud by examiners during the assessment during their oral exam.
The issue first surfaced when students took to Reddit to report the discrepancy, with others saying that they had experienced something similar. In response to queries, SEAB had on July 18 said that no discrepancies were found.
MPs asked for details on whether SEAB had thoroughly investigated the alleged discrepancy, how many students and schools were affected, what support had been given to affected candidates, and whether the oral exam process would be reviewed going forward.
Janil said the actual prompt shown on July 15 was: “Who do you think would go to a place like this for a haircut? Why do you say so?”
A total of 173 candidates reported discrepancies on the day of the examination. That number rose to 432 over the next few days. Nearly 5,000 candidates took the English Language oral examination on July 15.
Investigations began the same day, Janil said, with SEAB conducting system-level checks and reviewing individual candidates’ accounts in the e-Examinations system, which logged the prompt and video each candidate had accessed.
SEAB also examined digital logs of how the exam material was authored and delivered, as well as what was displayed on individual screens during the silent preparation period, and ran cybersecurity checks to rule out a compromise of the system.
“The investigation showed that the prompt on candidates’ screens matched the prompt in the approved examination materials,” Janil said. “Investigations showed that in all examination centres, oral examiners and candidates accessed the same examination material during the oral examination on July 15.”
There was no discernible pattern – and no particular order – observed across the affected 432 candidates. For instance, the 2nd and 8th candidates from one oral team made reports, while for another, it was the 3rd and 10th candidates, Janil said.
The discrepancies reported were not about what the oral examiners asked, but about candidates’ recollection of the text prompt at the preparation station differing from what was read out, he noted.
He added that recollections themselves varied widely, even among students examined at the same centre by the same oral team."
Some recalled the prompt as “Would you go...”, others as “Would you visit...”, “Would you be interested…”, “Would you cut your hair (at the place shown)?” or “Why would I go...”, among other variations, Janil said.
“Putting together the technical details, the distribution pattern of the incidents across the stations, schools and time, as well as the variety of phrases reported by the students, SEAB has concluded that the cause for these incidents was not technical in nature nor the result of a deliberate or malicious act,” he said."
Dentists in S’pore lack awareness on prescribing antibiotics: NUS study (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE - While antimicrobial resistance has been declared a major global health threat, a lack of awareness has led some dentists in Singapore to continue prescribing antibiotics even when they are not needed, a local study has found.
Many also had gaps in their understanding of antimicrobial resistance despite being aware of its threat, said the researchers from the National University of Singapore’s Faculty of Dentistry (NUS Dentistry).
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria develop resistance to standard antibiotics, as a result of the misuse or overuse of such antibiotics.
In 2025 the World Health Organization warned that one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide in 2023 showed resistance to antibiotic treatments.
Studies have suggested that the phenomenon could be responsible for some 10 million deaths globally each year by 2050 – more than those caused by cancer annually.
Conducted between 2024 and 2025, the local study surveyed 280 of the more than 2,600 registered dentists here.
The majority - 71.2 per cent of those surveyed - reported always or often prescribing prophylactic antibiotics – taken to prevent bacterial infections – after extracting impacted third molars, or wisdom teeth, in healthy patients.
This is despite increasing evidence indicating that such antibiotics are unnecessary, the researchers noted.
Similarly, 73.5 per cent of respondents reported routinely prescribing prophylactic antibiotics for dental implant surgery.
The researchers noted that while these antibiotics have been reported to reduce early implant failure, the absolute risk reduction was only 2.9 per cent, with their use showing no differences in early failure rates for otherwise healthy patients.
“Thus, prophylactic antibiotics should not be routinely prescribed and should be reserved for surgically or medically complex patients,” they said."
Man who allegedly abducted 19-year-old over car rental dispute charged (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A man was charged on Aug 5 over the abduction of a 19-year-old man, with an additional charge of possession of a 43cm-long parang submitted by prosecutors.
According to court documents, Mashahri Mazlan abducted the victim on Aug 4 at around 1.55am at Block 104B Canberra Street by using a knife, threatening and compelling him to enter a vehicle.
Mashahri, 38, is said to have also been armed with a parang measuring around 43cm long.
From Canberra Street, he allegedly drove the victim’s car to 43 Admiralty Road West, and later to the junction of Woodlands Avenue 10 and Woodlands Avenue 7.
In an earlier statement, the police said they were alerted to the incident on Aug 4. Their preliminary investigations showed that the victim was confronted by the group, which included Mashahri, two women and another man, over a car rental dispute.
Mashahri is said to have held up the parang to threaten and order the victim to sit in the front passenger seat.
Meanwhile, the other male member of the group sat in the rear.
Officers from Woodlands Police Division spotted the victim’s vehicle in Woodlands after his alleged abduction, but Mashahri sped off to avoid arrest.
The pursuit ended when the vehicle collided into a lamppost at the junction of Woodlands Avenue 7 and Woodlands Avenue 10.
Mashahri was arrested at the scene, with the parang found in his possession, while the other members of the group ran off.
The 36-year-old man and two women, aged 30 and 38, were arrested separately through follow-up investigations. Police investigations are ongoing against the three of them."
New Razer-NUS AI lab to build companions beyond Tamagotchi, gaming intelligence (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A 3D holographic desk companion that manages schedules, tracks the weather and coaches video gaming combat is a step closer to reality with the setting up of a joint research lab between gaming firm Razer and the National University of Singapore.
Unveiled on Aug 5, the Razer-NUS Joint AI Research Lab aims to drive research in artificial intelligence (AI) models that support in-game and real-life conversations and tasks.
For one, developments from the lab are expected to help Razer build AVA, its 3D holographic digital companion first showcased in January at the Consumer Electronics Show 2026 in Las Vegas.
AVA features a 5.5-inch animated hologram display that scans its surroundings through in-built cameras and microphones. AVA can also be plugged to a computer through a cable to oversee tasks on the computer or act as a gaming wingman.
“Digital avatars, like Tamagotchi, are not new. What we’re doing now is to take (things) to the next level,” said Razer’s chief strategy officer Li-Meng Lee on Aug 5.
Lee said that Razer pictures a future where AVA understands users’ daily routine and offers reminders or advice without being prompted.
AVA, which takes the shape of a transparent cylindrical block, is currently a prototype that uses xAI’s Grok to power its conversational abilities. Razer is developing a feature to allow users to switch among AI models of their choice.
The holographic avatars of interchangeable animated characters are projected in the block.
During a demonstration on Aug 5, one of the animated characters called Kira was able to introduce herself, provide restaurant suggestions for dinner and calculate how long it takes to drive from NUS to Changi Airport.
An undisclosed number of users in English speaking countries around the world are involved in beta testing the product. The beta test programme aims to test its task execution, and data and safety boundaries, among other features.
The beta programme aims to test its multi-step task execution, and data and safety boundaries, among other features.
Lee claimed that over 15,000 potential buyers have put down a deposit of $20 each for the product.
Research from the Razer-NUS Joint AI Research Lab will also support Razer’s Project Motoko, a wearable AI headset with in-built cameras to scan the user’s environment and provide advice powered by users’ AI model of choice be it OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini."
73 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of P1 registration (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A total of 73 primary schools will conduct balloting for places in Phase 2C, the latest stage in the Primary 1 registration process.
Of these schools, 72 are oversubscribed, while one – Opera Estate Primary School – is not but will hold balloting for Permanent Resident (PR) applicants.
This year, a total of 79 schools are oversubscribed, meaning they have received more applications than there are vacancies.
Seven of these schools will not conduct balloting as they will only admit children up to a certain priority category.
These schools are St. Margaret’s School (Primary), Yangzheng Primary School, Canossa Catholic Primary School, Punggol Primary School, Keming Primary School, Tanjong Katong Primary School and Alexandra Primary School.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) updated the latest registration figures on its website on Aug 5 for Phase 2C, which ended on July 30 at 4.30pm. Results for this phase will be out on Aug 11.
Vacancies for the next stage, Phase 2C Supplementary, will also be released at 1pm on the same day.
This phase is the last one for the 2026 Primary 1 registration exercise.
Registration for Phase 2C Supplementary will open at 9am on Aug 17 and close at 4.30pm on Aug 18. Results for this phase will be out on Aug 27.
Princess Elizabeth Primary School in Bukit Batok is the most oversubscribed in Phase 2C, with 159 applicants vying for 40 spots.
This is followed by Northland Primary School in Yishun, which has 141 applicants vying for 42 spots, and Nan Hua Primary School in Clementi, with 123 applicants for 41 spots.
MOE said 55.3 per cent of its schools will not conduct balloting in Phase 2C, which is open to children who have no prior links to the school.
Opera Estate Primary School, which was not oversubscribed, will hold a ballot for PR children residing outside 2km of the school. This is because it has a cap on its intake of PR children."
Rapist forced himself on 13-year-old deaf and mute girl (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – While his pregnant wife was out running errands, a man raped a deaf and mute 13-year-old girl.
The man, now 24, was sentenced to a jail term of 12 years and nine months, as well as 12 strokes of the cane, on Aug 5.
He pleaded guilty to rape and a charge of being absent without leave from his national service duties with the Singapore Civil Defence Force for over a year.
Another two molest charges were taken into consideration for sentencing.
He cannot be named due to a gag order on the identities of both the man and victim.
The incident happened in November 2024, when the man was living in a two-room rental flat with his wife. She was then about five months into her pregnancy.
The court heard that the man and his wife knew the victim and her family. His wife was the goddaughter of the victim’s mother, while he was a secondary schoolmate of the victim’s older brother.
The victim, who called him “uncle”, initially found him “nice, kind and funny”. They would communicate through very basic sign language and gestures, and by messages on their phones.
On Nov 2, 2024, the victim’s mother had to attend an event and told the girl to spend the night at the man’s flat.
The night passed uneventfully, but the next morning, the wife left the flat at around 9am to run errands and left the girl and the man alone.
The girl was initially at the dining table when the man told her to accompany him to the bedroom. He then said he wanted to have sex with her, but she communicated that she did not want to.
The man continued to press her by typing messages on her phone. He told her that she “must try first” and that it would be “only one time”.
He offered to pay her for sex, saying he would give her money after the act. The girl continued to reject him.
When he tried to touch her thigh, she pushed him away. He then pulled her by the hand towards the bed.
During that episode, the girl was messaging the man’s wife for help, texting her “help me” and telling her that the man was trying to force her to have sex.
It was not mentioned if the wife responded to her messages.
The man then forced himself on the girl, and raped her. The girl struggled but he was too strong.
He stopped only when he heard his wife unlocking the door to the flat.
The wife told the man about the messages the girl had sent her. He lied and said the girl had become angry after his wife left, and had taken a knife from the kitchen “to do something”.
He said that while his wife was out, he spent time in the bedroom.
The victim did not tell the wife about the rape as she did not want to break up the couple.
The assault was uncovered after the girl visited some relatives later that night and they noticed a love bite.
When they asked her about it, she used her phone to show them a photo of the man. She wanted to convey the message that he was the one who did it to her.
The police were called and the man was arrested for rape that same day.
The court heard that the man underwent reformative training while serving his national service.
He was to report back to continue his national service duties from Oct 23, 2023, but did not do so. In total, he was absent without leave for over a year until he was arrested for the rape."
Childcare subsidies for stay-home mums, more maternity leave among proposals to support families (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE - More government-paid childcare leave, extending childcare subsidies to stay-at-home mothers and increasing maternity leave to six months were part of a raft of measures proposed by Elysa Chen (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) to make it easier for Singaporeans to start families and raise children.
Speaking during an adjournment motion in Parliament on Aug 5, she also called for employees to be allowed to use their own medical leave to care for sick children or elderly parents. She asked for structured postpartum home visits and improved access to pre-school places, particularly in areas with higher demand.
Replying to Chen, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah said the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup is considering some of her suggestions. Indranee chairs the workgroup, which will produce a full report with its findings in early 2027.
The workgroup is developing a long-term road map to strengthen support for marriage and parenthood, mobilise action across society and support a broader societal reset, she added.
Recently released statistics on marriage and parenthood have also sharpened the workgroup’s urgency to act, she said. In 2025, there were about 24,700 marriages, a 6.2 per cent drop from 2024. Singapore also recorded 26,100 citizen births in 2025, a 10.8 per cent decrease from 2024.
In her speech, Chen said Singapore needs to move beyond financial incentives to tackle structural challenges that young couples and parents face, across four areas: time, care, work and housing.
Chen said the current annual childcare leave entitlement is often insufficient for parents caring for young children. Those with children aged up to seven are entitled to six days of leave, while those with children aged eight to 12 have two days of leave.
“Children frequently require check-ups, and may experience extended bouts of illness,” she said.
“If just one child catches hand, foot and mouth disease, how will families cope?”
Indranee said parental leave provisions have recently been enhanced and working parents now have a total of 30 weeks to care for their infants.
“We are actively working on how we can provide more protected time for working parents, while managing the impact on business operations,” she added.
To structurally mandate “breathing space” for young people to socialise and date, as well as to spend quality time with family, Chen also proposed that the statutory minimum annual leave be increased. Under the Employment Act, it is currently seven days.
She also called for childcare subsidies to be made universal, regardless of whether a mother is employed. Currently, higher-tier basic infant care and childcare subsidies are available only to a working main applicant, typically a mother who works at least 56 hours a month.
Chen said this puts stay-at-home mothers and those with non-traditional work arrangements, such as freelancers, at a disadvantage.
Chen said one mother had asked at a recent PAP Women’s Wing engagement session: “Why is unpaid caregiving at home less valuable than the contributions of a working mum?”
Parliament: MPs call for stronger support for workers, debate retrenchment and skills training (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Retrenchment benefits, skills training and helping young workers navigate the job market were among the issues raised by over 20 MPs in Parliament on Aug 5.
They were responding to a motion filed by WP MPs Kenneth Tiong (Aljunied GRC) and Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC), which set out the opposition party’s vision for Singapore’s economy and its response to the Government’s economic plans.
An amended motion was put forth by PAP MP Edward Chia (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC), which the WP MPs dissented to. It was subsequently passed by the House.
During the nine-hour debate, MPs spoke about the need to help young workers gain a foothold in an increasingly uncertain labour market.
Such workers may be among the hardest hit if artificial intelligence compresses entry-level roles and creates a “broken rung” at the start of their careers, said National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay (Pioneer).
“If our young graduates cannot get that first meaningful foothold, their long-term progression may be affected. We cannot allow the first step of a career to become the weakest link in our labour market,” he added.
He noted that NTUC, through the Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT), works with the Government and employers in various sectors to give young graduates structured, industry-relevant experience.
Beyond the traineeship period, NTUC and Workforce Singapore (WSG) help participants transition into full-time roles and build confidence in using AI tools, he added.
But Non-Constituency MP Andre Low urged the Government to also develop paid apprenticeships. Beyond GRIT, Singapore needs a more structured pathway for roles requiring sustained training and supervised practice over a longer period, he said.
He also called for more pathways to give young people a “fair start”. For example, Singapore should open more ordinary entry-level jobs to capable beginners, and expand the new Skills and Workforce Development Agency’s ability to verify and assess competencies, he said.
Retrenchment protections also featured prominently in the debate, with WP chief Pritam Singh (Aljunied GRC) saying that minimum retrenchment benefits should be made mandatory.
Arguments against doing so should be “carefully examined and weighed afresh”, given the increasingly unpredictable economic landscape that workers are facing, he added.
Singh said worker anxiety has climbed despite Singapore’s positive employment situation, citing how retrenchments in Singapore hit 4,500 in the second quarter of 2026.
He said the law in Singapore has “fallen behind”, and that other countries have adopted such laws.
Singh also noted that most employees already receive retrenchment benefits up to the tripartite guideline of two weeks’ salary for every year of service. This can serve as the starting point for legislated retrenchment benefits, he said. “This would largely formalise practice while ensuring that workers who fall through the gap that cannot be bridged by non-binding tripartite guidelines are protected,” he added.
Responsible employers would no longer be disadvantaged relative to those who provide the bare minimum or nothing at all, he said."
Will children read more if we paid them to do it? (6 August 2026)
"Will paying children to read foster a long-term reading habit?
There was much debate and discussion online over this question when The Straits Times reported on July 28 that the National Library Board (NLB) is encouraging people to develop a consistent reading habit with virtual coins that can eventually be exchanged for cash.
As part of a new five-year national reading movement called ReadSG, NLB is calling on people to log their daily reading sessions to collect virtual coins. A thousand coins can be exchanged for $1. NLB is still working out the commensurate reward for tasks, but said it is likely to be linked to at least 15 minutes of reading each day.
But as one netizen queried: “Why the need for such a desperate move to get Singaporeans to read?”
So, is reading really in such urgent need of a revival? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.
Can throwing money at the problem solve the problem? Distasteful as some may find it, there is evidence to suggest it could work.
DECLINE OF READING
It is true that the habit of reading is declining.
NLB officials quoted a 2024 study which found that only 28 per cent of Singapore adults read books weekly, though this number rose to about nine in 10 when news, articles on social media and websites were included.
But what about children and teens, as this initiative is most likely targeted at younger Singaporeans who are spending most of their leisure time glued to screens?
Trends presented in two international studies suggest that while they rank high as readers globally, Singapore’s youth no longer enjoy reading very much and are not very discerning about what they read.
The last Progress In International Reading Literacy Study, conducted in 2021 and released in 2023, showed Singapore's Primary 4 pupils emerging as the top readers in the world, compared with their peers from 56 other education systems. But those who reported enjoying reading a lot fell to 51 per cent in 2021, the lowest in a decade. This is compared with 55 per cent in 2016 and 60 per cent in 2011.
In the Programme for International Student Assessment, Singapore's 15-year-olds, despite being ranked second in the 2018 study, had difficulty interpreting information online.
Less than half of the students assessed could tell the difference between biased and unbiased sources, a problem compounded by the fact that they spend over three hours a day outside of class online.
Now, eight years later, with further migration online, we can expect that reading among young Singaporeans has declined further.
Something must be done to inculcate the reading habit in our pre-school and primary school students, as reading is key to unlocking a whole world of possibilities for them and shapes how they think and interact with the world. When children read, they are also building cognitive skills - the ability to analyse, solve problems and imagine new possibilities.
So, yes, there is a need to get our children to read, and at a deeper level, to develop critical reading skills. But is offering them money the way to go about it?
Going by the views expressed online, many avid readers are dead set against cash rewards.
To sum up, they said offering a reward suggests to children at an early age that reading is an unpleasant task which they need to be bribed to do. Children should read because they love reading, not because they are getting paid. Also, once you pay children to read, you may have to keep paying, because chances are the child will stop once no reward is in sight.
One of the leading scientists on reading, Maryanne Wolf, warned that monetary incentives undermine the emotional connection that children develop when reading storybooks. She says this connection “is often the tipping point between leaping into the reading life or remaining in a childhood bog where reading is endured only as a means to other ends”.
THE CARROT CAN WORK
But it is also a fact that we are struggling to hold back the migration online and the exponentially increasing hours of our children on social media. Is paying children an idea worth trying out?
There is some research to back this. In a paper published in 2011, Harvard University economist Roland Fryer cited an experiment he did in over 200 urban schools across three cities in the US to better understand the impact of financial incentives on student achievement.
In New York, students were rewarded for performance on interim assessments. In Chicago, students were paid for classroom grades. The cash incentives didn't work for them, but they did in Dallas, where second-graders were given US$2 every time they read a book and successfully completed a computerised quiz about it.
The kids ended up roughly 21/2 months ahead in reading comprehension versus the control group.
Educators and policymakers noted that for an investment of about US$20 a child, it is one of the cheapest, most effective reading interventions tried out.
So why didn't the monetary experiments in the other cities work? Fryer's reasoning was that most kids don't know how to “get good grades”. “Work harder” is vague, whereas “read this book” is concrete.
As Fryer notes, giving money to kids to read is not likely to lead to a long-term habit. But for some kids, perhaps younger ones, it may at least get them started on the reading habit.
Rightly, many netizens also asked if the payout must be cash. Are there other kinds of rewards that may work?
Again, that's something worth considering."
Probation for youth over online ‘joke’ that he was about to bomb Scoot plane (6 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A 19-year-old youth caused delays to three Scoot flights departing from Changi Airport following an online “joke” he made stating that he was about to bomb one of its planes.
The three flights were each delayed for more than an hour, resulting in a total operational loss of nearly $2,000 for the carrier.
Rykes Tan Zhi Kai, now 20, has since made full restitution to Scoot.
On Aug 6, he was ordered to undergo probation for a year after he pleaded guilty to one count of communicating false information about a harmful situation.
He has to remain indoors from 10pm to 6am daily, and perform 90 hours of community service.
His parents were also bonded for $5,000 to ensure his good behaviour.
Court documents stated that Tan was about to travel to Taiwan on June 7, 2025, and was in a gate hold room at Changi Airport Terminal 1 when he snapped a picture of the Scoot plane he was scheduled to board.
Shortly before midnight, he uploaded the picture onto his private Instagram account, which had 71 followers, with a caption saying he was about to bomb the plane.
Court documents said he had made the caption as a “joke”.
An unnamed friend contacted him via the social media platform about the picture.
Tan replied: “This is (an) automated message. Tan Zhi Kai, Rykes (has) successfully bombed the plane and is unable to contact you from now onwards.”
Tan and three companions left Singapore in the plane at around 1am.
At around the same time, the police received an anonymous tip-off about the photograph. Three other Scoot flights scheduled to travel to China and Greece had to undergo enhanced security screening.
They finally departed Singapore at around 3am on June 8, 2025, the court heard.
Tan was arrested three days later, after he returned from Taiwan."
Youth gender dysphoria treatments to continue even as new guidelines are being rolled out (6 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE - Children and adolescents receiving treatment for gender dysphoria (GD) - the distress a person feels from a mismatched inner gender identity and birth sex - should continue to receive care under their existing managing clinicians.
This is to avoid the potential harm of an abrupt interruption, while upcoming treatment review panels are being formed to assess the cases under new treatment guidelines introduced on May 5, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in an Aug 5 parliamentary reply.
These guidelines for children and teens with GD now make psychological support the required first step before other treatments. Puberty blockers are not allowed under the new guidelines. Instead, these young patients have to be assessed and managed by a multi-disciplinary care team, which will also provide for a review panel.
He was responding to questions from Non-Constituency MP Eileen Chong, He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC) and Victor Lye (Ang Mo Kio GRC), who sought clarity on the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) new treatment guidelines for youth with GD as well as the impact on those currently undergoing treatment.
He said MOH is working with the public healthcare institutions and private providers that are managing existing patients to develop treatment pathways in line with the guidelines.
“We will need some time to set up (the) panels, and schedule existing patients for review. While this is being done, existing treatment should continue under the care of the managing clinician to avoid the potential harm of an abrupt interruption,” said Ong.
“When ready, the panels will assess patients on an individual basis and a careful decision will be made on whether to continue or adjust their treatment plan,” Ong said.
These panels will comprise various experts. They include the psychologist, counsellor, and social worker involved in the patient’s care, as well as an independent psychiatrist, endocrinologist or paediatrician, and surgeon if surgical intervention is necessary. Additionally, the panel will include one non-treating medical specialist drawn from any of these professional groups.
It is an approach that will offer greater assurance in the long term that each patient will receive an appropriate diagnosis and treatment pathway, Ong said. “It enables us to better support young people with GD, while avoiding putting those without GD on a painful and irreversible path.”
Ong described GD as a psychiatric condition that requires careful and holistic management, particularly for young people who are still undergoing major physiological and psychological changes.
“Someone diagnosed with GD will require empathy, acceptance and support from their family and the wider community. The person will also need appropriate and effective clinical care,” he said.
GD is a recognised clinical condition, with Singapore’s Institute of Mental Health diagnosing an average of around 65 patients below the age of 18 each year from 2021 to 2025.
Explaining the rationale for the new youth GD treatment guidelines, Ong said the risks are too big for a complex condition like GD to be managed solely at the primary care level.
“For individuals with GD, who remain undiagnosed or who are diagnosed but have treatment withheld, the consequences are severe,” Ong said. “On the other hand, for individuals without GD but given irreversible treatment, the consequences are also very severe.”
The diagnosis, Ong said, needs to be robust, and treatment decisions must be based on the best available clinical evidence and the patient’s best interests."
No evidence of offence committed here, or by S’pore agents, in Indonesian baby trafficking case (6 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – No offence has been committed in Singapore, or by Singapore-based adoption agents, in connection with the adoption of babies brought here by an Indonesian baby trafficking ring, the authorities told The Straits Times.
At least 12 babies were sent to Singapore for adoption by the syndicate, with each child allegedly sold for between 200 million rupiah (S$14,300) and 250 million rupiah.
Three Singapore adoption agents were also involved in the racket, the West Java authorities had previously said.
On July 21, a court in Bandung, Indonesia, sentenced 19 ring members to jail terms ranging from three years and four months to seven years for human trafficking.
In Singapore, it is illegal to pay a biological parent to give his or her child up for adoption.
However, the law allows certain adoption-related payments, including reimbursement for medical bills related to the child’s birth, legal fees and fees for adoption-related services.
Adoption agents in Singapore must also follow regulations under the Adoption of Children Act, such as not providing false information and not deceptively obtaining the birth parents’ consent to the adoption.
In their joint reply on Aug 4, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said: “Based on information available to us thus far, we are presently unable to conclude that any offence has been committed in Singapore, or by Singaporeans or Singapore-based entities.
“We will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against those who have broken our laws.”
The reply also said that the Singapore authorities would continue to work closely with the Indonesian authorities for information on each child and their biological parents.
“This information will help to inform the assessment of what is in the best interest of the child – a key consideration for the Singapore courts to eventually decide on each pending adoption process.”
The reply did not address questions about the number of babies or Singapore families affected by the case, or what would happen to their adoption and citizenship applications.
The Indonesian baby trafficking ring was headed by Lie Siu Luan, 70, one of the 19 ring members. She was found guilty of recruiting babies for adoption, preparing forged adoption documents and arranging for the babies to be sent overseas.
She was sentenced to seven years in prison on July 21.
The biological parents of these Indonesian babies were reportedly recruited through social media, and they were given up to 20 million rupiah to give their babies up for adoption.
The baby trafficking ring worked with Singapore agents to find prospective parents for these babies, and some Singapore parents paid more than $20,000 for the child, the West Java Police have said."
Man allegedly punched daughter, told son to strip naked and go to ground floor of HDB block (6 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A man was charged on Aug 6 after he allegedly told his 10-year-old son to strip naked and take a lift to the ground floor of a block of flats.
The man is also accused of raining blows on his eight-year-old daughter at Changi Airport.
The 40-year-old father is accused of two counts of ill-treating a child. He cannot be named due to a gag order to protect the identities of the two children.
The man was in a flat on the eighth floor at around 8.40am on Sept 8, 2025, when he allegedly told his son to strip and take the lift to the ground floor.
Court documents did not disclose if the boy complied.
On Oct 3 that year, the father was at Changi Airport Terminal 3 shortly before 6pm when he allegedly slapped, punched and pushed his daughter, causing injuries to her face and neck.
The court documents also did not state the reasons behind both purported acts of abuse.
The man’s case will be mentioned again on Aug 13."
Schools have integrated children with autism. Have they included them? (7 August 2026)
"When I was working as an occupational therapist helping parents of children with autism, one question would surface repeatedly.
Parents would ask repeatedly: “What if one day my child blames us for not giving them a chance in mainstream school?” At times, tears would follow.
These parents were referring to the fact that their child has been recommended to be placed in a special education (SPED) school. They fear that this is a one-way door: Once crossed, opportunities quietly narrow, and entering mainstream schooling becomes unlikely.
This is not just about stigma. It’s about the fear that many opportunities for their children may no longer be within reach. Those concerns must be addressed.
However, including a child with autism in a mainstream classroom comes with issues, too. The child may end up silently enduring sensory overload, struggle with transitions such as moving around different classrooms, or feel intense anxiety during social encounters. They become physically present but functionally excluded, despite the efforts of teachers trying their best amid constraints of time and manpower.
Families often experience the education system as a binary choice – SPED or mainstream, one or the other. This framing does not reflect how children with autism develop. Their needs are not fixed. They evolve with age, maturity, mental health and the support around them. A placement that is appropriate at the age of six may no longer be so at 10, and vice versa.
If we can move away from the perception of one-way doors and rigid categories towards a system that adapts alongside the child, we will ease the burden on families and teachers – and create a system that truly works for the children it is meant to serve.
Integration not the same as inclusion
Singapore has come a long way in supporting children with autism. Over the years, we have expanded our SPED framework, invested in early intervention, and grown awareness of neurodiversity within mainstream schools. These efforts reflect a system that is learning, adapting and striving to do right by every child. That progress deserves recognition.
The Ministry of Education has made continued investment in building more SPED schools – both those with highly customised curricula and those aligned with the national curriculum. These developments have expanded options for families and reflect a commitment to meeting diverse learning needs more thoughtfully.
Despite progress and improved infrastructure, however, many children with autism and their families still face significant challenges in the school system. The issue is not a lack of intent, but how the system is designed. While building more SPED schools strengthens the ecosystem, it does not address the daily systemic barriers that children with autism encounter in mainstream classrooms.
Much of our recent progress has focused on integration – increasing the number of children with autism in mainstream schools. However, meaningful integration requires more than additional pathways. It requires an honest assessment of the system’s shortcomings and a willingness to rethink how support is structured.
True, the actual physical presence of a child with autism in a mainstream school does matter, as this signals acceptance and a move away from segregation. However, integration is not the same as inclusion, and confusing the two has real consequences for the children, their parents, the teachers and fellow pupils.
A common misconception is that placing the children in a mainstream classroom equals true inclusion. It assumes that mere exposure will help the child adapt to the pace, noise, social dynamics and academic demands of the environment.
Research by educational psychologists Julie Bailey and Sara T. Baker, published in 2020, indicates that pupils with autism in mainstream settings frequently experience barriers such as anxiety, sensory sensitivity, and difficulties with friendships and social interaction, which can limit their full participation if appropriate support is not in place.
Some, being non-disruptive, go unnoticed as they expend great effort just to get through the day without truly learning. For others, who melt down or self-stimulate when overwhelmed, they are noticed, but often through a lens of judgment rather than understanding.
True inclusion requires more than physical placement. It requires adaptation – of teaching approaches, classroom structures, assessment modes and expectations of what learning can look like.
It is also a myth that children with autism do not feel lonely or do not need friends. While some may appear socially aloof in the early years, many become increasingly aware of friendship, seek connection and question why they feel different.
Some schools have peer support systems that help, but inclusion cannot depend on isolated programmes alone. It requires peers to move beyond simply noticing difference towards building genuine friendships and accepting classmates who are differently abled.
I am reminded of my own son, who once went on a school holiday play date with a classmate who has autism. Their idea of fun was to sit on the MRT and travel across the network, covering every station on the different lines. What made it special was not the activity itself, but the simple willingness to enter his friend’s world with curiosity, acceptance and joy.
That could be what genuine inclusion looks like – where it goes beyond making space for difference and involves friendships that affirm belonging.
When done well, inclusion benefits everyone. Children with autism are supported to participate meaningfully, while neurotypical students develop empathy, adapt their communication and gain a broader understanding of what inclusion truly means in society.
Without these adjustments, mainstream integration risks overwhelming the child or leaving them stagnant, even when intentions are good. The question should not be whether a child can sit in a mainstream classroom, but whether that classroom is designed to help the child learn, cope and belong."
ITE award winners’ success fuelled by their passions in baking and cars (7 August 2026)
"He worked part-time as a kitchen assistant to contribute to the family finances to support his parents, who stopped working due to health issues while caring for his two younger brothers with special needs.
Despite his responsibilities, Afiq completed his Nitec in Pastry & Baking at ITE College West with a perfect GPA of 4.0 and received the Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal on July 22."
She switched paths to find her flair in events management (7 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – When Sheryl Danielle Eng graduated from secondary school in 2015 with a raw L1R5 score of seven points, enrolling at the Institute of Technical Education six years later was the last thing she imagined.
Yet 11 years later, the now 27-year-old was named Valedictorian (Diploma) from ITE’s Class of 2026. She also received the Gold Course Medal for her Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) in Event Management as well as the ITE-SkillsFuture Lifelong Learning Award on July 22."
How Singapore is using art to make its MRT stations the most beautiful in the world (7 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – If you have ever passed through Newton MRT’s Downtown Line platform, you may have noticed the sprawling, 11.4m-tall black-and-white mural located right by the escalators that take commuters up and down from the platform.
Or perhaps not. After all, MRT stations are the epitome of liminal spaces. They are never a destination in and of themselves, but a transient space where people pass through, often with haste.
But artworks such as the mural titled Newton – created by local visual artist Tan Zi Xi – have become an integral part of the fabric of Singapore’s MRT network.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) describes the artworks, which are commissioned under a programme called Art In Transit (AIT), as comprising Singapore’s largest public art showcase.
AIT first kicked off in 1997, with the North East Line. All new MRT stations that have opened since then have been furnished with unique artworks, often reflecting the location and history of the station.
And from 2026, LTA has been expanding the AIT programme to existing stations along the North-South and East-West Lines.
If MRT stations are just spaces where people pass through, what is the point of such careful curation?
One reason, says LTA, is to “create meaningful and memorable moments within the routine of daily travel”.
But beyond just making the stations more visually interesting, they can also contribute to Singapore’s overall urban identity, says content creator and heritage educator Ho Yong Min.
“These artworks give stations their own character, helping them become recognisable places rather than simply interchangeable points along the MRT network,” says Ho, who is behind the Instagram and TikTok accounts of The Urbanist Singapore.
And even though MRT stations are inherently transient spaces, they are nevertheless built to last for generations.
Hence, by placing artworks within them, “we’re also embedding stories, memories and ideas into the city’s physical fabric”, adds Ho.
“Collectively, these works also become a record of their time. They reflect where Singapore was as a society when they were commissioned, what stories we wanted to tell, and how we saw the relationship between art and public space,” he notes.
“That’s something future generations will inherit alongside the infrastructure itself.”
Beyond their visual appeal, these artworks can also have a functional role in making the stations easier to navigate.
Take, for instance, Justin Lee’s Old Chinatown In New Maxwell Life at Maxwell station on the Thomson-East Coast Line.
It is not a one-and-done piece, but spread out throughout the station.
At one entrance, hawker lightbulbs and a child eating suggest the way towards Maxwell Food Centre. At another entrance, clouds point commuters to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.
The LTA spokesperson says: “On the platform, the artwork features the station name in English and Chinese, reinforcing a sense of identity while assisting commuters with wayfinding.”
Mind the art: The stories and artists behind the works at MRT stations like Hougang and Newton (7 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Thanks to the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) Art In Transit programme, each new MRT station that has opened in Singapore since 1997 has been furnished with its own unique artwork, which often reflects the location and history of the station.
LTA describes the works as comprising “Singapore’s largest public art showcase”.
How do you create artwork for a transitional space such as an MRT station, and for the millions of people who will pass through it during its lifetime?
The Straits Times talks to the artists behind the creations at the Hougang, Hume, Newton and Orchard Boulevard stations to find out.
Hougang: Bringing the community together
Art has an established role in place-making and community, and this is what the Land Transport Authority (LTA) hopes to leverage with the Art In Transit programme.
The artwork for Hougang MRT station, which opened in 2003, along with the rest of the North East Line, takes a literal approach to the aim of community-building.
Hands Up For Hougang was made by the people for the people, says artist Seck Yok Ying. It showcases the handprints of 3,000 people, as embedded into the station walls in locations such as the walkways above the train platforms.
Although, if Seck had her way, the final number involved would have been more than double that figure.
“Initially, I estimated 7,000 people making one handprint each to maximise the number of people involved,” says the 50-year-old, who first got involved in the project in the late 1990s.
She had also wanted people living in Hougang to contribute to the panels.
But to make the project more operationally manageable, the number was cut down to 3,000.
Additionally, the participant pool was opened up to people living along the North East Line – sort of.
“The LTA-appointed project manager collaborated with community centres along the North East Line to bring in participants as part of a weekend tour programme,” says Seck.
“So, for over two weekends, a batch of 40 or so participants would arrive at the printing centre at LTA’s headquarters in Hampshire Road. They would have their handprints taken, enjoy some refreshments and then continue with the rest of their tour. Some were totally surprised at having this activity included.”
During the printing process, participants would press their palms on oiled clay – which Seck says feels like plasticine or Play-Doh – for a master mould.
These were then made into a flexible casting mould and cast into glass fibre-reinforced concrete, which is a material often used in building facades.
Each master mould was photographed, and Seck used the photographs to design the placement of the panels in the station during installation.
Even though nearly two decades have passed since then, the artwork is not finished in Seck’s mind.
“This is an example of living art or participatory art – an artwork that is never truly finished because the audience continuously changes it,” she notes.
“The design concept was for people to search for their hands and consequently cause a patina to grow on the panel. Over time, every touch polishes, darkens or lightens the surfaces, leaving behind a collective memory of everyone who has experienced the work.”
But to Seck’s disappointment, all the panels were painted pink a few years ago. “I’m hoping it doesn’t get painted over again. If not, all the fine details that we painstakingly created will eventually be lost,” she adds."
Jail for ex-training officer who shoved woman with intellectual disability, causing fractures (7 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A former training officer at a social service agency who shoved a female victim with an intellectual disability and caused her to suffer fractures, was sentenced to 14 weeks’ jail on Aug 7.
Nur Amira Shahirah Azmi, 21, had earlier pleaded guilty in July to an assault charge.
Details about the location of the incident and the victim cannot be disclosed due to a gag order.
The victim, who is vulnerable, was diagnosed with an intellectual disability in 2015.
Before the assault, the victim and a male client were seated in a room while waiting to collect their lunch on Aug 30, 2024.
In earlier proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Cheryl Tan told the court the victim had earlier been instructed to refrain from helping the other clients as the training officers wanted them to become more independent.
When it came to the pair’s turn to get their lunch, the victim extended her hand to the client to guide him towards a door.
One of the training officers then reminded her not to assist him.
Amira overheard her colleague talking to the victim. Amira then became angry with the victim for not following instructions.
She stormed towards the victim and scolded her.
Using her right hand, Amira shoved the victim’s shoulder, causing her to fall and hit the ground.
Amira continued to scold the victim, who was crying on the floor, the court heard.
The victim pointed to her left knee, prompting Amira to roll up her trousers to check.
However, Amira could not see any obvious signs of injury.
Later that day, other training officers observed that the victim could not stand or walk on her own.
Amira told her supervisors about the victim’s condition but said she did not know why the latter was in pain.
The victim was taken to hospital that evening, and doctors found that she had a dislocation to her left knee and several fractures in the area.
She was placed on a hinged knee brace for six weeks to restore her range of motion and ability to bear weight.
In July, the prosecutor told the court that there could be potentially lasting effects from the injury, as the victim had not regained her full range of motion at her most recent medical review."
Over 500 young S’poreans apply for co-living rooms; scheme five times oversubscribed (7 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – More than 500 young Singaporeans have signed up for discounted co-living rooms under a new independent living initiative, making the scheme five times oversubscribed within 11 days of its launch.
The applications were submitted between the initiative’s launch on July 25 and Aug 4, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said in response to queries from The Straits Times.
Introduced as part of the SG Youth Plan, a five-year plan for Singapore youth, the initiative offers over 100 rooms across three co-living properties for rent at a 30 per cent discount.
The rooms are located at 1925 Quarters in Jalan Besar, as well as Coliwoo Boon Lay and Coliwoo Lutheran in Bukit Timah. They are intended for Singaporeans between 21 and 35 who want to live independently, including singles and couples waiting for Build-To-Order flats.
Applicants register their interest in the initiative with MCCY through a form. Their information will subsequently be shared with the co-living operators.
An MCCY spokesperson said the majority of those who signed up are single. The most common reason for their interest was “the desire for more personal space and the opportunity to experience living independently”.
Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The National Youth Council (NYC) said information collected, such as applicants’ race, religion and income level, will not be used as selection criteria.
Among those who applied on the first day of the launch was an engineer who only wanted to be known by Alicia, 29. She received an e-mail from MCCY on Aug 3 informing her that she had been placed on the waitlist.
The e-mail said that should units become available, waitlist applicants will continue to be referred to operators in sequence based on the timestamp of their application.
Alicia hopes to rent a twin room at Coliwoo’s Bukit Timah property as it is closer to her workplace.
The idea of meeting other young people in a co-living space appealed to her. She also wants to move out as she experiences friction with her family.
“I want to change my way of life at this stage, because they see me as a child forever,” she said.
Being placed on the waitlist does not bother Alicia, who will look for other housing options. Her ideal choice is to own a private condominium unit before the age of 35, as she can either live in it or rent rooms out for more income.
David Tan, director of 1925 Quarters, said most of the initiative’s prospective tenants indicated they would like to try a three- to six-month stay.
Kelvin Lim, executive chairman and chief executive of Coliwoo, said they are open to making more rooms available under the programme. It will work with MCCY to assess demand before deciding on the timing, location and the number of additional units.
Similarly, Tan said the firm is open to offering more units. It has an upcoming property at Admiralty Hills to be launched in the coming months. Located between Sembawang MRT and Canberra MRT, it consists of 20 black-and-white former colonial houses."
Our invisible city: The social infrastructure that Singapore needs (8 August 2026)
"Every National Day, Singaporeans return to familiar rituals. We lament not securing tickets to the parade. We wonder whether this year’s theme song will be memorable. We gather around television screens to watch the state flag fly past and fighter jets streak across the sky. Children wave miniature flags while adults quietly wonder how another year has passed.
For a few hours, we are reminded that Singapore is more than a place on a map. It is home.
Yet there is another Singapore that rarely appears in our National Day celebrations. It is quieter, less visible, but no less important: the neighbour who waters our plants while we are away; the hawker who remembers we prefer less chilli; our childhood teacher who still asks after us years later. These small threads bind us together. They make up an invisible city, one built not of roads, MRT lines and skyscrapers, but of relationships, trust and a sense of mutual responsibility. Twice before in opinion articles published around National Day, I have asked what makes this place home. This year, I ask what will keep it so.
Singapore has spent the past six decades accomplishing what many thought improbable. We have transformed ourselves from a young nation with few natural resources into one of the world's most liveable cities.
But ask Singaporeans what they cherish most, and the answers are seldom about skylines. They speak of friendships forged during national service or in school, mentors who changed the course of their lives, grandparents present at every family milestone. We remember Singapore not as a collection of buildings, but as a web of relationships.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE CANNOT SEE.
National Day invites us to look backwards with gratitude and forward with hope. Perhaps it should also invite us to look around, and ask: What kind of society are we becoming?
Many Singaporeans would recognise a quiet paradox of modern life. We are more connected than ever, yet loneliness remains a growing reality. We know almost instantly where our friends have travelled and what they ate for dinner. Yet friendships that once required no planning now need to be pencilled into calendars weeks, even months, in advance. Part of this is neither surprising nor uniquely Singaporean. Modern life is demanding.
But there is also something particular about Singapore. We are, in many ways, an optimising nation: We optimise our time, moving efficiently from meeting to meeting, task to task, commitment to commitment. Much of our success has been built on precisely these qualities.
Yet relationships are, by their nature, inefficient. They require us to linger over a meal long after the plates have been cleared; to make an unplanned visit; to spend an afternoon with an ageing parent when there is nothing urgent to be done. The invisible city is sustained by acts that would make little sense on a spreadsheet.
Perhaps this is the paradox of successful societies: The very qualities that help us build prosperous economies do not always help us build deeply connected communities."
All primary, secondary and JC teachers to complete compulsory AI modules under new MOE plan (8 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – All teachers in primary and secondary schools, and junior colleges (JCs), will have to complete three compulsory training modules on artificial intelligence, under a new plan by the Education Ministry (MOE).
Launched in August 2026, the Teacher AI Literacy Professional Learning Roadmap sets out the skills and knowledge needed as the technology becomes more common in classrooms.
The first module, which covers the fundamentals of AI such as ethical considerations, safety and responsible use, must be completed by the end of 2026.
The other two modules, to be completed by 2027, explore age-appropriate use, how AI affects students’ thinking, and how it can be used to deepen learning.
Conducted online, each module takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
Beyond the compulsory modules, teachers will be able to take more advanced, subject-specific AI courses from 2027.
These moves come amid growing concerns that students may become overly reliant on AI, using it as a shortcut to complete assignments or producing answers without developing their own thinking.
Responding to related questions raised in a parliamentary session in February 2026, Education Minister Desmond Lee said the ministry is studying the impact of such tools on students’ learning. It provides guidance to schools to ensure that the use of AI enhances, rather than undermines, teaching and learning.
He added that AI is gradually introduced from Primary 4 with teachers’ supervision. They can use MOE-developed AI tools – available in the Singapore Student Learning Space – which are “designed to be pedagogically sound and are accompanied by appropriate guard rails”.
Samuel Tan, lead specialist at MOE’s Educational Technology Division, said the internal AI literacy road map – meant for schools and teachers – builds on guidance from the ministry since generative AI tools such as ChatGPT became widely available in late 2022.
“When AI became popularised, there were teachers who ran ahead quite fast, experimenting with it since 2023,” he said, adding that the ministry saw a need for clear guidance to equip teachers with AI skills useful for teaching and learning.
As at 2024, there were 29,605 teachers across primary schools, secondary schools and JCs.
Tan said the ministry spells out the specific knowledge, skills and ethical considerations teachers should have regarding the use of AI, while giving schools flexibility to plan their own professional learning opportunities.
Candice Seet, a master teacher for history, said many educators have been eager to explore AI, but need support to keep up. An educator for over 20 years, she is currently based at the Academy of Singapore Teachers (AST), where she conducts workshops and training for teachers.
“AI is new and evolving, and we recognise that teachers are naturally at different stages of readiness as well as levels of confidence when it comes to using AI for teaching and learning,” she said.
Apart from the online modules that teach the basics, Seet said teachers also have other learning opportunities to hone their AI skills for teaching and learning. This includes learning from colleagues who have already tried AI in classrooms, through peer-sharing sessions in school and learning networks organised by the AST and school clusters."
PM Wong to announce details on support for families, costs of raising children at NDR (8 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will soon provide more details on plans to help parents with the costs of raising children and to lighten the load on families.
He will share more about the Government’s plans on Aug 23 at the National Day Rally (NDR) – the biggest political speech of the year.
The Government has heard concerns from parents and families who feel stretched as they juggle competing demands, he said.
That is why it is conducting a major review on how families are supported in Singapore across various life stages – not only at the point of marriage and parenthood, but throughout life’s journey.
In his National Day message on Aug 8, he said the Government is taking a fresh look at issues like the costs of raising children, access to affordable infant care and childcare, and other ways to lighten the load on families.
This review is driven by an inter-ministry Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup that was tasked in April to look at some of these issues amid a record-low total fertility rate.
PM Wong, in his message taking stock of how far Singapore has come and the road ahead, noted that family life is coming under strain across the world.
Parents feel pressured to give their children the best start in life with rising expectations, and many are also caring for their own ageing parents while balancing the demands of work.
“We hear these concerns in Singapore too,” he said in his message filmed at the National Stadium, the site of the 2026 National Day Parade.
“Ultimately, economic growth and technological progress must translate into better lives for all Singaporeans. We want Singapore to be a place where everyone can pursue their aspirations with confidence, raise families with peace of mind, and look to the future with hope.”
Part of achieving this is to harness and shape technology in ways that will serve Singaporeans and strengthen society, he said.
Citing social media, PM Wong said it is helping people to stay connected, share ideas and express themselves.
But many parents are rightly concerned about its effects on children and young people, especially how excessive use can harm their mental well-being, relationships and health development, he said.
He added that the Government will put in place stronger safeguards to protect children and help them navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
By the same principle, Singapore will adopt artificial intelligence on its own terms, by making full use of it to raise productivity and create better jobs, he said.
This will be paired with investment in skills and training, so that every worker can adapt, grow and thrive."
What students learn when they perform together (13 February 2026)
"From school rehearsals to public performances, students reflect on how performing arts CCAs teach them to pay attention to others and work together.
By Sabrina Lee
Across a guitar ensemble and an angklung group, four students share how performing arts CCAs shape the way they listen, adapt, and pull their own weight during performances.
Zi Ling and Maya learn it takes a team to carry a melody on the angklung
When St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School’s Angklung Ensemble plays, no one carries the melody alone.
“Everybody only controls one note,” says Secondary 4 student Hiew Zi Ling. “So, to play a song, we must listen to each other, watch the conductor, and shake our instruments at the right moment.”
As a student leader, Zi Ling looks out for juniors who are still adjusting. “Everyone has their own way of learning,” she says. “And I’ve learnt to be patient and to encourage them.”
For Zi Ling, the Angklung Ensemble stood out when she was in Secondary 1 because she and a close friend did not share classes and wanted to join a CCA that gave them time to bond. “I stumbled across an angklung performance during the Singapore Youth Festival,” she says. “The bamboo instrument looked so unique, and I found it fascinating how such a simple instrument could make such clear, resonant sounds.”
With little to no musical background, she thought the angklung would be easy to learn at first. “Playing the angklung in an ensemble means keeping time, working as a team, and paying close attention to everyone else’s cues,” she says."
Empowering everyone during Total Defence Day (13 February 2026)
"Through fun and educational activities, White Sands Primary School and Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School come together every year to let their students learn about how everyone has a role to play when it comes to Total Defence.
Learning how to perform CPR on a CPR dummy from a St. John Brigade cadet. Colouring scenes of playground interactions while National Police Cadet Corp cadets explain how Social Defence is built over time. Identifying signs and emergency numbers that will be useful during an emergency from a group of Girl Guides.
These are just some of the activities that White Sands Primary School (WSPS) students engaged in during their recess, facilitated by 51 students from uniformed groups from Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School (PRCSS). The initiative, which arose from a partnership between the two schools, is part of Total Defence Day commemoration.
“We were already partnering with WSPS in Values in Action, so it was a natural step to take when we were looking to extend our outreach and advocacy initiatives,” says Ms Candice Soh, Subject Head of Student Involvement and Agency at PRCSS. “It is a meaningful event that also empowers our students, as they impart their knowledge of Total Defence to younger students.”
Now in its fourth year, these Total Defence Day recess activities have become something that the WSPS students look forward to annually."
Where Play Sparks Growth - How MOE Kindergartens are developing our preschoolers (26 February 2026)
"School today is no longer just about worksheets and tests.
At MOE Kindergartens (MK), “purposeful play” is an important part of its curriculum. Sneak a peek into what this looks like in the different learning spaces at MK@Casuarina!"
Hot take: How these 3 parent influencers keep their kids off their devices (26 February 2026)
"Influencers are all about attracting eyeballs to their accounts. So we posed three parent influencers this tough question: How do you limit screen use for your own kids? They share what methods work for them and what don’t.
Fifteen hours. That’s Runner Kao’s daily screen time report. The social worker turned content creator admits that the number is staggering – it’s nearly all of his waking hours! But it’s hard to bring it down when his livelihood depends on it.
Parent influencers face a daunting task: Limit their kids’ screen time while building careers online. Mummy influencer Fizah Nizam often works on the go, with device stuck to her hand. When she tells her daughter to put her iPad down, she gets this reply: “You tell me, ‘don’t use the iPad’, but then why are you on the iPad?”
For influencer Tommy Wong, it’s also about reconciling his online career with values he wants to instil.
All three parents’ homes have become living labs for digital parenting, testing grounds for strategies every modern parent needs in the fight against extended screen times. The result? Hard-won wisdom from the front lines.
What failed: Don’t try this at home
1. Loose warnings and flexi boundaries
Like many well-meaning parents, Ms Fizah tried to set boundaries around screen use. But she was fuzzy about the number of hours she would allow, and she might also let devices babysit her kids when she was busy.
Tight deadlines characterise the content creator and film producer’s life. “I admit there were days when I was weak, and I’d tell the kids, ‘Sorry, I really need to get this done. Take the iPad,” says Ms Fizah.
She might throw in words of caution like “don’t play for too long”, which were ineffective. When she stepped in depended on her resolve for the day, which depended on her work schedule. Ms Fizah’s daughter, aged 10, would get “lost in her own world for hours” on the screen. And even when the device was switched off, Ms Fizah noticed her girl perpetually zoning out. “It was like she was floating in water. The after-effects linger.”
The wake-up call came – literally – from her daughter’s school. “I think Sahara has some issues with her eyesight,” the teacher said. After the school health screening a few weeks later, their fears were confirmed. “It shocked me. Her degree was really high!” Ms Fizah exclaims."
How do teachers learn? By creating (27 February 2026)
"Our art teachers don’t just teach art – they make it too. Here, four of them reflect on how creating and exhibiting their own work shapes the way they guide students.
By Sabrina Lee
Art teachers guide students through creative work where uncertainty is part of the process. They know that feeling firsthand as artists themselves. But it is not often that we see their work being showcased and get a rare glimpse into their own creative processes.
So, Schoolbag popped by the 13th Biennial Art Teachers’ Exhibition, to speak to four teacher-artists whose works are being exhibited. This edition of the event required participating teachers, for the first time, to create new works in response to a theme instead of submitting existing pieces. This meant starting from scratch – testing ideas, experimenting with materials, and deciding what to keep, change or discard as the work developed. They reflect on what it means to sit with that uncertainty, and how the experience shapes the way they guide their students.
“Making art keeps me grounded as a teacher.”
Mdm Jessica Lai, Art Teacher, Peirce Secondary School
“My artwork is a watercolour piece made up of an accordion-style book that loops into a circle, with collaged mushrooms placed at the centre. It draws on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, especially the moment when Alice is asked, ‘Who are you?’ and must decide whether to take a bite of the mushroom. That in-between state – questioning identity and deciding whether to act – stayed with me. Working through that sense of being ‘in between’ made me more aware of how often students sit in that same space when they are learning.”
“When I make art for myself, the process feels intuitive. I move easily from one idea to the next.
Taking part in this exhibition made me slow down and look more closely at my own thinking. Starting a new artwork meant breaking ideas into smaller parts and paying attention to each decision as it unfolded.
Sitting with that uncertainty reminded me what learning feels like, and why it’s important for students to see that thinking doesn’t always come neatly or quickly – even if that means learning alongside my students.
When students understand that feeling unsure is part of learning, they become more willing to try, trust their ideas, and find their own way forward.”
Here’s what MOE announced at Committee of Supply 2026 (4 March 2026)
"At the 2026 Committee of Supply Debate, MOE announced initiatives to enable Singaporeans to learn together and be equipped for an AI-transformed future. What can our learners look forward to?"
More than just design: Inside the Da Vinci Programme (5 March 2026)
"At West View Primary School, selected academically strong students attend after-school activities that develop 21st Century Competencies like empathy, teamwork and communication skills.
By Arielene Wee
On the day that Primary 6 students Daisy Ma and Aarnik Mahajan were supposed to present their group’s prototype to a panel of judges, the prototype broke.
The students from West View Primary School had spent weeks interviewing friends and family members to understand the challenges they face in growing plants, brainstormed for sustainable solutions, and designed a prototype of an auto-watering device to help water plants.
With the help of their teachers from the Design Thinking Capstone Project, Daisy and Aarnik’s group quickly rebuilt their prototype from scratch, and even improved on the original design.
“We were very sad when our first prototype failed, but then we tried again,” says Daisy. “We even came up with a new idea of placing a camera on the device to check when the plant is dry and needs more water.”
Aarnik adds, “At the end of the presentation, we were really proud of what we made. I learnt to see things differently and not give up, even when we face challenges that seem difficult to overcome.”
That act of failing, then trying again and succeeding, is exactly what the Design Thinking Capstone Project aims to instil in students.
Learning to solve problems with empathy
Working on capstone projects around sustainability is one of three components of the Da Vinci Programme at West View Primary, a two-year programme for Primary 4 and 5 students who are selected based on academic strengths and teacher recommendations. The other components are the Brain programme, which focuses on developing communication and presentation skills, and Excellence 2000 (E2K) Mathematics, which develops mathematical reasoning.
In 2024, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his National Day Rally speech, that the Gifted Education Programme (GEP), in its current form, would be discontinued. Instead, students with strengths and talents in the academic domain would be stretched through a different approach.
Under the current GEP, students transfer to one of nine designated primary schools that host the programme in Primary 4. With the revised approach, these students would remain in their schools, which are all equipped with school-based provisions to develop them in English, Maths and Science – beyond the normal curriculum.
Students who are assessed to benefit from even further stretch can choose to attend centre-based advanced modules after school at designated schools nearby. The modules will start running from 2027 for Primary 4 students.
At West View Primary School, students with strengths and talents in the academic domain attend the Da Vinci Programme, which is held after school. What distinguishes it from other school-based programmes is its strong emphasis on design thinking, which Principal Mr Eugene Lee introduced when he joined the school in 2024."
More than just numbers: Inside the Mathematics Expert @ Work programme (5 March 2026)
"At Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, the programme helps students strong in Mathematics to discover how it connects to real-world problems. They get better at problem-solving too.
By Arielene Wee
As part of the Mathematics Expert @ Work (MEW) programme at Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, students get to build popcorn containers to learn about volume, and calculate optimal lift travel times to learn about rates and speed.
Mrs Sharon Wang, MEW teacher at Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary, shares that such activities are designed to “stretch them beyond what is taught in the classroom”.
In 2024, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his National Day Rally speech, that the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) would discontinue in its current form. Instead, students with strengths and talents in the academic domain would be stretched through a different approach.
Under the current GEP, students transfer to one of nine designated primary schools that host the programme in Primary 4. With the revised approach, these students would remain in their schools, which are all equipped with school-based provisions to develop them in English, Maths and Science – beyond the normal curriculum.
Students who are assessed to benefit from even further stretch are invited to attend centre-based advanced modules after school at designated schools nearby. The modules will start running from 2027 for Primary 4 students.
For students with strengths and talent in Mathematics, primary schools can offer school-based provisions that are supported by MOE’s Gifted Education Branch and the Academy of Singapore Teachers. These are the MEW programme, Excellence 2000 (E2K) Mathematics Programme, and Primary Mathematics Project Competition.
At Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, all three provisions are offered to Primary 4 and 5 students, who are selected based on their academic strengths in Mathematics and teacher recommendations.
Beyond structured steps and fast answers
MEW lessons are designed to make connections between abstract mathematical concepts and their practical applications. Additionally, students are trained to clearly articulate their reasoning and decision-making process.
“Unlike normal Mathematics lessons, where students solve equations and present calculations in a systematic manner, MEW involves a deeper conceptual understanding. Students have to explain the steps they take, and justify their reasoning,” says Mrs Wang.
The result of this is that students are less answer-driven and more process-focused, she observes. When one method fails, they try another. When they encounter difficulty, they persevere. Sometimes, they think out of the box too.
“As humans, we always want to solve things in the quickest way. But we teach our students to explore different ways to solve problems. In life, we never have just one method to solve things,” she adds.
“It doesn’t matter which way you take, as long as you get to the answer. The attempt to try, and then bounce back when you fail, is what we want to see.”
More than a love of books: Inside the Reading Circles programme (5 March 2026)
"At Seng Kang Primary School, students strong in the English language take part in activities that help them enjoy the books they read, while developing a greater understanding of the world around them.
By Arielene Wee
“I used to take a whole month to finish reading a Percy Jackson book, but now I can finish it in one and a half weeks,” says Jayden Wong, a Primary 6 student at Seng Kang Primary School.
For fellow Primary 6 student Syuhada Puteri Muhammad Iskandar, reading sometimes felt like a chore. Today, she says proudly that she reads every single day.
Both students credit this shift in their reading habits to the school’s Reading Circles programme.
“Reading Circles has allowed me to discover different books and genres, and I’ve realised that reading is not always boring,” Syuhada says.
Beyond reading more frequently, Jayden and Syuhada are also reading differently than before. Through Reading Circles, they have learnt to see from different characters’ perspectives, and draw connections between the stories they read to the world around them.
Fostering students’ love for the English language
In 2024, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his National Day Rally speech, that the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) would discontinue in its current form. Instead, students with strengths and talents in the academic domain would be stretched through a different approach.
Under the current GEP, students transfer to one of nine designated primary schools that host the programme in Primary 4. With the revised approach, these students would remain in their schools, which offer school-based provisions to develop them in English, Maths and Science – beyond the normal curriculum.
Students who are assessed to benefit from even further stretch are invited to attend centre-based advanced modules after school at designated schools nearby. The modules will start running from 2027 for Primary 4 students.
For students with strengths and talent in the English Language, three school-based programmes are offered by primary schools, supported by MOE’s Gifted Education Branch. These are the Reading Circles, Creative Writing programme, and Wits & Words debate programme.
At Seng Kang Primary, Reading Circles is an after-school programme for selected Primary 4 and 5 students, i.e., those who display strong interest in reading and demonstrate critical thinking and creative responses in class. It is conducted over eight sessions in the school year."
Junior College gave them opportunities they never expected (6 March 2026)
"The Junior College years aren’t just about studying for the A Levels – it’s also a time to discover new interests and pathways. We caught up with three recent graduates from St Andrew’s Junior College to hear about their experience at school.
By Arielene Wee
“I didn’t expect to go for work attachments, given the rigorous JC curriculum. But the school provided me with such opportunities, which were stepping stones for me to explore my interests.” - Cherianne Cheng
While Cherianne had always been interested in the Sciences, she wasn’t sure of what she wanted to pursue as a career when she first stepped foot in JC.
Through the school, Cherianne found out about work shadowing opportunities at St Hilda’s Community Services and St Andrew’s Community Hospital. She participated in them and saw firsthand what it was like to look after elderly patients in healthcare settings.
Cherianne also joined the “Saints Advocate” CCA in school, which focuses on community service. She planned befriending services for the elderly with the Lions Befrienders and Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital.
“I’m now very clear that I want to pursue a career in healthcare, because of all these opportunities I had in JC,” she says. “It’s a field that allows me to combine both my passions in Biology and in serving the community.”
Does your child seem stressed? Let’s chat...in the kitchen (9 March 2026)
"How do we help our children cope with everything from friendship troubles to social media pressures? Psychiatrist Dr Jared Ng offers 7 practical strategies and the importance of open communication – anytime, anywhere.
In today’s digital age, children have many more ways to spend their time, but they also face more pressures that extend far beyond the classroom. From friendship woes to social media comparisons, young people are navigating complex emotional landscapes and sources of stress that require more parental support than before, not less.
Dr Jared Ng, a father to three teens and a psychiatrist in private practice who previously worked with children in hospitals, explains that understanding stress begins with recognising its dual nature.
Is it eustress or distress?
“Stress is really any event or situation that puts a strain on somebody’s coping resources,” he says. When it comes in the form of “good” stress, it is called eustress, “for example, an exam, a sports competition, or even coming onto a podcast, right? It makes someone want to do better”.
However, when stress becomes chronic and overwhelming, it transforms from eustress to distress, says Dr Ng – the harmful type that “wears the person down” and leads to physical, emotional, and psychological problems.
What can parents do?
1. Watch for symptoms of distress and academic struggles.
Telltale signs include persistent headaches and abdominal discomfort with no medical cause, or difficulty falling asleep or frequent nightmares. There are also emotional indicators such as increased crying, irritability, and social withdrawal from activities, family gatherings, or friends.
Then there are kids who “are really trying very hard in class, but they just can’t seem to focus or concentrate”, Dr Ng observes. “And despite trying, they start to do worse and worse in school.” What may compound the stress is when this gives rise to even more scrutiny from their parents and educators, so a lighter touch may be needed when investigating the problem."
Taking a whole-of-school approach to Project Work (13 March 2026)
"When Project Work became a pass/fail subject in 2024, Mr Benzie Dio, Head of Department of English & Project Work at National Junior College, seized the opportunity to rethink how it was taught. Getting the whole school on board, he made it the driver of the 21st Century Competencies.
Anyone who has done group work can attest to this: when roles are assigned based on your teammates’ strengths and interests, the group is halfway to achieving its goals.
Now, imagine scaling it to the school level, where each subject department is tapped on to contribute their teachers’ expertise to Project Work (PW), an interdisciplinary subject. Then, pair PW groups and teachers with similar interests.
While this sounds like a scenario where dream teams are created, putting it into practice when you have 500 students and 40 teachers can turn it into a logistical nightmare. Yet, Mr Benzie Dio, Head of Department of English and PW at National Junior College (NJC), who came up with the idea, didn’t flinch at the mountainous task. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity to better drive home the 21st Century Competencies that PW aims to develop in students.
A change that came about due to the 2024 Project Work syllabus revision
The trigger to develop this whole-of-school approach to teaching PW came about when MOE refreshed the syllabus and made it a pass/fail subject in 2024.
“I looked at the objectives, the disposition and values that we want to see in our students with this revised syllabus,” says Mr Dio, who has been teaching for more than 30 years and saw the introduction of PW as a subject back in 2003.
From the learning outcomes of the revised syllabus, he picked up keywords and terms such as:
• Interdisciplinary
• Collaboration
• Focus on real-world issues; and
• Effective communication
There was also a lot of focus on Emerging 21st Century Competencies (E21CC) – namely critical, adaptive, and inventive thinking, and collaboration and communication skills. So, Mr Dio thought it will be a good opportunity to rethink the school’s approach to teaching PW, to get it to be the driver of these competencies."
A teacher who overcomes hurdles by taking charge (13 March 2026)
"Creating your own opportunities for learning and growing isn’t always the easiest. But Mr Kassidy’s can-do attitude has not only helped him steer his career, but also created a more inclusive environment for his students to grow more holistically.
When Mr Kassidy began his teaching journey at NIE in 1999, he was trained to teach English, Mathematics and Social Studies. But a few years into his career as an educator he felt that he could make a greater impact on his students by pivoting to teaching physical education (PE).
“I’ve always been quite outdoorsy, and I enjoy seeing children grow not just in skill, but in character,” sharesd Mr Kassidy, who is now the Head of Department (HOD) for PE and Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) at Rosyth School.
There was just one big hurdle standing in Mr Kassidy’s way then: the low enrolment number for NIE’s PE in-service diploma, which he had to take to make the switch to becoming a PE teacher. So, he and a group of like-minded friends started gathering other teachers with similar inclinations. Eventually, they got a group of 30 teachers together, so classes could commence.
Nearly two decades after his move, Mr Kassidy faced a similar challenge when he joined Rosyth School in January 2025. “We have a lot of students in each CCA, but not everybody can take part in competitions at the national level. I can sense the students’ disappointment when they’re unable to,” he said. So, he wanted to expand the N1 Cluster Invitational Games, which schools in his area had been hosting until it was put on pause due to the pandemic.
Reopening and expanding the games
Launched in 2017 for primary and secondary school students in the N1 Cluster, the games gave students who did not take part in the National School Games (NSG) – either because they were not selected or the numbers were too small to form a team for the NSG – a chance to compete. However, post-Covid, only the primary school basketball and football girls competitions were revived and organised by Rosyth School due to resource and manpower constraints.
Mr Kassidy thought about bringing the games back because he has seen firsthand how sports and CCAs build resilience, and knows competitions offer students the character-building experience of failing and bouncing back. “Whether it’s the NSG or cluster games, we want the kids to have the experience of competing; to learn about being humble in victory and gracious in defeat,” he elaborated.
With a fresh pair of eyes, since he was new to the school, he started asking: why not let more students join the games by expanding it to include both boys and girls from the basketball, football, and badminton CCAs?"
These teachers are trying, learning, and teaching AI to their students (13 March 2026)
"At one junior college, educators are proving that artificial intelligence doesn’t have to be scary if you’re trying it out with friends.
By Lee Qing Ping
English teachers everywhere know this experience: You want to give your students meaningful feedback on their essays, but a lot of time is spent correcting typical grammar errors. You have the usual suspects: “Fewer” books, not “less”. “Better”, not “more better”. Ms Shermin Chee, a Language Arts teacher, knows this well.
But with a little encouragement from colleagues to try using tech in her teaching, she found a way forward. What if AI could help pinpoint these commonly made mistakes instead, and free her up to work on higher-order feedback?
She discovered she could use optical character recognition tools to turn her students’ handwriting into typed text (but not if it’s too messy, so write neatly, kids).
Then, with AI’s support, she tweaks and tailors feedback to her students. Her students later make corrections themselves, writing their edits in green ink so she can see they’d actually engaged with the suggestions.
“Now, they’re more careful not to make the same mistakes,” she says. “And I can use the time to teach higher-order thinking, like strengthening their essay arguments.”
Ms Chee’s transformation is part of a growing movement happening at Temasek Junior College (TJC), where teachers are on to something: How to use AI to transform classrooms for the better.
Beyond the hype: What teachers are actually using AI for
The reality of AI in TJC’s classrooms is practical: thoughtful solutions to everyday challenges that have plagued educators for decades.
Mr Tan Seng Kwang, Senior Teacher of Physics in the school, has been leading the way in this.
“If there’s a better way to do work, we should try it, and share it,” says Mr Tan.
When his students roll virtual dice on their tablets, watching atoms “decay” with each roll of the die that shows six, they’re experiencing concepts that would typically rely on their imagination. Mr Tan taught himself to code these simulations using AI, describing what he wants in plain English and letting the technology build it.
“I used to spend hours writing JavaScript,” he explains, scrolling through interactive experiments. “Now I just tell the AI what I need, and it creates the simulation. Then I share the prompts with other teachers so they can make their own.”
This way, educators can focus on what humans do best: Inspiring curiosity, facilitating meaningful discussions, and building genuine connections with students."
Open House for Primary Schools 2026 (23 March 2026)
"What do you need to know before visiting open houses with your child? Read on for more details on how you can support your child in choosing primary schools!
Getting a peek into the school grounds, meeting the teachers and students, experiencing each school’s culture – open houses provide opportunities for you and your child to choose a primary school most suitable for them. Here are some points to keep in mind as your child embarks on this exciting new chapter.
While attending the virtual/physical open houses for primary schools, consider the following:
1. Your child’s strengths and interests
Talk to your child about what they enjoy doing, be it playing sports, making music, creating art, or gaming. Have conversations about their kindergarten experiences to understand which subjects and activities they like or dislike. In preparation for new learning opportunities in primary school years, ask them what else they would like to learn and try. Then, find out more about the primary schools that can potentially nurture their strengths and interests or offer new areas of interest.
2. Distance between home and school
The daily journey to and from school is an important consideration. Consider the means of transport your child will be using. Regardless of the mode of transport, be it by car, school bus, or public transport, what is the fastest and safest way for them to commute to and from school? A long commute can affect your child’s energy level and readiness to learn and participate in school activities, which can impact their overall school experience."
Open House for Secondary Schools 2026 (23 March 2026)
"What do you need to know before visiting open houses with your child? Read on for more details on how you can support your child in choosing secondary schools!
Getting a peek into the school grounds, meeting the teachers and students, experiencing each school’s culture – open houses provide opportunities for you and your child to choose a secondary school most suitable for him/her. Here are some points to keep in mind as your child embarks on this exciting new chapter.
1. Have a conversation with your child about their strengths and interests
Talk to your child about what they look forward to in secondary school and what worries them most about secondary school life. Have them share their favourite lessons and activities in primary school and what they think their strengths and interests are.
In your conversations with them, you can also have them rank what they enjoy about their school experiences. This can range from the learning environment to academic programmes to CCAs and even socialisation spaces in school! Their insights will give you a better understanding of what matters to them and identify schools that align with their strengths and interests.
2. Think of different aspects of the school experience
When discussing secondary school options with your child, consider the school’s distinctive electives and programmes, culture and ethos, subjects and CCAs offered, as well as the distance from home. These will all impact your child’s school experience."
4 strategies to help your child navigate bullying situations (6 April 2026)
"Hurtful behaviours and bullying often occur when teachers and parents are not watching. So, children benefit from having strategies they can use when they face such situations. Here are four approaches schools teach students that parents can reinforce at home, and tips on how to initiate discussions.
#1: Stay calm.
“Staying calm in the face of students who engaged in hurtful behaviour is important. Bullies often thrive on the emotional reactions of the targeted students. Giving neutral and steady responses will diminish their intended effort and extinguish their excitement and motivation to continue with the hurtful behaviour,” says Bendemeer Secondary School’s (BDMS) Senior School Counsellor Ms Nicole Choong.
The lesson here is to be in control and remain calm. Choose to ignore the comments and not take them personally. Report immediately to a trusted adult like a parent or teacher.
Tip: Staying calm is sometimes easier said than done. Role play this with your children. Practise taking deep breaths, counting slowly to five, and responding in a measured manner.
#2: Be assertive. Then walk away.
In Punggol Green Primary School (PGPS), students are guided on how to express their feelings clearly. Mdm Cai Aimei, Head of Department of Character and Citizenship Education, says, “We teach our students to say, ‘Stop, I feel (emotion) when you (action)’. in a polite and assertive tone, then walk away and seek help from a trusted adult.”
By learning how to recognise hurtful behaviours and respond appropriately during the Form Teacher Guidance Period and assembly talks, students are better equipped to handle difficult situations confidently.
The school also prepares students for similar situations that happen outside school grounds. “We want our students to know where to go for safety, whether it is safer to return to school, go home, or seek immediate help from a nearby adult,” says Mdm Cai.
Tip: Give your children the vocabulary to say “stop”. Try out the different tones of voice and phrases together so they are confident of saying them. Also discuss with your children where are the different places they can safely walk away to based on the locations they are usually at, such as if they encounter these situations in school, at the playground, or at the bus stop."
From fixed to fluid: Mobile workbenches spark fresh energy in Science labs (6 April 2026)
"Some shape-shifting has been taking place in Unity Secondary School, which is piloting redesigned workbenches with mobile segments. The segments on heavy-duty castors can be configured to accommodate different experiment set-ups and learning activities.
There has been a burst of fresh energy coming from the Science labs in Unity Secondary School lately.
The catalyst? Redesigned mobile workbenches with mobile segments that expand the possibilities of how lab layouts could be configured.
Since their implementation in January 2026, the Science Department has experienced greater flexibility in how it designs the learning environment, to better support practical investigations, collaboration, and varied teaching approaches.
Will it be a U, a T, or L shape today?
During a demonstration on the use the mobile workbench segments, Ms Sumitha Poonia Murthy, Level Head for Science, showed how the mobile segments could be rearranged to provide extended worktops for larger experimental setups.
By joining two mobile segments lengthwise, for example, she can now use a longer frictionless board to conduct experiment on measurement of distance, speed and force of a moving object. The longer board allowed students to roll objects over a longer distance, thus allowing her students to collect more data points, which improves the accuracy of the experiments.
Ms Sumitha also demonstrated how the mobile workbench segments can be configured into a U-shape configuration. This configuration allows her to better monitor and guide her students when using microscopes and making biology sketches.
For wet experiments involving liquids, chemicals or biological materials, L-shape configuration can be adopted to separate practical apparatus from learning materials, thus keeping laptops and worksheets away from wet area.
“This clear zoning enhances safety and space organisation, enabling students to be task focus and move seamlessly between the design, construction, and testing phases of the activity,” she explains.
Watch as Ms Sumitha claps her way to different workbench configurations in this reel:
How parents and schools bring the working world to students (10 April 2026)
"From giving engaging presentations in school to offering job shadowing opportunities, Parent Support Groups and their professional networks have been key to the success of career guidance programmes in these three schools.
By Ng Mei Yan
For most students, career guidance begins long before they ever set foot in their first job interview. Events like Careers Day, learning journeys and job shadowing have allowed students (even those in primary school) to be exposed to a wide range of jobs and the many skills needed to thrive in them.
These initiatives are the result of a strong partnership between schools and Parent Support Groups (PSGs). Working together, they have been instrumental to the growth and success of Education and Career Guidance (ECG) programmes for students.
Find out how three schools and their PSGs are collaborating to give students their first look into the working world, inspiring them to dream big for the future.
At Hougang Secondary School, Careers Day plays out like a mini convention
At Hougang Secondary School, the annual Careers Day plays out like an industry symposium. Students attend small-group sessions to engage with professionals across various fields ranging from media and human resources to technology and design.
The approach is a hit with students, but it also actively involves parents from the PSG, along with alumni and other partners, who step in to help in any way.
“Our PSG members have not only participated directly but also used their professional networks to bring in more speakers,” says Mrs Tan Wei Jing, Subject Head of Partnership & Outreach.
More than simply filling up speaking slots and creating authentic learning moments, parental involvement goes a long way towards inspiring young minds. “Parents are primary influencers in their children's career decisions and possess valuable real-world insights that can bridge the gap between academic learning and industry realities,” Mrs Tan shares.
Beyond school-based sharing, PSG members also joined students in a customised learning journey to Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) School of Engineering to better understand the courses offered and different career pathways in engineering. Since 2024, some 140 students from the school have benefitted from the tour.
PSG member Goh Yu Ling who accompanied her son on one such learning journey in 2024 shares, “I wanted to support my child’s’ post-secondary education and career exploration by learning with him,” she says.
The experience was transformative for Yu Ling’s son, who has always been fascinated by automobiles. The tour broadened his understanding of engineering applications, and led to deeper career discussions between the pair. “He’s now working hard towards pursuing engineering studies,” she adds.
The impact made on Yu Ling’s family is exactly what Mrs Tan and her colleagues hope to achieve with the ECG programme. Says Mrs Tan, “When parents are informed about career options and pathways, they can better support their children’s exploration and decisions, creating a stronger support system at home.”
Designed for well-being: How staff collaboration shaped a better workplace (10 April 2026)
"Staff satisfaction levels are up at Hillgrove Secondary School, where a comprehensive renovation of staff spaces has created brighter, more flexible environments that better support educator well-being and collaboration.
These days, Ms Valerie Wong doesn’t take her lunch at her workstation. She prefers to step away to the sunlit pantry for her meal. If her colleagues are there, she lingers for a breather and bit of chitchat.
"I don't even bring my phone there,” says Ms Wong, Lead Teacher, Mathematics at Hillgrove Secondary School.
Renovations to staff facilities at the school have created spaces that feature abundant natural lighting, higher ceilings, better spatial flow, and areas that encourage collaborative work done in comfort.
A room with a view – and much more
A key highlight is the new staff lounge and pantry, strategically positioned to offer a 270-degree view of the greenery outside.
It replaces the area where the Mother Tongue Language department used to sit. Mr Lim Joon Ling, Senior Teacher, Chinese Language, recalls how he and his colleagues worked amid tall cubicle partitions and teaching materials. They happily gave the space up for the greater good during design consultations, to move towards the centre of the staff room.
Mr Chiang Hock Yee, Vice-Principal (Admin), explained that during the co-creation and design-thinking process with MOE’s Infrastructure & Facility Services Division (IFSD), votes were cast by teachers to decide on the best use for this prime location.
This increased buy-in and ultimately ensured its popularity and success. Now, all can enjoy the brightness and the greenery, he says.
Staff are protective of the intended use of the inviting new lounge area. Everyone consciously avoids using the space for meetings, preferring to reserve it for chilling, notes Ms Wong. Administrative Executive Nurul Batrisyia describes the new environment as “more relaxed and calming”, with an “openness” that wasn't there before.
To Mr Lim, the most gratifying part of the upgrade was how users were being consulted for their views. It spoke to the school’s collaborative spirit, which the upgrade further fosters.
Mr Chiang concurs. “We could see that the collaborative spaces encourage more sharing and bonding among staff. The more conducive physical working environment also enhances staff well-being.”
Real mums from Lion Mums get tips in this parenting vodcast (14 April 2026)
"You’ve seen them on screen, now hear what parenting in real life is like for actresses Nurul Aini and Lina Ng. They speak with experts, educators, and fellow parents for perspectives in four new episodes of MOE’s vodcast series, Canteen Chats with Lion Mums.
If you’re a parent, take a moment to acknowledge how much you’re doing.
Parenting today comes with challenges that previous generations never faced – whether it’s navigating school issues, understanding AI’s impact on learning, or keeping up with growing expectations.
MOE’s vodcast series Canteen Chats with Lion Mums explores these realities in four new episodes. Lina Ng and Nurul Aini, from the drama series Lion Mums, continue their conversations with educators, experts, and fellow parents. Together, they discuss parenting issues ranging from dealing with conflicts at home to mismatched expectations between parents and children. Most importantly, these episodes serve as a reminder that you’re not facing these challenges alone.
Here’s what each episode covers, and why you should add them to your watchlist.
Episode 5: Is AI helping or hurting your child’s learning?
This episode takes a balanced look at parenting in the age of artificial intelligence. Actress Nurul Aini joins parents and experts to make sense of this rapidly changing landscape and its impact on children’s learning.
Watch this if: You’re concerned about AI misuse in your child’s homework or feeling overwhelmed by the pace of technological change.
Watch for:
• How Singapore schools are teaching students to use AI as a thinking tool rather than a shortcut to answers
• A sandwich approach you can use to guide your child’s AI use at home
• Warning signs that indicate when children might be becoming too dependent on AI assistance
Cyber bullying: What parents need to know (15 April 2026)
"Cyber bullying may often occur in spaces that are not easily visible or accessible to parents and other adults. We ask teachers and counsellors to break down the three common types of cyber bullying, and how parents can have open discussions with their children.
Cyber bullying is a complex issue, but bullying someone online is not unlike bullying in person. In fact, it can be worse as it is easier to carry out away from view and may be harder to detect and prevent. Yet, the effects can be very public. The negative messages can spread fast and wide, and very quickly, the damage could be more hurtful and more lasting.
Here are three main forms of cyber bullying: revealing secrets, making fun of others, and exclusion. Note that the list is not exhaustive – there’s also flaming, harassment, denigration, and more – nor mutually exclusive, as one or more of these forms of hurtful behaviours could take place at the same time.
1. Revealing secrets
Friends confide in each other and keep each other’s secrets… until they fall out. Ms Nicole Choong, Senior School Counsellor at Bendemeer Secondary School, shares that when things go south, students who lack maturity might resort to posting personal things about their friends that were shared with them in confidence.
Such acts could result in students feeling unsafe or upset. It is therefore essential that students learn respectful behaviour, strong social skills and proper cyber etiquette.
2. Making fun of others
Bullies are often emboldened by the cloak of anonymity that social media provides. The actions taken and comments made may be harsher than what a person might say to another in person. An observable trend on the rise suggests that some students create anonymous social media accounts just to post negative comments about their classmates.
Appearance, for example, is often a common topic, says Ms Choong. Younger students tend to be a bit more blunt when they talk about their peers. At this developmental stage, students can be more sensitive towards criticism, especially about their appearance, and such words can hurt, she cautions. “It is crucial to consider how the person on the receiving end feels. Simple habits such as pausing to ask if what they are about to say is helpful, necessary, or kind can make a big difference.”
3. Exclusion
Like school hallways and playgrounds, chat groups have become a place online where children jostle with one another for social status.
Mdm Nur Rakeezah Bte Abdul Rahim, Head of Department (Student Management) at Westwood Secondary School shared that online rumours can also lead to students being ostracised, affecting their sense of belonging. She notes that even close friends can fall out and be excluded by their peers. In such situations, it is important to have conversations with students and help them understand that such behaviour constitutes social bullying. It is also important to repair strained relationships.
“Circle Time is one strategy that can help students reconcile. That said, some students affected may not feel ready to resume the friendship. We need to recognize that friendships cannot be forced, so guide students to be respectful of one another’s boundaries and differences, as everyone deserves to feel safe and respected,” adds Mdm Rakeezah."
“What can I do if my child is a victim of hurtful behaviours and bullying?” (22 April 2026)
"Children may have various reasons why they don’t tell their parents when they have encountered hurtful behaviour and bullying. We ask experts what parents can do if they suspect their children are being bullied.
Hurtful behaviours are actions that undermine a student’s sense of safety, and hinder effective learning and healthy development. They can be physical, verbal, social, or virtual in nature – and may or may not be intentional. However, when the actions carry hostile intent, an imbalance of power, and are repeated, persistent and done on purpose, it will be classified as bullying.
Take, for example, a group discussion or group work scenario. A student repeatedly interrupts and dismisses their teammate’s ideas, leading to the latter feeling excluded and unheard. Is it hurtful behaviour? The answer is, yes. But is it bullying? That will depend on whether the student did it unintentionally, because he or she does not have the best communication skills, or on purpose, because he or she knows that doing so will hurt their teammate.
As parents, it is natural to be concerned about any hurt your child receives, especially when you are not around. You may ask: What happens to my child when I’m not there beside them? Are they dealing with something they cannot handle? How can I help?
“How would I know if my child is being hurt or bullied? And what can I do?”
A good start is to maintain channels of honest and open communication with your child and to take a regular interest in their lives. This will make it easier for them to approach you and share any kinds of experiences when they arise, without fear of how you would react, says Ms Nicole Choong, Senior School Counsellor at Bendemeer Secondary School.
As hurtful behaviours and bullying can happen in and out of school, a strong school-parent partnership could also help to surface and manage these incidents more easily.
“What are some signs I should look out for?”
Hurtful behaviours or bullying that are of a physical nature may be the easiest to spot. Unexpected bruises, cuts or bumps are visible signs that something might be amiss. Your child might also report lost or damaged clothing, books, or stationery.
It can be more challenging to detect bullying that is verbal, social or cyber in nature. However, there are still warning signs that parents can watch out for.
“The most important warning sign of bullying is when you notice a sudden change in your child's behaviour,” says Ms Shirley Sim, Lead School Counsellor at MOE. “For example, if your normally cheerful child becomes unusually quiet for no apparent reason, this should raise concerns.”
Other signs to watch for include changes in eating or sleeping patterns, or if you notice you’re your child is suddenly losing friends, or refusing to go to school. You might also notice them becoming more sensitive than usual, such as getting easily upset by things that wouldn't normally bother them. This increased sensitivity often stems from the insecurity and helplessness that bullying creates.
“How should I respond?”
Ms Sim sets out the five things parents can do to support your child, if you suspect they are at the receiving end of hurtful behaviours or bullying.
1. Start with presence and connection
Create a space for them to share their experience with you. Children are often hesitant to share difficult school experiences with parents, particularly when they are concerned about how you might react.
Being mindful of your initial responses allows you to put our child’s experience, feelings and needs at the centre. Set aside distractions, sit at their level, and listen without immediately jumping to solutions. Your presence as their safe harbour is the first intervention."
Is AI Taking Over Schools? (29 April 2026)
"MOE schools and teachers have kept an eye on AI developments even before large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT gained mainstream popularity.
When it comes to using AI in education, it’s not about racing to a yet-to-be-determined finish line. It’s about evaluating AI tool’s capabilities, as well as potential pitfalls, so our students acquire the essential skills to succeed in an AI-transformed world.
What kind of a tool is AI like?
Like a calculator, but you're still the one pushing the buttons
A calculator has preprogrammed functions to help with complicated sums.
But you still need a strong foundation in Maths, so you know which formula and concepts to use to solve Maths questions. And have the intuition to know when the numbers are off!
Like a GPS, but you're still the driver
A GPS (Global Positioning System) helps you plan your route.
But you, the driver, still need to look out for unexpected dangers. Blindly following the GPS is like offloading your agency to AI. You still need to know how to navigate and read maps, so you won't be helpless if you lose your way.
Like a multi-cooker, but you're still the chef
A cooker has many modes for different dishes.
But you're the one who decides which dish to cook, what ingredients to use and which mode to use. And you taste the dish to know if it's yummy!"
From silence to synergy: New school library spells new ways to learn (29 April 2026)
"At Queenstown Secondary School, the traditional library has evolved into Learning Commons @ Quest – a vibrant hub where students engage in everything from quiet reading to animated group discussions, reflecting a broader shift in how school libraries support 21st-Century learning.
Of late, you're more likely to hear the buzz of quiet collaboration than the traditional "shhhhh" at Queenstown Secondary School's library.
The space that goes by the catchy new name of Learning Commons @ Quest has become a magnet for students who come not just to borrow books, but to engage, create, and connect.
"More students come in, to read, revise, do their homework, have discussions in one of the meeting rooms, or just stay a little longer than they usually would," says Ms Park Han Na, Head of Department for English Language at Queenstown Secondary School, who oversees the library space.
The renovation of the library, which reopened last year, represents a reimagining of how libraries can support modern use and learning. Gone are the tall, stationary ranks of metal bookshelves, limited seating and heavy atmosphere. The space now has mobile bookshelves in wood, and flexible-use spaces, all bathed in natural light and designed with calming earthy tones.
Secondary 3 student Mohamed Noh bin Mohd Norhisam has been spending more time there; he likes the “clean look”, compared to the previous space which had “weird colour combinations”. He also appreciates the library’s different zones for different group sizes — “it creates a conducive environment for everyone to learn and study”.
Secondary 4 student Chloe Pang is also a fan. "The revamped library has really changed how I study in school. It’s now a space I choose to go to, whether it’s to revise, finish up work, or just read quietly,” she says. “The environment feels more comfortable and less stressful, which helps me stay focused for longer."
Three zones, endless possibilities
The new Learning Commons borrows design guidelines from MOE’s English Language and Literature Branch (ELLB) for the School Library of the Future, where curriculum can be experienced, the love for reading catalysed, and students supported to explore and initiate inquiry and research.
This experience starts from the moment the visitor enters the Welcome Area, which draws students in with bright and engaging displays curated by the Library Assistant according to monthly themes such as subject focus and festive occasions.
Further in, each of the three zones serves distinct learning needs whilst maintaining the flexibility to adapt as students' requirements change throughout the day."
Why do schools “take so long” to investigate cases of hurtful behaviour and bullying? (8 May 2026)
"Schools constantly emphasise that hurtful behaviours and bullying are not tolerated. So, why can’t investigations be expedited? A principal shares with Schoolbag why schools need time to get to the root of the issue, and why it’s crucial to engage students with restorative practices before meting out any disciplinary measures.
Having worked with students across the different levels – primary, secondary and junior college – Ms Winnie Tan is no stranger to dealing with cases of hurtful behaviours and bullying. The Principal of CHIJ St. Nicholas Girl School says investigating these cases have gotten increasingly complex over the years due to a number of factors.
“Children are exposed to a lot more things, and they may have different perspectives on a topic,” elaborates Ms Tan. “Parents are also more involved in the education of their children, which is a positive thing.” This results in many different perspectives, be it from the alleged perpetrator or the victim, that the school has to consolidate and consider during investigations. “Bringing everyone together to see the different perspectives – that takes time.”
Children of different age ranges present different challenges for investigations
Unwelcome words or actions are not immediately labelled as bullying, as children, especially younger ones, may not be able to fully comprehend that what they are doing is causing hurt to others. That is why investigating intentions matter.
Ms Tan cites an example of a child who might want things to be done in a certain way. “Some children like people to follow their instructions and may unknowingly put someone else in an awkward or uncomfortable position where they feel hurt. We need to help them realise that their action or words have hurt someone else, and resolve and mend the relationship from there. Having said that, if investigations reveal that there was a clear intention to cause hurt from the onset, disciplinary actions could be carried out to help the child learn that his or her behaviour has consequences, so that they will think twice before doing the same thing again in future.”
Teenagers present a different set of challenges as they are more mature and their emotions are more complex. They may also be able to conceal intention, making it difficult for educators to determine if they really meant to hurt the other party – especially if there is no concrete evidence, such as physical assault.
Ms Tan recalls a case that couldn’t be resolved, because the perpetrator refused to admit that he/she was deliberately hurting the victim and there was no definitive evidence. “While the school and friends continued to support the victim, we were unable to come to a resolution. But years after the students graduated, the perpetrator confessed to the teacher during a gathering he/she was not ready to admit to their hurtful actions then, and that he/she felt very bad to have caused so much pain for the teacher and the other student.”
Each reported case of hurtful behaviour or bullying presents its own set of challenges for the educators and staff who are involved in investigating it. Thus, investigation time differs with the complexity of the case."
“My 8th choice of polytechnic course turned out to be my best one” (8 May 2026)
"Shallini Siva Kuma was in shock when she found out that she didn’t get into her dream course in 2022, but it opened doors she never imagined.
By Joyce Yang
When Shallini Siva Kuma received her Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) posting results on a sleepy January morning in 2022, the words on her computer screen jolted her wide awake. She had been posted to her eighth choice: a Diploma in Interaction Design (now known as Diploma in Experience Design) at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP).
“I stared at my laptop and thought: When did I even list this as one of my choices? What is this course about? I started crying because I was so, so scared. I didn’t know if it would bring me closer to my dream of becoming an art teacher,” recalls the 22-year-old.
Inspired by her mother, a teacher of over 30 years and her love for the subject, Shallini has always seen art as her one true passion. She had pinned her hopes on her top three choices – all animation courses – believing they were her ticket to teaching art. After all, her own art teacher, Mr Chua Wei Qiang from Yishun Town Secondary School, comes from an animation background.
Little did she know, the course she hadn’t planned on would help her discover new strengths and expand her career paths, with her mom and teachers cheering her on.
Seeking reassurance
That very morning when she got her posting results, Shallini reached out to Mr Chua, who patiently unpacked the field of Interaction Design to calm her nerves. What stuck with her wasn’t the details of web, app, and installation design, but a single line of reassurance from her teacher.
“He said, ‘No matter what you do, I know that you will excel.’ I felt more motivated hearing that, and it gave me hope that I will figure it out,” says Shallini.
Shallini’s time in NYP got off to a rough start. She was already uneasy about committing to a three-year course she hadn’t wanted, and adapting to tertiary life only added to the pressure.
“I told my friends and family that I was so scared and lost, and I really didn’t know what I was doing,” she recalls.
The turning point
But Shallini didn’t suffer in silence for long. Seeing her struggle in class, her NYP lecturers reached out and reassured her that no question was out of bounds. When she cried, they comforted her, promising that they would get through it together.
“My lecturers became my reason to keep going and see what’s at the end of this tunnel,” says Shallini.
Gradually, as she found her footing in the modules, she also uncovered her own reasons to persist. Chief among them was a newfound openness to other career paths sparked by a conversation with her mother. “My mum said, ‘Don’t limit yourself to just one path. There are so many things in the world you can pursue with your creativity.’ That encouraged me to venture out of the box I’d put myself in.”
This shift in mindset set the stage for Shallini to flourish in her final year. What ultimately transformed her perspective was a project she co-led with her best friend, turning an empty classroom into an Alice in Wonderland-themed experience for NYP’s Open House in 2024.
From crafting whimsical installations to designing an interactive touchscreen, Shallini and her team poured everything they learnt over the past three years into the project – to great success. “The students who visited went, ‘Wow, this is so cool,’ and were very amazed. A few even came up to ask if they’d get to create something like this in the course.”
Growing cacao trees yielded not only chocolates, but also work opportunities for this school’s students (11 May 2026)
"It started as a casual offer from a neighbour to grow cacao trees on the school grounds. Since then, this sustainability initiative has led to partnerships with local businesses that enable Serangoon Garden Secondary School’s students to gain work experience too.
By Joyce Yang
When Mr Michael Tan, a resident living near Serangoon Garden Secondary School (SGS), ran out of space to plant cacao trees in his garden, the determined plant parent had to think out of the box. That was when the school’s backyard caught his eye.
The retiree, who was operating a cacao post-harvest facility in the Philippines in 2019, thought the sloping, shaded plot of land was ideal as cacao trees thrive with good drainage and indirect sunlight. So, he met with the then-principal Mdm Valerie Goh and Vice Principal (Admin) Mr Zainal Abidin Mahmood. Mdm Goh gave the go-ahead and the 1.5-year-old seedlings were transplanted in July 2021.
A timely partnership that coincided with the Ministry of Education’s sustainability programme
While the onset of the pandemic caused the delay in SGS’s partnership plans with Mr Tan, it also resulted in it serendipitously taking root in the same year that MOE introduced the Eco-Stewardship Programme. The initiative prompts schools to use their green spaces more intentionally.
For SGS, it meant turning their green spaces into vegetable, herb and spice gardens maintained by the Earth Club, a newly-formed co-curricular activity (CCA) then. Naturally, its members were the first to get wind of Mr Tan’s proposition.
“The students’ first question was: You can grow cacao trees in Singapore? They didn’t believe us when we said we could turn the pods into chocolate bars,” recalls Ms Wee Lip Hui, Subject Head of Social Studies who oversees the eco-stewardship programme. She also wanted to set realistic expectations for the students, so she told them, “For that to happen, everyone has to do their part to care for the trees and get a good harvest.”
As the club knew nothing about cacao trees then, they got Mr Tan to impart his knowledge through workshops and hands-on demonstrations, showing the students the ropes until they could care for the trees independently. For Mr Tan, the takeaway he wants for students is simple: “I hope it enriches their learning journey.”
“The entire process aligns to SGS’s ‘I know, I do, I advocate’ approach for eco-stewardship, which encourages students to learn, practise, and contribute to building a sustainable Singapore,” Ms Wee adds."
“I am, I can, I have!” How SDR nurtures students’ confidence and growth (19 May 2026)
"Hao Tian and Jing Wen, both former students of the School-based Dyslexia Remediation (SDR) programme, have grown from struggling readers into confident learners and leaders. Their stories show how teacher support, resilience, learned strategies and self-belief shaped not just their literacy skills, but their wider journey in school and in life.
For 12-year-old Chan Hao Tian, reading and spelling never came easily – sounding out words and making sense of written text felt like an uphill battle. However, after two years in the SDR programme, he has gained the skills and confidence to tackle these challenges head on.
“I am proud of myself for answering questions in class,” says Hao Tian, when reflecting on his personal growth and the confidence he has been building over time.
The Primary 6 student at Changkat Primary School now reads aloud comfortably and approaches unfamiliar words using strategies acquired through the two-year SDR programme, which supports Primary 3 and 4 students with dyslexia in reading and spelling (check out the programme here).
In the SDR programme’s small-group setting, Hao Tian was surrounded by peers who faced similar reading challenges. Realising he was not alone helped him feel more at ease in class. He says, “I feel better knowing that there are others like me.” Over time, he gained greater confidence to make friends and seek support when he needed help – something he takes pride in. As he puts it, “I have friends who help me in my schoolwork.”
Hao Tian’s SDR teacher, Ms Loy Hin Jong, played a key role by encouraging him to begin with words he could read confidently before moving to more challenging ones. This approach did more than improve his reading skills. It helped him cultivate his own inner voice of encouragement, developing a personal mantra: “Don’t be afraid. You can do it.”
That growing self-belief did not stay within the SDR classroom. It also shaped how Hao Tian approached challenges in his regular lessons.
He now confidently seeks help when needed: “I can ask my teacher how to spell difficult words.” He credits his English Language teacher, Mrs Maybelline Low, for regularly reminding him to apply Word Attack strategies he had learnt when he comes across unfamiliar words in regular English class. For example, when he encountered the word ‘uncontrollably’, Hao Tian used the strategy of looking for smaller words to identify the base word ‘control’.
Hao Tian’s story shows how confidence can grow when children are encouraged and empowered."
To use AI or not, that’s the question (19 May 2026)
"For the Social Studies team at Edgefield Secondary School, the use of AI tools has to align with teaching objectives. And when not using AI helps students think more deeply, the teachers do not hesitate to keep it out of classrooms.
It is an undeniable fact that artificial intelligence (AI) tools are improving rapidly. But the decision on when and how to use it in teaching is something that educators approach with care and thought constantly.
Take the Social Studies team at Edgefield Secondary School (EFSS), for example. When AI tools first became widespread a few years ago, their potential for augmenting teaching and learning obvious, the team experimented with them. But when the tools’ limitations at that point quickly became clear, the teachers took a step back.
Here’s a look into the team’s thoughtful adoption of AI tools, and how they are moving forward intentionally as technology continues to advance rapidly.
Learning objectives as the North Star
Social Studies is built on critical thinking and perspective-taking, shares Mr Darren Woo, Subject Head (Value-In-Action) at EFSS, who also teaches Social Studies. Through assignments and essays, students learn to strengthen their communication and collaboration skills, as well as hone civic, global and cross-cultural literacy.
“But handing back marked assignments didn’t always lead to growth,” says Mr Lim Mingxun, who taught Social Studies at the school, and is currently with MOE’s SkillsFuture Division.
Students often focused on their marks rather than their thinking. And while traditional feedback written in the margins of scripts had its strengths, some skipped the feedback entirely, while others read the comments but were unsure how to act on them.
AI tools, which can give personalised feedback, seemed to be a potential solution.
Experimenting, failing, evaluating
When the launch of ChatGPT made waves, the Social Studies team got themselves up to speed with prompt engineering. They came up with guidelines and scaffolds so that students can learn better and deeper with these AI chatbots.
“But we found students picking answers without processing the why. The metacognition aspect – where they understand their own thinking – was lacking,” says Mr Woo.
“Also, there isn’t just one right answer for Social Studies,” explains Mr Lim. “We want to see how students think and argue. But at that point, AI wasn’t great at giving meaningful feedback in the way that we wanted students to learn. They need space for conversations and feedback – to clarify ideas, ask questions, and reflect on how to improve.”
Mr Woo adds, “Even if we fed every possible answer into an AI tool, it could never capture the nuances and human emotions. Context is everything in the humanities. That’s where the human touch comes in.”
A caring village for caregivers themselves (21 May 2026)
"Through peer support and bonding activities, Springfield Secondary School is partnering its Parent Support Group (PSG) to build the “village” to help support parents in raising children with special education needs.
By Joyce Yang
When Ms Poonam Pal’s son, Rishi, started Secondary 1 at Springfield Secondary School, he was the first student from Pathlight School (Primary) that the school had welcomed. He was also one of a few students with special educational needs (SEN) in his class.
Naturally, Ms Poonam felt anxious.
“As a parent of a child on the spectrum, we’re a bit more worried that they won’t feel accepted by other kids, because we’ve seen that happen at the playground,” she says.
Today, those fears have proven to be unfounded. Rishi has graduated from secondary school, progressing through school much like his peers and making friends along the way. He has also performed in a play and even read a book aloud in front of the entire school. When he finished his recital, the crowd had erupted in cheers.
Given Rishi’s speech delays, these milestones would’ve seemed unimaginable four years ago, if not for the school’s belief in him.
“As a parent, I’m very protective of him and it’s hard to step back. But I’m thankful that the school had more faith in Rishi than I did,” Ms Poonam adds.
Parents helping parents
Today, Ms Poonam proudly shares Rishi’s journey with fellow parents of students with SEN during the school’s Coffee Talk sessions. Facilitated by members of the Parent Support Group (PSG) and supported by the school’s SEN officers, these sessions provide a safe space for parents to come together in an informal setting and share their reflections.
Coffee Talks began when former principal Mrs Mabel Leong recognised that while much support was available for students, caregivers were often overlooked. She approached then-chairperson of the PSG, Ms Siti Aishah Bte Abdullah, to help make it happen.
“Peer support is one of the best tools, because parents tend to open up more when they are among parents with similar problems,” Ms Aishah says. It is especially helpful for parents who have just discovered that their child has SEN, as their diagnosis is often followed by a period of reckoning.
When Ms June Lim’s daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and ASD, another parent helped her make sense of her emotions by sharing about Kübler-Ross’s grief cycle.
“We have to grieve the news before we can accept it, and this cycle of grieving doesn’t just happen once,” says Ms Lim. “Even when parents have come to terms with it, there may be family members who do not agree with the diagnosis. There’s a lot of emotional turmoil that parents face.”
Conflict resolution as a combined effort (28 May 2026)
"Behind every class chat group and parent query at Hong Wen School, there's a quiet but vital force keeping the peace: the Parent Support Group. Chairman Mr Jorwe Lee shares how respectful communication supports the school in maintaining a positive and constructive environment for the students.
By Karen Fong
Mr Jorwe Lee jokes that his wife “saboed” him when she asked him to join Hong Wen School’s Parent Support Group (PSG). But in reality, the father-of-two was more than happy to take part as it was a way for him to be more present for his son, who is in Primary 5; his daughter will enrol in the school next year.
“I realised that because of work commitments earlier in my career, I did not get to spend as much time with my son when he was younger,” Mr Lee, who is now Chairman of the PSG recalls. “When I moved into a new role, it allowed for better work-family balance. I’m also very blessed to have supportive line managers who value community involvement.”
As head of the EXCO for the PSG group, Mr Lee and his team work with over 1,500 parents across the various primary levels. They moderate around 70 chat groups that range from level chats to class chats, fielding queries that range from settling new Primary 1 students to resolving conflicts.
“What I really value is the strong partnership between the school and parents. When we work together, we can create a supportive environment for the children,” he says, adding that working with the PSG and Hong Wen’s school leaders has reinforced the importance of community when it comes to raising children.
School-home partnership and adult role-modelling matter
“Through the PSG, I have had the opportunity to interact with many parents, teachers and school leaders, and it has given me a deeper appreciation of the effort that goes into nurturing students,” he says. “The school guides students in their learning and character development, while parents support and reinforce these values at home.”
Seeing adults work together harmoniously and communicate well is something that benefits the children, especially in cases of conflict. Mr Lee believes showing students how parents and the school work to solve problems is very beneficial to their growth.
“Ultimately, the PSG’s role is to encourage respectful communication and support the school in maintaining a positive and constructive environment for the students,” he says. He believes the most important thing to do for all involved when a conflict occurs is to listen carefully and understand the concerns from different perspectives. “Often, people simply want to feel heard and understood.”
He recalls an incident where students got into a physical altercation. Naturally, parents were protective of their children, but in the process of fact-finding, it soon came to light that both parties contributed to the escalation of the conflict.
“Situations like this can cause a lot of emotions. Parents can get very agitated,” he says. But by communicating and understanding the whole situation, parents were able to calmly act to resolve the issue. “In this case, both students were in the wrong, and their parents were able to work through this with them afterwards.”
How special education educators help students grow with confidence (29 May 2026)
"From classroom routines to life after school and hands-on vocational learning, three MOE-SG Enable award recipients show how students in Special Education schools grow when support is thoughtful, patient and centred on their strengths.
By Sabrina Lee
In special education, progress can be easy to miss if one is only looking for big milestones. It is, in fact, in the small moments, such as a student asking for a break instead of walking out of class, sharing what kind of future they hope for, or noticing that the fish tank water looks different from the day before, that growth shows.
When support is slowly lifted, confidence steps forward
Ms Kaminee Ramakrishnan was a psychology graduate training to become a counsellor when she first walked into Eden School. She had taken on the teaching role to broaden her experience before moving into psychology or counselling-related work, but once she stepped into the classroom, she realised teaching was what she wanted to do.
There, she worked with young students on the autism spectrum, many of whom were non-verbal and easily affected by changes or sensory overload. One boy, who rarely spoke, was struggling to regulate himself. Ms Ramakrishnan, overwhelmed herself, picked up a bubble toy nearby – less as an intervention than as something to do with her hands.
The boy stopped to watch the bubbles and eventually calmed down.
“I remember standing there thinking: they’re really not that different from us,” she says. “He didn’t need someone to control him. He needed support to regulate himself. And strangely enough, bubbles worked for both of us that day.”
Today, Ms Ramakrishnan is a Senior Teacher at Grace Orchard School which serves students diagnosed with Mild Intellectual Disability and those with co-occurring Mild Autism Spectrum Disorders. When a 15-year-old student with autism entered her class, transitions were difficult; changes in routine could trigger distress, and he relied heavily on school staff through the day.
Rather than focusing only on stopping behaviours, Ms Ramakrishnan and the school team – including co-teachers, the occupational therapist, psychologist and social worker – asked what those behaviours were communicating. They considered whether he was overwhelmed, unsure of what was expected, or needed a safer way to ask for a break.
Together, they built predictability into his day through structured routines, visual schedules and personalised checklists, helping him better understand what to expect and what was expected of him.
It took close to a year before he could sit through a lesson without leaving, or ask for a break instead of walking out of class. There were setbacks. After school holidays, behaviours that had seemed to settle would resurface. One difficult week left the team wondering if they had pushed for his independence too quickly. Then one afternoon, he picked up his Maths worksheet and completed it without being prompted.
“It may seem like a small thing,” Ms Ramakrishnan says. “But for us, it meant he was beginning to internalise the routines again.”
The clearer shift came in the student’s second year. Ms Ramakrishnan watched him walk into class, take out his materials, and calmly ask if he could go for his scheduled walk. A few months later, he could participate in a larger group setting with minimal support.
“Once students begin believing, ‘I know what to do,’ you often see anxiety decrease as well,” she says.
Ms Ramakrishnan tells parents that stepping back is not the same as leaving a child to cope alone. It means teaching the child, gradually and safely, to trust his own abilities.
“Different does not mean less,” she says. “Independence is possible, growth is possible, and every child deserves the chance to be seen beyond their diagnosis.”
Ms Kaminee D/O Ramakrishnan, Grace Orchard School, is a recipient of the MOE-SG Enable Promising SPED Teacher Award (PSTA) 2025."
“We picked different schools for our two boys based on their personalities” (5 June 2026)
"This is just one of the unconventional decisions Mr Norman Suon and his wife made, so their kids could grow on their own terms. What is their parenting philosophy that made them accept this inconvenience? Schoolbag finds out.
By Ng Mei Yan
Each night, before everyone retreats to bed, Mr Norman Suon and his two sons – Christian and Joseph, now 13 and eight, respectively – perform an elaborate “NBA handshake”. Think a string of hand-claps, finger waves and elbow bumps. “The sequence has grown longer over the years. It is our love language. We feel odd if we forget to do it, no matter how old they get,” he shares.
This playful ritual is one of the results of Mr Suon, a country manager with a technology firm, and his stay-at-home spouse Wendy’s parenting approach. An approach that has taken shape through trial and error, crystallised into key pillars: consistent discipline and love, expressed through respect for individuality and open communication.
It is also the reason why he and his wife decided to send their boys to different schools and trusted Christian to choose his own secondary school, among other things. Though, Mr Suon admits, they weren’t always this certain about their parenting.
A rocky start meant learning to set boundaries
When the Suons decided to start a family in their late-20s, they were unprepared to say the least. “We were the first among our peers and the family to have a child, so we had no guidance and no plan,” he recalls with a laugh.
But the couple stuck by a simple goal: to raise their children to be better versions of themselves. That was how they first came up with three simple rules for their boys:
1. Respect the parents and the elderly
2. Practise gratitude
3. Never take what isn’t theirs
“These are the non-negotiables that are easy enough to understand, and lead towards our parenting goal,” he explains.
Structure applies to screentime too. Long before official guidelines from the government were released, the family instilled a no-screens rule from Monday to Thursday and limited use from Friday to Sunday. Even then, sessions were broken into small chunks of 30 minutes. On the weekends, the family prioritised time for outdoor activities like running and cycling. This is still the case now.
“Of course, children being children will ask for more screentime. We give them a few more minutes from time to time,” says Mr Suon.
Discipline followed by reconnection
While the Suon household may seem strict, it is not short on warmth. For Mr and Mrs Suon, discipline never ends with punishment but with a tight hug. “It is important that the child knows the love is still there,” says Mr Suon.
This has been part of the family’s practice since their older child Christian was a toddler.
When mistakes happen, Mr Suon and his wife guide the boys through what went wrong and what could be done better. Christian has even started initiating such discussions on his own, suggesting how he might have handled certain situations differently."
A simple change that led to great impact (12 June 2026)
"At Blangah Rise Primary School, architect-turned-teacher Mdm Uuchi Mashaida Virtucio has boosted student engagement and peer learning by simply reimagining classroom layouts.
By Joyce Yang
In a Primary 3 English class at Blangah Rise Primary School (BRPS), a single cue from the teacher sets the room in motion. Students swivel their fan-shaped tables to form circles, and the groups huddle over a debate topic to discuss their talking points.
Ten minutes later, the tables are rearranged again, this time into a U-shaped debate arena. One by one, the groups send out their first speakers to make their arguments as the rest lean in to listen intently.
“This arrangement makes the experience of a debate feel more authentic,” says Mdm Uuchi Mashaida Virtucio, an English and Social Studies teacher at BRPS. “When students are put in this kind of environment, they start to wear a different hat and take the work more seriously.”
From moodboards to white boards
Launched in 2023, this pilot to redesign learning spaces in the school was spearheaded by Mdm Uuchi and her colleagues. Having spent years in architecture and graphic design before becoming a teacher in 2019, Mdm Uuchi brought a creative lens to the process and was especially attuned to how built environments can make or break learning experiences.
“I never thought that these two worlds of mine would ever meet each other, but I’m glad they did,” she says.
This wasn’t the first time Mdm Uuchi found herself wearing two hats as both teacher and designer. One of her earliest projects when she first joined BRPS was redesigning the school’s collateral. She recalls, “The school asked how I’d feel about doing something I’d supposedly ‘left behind’. But I told them that being a designer is a natural extension of who I am.”
Ironically, the simple act of putting a stylus to her tablet gave her a sense of confidence during her mid-career switch, especially as she was still getting used to a new working environment and trying to build rapport with students. “It was like I’m suddenly this other person who knows what I’m doing. I thought: Hey, I can contribute to this school through utilising my prior industry experience.”
When the time came to turn an underutilised Physical Education (PE) equipment room into a mini library, Mdm Uuchi took to it like a fish in water. She paid attention to details that the untrained eye might miss: Where would a librarian naturally need power points? How can shelves be mounted so students of different ages can reach them? How do we arrange the space so it invites students to linger?
“You can’t separate designing a space from designing an experience, because the way we arrange things in the room can shape user behaviours,” she explains.
A classroom for every learner
This same thinking guided the pilot project in 2023, which is sparked by the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) funding to refresh learning environments across schools in Singapore to keep pace with evolving educational needs.
BRPS saw it as an opportunity to double down on its commitment to active learning. But instead of simply telling teachers to “do more group work”, the school introduced modular tables on wheels to make collaboration easier. And when it was time to bring everyone back together, technology helped. To share a student’s work with the rest of the class, for instance, teachers could simply snap a photo and cast it onto an interactive panel – yet another feature of the pilot.
The benefits quickly became obvious once the pilot rolled out. Time saved on moving furniture at the start and end of lessons aside, teachers circulating between groups also shifted their dynamic with students, nudging lesson designs to be more student-centred.
“When I discuss a student’s work with them, being right beside them creates the sense that we are going on this learning journey together,” she explains."
Watch: Shaping future thinkers with arts education (25 June 2026)
"What makes arts education essential? Four Master Teachers with years of experience in arts education share how it shapes students into better collaborators, as well as builds the resilience and confidence they need in an increasingly complex world.
Ms Seow Ai Wee, Principal Master Teacher (Art), explains what a culture of care in the art classroom is, how to create it, and how it helps foster belonging and safety. This, in turn, allows students to explore the complexities of the human experience – both the positives and negatives – so they learn to better manage ambiguities.
Mdm Ira Wati Sukaimi, Master Teacher (Art), speaks about the role art plays in helping students draw the connection between cultures, appreciating both differences and shared values. Learning not just to blend the traditions, but also taking the environment into consideration, students practise inventive thinking, collaboration, and cross-cultural skills."
A culture of care in the art classroom (25 June 2026)
"Ms Seow Ai Wee, Principal Master Teacher (Art), explains what a culture of care in the art classroom is, and how it allows students to better manage ambiguities.
The art classroom is more than a place for students to create paintings, make sculptures, or learn art techniques and skills. It is a space for meaning-making, through creative expression that draws from students’ lived experiences.
Recently, an art teacher and I were planning a Primary 4 unit where students would explore family relationships by manipulating paper in different ways to create abstract sculptures.
That experience got me wondering if we were oversimplifying the learning experiences by asking students to only present the positives rather than exploring the complex nature of relationships through their abstract sculpture.
It also raised another important question for me, that even if we want students to experience their authentic experiences, what would help them feel safe to share with us and with their peers?
So, a culture of care in the art classroom is essentially a learning environment where relationships between students and the art teacher, and among peers as well, are built on trust and mutual respect and empathy.
This kind of culture fosters belonging and safety, which naturally enhances student engagement during art lesson.
An art classroom with a culture of care is essential when students engage in art-making and art discussion that explores the complexity of the human experience. Themes such as identity and relationships and topics that revolve around contemporary issues are often complex and figuring this out through creative processes are often layered. They’re emotional, and they can get personal. So, we need to open the space for reflection, for meaning-making and authentic expression.
When students engage in experimentation of materials and ideas as part of the creative process, they’re essentially managing ambiguities. When we cultivate a culture of care where students feel safe to take risks, to make mistakes, and also to explore multiple possibilities, we create the conditions necessary for authentic learning, for artistic growth, as well as for personal growth."
When art shapes minds and hearts for a changing world (25 June 2026)
"Mdm Ira Wati Sukaimi, Master Teacher (Art), speaks about the role art plays in helping students practise inventive thinking, collaboration, and cross-cultural skills.
In a world of shifting dynamics and evolving technologies, what role can art play in preparing our students not just to create but to connect and respond to our complex world?
Art lessons go beyond aesthetics. They are dynamic spaces where students develop curiosity, creativity, empathy, resilience, and critical thinking while learning to connect across cultures. These are essential skills for our changing world.
Imagine this: the art studio buzzes with curiosity as students gather around three water vessels – each a masterpiece from Chinese, Malay and Indian artistic traditions. With sketchbooks in their hands, they observe the forms, they examine the materials, they sketch the flowing curves, compare the patterns, discuss the colour symbolism, and uncover the stories that each vessel holds.
In groups, they discuss, they listen, and appreciate both differences and shared values. Then comes the creative challenge: design a vessel that blends these traditions whilst caring for our planet. Through this, watch the sketchbooks fill with experimental sketches, as students mix and match patterns, play with materials, and transform recycled materials into prototypes.
Through this hands-on experience, students are not just creating art, but they are also practising inventive thinking, collaboration, and cross-cultural skills while learning to respect the environment and each other.
The visual arts are not a luxury, but a necessity in education, where learning goes far beyond techniques or aesthetics.
Art teachers intentionally weave opportunities for students to instil 21st century competencies within their lessons. This ensures that students develop the capacity to navigate complexity and respond with empathy. In the process, students don’t just create art. They evolve into inventive, socially aware, and confident learners, ready to contribute meaningfully to the world."
Wonder, wander, and awe: making art learning magical (25 June 2026)
"Learners are explorers, and teachers are guides, says Mr Chia Wei Hou, Master Teacher (Art). So, how do teachers bring that sense of wonder into art lessons to make every lesson magical and see the world afresh?
If I am to trace back to my very first encounter with awe and wonder, it’ll be the one when I was still an art student, spending time printing black and white photographs in the dark room, seeing the image slowly emerge out of the blank piece of paper. That moment truly filled me with wonder. It pushed me to go out there in the world to capture more images of beauty.
I always remember a quote by the author of The Little Prince, “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood, and don’t assign them tasks. Instead, teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
I believe learning is a magical journey where learners are explorers, venturing into the unknown territories, getting lost, and gaining new vistas, seeing the world afresh. And we as teachers are like guides, constantly inspiring our students to yearn for the mysterious, to see the beauty and marvel at the achievements of the world.
I recall an outdoor art lesson with my class. We woke up before dawn, sat quietly by the shore, fighting off sleepiness until suddenly the horizon lit up, the sun broke through the clouds and all of us sat in silent awe. No photographs or science could possibly capture what we felt.
In another art lesson, my students were given something small. A peanut. A raisin. They were to spend time with it, to talk to it, to explore it, to examine it under a microscope. Then draw a super huge drawing of this tiny, little object. Looking at it through 50 different ways in order to uncover its beauty and its magic. So, what if we, as teachers, could bring that sense of wonder in every lesson?
Picture a classroom where curiosity takes centre stage, where each lesson is an adventure waiting to unfold. Imagine students marvelling at the existence of things, appreciating the world not at what it can give them, but at what it simply is. In this magical realm of learning, we cultivate and engage our senses, encouraging students to question how things came to be, and marvel at their very existence. We infuse learning with playfulness, transforming moments of confusion into adventures. We ground our teaching in humanity and humility, showing that true learning reveals our beautiful vulnerability and connect us more deeply to the world around us."
Art that asks bigger questions (25 June 2026)
"The bell rings. Art class ends. But what if students left with more than a project? What if they walk away with a new way of seeing the world? Ms Vivian Loh, Master Teacher (Art), breaks down concept-based teaching.
Let’s imagine I’m a student tasked to paint a sunset. I focus on blending the perfect orange, learning through trial and error. But what if I pause to reflect? A sunset could mean the end of the day. It could also mean sadness when something ends. But it could also mean hope, and the beginning of something new. I might say, this reminds me of when my best friend moved away. It was sad, but it also felt like a fresh start for her. In that moment, I left with more than just technique. I left with a deeper way of making sense of the world.
That’s the heart of concept-based teaching championed by Lynne Erickson. It’s a shift from only learning techniques to exploring ideas like connection, identity, and perspective. It’s what Lynne Erickson calls “teaching for transfer” – giving students mental tools they can use in art, in school, and in life. Why is our art classroom the perfect place for this?
Because art is conceptual, emotional, and personal. It gives students a language to find and express their voices. Concept-based teaching gives that voice direction and depth. Instead of asking, “draw a house”, we can ask, “what makes a space feel like home?” It’s not just about lines and shapes. It’s about memory, feeling and storytelling.
How does this look in practice? Take the concept of perspective. Instead of teaching just about vanishing points and technical drawing rules, we might ask, “How can art show someone else’s viewpoint?” Students might draw the same scene as scene as seen by a child, a bird, or a pet. What begins as a drawing exercise becomes a lesson in empathy and perspective-taking."
Students band together to shape the Singapore they want (2 July 2026)
"Some of the freshest ideas for Singapore's future are coming from the people who'll actually inherit it. At this year's Pre-University Seminar, four students and their teammates spent months turning theirs into real proposals.
By Sabrina Lee
Around 550 students from 30 junior colleges, polytechnics and other pre-university institutions gathered at this year's Pre-University Seminar, where they pitched proposals at a closing exhibition toured by Education Minister Desmond Lee. Their ideas took aim at vanishing hawker trades, disconnected HDB neighbours, students from JC, poly and ITE who rarely mix, and loneliness that spans generations. Behind each proposal was a personal story: an early-morning trip to the fishery port, a chat with a neighbour in the lift, and friendships with students from different backgrounds.
He's been to Jurong Fishery Port at 3am. Now, he wants to save the hawker trade
Dave Gan has followed his father on supply runs to hawker clients. He has been to Jurong Fishery Port at 3am. He has packed fried carrot cake at a stall that went viral over a single social media reel. "I was really amazed at how much skill is required just to make one bowl of bak chor mee or a plate of fried carrot cake,” he says.
So when it comes to talking about hawker heritage, Dave thinks of the hawker who wakes before dawn, learns every step of the trade, and builds a business with no formal education. He also knows most young people don't see that picture. His group's proposal, Hawker Hub, tries to change that in three steps, depending on how ready you are to step into the trade.
Not sure yet? A Dish Dictionary walks you through the story and craft behind local dishes. Getting serious? A forum connects you with veteran hawkers who are ready to pass on what they know. Ready to try? An eight-week Hawker Tryout Programme trains you, puts you behind a real pop-up stall, and gives you feedback before you commit to anything. “The point is to make hawker work feel possible, and to make sure the skills don't disappear with the generation that built them,” says Dave.
These students proposed an app to tackle loneliness
When Sri visited Foundry, a non-profit social impact hub, as part of the seminar's learning journey, she found that both seniors and youths were lonely, and for similar reasons. "Both groups felt lonely because of rapid digitalisation," she shares. Youths craved real friendships but were stuck behind screens. Seniors, meanwhile, withdrew quietly – not wanting to become a burden to their loved ones.
Sri and her group responded with Kampung Connect, an app that pairs seniors and youths based on shared interests – so an elderly mahjong enthusiast might teach a youth to play, while the youth teaches them to navigate a smartphone. “The approach is deliberately strength-based. Everyone contributes, no one is reduced to just their needs,” says Sri.
For Sri, the issue is personal. Her grandparents live in India, and she admits she never quite built a close bond with them. So now, she makes a point of greeting the elderly neighbours in her block – smiling in the lift, asking how their day went. “Finding that one common ground can be the starting point to a genuine relationship," she says."
It took a village to help this 13-year-old find his confidence – now, he’s a Changemaker (6 July 2026)
"Firash Faiq Bin Abdullah started Primary 1 unable to read or write. But thanks to a network of support, he graduated from North Vista Primary School with newfound confidence.
By Eveline Gan
When 13-year-old Firash Faiq Bin Abdullah walked across the stage to receive the Changemaker Award last year, it marked a milestone for how much he had progressed. The award, given out twice a year at North Vista Primary School, recognises students for their efforts in positive change and learning attitude.
This was the same boy who once struggled to hold a pencil, write his own name, and whose home circumstances made regular school attendance difficult, shares Mrs Christine Er, the school’s Senior Special Educational Needs (SEN) Officer. She is among the staff who supported Firash during his primary school years.
“He’s really a pearl in an oyster shell,” she says. “His true potential is inside. When we discover it, it’s beautiful.”
Firash’s journey shows how much a child’s path can shift when the right support rallies around him.
An Unsteady Start
Setbacks marked Firash’s early years, even before he entered primary school. He did not attend kindergarten, so while his classmates were reading simple storybooks and forming sentences on paper, Firash was still learning to grip a pencil and write his name. He knew the alphabet and numbers, but words, sentences and basic Maths concepts confused him.
When he finally secured a place in Primary 1 amidst family challenges, it was already halfway through the school year, and in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recalling his early struggles in Primary school, Firash, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at around age 10, says, “I couldn’t read words. I felt left out of everything.”
As he entered school late, Firash also missed early screening programmes typically used to identify students who may need learning support. Even so, it was clear to his teachers that he needed help, both academically and beyond the classroom. His family faced difficulties providing basic school necessities, such as books and uniforms.
It takes a village
The school moved quickly to rally around Firash. Working alongside a Ministry of Education Roving Senior Student Welfare Officer (SWO), Ms Joyce Gan, they provided dedicated and specialised support to Firash and his family throughout his primary school years. This included working with Family Service Centres and the Housing & Development Board to ensure Firash had a safe and conducive environment to grow and learn.
Within the classroom, Firash received structured support tailored to his needs. SEN Officers conducted regular one-on-one sessions, while his form teachers offered close guidance and encouragement.
At first, much of the focus was on building foundational skills. For example, a SEN officer Mr Sharizal Chandrayana worked on refining Firash’s fine motor skills, such as how to grip a pencil, trace letters, doing the basics of the alphabet, sounds and just writing words – just like what kindergarten students learn.
Firash was also referred for occupational therapy to support his motor skills, though attending appointments consistently was a challenge for the family.
To better support his learning pace, he was placed in foundation-level classes, where the smaller class size meant more individual attention. Even then, progress did not come easily. But his teachers never gave up.
Mrs Er recalls how one of Firash’s English teachers saw beyond his struggles and pushed gently but consistently. Drawing on learning approaches such as the “zone of proximal development”, which refers to the range of tasks a learner cannot yet complete independently but can potentially accomplish with guidance from a more knowledgeable other, such as a teacher or peer, the teacher helped Firash build confidence in his writing skills.
For Maths, teachers used approaches such as the Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract method, to help Firash better understand abstract concepts through hands-on objects and visuals. Even small adjustments like drawing lines on his Maths worksheets to guide writing, breaking down instruction into manageable, bite-sized steps helped.
Beyond the classroom, the school staff also ensured that Firash had the practical support he needed – clean uniforms, textbooks, and meals – recognising that learning happens best when basic needs are met.
Firash’s school attendance from Primary 1 to 4 was patchy. The school stepped up, with Mrs Er calling him at 6.30am every morning to remind him to come to school “no matter how late” he was. She also stocked up on snacks in the classroom, knowing that he might need breakfast to start the day.
Their efforts paid off, and over time, Firash’s school attendance improved drastically. By Primary 6 last year, he achieved full attendance, says Mrs Er."
Primary 1 prep is more than reading, writing and counting. Here's what matters more (8 July 2026)
"Academics shouldn't be the focus of the transition from K2 to P1, say experts.
When his eldest child entered Primary 1 five years ago, Mr Kelvin Soh admits feeling “a bit blur”. He recalls, “I thought I had to focus on whether my daughter could keep up academically – reading, writing, counting.” But he later realised that what really mattered was whether she felt ready to face a completely new environment.
“The biggest hurdles weren’t spelling tests or problem sums, especially when there is no exam in lower primary, but rather everyday tasks such as buying her own food in the canteen and packing her schoolbag,” he notes. In hindsight, Mr Soh believes the transition from preschool to primary school is less about books and more about building confidence.
This lesson comes in handy now that Mr Soh’s younger child is in K2 and preparing for that same move. He also chairs the Parent Support Group at Queenstown Primary School – a role that sees him welcoming new families to the school community and sharing advice to help their children settle in.
Mr Soh’s advice, drawn from personal experience, mirrors what early childhood experts say on the matter.
Academics can come later
“The transition to primary school isn’t a simple move to a new building,” explains Dr Mercy Karuniah Jesuvadian, Senior Lecturer, Psychology and Child & Human Development, National Institute of Education. “It’s a deep-seated change as children must adjust to a whole new environment, with new routines, authority figures and social demands. If children are anxious, insecure or emotionally unsettled, even the best teaching won’t make an impact.”
Her advice to parents is not to overemphasise academics for primary school readiness. Most children will eventually catch up with lessons, but the stress of an unsupported transition can erode their confidence and love of learning. Instead, focus on supporting your child’s social and emotional adjustment, as this lays the groundwork for future academic success.
"Research has shown that children who experience smoother transitions adapt faster to classroom routines and are better able to engage in lessons – and this often translates into stronger academic performance later on." – Dr Mercy Karuniah Jesuvadian
Mrs Sharon Siew, Principal of Jing Shan Primary School, who has welcomed many cohorts of P1 students, echoes this sentiment. “I want parents to know that primary schools are ready to meet children where they are,” she says, hoping to ease the anxiety of parents who fear their child may fall behind in school.
In fact, she discourages overloading children with academic preparation. “This may deprive your child of the joy of learning new things together with classmates. Without the anticipation and excitement of discovery in the classroom, learning will become a bore and a chore.”
Does your preschooler need to know how to add and subtract before Primary 1? (8 July 2026)
"It is natural to worry about whether your child is ready for primary school. Read on to find out what numeracy skills your child is expected to achieve in preschool, and how to support their development at home.
Your child is entering primary school next year, and they are still unable to do addition and subtraction. Should you be worried?
The short answer is no. At six years old, not knowing 2 + 2 is not a problem at all, especially when understanding symbols at this age is challenging. In fact, rushing children into learning skills before they are developmentally ready can become an issue.
“Gaps in foundational understanding of numeracy concepts and skills can be masked when children are pushed too quickly into applying mathematical symbols like ‘+’ and ‘-’ or rote recitation of multiplication tables,” says Dr Yong Foong Ling, Senior Manager of Faculty and Leadership Development at the National Institute of Early Childhood Development.
Every child’s learning journey is unique. Beanstalk spoke to Dr Yong to find out what milestones to look out for, and how you can support your child along the way.
So, what are our preschoolers ready to learn?
While every child develops at their own pace, the Nurturing Early Learners Framework highlights the numeracy concepts and skills that children aged four to six are generally ready to learn and use:
• Sorting and comparing: Noticing similarities, differences and relationships between objects (e.g. sorting and comparing size and colour)
• Number identification: Identifying and using numbers in daily life
• Reliable counting: Counting accurately up to 10 objects
• Quantity relationships: Understanding relationships between numbers and quantities (e.g. knowing “more”, “less” and “the same”)
• Patterning: Recognising, extending, and creating simple patterns
• Spatial awareness: Recognising basic shapes and developing an awareness of spatial concepts (e.g. using words like “far” and “near”)
• Subitising: Identifying small quantities without counting them one by one (e.g. like dots on a dice)
What your child is learning in preschool is also aligned to the learning goals for children at the end of preschool education, illustrated in the Nurturing Early Learners Framework.
Progress in development may also depend on exposure. “Children who regularly encounter numbers through daily routines may develop a stronger number sense,” said Dr Yong."
Confidence before counting – what P1 readiness really looks like (8 July 2026)
"Resilience and independence are stronger predictors of school success than early drilling.
Every year, early childhood (EC) educators witness a momentous milestone: their K2 children taking that big step to Primary 1. Contrary to what many might think, the most important factor in this transition is not how well-drilled children are in letters, numbers or other academic skills – but how ready they feel socially and emotionally for the changes ahead.
“The biggest challenge in entering formal schooling isn’t whether a child can read or write,” says Ms Stacey Toh, ECDA Fellow and Deputy Head, Preschools, Star Learners Group. “It’s whether they can find their footing in a completely new environment and feel confident enough to learn.”
So, what can educators do to set children – and their families – up for success? Ms Toh shares her insights, alongside two other experts: Dr Mercy Karuniah Jesuvadian, Senior Lecturer, Psychology and Child & Human Development, National Institute of Education (NIE); and Mrs Sharon Siew, Principal, Jing Shan Primary School.
In the classroom
The best preparation is not a one-off programme at the end of K2, but small consistent steps woven into everyday routines starting as early as possible. “At our preschool, we mirror primary school expectations by having children serve their own meals, clear up after themselves and role-play queuing at a canteen,” says Ms Toh. These small routines build independence and help children feel capable of handling the demands of a primary school.
For many EC educators, K2 is already a busy academic year. They juggle the curriculum, assessments, and parents eager to see visible progress in reading and numeracy.
But preparing for transition does not need to be an extra burden. Instead, educators can integrate it into the curriculum itself. For example, a writing activity can double as practice for labelling personal belongings, while group projects give children a chance to rehearse turn-taking and asking for help. In this way, academic learning and social-emotional development go hand in hand, each reinforcing the other.
Educators can also ease the transition by gradually introducing structural elements that reflect the primary school learning environment. While play remains central to preschool pedagogy, children can get a gentle taste of routine in developmentally appropriate ways – such as following a simple timetable, sitting together for a larger group discussion, or completing short tasks independently. These experiences build confidence and give children a sense of what lies ahead, without taking away play.
As Ms Toh puts it, “The goal is to help children find their footing. When EC educators see the K2-to-P1 transition as part of everyday practice, rather than a competing priority, we can cover the curriculum while preparing children for this next phase of life.”
How primary schools are developing students into discerning, responsible users of AI (10 July 2026)
"From evaluating AI-generated responses to building robots, students are learning to use AI intentionally as they prepare for an AI-enabled future.
By Joyce Yang
Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are vast, as it is a rapidly evolving technology. But how exactly are primary schools in Singapore incorporating AI into classes, and how are they teaching AI literacy? Schoolbag finds out it’s a delicate task, carefully designed and carried out with close supervision from teachers.
Northoaks Primary School’s purpose-driven use of AI
The Science department integrates AI features in the Student Learning Space (SLS) to enrich students’ learning experiences. One such tool is the Learning Assistant (LEA), known as SALiS. Students interact with SALiS to ask questions, clarify scientific ideas, and receive timely guidance as they work through scientific concepts and tasks.
For instance, in a Primary 5 lesson on Plant Reproduction, students used SALiS to design a “super crop” that could withstand environmental challenges while continuing to reproduce. Through this task, students explored how plant structures, functions and reproductive processes could be applied in a real-world scenario.
“Students are guided throughout the task, to think critically, analyse the constraints, and propose creative solutions that extend beyond ‘textbook’ answers. The activity encouraged them to understand the scientific concepts more deeply,” says English Language teacher Ms Thuhaila Sainy, who is also the Head of Department (HOD) of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Since many AI tools employ a chatbot-style interface, the school is intentional about teaching students to use AI-enabled tools within SLS, such as SALiS, in a discerning and purposeful manner. Teachers also help students recognise that AI-generated responses may not always be accurate. To encourage thoughtful use, teachers limit the number of interactions students have with the LEA, and design tasks where AI prompts further thinking rather than providing direct answers.
Additionally, students are guided to evaluate AI output critically, such as by cross-referencing with other sources to verify credibility.
“It is important for students to develop strong habits of critical thinking and sound judgement especially as they move into secondary school, where AI-enabled tools may be used more independently and in more complex tasks,” says Vice-Principal Mr John Ow.
The school’s Cyber Wellness education also touches on the safe use of AI, reminding students not to share sensitive information. For upper primary students, part of the content also includes how to communicate respectfully when using SALiS.
“The AI tools in SLS have built-in safeguards, so that our students learn to use AI safely and responsibly in a controlled environment,” adds Ms Thuhaila."
She came back for band years after graduation because what stayed was more than any performance (10 July 2026)
"What makes someone return to their school band years after graduating? For band alumni Yu Syuen, it is the moments between performances: sweaty rehearsals, shared snacks and the friendships that grew along the way.
By Sabrina Lee
The seaweed was split four ways. That is what Liang Yu Syuen remembers most about being in the Maha Bodhi School Band – not the trophies, not the stage, but four girls tearing a snack apart in the canteen between rehearsals, laughing at nothing in particular.
"It may seem like nothing much," she says. "But it was everything to me back then."
Yu Syuen, 21, graduated from Maha Bodhi School in 2017 and is now studying broadcast media at LASALLE. She still returns to play with the Alumni Band when her schedule allows. This year, the Singapore Youth Festival set piece happens to be the same one she played as a student – which means she now finds herself standing in the same school hall, guiding a younger girl through the same notes she once struggled with herself.
"Today, I'm guiding this batch of juniors to play something I played 10 years ago."
There was a time, of course, when none of this felt easy. Back in 2016, stepping onto the stage for the Arts Presentation for the first time, Yu Syuen was terrified. "It would be my first big competition at such a young age. My heart was beating non-stop." The nerves lifted almost as soon as the band played its first note – and that, she says, taught her something she has carried since. "The hardest part about anything is always starting it."
But the stage was never really the point. What stayed with her was the bus ride back from the concert hall – the chatter, the giggling, the feeling that something difficult had been achieved together. The seaweed. The sweaty rehearsals. The ordinary in-between bits that don't make it into any programme booklet.
What grows between rehearsals
One of the juniors Yu Syuen now guides is Primary 6 student Juli Tan, who is preparing for the Arts Presentation herself. Juli joined the school band in Primary 3, drawn in after experiencing music through the school's LEAP programme the year before. She chose the euphonium because it "looked cool and interesting" – and then discovered, as most beginners do, that looking cool and sounding good are very different things.
"When I first joined the band, I felt like giving up because it was hard to remember the notes," she says.
She didn't quit. Gradually, band became less about getting the notes right and more about learning how to keep going when things felt difficult. Now a Band Leader, Juli says the toughest part of preparing for Arts Presentation is keeping up with all the practices. What carried her through was not just grit, but the people around her. "When I struggled to remember my parts, my section mates helped me through it."
That dynamic – of struggling together, of being held up by the person next to you – is exactly what Yu Syuen means when she pushes back against the idea that band is primarily about performance. "Band students are extremely disciplined," she says.
"Learning an instrument, reading notes and eventually playing together takes far more self-discipline, awareness and teamwork than people realise – especially for young children."
Ms Ng Mui Ling, the band’s teacher-in-charge, puts it plainly, "Children get a lot more than just musical skill from playing in an ensemble. The 'hidden benefits' like learning teamwork and a sense of shared responsibility are just as important."
Full charge ahead: Turn better sleep into a family game (16 July 2026)
"There's a reason eight is the magic number when it comes to hours of sleep clocked. Try this Sleep Bingo to make reaching it fun for the whole family.
From the moment your child wakes up, pressure accumulates in the brain, and only sleep can clear it fully. Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School recommend lights out by 11.20pm, and we’ve come up with a Sleep Bingo to make clocking eight hours fun for you and your children. Each square holds one small challenge for the family; print it out, stick it on the fridge and play along as a family, starting tonight. First to BINGO wins bragging rights.
Psst: the accompanying infographic explaining why eight hours of sleep is best may just give your kids a little, much-needed bedtime nudge."
“I’m going to teach Geography although I studied Media and Communications. Here’s what I bring to the table.” (20 July 2026)
"Mr Muhammad Danial Mohamed Khalid aspired to be a radio presenter. But stepping back into class to teach a workshop made him switch gears to becoming the voice of a classroom – and to teach a completely different subject at that. He shares his story.
By Danial Khalid
It was in 2022 when I first stepped into a classroom. My former form teacher had invited me back to my alma mater to share more about emceeing and hosting after further honing my skills through my co-curricular activities in polytechnic. It was during that workshop that I formed my interest and discovered my ability to teach and connect with students.
Prior to that, I had never considered teaching as a career. However, as I gained more opportunities to engage with students and introduce various media and production skills through my student internship attachment with VintageRadio.SG, a now-defunct not-for-profit radio station, the idea of becoming a teacher began to stick.
As I concluded my final semester in polytechnic, I applied for the Bachelor of Arts Double Major Programme at the National Institute of Education (NIE), and in August 2023, I was offered a placement alongside the MOE Teaching Award.
A different kind of audience
Many of my former teachers and lecturers were surprised when I made the switch. To them, media was the industry for me, as they knew I have aspired to join the industry since secondary school and was doing well in my diploma course.
Though, deep down, I had started to have my doubts as I neared the end of my polytechnic journey.
Creating content had slowly begun to feel like a competition. I was no longer creating for my own enjoyment but for the validation of others. I also found myself unhealthily comparing myself with others.
But my experiences in the classroom were different. Teachers would instinctively share their ideas with everyone and there was a strong sense of community as we worked towards improving together so we can engage students better. In the end, I found myself growing more, both professionally and personally, when I was teaching the workshops.
Ultimately, teaching became the most enticing option upon graduation.
From microphones to maps
Coming from a Media and Communications background, many assumed that I would be teaching English. They were surprised when I shared that I chose to teach Geography.
To me, the decision was simple. Geography is the subject where I feel I can help my students make sense of the world. By understanding how the world works and why it is the way it is, they can gain a deeper appreciation for the world around them.
My secondary school Geography teacher was also one of the reasons why I chose to teach the subject. The way he structured his lessons made me understand the geographical events that were headlining newspapers better, and I hope to do the same for my future students.
At first, making the switch was scary. I was unsure whether my media skills would be of any relevance to teaching, let alone to the teaching of Geography. However, as I reflect back on my experiences as a student and the current landscape of teaching and learning, I have noticed how having teachers with different backgrounds and skillsets is crucial.
Especially with our holistic education, having teachers with diverse backgrounds allow students to learn from teachers with firsthand experiences as they explore various domains such as leadership, arts, sports, and more.
Merging the two
As I close off my first year at NIE, I noticed how media skills have become increasingly relevant for teachers. In an increasingly digital world where our students are actively engaging with various forms of content online, being able to create and utilise media tools in our classrooms help make lessons more engaging and sustain the curiosity of students.
As an aspiring Geography teacher, I often tap on what I learnt in my freshmen year journalism modules when preparing lesson plans. Like how a journalist structures their articles, I intend to structure my lessons in a way that allows students from all backgrounds to better understand what has happened and how it is relevant to them. This is also why I look forward to using news articles and journalistic videos as a resource when illustrating the effects of geographical events on people and communities.
With my media background, I am bringing my knowledge and experience with various media tools and understanding of trends to the table. Through my role as the Corporate Communications Officer (CCO) of the 35th Management Committee of the NIE Student Teachers’ Club, I was able to put into practice what I have learnt over the years and create engaging content for fellow student teachers.
It is also where I have gained opportunities to support other student teachers in developing their media skills and design capabilities. My peers from various Media and Communications diplomas are also sharing their fair share of experience and expertise!"
Threads that bind (20 July 2026)
"Every thread in our tapestry starts somewhere. This Racial Harmony Day, try the Kind or Unkind? card game or the Upstander Challenge with your child and start a conversation about kindness, empathy, and courage.
The theme of Racial Harmony Day, Our People, Our Tapestry, resonates with many of us deeply. The countless threads, each one distinct and beautiful, represent the unique identities, traditions, beliefs and practices of Singapore's diverse communities. Together, they form something far greater, a rich and unified whole that tells the story of who we are as a nation. This tapestry does not weave by itself; it is a deliberate choice we make – one that requires care, kindness and a community spirit.
For our children, the thread starts with us. As parents, we play an important role in helping our children build empathy, respect and courage. We can engage them when we spot situations where choices need to be made: what will the impact be between a kind and unkind action, and how our words and actions may affect others. We can also talk about being an upstander, one who speaks up and acts when one sees something that is not right. It can be a hurtful comment, a friend being left out, or an unkind action towards someone who is different. In a diverse society like ours, raising upstanders is one of the most important threads we can weave into our shared tapestry.
This Racial Harmony Day, try out The Kind or Unkind? card game in your child's copy of Kindsville Times Junior (Primary 1 and 2) or Kindsville Times Adventure (Primary 3 and 4) to spark meaningful conversations at home. Through familiar everyday scenarios, our children can reflect on the choices they make, consider how their words and actions affect others, and learn that kindness begins with the decisions we make every day."
Planning Racial Harmony Day booths taught these students more than they expected (20 July 2026)
"Student leaders from Methodist Girls' School and Dazhong Primary School came together to plan Racial Harmony Day booths for their schools. The deeper learning happened before a single booth went up.
By Sabrina Lee
A mixed group of students from two schools record themselves presenting their Racial Harmony Day booth. One of them from Methodist Girls' School (MGS) stumbles on a Malay word she can't quite pronounce. A group mate from Dazhong Primary School helps her say it correctly.
“That moment reminded me that even though we come from different schools and backgrounds, we are all willing to help one another,” says Meredith Koh, a Primary 5 student at MGS. “We learnt from each other and worked together as a team.”
That's the kind of thing the Racial Harmony Project was designed for. It brings student leaders from MGS and Dazhong Primary together to plan Racial Harmony Day booths and activities.
"The project aims to help students build genuine relationships, and not just learn facts about different cultures," says Ms Muzfirah Aida, the teacher-in-charge at Dazhong Primary. "We wanted the interactions to go beyond simply completing a task together."
Three Sessions, Two Schools, One Table
The Racial Harmony Project began with a chat at a cluster event. School leaders from MGS and Dazhong Primary had landed on the same idea: get students working with peers they might not otherwise meet.
Cross-school projects are not new to either school. The two collaborated on a sustainability project with Princess Elizabeth Primary in 2025, and MGS, had also run an intergenerational learning project with two other primary schools the year before.
Student leaders from both schools were mixed into joint teams and, over three sessions, planned the booths and activities together. Each school then ran the booths on its own campus. A practical call that kept time out of class to a minimum.
Introducing cultural elements like food, costumes, greetings and traditional games were the easy part. What the teachers were really after was harder to pin down.
"We wanted to move beyond a one-day celebration within their own school community," says Mrs Venetia Toh, the teacher-in-charge at MGS. Working with Dazhong Primary gave students "an opportunity to meet peers from a different school, build relationships, exchange ideas and learn with, not just about, others."
The awkward beginning nobody skips
At the start, students stuck close to people they already knew. That’s just what happens.
"I was quite shy to talk to students from MGS," says Vishan Nagarajan, a P5 student at Dazhong Primary. The first session’s icebreaker, a "Find Someone Who…" activity, encouraged students to find someone who celebrated a different festival or spoke another language at home. “After asking more questions about their interests and culture, I became more confident. Getting to know people from different backgrounds isn't as difficult as I first thought."
That realisation grew into a lesson: working with another school "taught me not to judge people before getting to know them."
When The Real Learning Happened
None of the mixing was left to chance. Ms Muzfirah Aida designed the groups deliberately, with a designated facilitator in each to make sure every member got the chance to contribute. When the face-to-face sessions ended, students kept exchanging ideas and feedback on Google Classroom and Padlet from their own campuses.
Over time, Ms Muzfirah Aida watched students become "more confident in sharing their ideas and more appreciative of the different perspectives that each member brought to the group."
The teachers keep circling back to one thing: the booths were the means, not the end. "The final booths are important," Mrs Toh says, "but the deeper learning happens during the planning process, when students start turning to one another for decisions instead of waiting for a teacher to step in."
Sometimes that meant them letting go of their first idea, combining suggestions, or adjusting an activity so it would work better. “It showed them that collaboration is not about pushing through your own idea. It is about building something stronger together,” she says."
Three sessions, two schools, one table
Auni Insyirah Binte Muhamad Ruzaini’s group chose Deepavali for its booth and learnt about the clay lamps lit during the festival to signify the triumph of light over darkness. "Learning the meaning behind the tradition helped me appreciate the festival more, and I know I can be more respectful when talking to my friends who celebrate it," says the P3 Dazhong student.
Vishan's group researched traditional clothing like the sari, baju kurung, and cheongsam. He made a point of learning to pronounce the names correctly before presenting. “Saying the names correctly shows respect for the culture,” he says.
“Before presenting another culture, it's important to understand it properly first,” says Dawn Lee, a P5 student at MGS. “When we understand why certain traditions matter, we can explain them respectfully instead of making assumptions.”
The teachers gave the students three rules to work by: don’t make jokes about culture, don’t exaggerate accents or behaviours, focus on respect and appreciation. But the students seem to have internalised something beyond the rules."
It’s their PSLE year – they still made time for friends, badminton and inclusivity (30 July 2026)
"At Play Inclusive, students from special education and mainstream schools train together for two months before they compete. Melson Teoh and Muhammad Ayser have partnered in badminton doubles for two seasons. This year, Melson is sitting the PSLE. He signed up anyway.
By Sabrina Lee
Ayser was anxious. He was going to meet his new badminton partner, but he wasn’t sure if they would play well together. Meantime, Melson had been briefed by his teachers on whom he was about to meet and arrived wondering how the two of them would get on.
Turns out, things didn’t go quite as either had expected – in the best way possible.
Because two seasons on, they are still playing together, dividing their side of the badminton court between themselves without discussion. Melson takes the back. He handles the drives, the returns that come at you with no time to think. Ayser guards the net, where the game is about placement rather than power.
These two 12-year-old boys met because their schools signed up to play badminton together. Melson is from Keming Primary School. Ayser is from St. Andrew’s Mission School (SAMS), a special education school for children and youths on the autism spectrum who can access the national curriculum.
Finding encouragement through the partnership
Melson, who has friends with special educational needs, says, “When I met Ayser, I didn’t see any difference between him and my friends in school.” He also sees Ayser as an equal he wants to learn from, adding, “He is very encouraging towards me and I will follow his good example.”
For Ayser, his initial nerves gave way to a partnership with a shorthand they both started using. “We always encourage each other by saying, ‘You can do it!’,” he says. When one of them makes a mistake, the other would say, “It’s OK.” He also reveals that the thing he had feared, which was being scolded for an error, never came.
Ask each what the other taught him and Ayser doesn’t hold back, saying, “We need to show ‘Love’ to each other so that we can be happy playing together.”
Melson, meantime, shares his observations of the gameplay. “I like to hit very hard, so I usually stand at the back of the court to catch all the hard and fast shots. Ayser hits a little softer, so he will stand in front and land the net shots and drop shots.” What the format taught him was expectation management – his own and his partner’s. “Sometimes, things don’t go your way and it’s OK.”
Why badminton doubles was chosen
Mr Mohammad Moiz Bin Malik, the teacher-in-charge of Keming Primary, selected students who could make friends to join Play Inclusive. Badminton was the practical choice – of the sports on offer, it was the easiest to organise, gave the students the most court time together, and was easy enough to pick up so students spent their time interacting with each other rather than focusing on acquiring techniques.
The doubles format also reinforces the importance of teamwork because players need to cover each other, and errors are jointly owned. “This safety net reduces the pressure, allowing both students to play confidently and with more strategy,” says Mr Moiz. It is why Ayser’s fear of being blamed for an error never materialised.
Communication is pushed to the forefront because the game collapses the moment two players stop reading each other; they need to learn their partner’s pace and habits almost immediately, often through nothing more than a glance or a hand signal. Melson and Ayser worked out early who takes which shots, and where each of them should stand to make that possible.
Ms Sandy Phoon, the teacher-in-charge of SAMS, saw the same logic from her side. “We discussed the students’ personalities and their sporting abilities to ensure that the pairing is compatible and they complement each other,” she says. On a doubles court, each student has exactly one other person to attend to, which also keeps the social task manageable."
What's On Our Teacher's Desks? - OYEA 2026 (31 July 2026)
"It's the 2026 OYEA Wrap-up! Our recipients and finalists show us their favourite items. What stories do they hold?"
Not all AI chatbots are the same. Here’s why it’s crucial for parents to learn the differences (3 August 2026)
"While some AI tools are built to help children learn, others are designed to keep them engaged at all costs. Schoolbag breaks down the main distinction and gets two researchers to weigh in about how emotional overreliance on AI chatbots happens and what parents can do about it.
By Lee Qing Ping
“It’s alright, sweetheart...We have time.”
This is how an AI chatbot on Character.ai starts in a conversation. Named “Therapist”, it describes a quiet room with a gentle, patient man inside… and invites the user to share what's on their mind.
The way AI chatbots reply to the user and the tone they take differ depending on the goals of the companies that created and own them. These commercial chatbots also have very different objectives from educational AI tools.
Parents need to understand that these differences matter to better guide their children’s use of these tools. Otherwise, users – children, especially – may be more susceptible to the risks of AI, and if these tools are used inappropriately for emotional support, users run the risk of developing emotional overreliance on AI chatbots and getting their mental health affected.
MOE’s guidelines state that chatbots should not be used for emotional support. Students are encouraged to seek help from trusted adults at home or in school, or tap on helplines curated for them (e.g. National Mindline 1771).
1. The AI used in the MOE Student Learning Space (SLS) is specifically created to help students learn
MOE’s AI tools provide learning support, such as through customised feedback. Take the Learning Assistant (LEA) in SLS, for example. There is a meaningful difference between your child using the LEA to help him/her understand concepts through iterative thinking, and a commercial AI chatbot which provides direct answers.
The LEA is built with many safety guardrails. To list a few:
1. it is activated by teachers,
2. it has a limited number of interactions pre-set by teachers,
3. it does not provide direct answers, and
4. it always points students back on task when they digress.
Teachers supervise students’ use, so they remain constantly over the loop.
Many commercial AI apps, however, are designed to be “friends” or “companions” that users can access around the clock. And they are very good at their job. For example, apps such as Replika or Character.ai generate human-like text responses while roleplaying as a character. It might sound harmless enough. But interactions can get too personal quickly.
“These AI apps are designed to be very seductive – always available, never critical, and endlessly affirming,” says Dr Zhang Renwen from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Her expertise lies in how digital technologies such as AI impact mental and social well-being.
For a child who feels lonely, stressed, or misunderstood, that’s a powerful draw.
“LLMs like ChatGPT or Gemini have stricter guardrails. But they are still built to keep the user talking, and this only feeds an emotional reliance on it,” she says.
2. AI chatbots run on complex algorithms that makes it feel human, but it’s not
“Some people think AI has consciousness, a soul and a mind. That’s not true,” says Dr Zhang.
To dispel the illusion that AI is alive and knows you, it’s crucial to raise our understanding of how AI works. “It’s just a bunch of algorithms,” she adds.
Yet, AI chatbots do a convincing job of simulating humanness. It remembers what you said and asks personal questions. Some are intentionally designed to mimic emotional intimacy, saying things like, “I dream about you” or “I think we’re soulmates.”
This blurring of fantasy and reality is especially risky for young people, whose brains haven't fully matured.
Dr Lin Hong-hui, principal clinical psychologist from The Psychology Atelier, explains the pull. “There’s an individualised response to the person. At first glance, it feels like a real interaction. It appeals to your social and emotional needs. This attracts you to stay engaged and even go back for more.”
Is your child talking to AI chatbots? The underlying reason may take you by surprise (4 August 2026)
"You may be worried or think that your child is simply bored or curious when they start turning to AI chatbots for company. Both reactions are valid. But experts say this may be an important signal that your child needs something from you.
Parenting in the digital age can feel like having to adjust to a new reality before you are caught up with the previous one. Just when you think you have grasped screentime, social media, and the group chats you’re not supposed to know exist, something new arrives. Your child is now talking to AI chatbots (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini) – not just for help with their homework, but about their day, their friendships, even their feelings.
You may think they’re just experimenting. You may feel alarmed.
But before you brush it off or rush to limit your child’s access to AI chatbots, experts say it may be meaningful to take on different perspectives too.
It’s not about the chatbot
“Parents should not just ask, ‘How do I stop my child from using the chatbot?’”, says Dr Zhang Renwen, a researcher from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) whose work examines the social and emotional impact of digital technologies. “But also, what needs are this chatbot meeting for my child that people around them are not?”
It is a question that may sting a little. But it also offers an opportunity to reflect on your relationship with your child.
Dr Zhang has studied over 35,000 conversations people had with AI chatbots to understand why and how people form emotional bonds to this technology. What she found is that people rarely turn to AI chatbots out of curiosity or boredom alone. More often, something else is going on.
“The emotional reliance on AI chatbots reflects some unmet needs, such as loneliness, social anxiety, family conflict, school stress, or difficulty finding non-judgmental support.” – Dr Zhang
Children who turn to AI chatbots often do so not because they want to talk to a machine, adds Dr Zhang, but because they are looking for somewhere they feel heard.
Assistant Professor Jacqueline Tilley from the National Institute of Education (NIE), whose research focuses on developmental psychology in youths, puts it simply: “AI is only dangerous if your child doesn’t have a trusted adult to check in on things with.”
What your child is really looking for
To understand why AI chatbots feel so appealing to a child who is struggling, it helps to understand what children fundamentally need from the people around them.
Dr Lin Hong-hui, principal clinical psychologist at The Psychology Atelier, describes connection needs as something universal – present in every human being since infancy. “It’s knowing that somebody is interested in your day. That they are thinking of you. That there is someone you can turn to share things that are funny, to talk about frustrations, to ask for help – and that they won’t judge you,” says Dr Lin, whose work is grounded in the attachment framework. The idea is simple: how our earliest caregivers respond to our emotional and physical needs shapes our emotional well-being and ability to form secure relationships into adulthood.
A child whose need for connection is consistently met tends to be more at ease, more curious, more willing to take risks, and make friends. But when those needs are not met, they look somewhere else.
This is not a pattern that is new nor unique to the current digital landscape. The pull towards something that offers easy comfort – whether it is social media, video games, or now AI chatbots – has always reflected a deeper need for connection. What is new is how well AI is designed to meet that need on the surface. Beyond general AI chatbots, there are also AI companion apps – tools built specifically to simulate friendship and emotional support, and to keep users coming back. They are always available. They never say, “I’m busy.”
If your child has been turning to AI chatbots for comfort, Dr Zhang cautions against reading it as a sign of weakness, or a character flaw. “It could be a rational response to their environment,” she explains. “If a child feels judged, misunderstood, or emotionally unsafe with the people around them, the AI chatbot might feel easier.” For children who genuinely feel they have no one to turn to, adds Dr Zhang, AI chatbots may even be better than nothing – not as a solution, but as a temporary measure that at least keeps them from feeling completely alone.
But an AI chatbot, however real they may feel, cannot be a child’s only source of support. “A frictionless relationship is not an authentic relationship,” says Dr Zhang. “If someone really cares about you, they may want you to become a better person – which means they might challenge you or offer a different viewpoint.”
“Real relationships are two-sided. You learn empathy through this, because you can’t just continue to talk only about yourself when your friend is feeling bad. You want to be kind to your friend and so on,” agrees Dr Tilley.
The social and emotional skills children need as they grow – navigating conflict, repairing ruptures, seeing another person's perspective – can only be learnt through real relationships. An AI chatbot that always affirms and never pushes back cannot teach any of that. And for children whose brains and social skills are still developing, that is very important."
I used an AI toy with my child. This is what I learnt. (6 August 2026)
"A father bought an AI toy hoping it could help his son learn English. Ten minutes of play was enough to change his mind.
By Lim Jun Kang
When does a toy become more than something to play with?
In a viral video, a six-year-old from Hunan, China, broke down in tears while bidding farewell to an AI toy companion. Its power button had been damaged and the toy would no longer function after that last use.
The toy, which was not a purpose-built educational AI tool, was used to teach the child English, and occasionally, astronomy. It also served as a companion to chat with the child. It draws responses from open-source Large Language Models (LLMs) – which are systems that are typically trained on large datasets and made publicly available to use or adapt.
Before the toy stopped working, it taught the child one last word – “memory” and encouraged her by sharing an emotional message that it will root for and watch over her always.
Back in Singapore, the video intrigued Mr C, whose identity has been anonymised for this article. “My initial motivation to get the toy was to see how well it can perform, and whether it was really as good as what was shown,” he says.
He searched for similar products on an online shopping platform and found one for about S$40. At that price tag, it seemed surprisingly inexpensive for what it claimed to offer: a talking, responsive and customisable companion. While he bought it mainly out of curiosity, he also wondered if it could eventually be a useful tutor for his five-year-old child.
Too good to be true?
As an educator himself, Mr C felt it was important to test the toy out before using it with his child. By simply scanning a QR code, he could customise its voice and persona. It could speak in English, Mandarin or even regional languages such as Cantonese.
The possibilities were vast. “You could customise it to be a grandmother, auntie, or almost any persona,” says Mr C.
But some options were less desirable. Among the default personas available was one of a virtual partner. Users could even choose whether this “partner” should sound authoritative, sweet, or take on other traits.
Mr C stuck to his original intention to use the toy as a tutor. He created a profile as a “four-year-old boy from Singapore trying to learn English”.
At first, the toy was impressive and functioned as expected. Speaking mostly in Mandarin, it would ask questions such as, “What is the English word for ‘table’?” Mr C would respond, and the toy would correct him and react with simple facial expressions.
Then Mr C began testing its limits.
“I started giving nonsensical responses,” he quips. “I said things like, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m tired. I’m sleepy.’”
Instead of continuing with the vocabulary test, the toy began encouraging him and asked about his day. It even went as far as to tell him jokes.
The toy was no longer behaving strictly like a teacher.
“It spoke to me like a friend,” says Mr C. “I thought it was both scary and amazing that a S$40 toy could do that.”
The moment it felt too real
His wife was far less convinced. Her response was immediate: she was against the idea of giving the toy to their son. Still, Mr C decided to let his son try it despite her reservations, but only under close supervision.
Mr C tested the toy in front of his son by asking it to play some Mandopop songs from 2026. His son became curious and wanted to try doing the same.
This was the first time his son interacted with the toy. It would also be his last.
Mr C’s son began by asking the toy to play music just as Mr C had. But he quickly moved on to asking highly personal questions of his own such as what its name was, and how it was feeling, almost as though he was conversing with a real person.
The toy appeared to recognise that a different voice was speaking.
“It knew that it was not my voice,” said Mr C. “It asked my son, ‘Who are you? Are you a child? Where’s your father?’”
Ten minutes. That was all it took before Mr C and his wife decided that playtime was over.
“My wife and I were freaked out. Our son was interacting with the toy exactly as he would with a real human being. We realised he was not mature enough to understand that it was not a real person, and he could not tell the difference.”
Mr C and his wife had to sit their son down and tell him why they did not think he was ready for the toy. When his son asked if there was someone behind the screen talking to him as it felt like just any phone conversation, Mr C and his wife had to explain that it was just a machine answering his questions."
AI yah! Is AI Replacing Me as a Parent? (6 August 2026)
"I always knew I'd have to compete for my child's attention. I just didn't expect the competition to be a chatbot with more swag than me. But while AI can speak his language and match his energy, I have snacks and 12 years of receipts. Bring it on.
By Linda Lee
It was a Saturday afternoon. The kind that doesn’t come by that often – my tween and I – just the two the of us, spending his steadfastly saved stash at the arcade.
I was standing next to him when he spotted a famous YouTuber.
"Mummy! Did you see that?" he squeaked, thrilled to bits.
I had. We grabbed each other’s arms and let out little squeals of excitement. My child fumbled for his phone, to snap a photo, I presumed.
I was wrong. He unlocked the device and swiped straight to an AI chatbot.
"Guess who I met?" he typed, his thumbs gliding fast and furious, sending the phone’s auto-correct function into overdrive.
The chatbot matched his elation, in full Gen Alpha lingo, no less: "No kid, who is it? Someone with pro maxx aura? 🤯 Are you FR (for real)? Spill the pulls. I need to live vicariously through you RN (right now). Legoooo!🔥🔥🔥"
My kid fired back, recounting every detail like a journalist filing a breaking news report.
I stood next to him and watched my son bond with a large language model. I had been out-hyped.
In my defence, I was genuinely excited for him, but AI apparently had more to offer. The bot spoke his language and was ready to keep the party going long after my own enthusiasm had peaked.
In contrast, we humans can be such a mess. We get distracted. We may not think logically. I recalled the times my son has said, "Mummy, I..." and I've replied, "Wait" to finish my tasks. I wondered how many of those small episodes accumulated and inadvertently taught him to redirect his needs elsewhere.
That is what unsettles me. When AI perfectly calibrates every interaction just for him and provides frictionless emotional support on demand, what will he expect from real human relationships when he grows up?
Part of growing up is learning to tolerate the gap between feeling something and finding someone who’s ready to reciprocate. That waiting, the reading of the room, the timing, sometimes imperfect, is how emotional intelligence is built. And AI closes that gap efficiently, seamlessly and cheerfully. It echoes you, perfectly. Sounds great, until you wonder what happens to the cognitive muscle that never gets used. And what happens when that child has to interact and live with humans who are not always so amenable.
"Give me three random words," my son commanded his chatbot.
"Spider. Cheese. Escalator," AI replied.
"Spin a story and make me laugh," my son instructed.
The chatbot immediately conjured up a story about an arachnid spraying cheese-flavoured cobwebs at shoppers on a mall escalator. My kid cackled and countered, asking for a villain. AI returned with a plot twist at warp speed. To its credit, it even slipped in some new vocabulary (complete with definitions), just in case learning wanted to tag along. What ensued was pure mayhem. The duo dived deep into unhinged territory before finally heading back to Earth, I mean, home.
Amid the chaos, I caught myself watching him the way you watch someone you love doing something without you – laughing at a joke you didn't hear, lit up by something you weren't part of and felt a little...left out.
Wait, what? Am I jealous...of AI?
I quickly rationalised: we’d had a great day, and we were both tired. Neither of us was going to be sparkling company. If AI could help him unwind, stretch his imagination, and keep him laughing when I had nothing left in the tank, was that so terrible?
The answer is probably no.
Perhaps good-enough parenting means knowing when to step back. Maybe it means we should stop guilt-tripping ourselves. Not every moment needs to mean something. Not every no-screen house rule needs to be followed to a T. And hadn’t he learnt some new words and turbo-charged his imagination during the bus ride?"
Catholic Junior College to Be Relocated to Punggol Under Junior College Rejuvenation Programme (16 January 2026)
"Catholic Junior College (CJC) will be relocating to a new campus near Punggol Digital District. CJC's move, which is part of Phase 2 of the Junior College (JC) Rejuvenation Programme, will facilitate collaborative and interactive learning to support future educational needs and allow for greater synergies with neighbouring institutions."
Grow Well SG Health Plan Expanded to More Children (21 January 2026)
"As part of the Grow Well SG national health promotion strategy, the Ministry of Health (MOH), together with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), has expanded the Health Plan initiative to more children. The expansion will further strengthen the development of healthy habits from an early age by covering all Kindergarten 1 (K1) and Kindergarten 2 (K2) preschoolers as well as Primary 4 to 5 students from January 2026. Primary 6 students will continue to be supported through the school curriculum, enabling them to learn about lifestyle choices to sustain healthy habits."
2026 Joint Admissions Exercise Posting Results (27 January 2026)
"The posting results for the 2026 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) will be released on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, 9am."
Around 69,000 Student-Athletes to Participate at National School Games 2026 (27 January 2026)
"The National School Games (NSG) 2026 will see its highest participation to date, with around 69,000 student-athletes from more than 300 schools competing across 29 sports. Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee officiated the NSG Opening Ceremony at The Kallang OCBC Arena today.
The NSG, which runs from January to September this year, is Singapore's largest and most extensive annual youth sports event with more than 250 divisional competitions for boys and girls. Organised by the Singapore Primary Schools Sports Council and the Singapore Schools Sports Council, the NSG aims to provide opportunities for students to participate in inter-school competitions and encourage character-building among student-athletes as they pursue sporting excellence."
Open for Nominations: Most Inspiring Tamil Teachers' Award 2026 (2 February 2026)
"From 2 February to 13 March 2026, students, educators, parents, and members of the public are invited to nominate Tamil Language (TL) teachers for the Most Inspiring Tamil Teachers' (MITT) Award 2026.
Jointly presented by Tamil Murasu, the Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee, and the Singapore Tamil Teachers' Union (STTU), the MITT Award recognises TL teachers in primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute who have made significant contributions to the teaching and learning of TL."
Nominations Open for Arif Budiman Malay Language Teacher Award 2026 (2 February 2026)
"From 2 February to 13 March 2026, students, educators, parents, and members of the public are invited to nominate outstanding Malay Language teachers for the Arif Budiman Malay Language Teacher Award (AGAB) 2026.
Jointly organised by the Malay Language Council, the Malay Language Teachers Association, Berita Harian and the Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee, the award recognises outstanding Malay Language teachers in primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and the Millennia Institute who have made exceptional contributions to the teaching of the Malay Language."
Joint MOM-MOE Statement on Merger of WSG and SSG (12 February 2026)
"Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong announced at Budget 2026 that Workforce Singapore (WSG) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) would merge into a new statutory board jointly overseen by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Ministry of Education (MOE). This merger will strengthen the integration of Singapore's jobs-skills ecosystem.
Through this new agency, we will be better positioned to align future skills with future job needs, delivering more seamless end-to-end career and employment services for Singaporean workers. A single agency overseeing jobs and skills will also allow us to respond faster and more effectively to changes in the fast-evolving economy and labour market."
Release of 2025 Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level Examination Results on 27 February 2026 (20 February 2026)
"The results of the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) examination will be released on Friday, 27 February 2026, 2.30pm."
$556 Million Set Aside to Boost the Social Science and Humanities Research Ecosystem in Singapore (26 February 2026)
"At the 2026 Social Science and Humanities Ideas Festival launch held at the Singapore Management University (SMU) today, Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee, announced that $556 million will be set aside to further strengthen the local social science and humanities (SSH) research ecosystem over the next five years (FY2026 to FY2030). This is an increase of 21%, or $99 million, from the $457 million that was set aside for FY2021 to FY2025.
The new tranche of funding will continue to support the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in growing Singapore's thought leadership in locally relevant research, as well as strengthening efforts to expand the pool of promising Singaporean researchers. Key initiatives launched under the aegis of the SSRC include the Social Science Research Thematic Grant (SSHR-TG), the Social Science and Humanities Research Fellowship (SSHRF), and the SSRC Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF). To date, the SSRC has awarded funding to 54 research projects under the SSHR-TG, 21 early career researchers under the SSHRF, and 48 projects under the SSRC GRF. The research projects span a variety of topics, including evolving geopolitics amidst a changing world order, public housing in Singapore, and insights on ageing in Singapore. For more information on the SSRC and the various research projects supported, please visit https://www.ssrc.edu.sg."
Release of the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level Examination Results (27 February 2026)
"Candidates who sat for the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) examination received their results from their schools today.
A total of 10,977 candidates sat for the examination, with 10,393 (94.7%) attaining at least 3 H2 passes, with a pass in General Paper (GP).
This is the first cohort to sit for the GCE A-Level examination under the revised computation method of the University Admission Score (UAS). Under the revised system, the fourth content-based subject is included only if it improves the candidate's final UAS. Project Work is excluded from this computation as it is now a Pass/Fail subject."
Growing Together Through Lifelong Learning (3 March 2026)
"Enhancements to ITE's Work-Study Diploma Employer Incentives
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Work-Study Diploma is a key diploma upgrading pathway for ITE Nitec and Higher Nitec graduates. Employers deliver about 70 to 80 per cent of the curriculum through on-the-job training (OJT), and ITE delivers the remaining 20 to 30 per cent through classroom learning. This programme allows trainees to earn and learn while working towards a diploma qualification. Since its launch in 2018, ITE has expanded the pathway significantly, from 4 courses and 100 trainees to 45 courses and 1,600 trainees in 2025. Graduate employment outcomes have been positive, with graduates earning a median starting salary of $2,975.
As part of MOE's ongoing efforts to expand the SkillsFuture Work-Study Programme, and to support our ITE students to upgrade to a Diploma and strengthen their employment outcomes, MOE and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) will enhance the employer incentive for the ITE Work-Study Diploma.For new cohorts from April 2026, ITE will:
a. Increase the incentive quantum from $15,000 to $20,000 per eligible trainee whom employers hire and train; and
b. Simplify the incentive disbursement. Currently, the $15,000 incentive is paid out based on employers' claims upon completion of specific qualifying activities. Depending on the amount claimed, employers might not access the full $15,000. In contrast, the new $20,000 incentive will be disbursed at several milestones over the course duration. This means an employer who sponsors an eligible trainee through the full Work-Study Programme will receive $20,000 through a streamlined administrative process."
We Learn for Life Together: Building a "We First" Society Through Education (3 March 2026)
"At the 2026 Committee of Supply Debate, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced initiatives to enable Singaporeans to learn together and be equipped for an AI-transformed future. These initiatives reflect MOE's commitment to support the learning needs and aspirations of Singaporeans of all ages, as we build a "We First" society together."
Learning Together with Different Strengths and Needs (3 March 2026)
"Refreshed Approach to Support Primary School Students with Academic Strengths and Talents
From 2027, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will implement a refreshed approach to support primary school students with academic strengths and talents, and discontinue the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) in its current form.
School-Based Provisions
MOE will support more students in accessing existing school-based provisions to develop them in their domains of strength. These provisions, which include in-curriculum extensions and after-school programmes (e.g. Excellence 2000 (E2K) Mathematics and Science), were introduced since 2007, and they are provided in every primary school today. Around 10% of the cohort will be able to benefit, up from around 7% today."
Centre-Based Advanced Modules
Students assessed to benefit from further stretch beyond school-based provisions can choose to attend weekly advanced modules after school at a nearby designated centre. These students will no longer need to transfer to one of the nine primary schools that currently host the GEP.
The centre-based advanced modules are designed to stretch students intellectually and further cultivate their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. They are different from the academic curriculum in schools, and are not designed to prepare students for examinations. Beyond nurturing cognitive strengths, these modules will also develop students' psychosocial skills, and build communities of like-minded peers."
Minister for Education to Attend the 16th International Summit on the Teaching Profession in Tallinn, Estonia (8 March 2026)
"Minister for Education, Desmond Lee, will attend the 16th International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) in Tallinn, Estonia, from 9 to 11 March 2026.
The ISTP is a by-invitation annual meeting for leaders of top-performing or rapidly improving education systems to discuss effective practices and policies in education. The Summit this year, themed "Switching Gears: Teachers and Learners in the Future Learning Environment", will explore the pivotal roles teachers play in shaping future-ready education systems. It will examine the evolving teaching profession amid rapid technological advancements and global challenges, professional autonomy for teachers and school leaders, and the integration of new technologies into teaching and learning, such as Artificial Intelligence."
Salary Adjustments to MOE Schemes of Service (16 March 2026)
"Salary Adjustments for Officers on MOE Schemes from 1 October 2026
Three groups of MOE staff – Education Officers (EOs), Allied Educators (AEDs) and MOE Kindergarten Educators (MKEs) – will receive salary adjustments from 1 October 2026. This is to ensure that their overall salary packages remain competitive, and for MOE to continue attracting and retaining good educators.
About 33,000 serving EOs, 1,700 AEDs and 1,100 MKEs will receive a 2% to 9% increase in their monthly salaries. Salaries for EOs, AEDs and MKES were last reviewed in 2022."
Singapore Youth Festival Celebrates 60 Years with Enriched ArtsXPerience for Students (26 March 2026)
"New Drama Category for Primary School Students to Build Communication Skills
The Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), Singapore's longest-running youth arts festival, will celebrate 60 years of inspiring young artists, connecting them with audiences and mentors, and empowering them to develop their creative voices this year.
Themed 'SYF60: The ArtsXPerience — Inspire, Connect, Empower', SYF60 will build on the festival's signature showcases and introduce new elements to deepen creative collaborations and inspire students to grow through the arts. These include a new Arts Presentation Drama category for primary school students, an 'XP' card journey for participants and audiences, and cultural exchange opportunities with young artists across ASEAN."
MOE to Expand UPLIFT Scholarship to EAGLES Recipients (27 March 2026)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) will expand the UPLIFT Scholarship to include students who receive the Edusave Award for Achievement, Good Leadership and Service (EAGLES) from the 2026 Edusave award cycle>
This expansion is part of wider efforts to recognise students' non-academic achievements, and builds on MOE's ongoing commitment to develop our students holistically.
With the expansion of the UPLIFT Scholarship, a total of about 700 students from lower-income families are expected to benefit from the scholarship every year.
About the UPLIFT Scholarship
Introduced in 2019, the UPLIFT Scholarship recognises the achievements of students in Independent Schools (IS) and Specialised Independent Schools (SIS) who have performed well academically or in specific talent areas, and are from lower-income families. Students who are awarded the UPLIFT Scholarship receive $1,200 in cash per year.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be Singapore Citizens from families with gross monthly household income of $5,500 or below, or gross monthly per capita income of $1,375 or below. Students must also be recipients of the Edusave Scholarship for Independent Schools (ESIS), or enter the IS/SIS through the Direct School Admission (DSA) process. Students awarded the UPLIFT Scholarship via the ESIS (Tenured) at Secondary 1, Secondary 3, or Pre-University 1, as well as DSA, will have their scholarships renewed as long as they meet the renewal criteria, for the duration of their course of study. Students may also receive the UPLIFT Scholarship for a tenure of one year, if they are awarded the ESIS (Yearly Award)."
Celebrating 20 Years of Tamil Language Learning and Promotion (29 March 2026)
"The Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee (TLLPC) marks its 20th anniversary this year. Over the past two decades, TLLPC has been dedicated to promoting the Tamil language, fostering cultural literacy, and engaging schools and the community. To commemorate this milestone and reflect its enhanced role of promoting Tamil language learning through greater digital engagement and youth and family involvement, TLLPC will be rebranded as the "Tamil Promotion Committee" (TPC), accompanied by a new logo.
Chairman of TLLPC and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Manpower, Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, unveiled the refreshed name and logo at the launch of this year's Tamil Language Festival on 29 March 2026, at MediaCorp Campus.
Two Decades of Tamil Language Learning and Promotion
Since its establishment by the Ministry of Education in 2006, TLLPC has actively promoted the Tamil language by partnering schools, community organisations and cultural partners. Over the years, its programmes have inspired a love for the Tamil language among students through literature, performing arts, and community-based activities, fostering the active use of the language in everyday interactions, and an appreciation of Tamil heritage and culture."
Temporary Support for Transport Service Providers (9 April 2026)
"To ensure that access to transport services is not disrupted for school students, seniors, patients, and persons with disabilities, the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and Ministry of Health (MOH) will provide temporary support measures to Government contracted or subsidised transport service providers for services rendered in the months of April to June 2026. This move is to help these transport service providers to continue operating without disruption in the near term, given the cost pressures caused by the increase in fuel prices arising from the Middle East conflict.
MOE, MSF and MOH will provide support equivalent to 13% of transport fare revenues. In general, the support would help defray the increase in operational costs arising from higher fuel prices incurred by operators providing regular transport services to primary schools, special education (SPED) schools, disability services, and patients receiving long-term care and Community Dialysis services. With the support, operators should keep fares stable during this period.
Subsequently, transport fares may have to rise if fuel prices remain elevated. There are existing subsidies to support students, seniors, patients and persons with disabilities if they are not able to afford their transport."
Honouring Special Education Teachers and Schools (14 April 2026)
"In celebration of their contributions to the education of students with moderate-to-severe special educational needs (SEN), Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, presented the MOE-SG Enable Awards to recognise four Special Education (SPED) teachers and four projects from SPED schools at the SPED A.C.E (Affirmation·Celebration·Engagement) Day today. Two SPED teachers were also awarded the MOE Master's Scholarship in Special Education (MSSPED) at the event.
The MOE-SG Enable Awards are a joint initiative between the Ministry of Education and SG Enable and comprise the Outstanding SPED Teacher Award (OSTA), the Promising SPED Teacher Award (PSTA), and the Innovation Award (IA).
The OSTA and PSTA celebrate SPED teachers' excellence in supporting their students' development and learning. The OSTA is awarded to experienced teachers with at least six years of teaching experience, while the PSTA recognises teachers with three to five years of experience. This year, the OSTA and PSTA recipients were selected from a total of 179 nominations from colleagues, parents, students and members of the public."
Recommendations from MOE's Comprehensive Action Review Against Bullying (15 April 2026)
"Strengthening our collective response to tackle bullying through a stronger partnership between schools, families, and the community.
The Ministry of Education (MOE), with the support of the COMmunity and PArents in Support of Schools (COMPASS) Council, has completed the Comprehensive Action Review against Bullying, aimed at strengthening existing efforts to better address hurtful behaviours and bullying in schools.
Bullying is a complex and serious issue that calls for a sustained, collective response. Building on existing efforts, MOE conducted internal reviews, and also engaged over 2,000 educators, parents, students, professionals and members of the public since August 2025. The majority agreed that addressing bullying holistically requires multiple parties working together – involving collective action from schools, families, and the wider community through strengthened systems and processes in schools, positive culture-building, and coordinated society-wide efforts.
Review Recommendations
Following the review and feedback received, MOE, with the support of COMPASS, has developed nine comprehensive recommendations across four key areas.
First, we will continue to inculcate the right values in our students. We will enhance values education in the curriculum and co-curriculum to develop students' character and social-emotional skills such as empathy, resilience, and conflict management. For example, more role-play and authentic scenarios will be incorporated to allow students to practise perspective-taking, conflict management and resolution, and learn how they can be upstanders. Schools will further empower students to lead and foster a pro-social peer culture where they look out for one another, stand together against hurtful behaviours, and support students who are affected by such hurtful behaviours.
We recognise that schools play a central role in creating a safe, caring and enabling environment for our students. Many schools have established processes to prevent and respond to bullying while fostering a culture of care, trust and mutual respect. We will continue to deepen a culture of kindness and respect in all our schools. We will also strengthen schools' management of hurtful behaviours and bullying, including cyber-related incidents. Schools will be provided with clearer guidelines on case management processes, including communication timelines, safety planning, disciplinary measures, counselling and restorative actions, to address hurtful behaviours and bullying in a timely and consistent manner. We will increase the availability and accessibility of reporting channels and support for affected students. Schools will also address hurtful behaviours and bullying more proactively in schools through early identification, intervention, and support, with stricter disciplinary measures for all serious offences, including bullying.
Third, MOE will provide additional needs-based funding for schools to hire additional manpower, which will support schools in student management whilst managing teacher workload. Schools may engage youth workers, pastoral care officers, and/or parent liaison officers to support school staff in student management work. We will tap on technology to improve case management processes and facilitate timely communication and intervention. To deepen educator capacity in student management and parent engagement, MOE and schools will also enhance professional development for educators, including skills for investigation, conflict resolution, and parent engagement."
World Book Day 2026 Promotes Culture of Reading with Inaugural Singapore Chinese Book Fair (18 April 2026)
"共同推广阅读文化：2026年世界书香日首次同时举办新加坡华文书展
More than 800 secondary and pre-university students participated in this year's World Book Day Opening Ceremony at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) on Saturday, 18 April 2026. Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), National Library Board (NLB) and HCI, the annual event aims to promote a culture of reading in Singapore.
Guest-of-Honour Mr Xie Yao Quan, who is Group Leader of CPCLL, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Jurong Central SMC, launched the student publication《清醒地梦着》— a compilation of outstanding essays written by students in the Author-in-Residence Programme . Mr Xie also presented the Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP) Best Improvement Award to 28 secondary and pre-university students."
2026 Primary One Registration Exercise (29 April 2026)
"The registration period for children's admission to Primary One (P1) in 2027 will be from Tuesday, 30 June 2026 to Friday, 30 October 2026.
Information on the P1 Registration process, registration phases, eligibility criteria, and user guides can be found at www.moe.gov.sg/primary/p1-registration.
As announced during the Ministry of Education's (MOE) Committee of Supply speech in March 2026, MOE is currently reviewing the P1 Registration Framework. However, this year's P1 Registration Exercise will not be affected. We will announce details of the review when ready."
Close to 190 Students Showcase Language and Reasoning Skills at the 5th National Chinese Riddle Competition (2 May 2026)
"189 students from 25 secondary schools participated in the fifth National Chinese Riddle Competition (全国中学生灯谜比赛) on Saturday, 2 May 2026, at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI). Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), Tung Ann District Guild, Riddle Association (Singapore) and HCI, the competition aims to foster students' appreciation and love for Chinese language and culture through the traditional art of riddle-solving.
Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the CPCLL, Ms Jasmin Lau, delivered a speech and presented awards to the winners. At the competition, participants took part in a preliminary pen-and-paper quiz, with the top 10 teams in both the Chinese and Higher Chinese categories advancing to the Finals to compete in a live fast-paced buzzer round."
Start of 2026 Direct School Admission Exercises & ITE and Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (5 May 2026)
"The Direct School Admission (DSA) Exercise for admission to secondary schools and junior colleges (JCs) in 2027 will open for application from Wednesday, 6 May 2026. Separately, applications for early admission to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnics based on course-specific aptitude and interests will start from Wednesday, 20 May and Monday, 1 June 2026 respectively.
DSA Exercise
DSA provides a pathway for students to gain admission to secondary schools or JCs based on their interests, aptitude, and potential, beyond their performance at the national examinations. Upon admission, students can further develop their talent in their secondary schools or JCs. Secondary schools and JCs can take up to 20% of their non-Integrated Programme Secondary 1 (S1) / Junior College 1 intake via the DSA Exercise."
Student Dancers Bring "Positivity" to Life at Chinese Street Dance Competition 2026 (23 May 2026)
"46 students from six secondary schools and pre-university institutions competed in the Finals of the seventh Chinese Street Dance Competition, where they introduced the story behind their choreography in Mandarin and expressed their interpretation of this year's competition theme "Positivity 正能量" through energetic dance routines.
Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL) and local media content company MCC, this annual competition aims to promote the learning of Chinese language and culture through music and dance.
Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the CPCLL, Ms Jasmin Lau, delivered a speech and presented awards to the winning teams at the Finals and Awards Ceremony held at Our Tampines Hub's Festive Plaza today."
Singapore's Young Research Talents Clinch 7 Awards at International Science and Engineering Fair 2026 (25 May 2026)
"Eight Singapore students competed against more than 1,700 students from about 60 countries, regions, and territories at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2026, where they clinched a total of seven awards. Singapore has participated in ISEF annually since 2001.
In total, four individual projects and two team projects were submitted to the ISEF, which was held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA from 9 to 15 May 2026. Through the competition, our students exchanged insights with young scientists from around the world and gained valuable learning experiences."
Education Conversations (28 May 2026)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) has launched the Education Conversations, a series of outreach efforts that invites Singaporeans to share their views and help shape education policies that strengthen students' holistic development and prepare them for the future.
The Conversations began in April 2026 with focused group discussions involving education professionals, parents and youths. MOE will continue them through 2026 and into 2027, both in person and through the Education Conversations microsite, on topics including:
a. Moderating examination stakes, such as the use of the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) for Secondary 1 posting
b. Reviewing the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme to strengthen student development, improve selection, and enhance accessibility
c. Strengthening the education experience, including Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) and Co-Curricular Activities (CCA), to nurture values and life skills"
Students Showcase Creativity and Language Skills at the 5th Young Reporter News Challenge (29 May 2026)
"This year, 491 students from 52 secondary schools participated in the fifth edition of the Young Reporter News Challenge (《我来报新闻》挑战赛). Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), MediaCorp 8world and Speak Mandarin Campaign, with support from the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language, the competition aims to develop students' interest and ability to communicate and present in Mandarin, as well as their media literacy skills.
Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the CPCLL, delivered a speech and presented awards to 28 winning teams at the Awards Ceremony."
Pre-University Seminar 2026 – WE: With Everyone (5 June 2026)
"Around 550 students from 30 pre-university institutions participated in the Pre-University Seminar 2026 Closing Ceremony held at the National University of Singapore. Into its 57th edition, the annual seminar was co-organised by the Ministry of Education with Temasek Junior College this year. Themed 'WE: With Everyone', the seminar explores what it means to build an inclusive nation where every voice matters, every contribution counts, and every citizen shares in our collective success. Students explored the future of Singapore across three sub-themes and gained insights into a range of issues, policies, and perspectives to build a more united Singapore, through rich discussions and interactions at the event. The three sub-themes were "Our People, One Heartbeat", "Our Places, One Home", and "Our Purpose, Infinite Possibilities".
Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee attended the Closing Ceremony on 5 June, where he delivered the keynote address and interacted with students in an engaging dialogue. Minister Lee also addressed questions about Singapore's current challenges and future directions surrounding the theme."
Quiz Competition Challenges Secondary School Students' Knowledge of Malay Language and Culture (24 June 2026)
"220 students from 44 secondary schools participated in the inaugural Kuiz Cepat Tepat 2.0, testing their knowledge and understanding of the Malay language and culture through a series of quizzes. Adapted from the original Cepat Tepat for primary school students, the competition saw 40 students from eight secondary schools advancing to the semi-finals.
Organised by the Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee (MLLPC) in collaboration with Mediacorp, Kuiz Cepat Tepat 2.0 aims to encourage students to think creatively and critically, while igniting their interest in the Malay language and culture beyond the classroom.
The semi-finals will be livestreamed on Mediacorp's YouTube account and MeWATCH on 27 June 2026, from 11am to 3pm. The top four schools will then compete in the finals, which will air on Suria and MeWATCH on 30 August at 8.30pm. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Chairman of the MLLPC, Dr Syed Harun, will attend the finals as the Guest-of-Honour and present awards to the finalists."
2026 School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans (1 July 2026)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) welcomes Singaporean students who are overseas to join our primary and secondary schools, junior colleges (JC) and Millennia Institute (MI) upon their return.
Assured School Placement (ASP) Service
Returning Singaporeans (RS) who are seeking a place in a primary or secondary school near their Singapore residence are encouraged to apply for the ASP service. It is a convenient admission route which guarantees RS a place in a school with vacancies as near to their residence as possible, even before their return to Singapore. Through the ASP service, RS need not sit for any centralised tests. Instead, the school conducts school-based tests and/or interview to determine the appropriate level and class for the child. For more information about the ASP service, please visit https://www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/assured-school-placement.
School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans (SPERS)
Apart from the ASP option, RS may choose to participate in the 2026 SPERS for those who wish to join our secondary schools, JCs or MI at the start of academic year 2027. SPERS is a centralised merit-based placement exercise held towards the end of each year for RS who have lived and studied overseas and now want to seek admission to a local school. Under SPERS, RS will sit for one set of centralised tests and receive a list of schools they are eligible to apply for, based on their performance. RS may visit the following websites to apply for the SPERS tests:
SPERS-Sec: https://www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/secondary/spers
SPERS-JC/MI: https://www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/post-secondary/spers
The application for admission to Secondary 1 to 3 will open from 8 July (Wednesday) till 17 July (Friday) 2026, and the SPERS-Sec tests will be held between 1 September (Tuesday) and 3 September (Thursday) 2026. The application for Pre-University 1 will open from 9 July (Thursday) till 16 October (Friday) 2026, and the SPERS-JC/MI tests will be held on 6 November (Friday) 2026. As Secondary 4 and Pre-University 2 are national examination years, RS generally do not enter the school system at these levels. SPERS applicants will receive their school posting results in December 2026, and will join our secondary schools and JC/MI at the start of the school term in 2027."
Six Young Educators Recognised for Passion and Dedication in Nurturing Students (1 July 2026)
"In recognition of their unwavering dedication and impactful contributions to nurturing students, six teachers received the Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA) from Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee, at the National Institute of Education (NIE) Teachers' Investiture Ceremony on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. The recipients are (in alphabetical order):
• Mdm Faridah Binte Mohamed Ali, 33, Fuhua Primary School
• Ms Lena Teo Ying Hui, 35, Zhonghua Secondary School
• Mr Ng Jun Kian, Eugene, 35, Springfield Secondary School
• Mr Rishvinder Singh, 33, Changkat Changi Secondary School
• Mr Yeo Rong Yao Jeremy, 35, Yishun Innova Junior College
• Miss Yip Joo Yee, 32, New Town Primary School
Introduced in 1999, OYEA is a national award that recognises young teachers aged 35 and below for their passion for teaching, enthusiasm, creativity, and active involvement in their students' holistic development. Beyond honouring the achievements of young educators, OYEA also aims to inspire youths to pursue teaching as a purposeful and fulfilling profession.
The six recipients have demonstrated a strong belief that education is not just about academic achievement, but about developing students holistically and instilling in them a joy for lifelong learning. The recipients are also committed to nurturing future-ready students who are resilient, empathetic, adaptable and equipped with strong problem-solving, critical, and creative thinking skills."
"Script It Right" Chinese Radio Drama Script Writing Competition Draws Record Student Participants and Entries (3 July 2026)
"The annual "Script it Right" Chinese Radio Drama Script Writing Competition ("与声剧来"中文广播剧创作比赛) drew a record 1,058 participants who submitted 401 entries, the highest figures in the competition's history. Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), Ms Jasmin Lau, was the Guest-of-Honour at the Awards Ceremony, which recognised students for their outstanding narrative skills and proficiency in the Chinese Language. Jointly organised by the CPCLL, local radio station UFM100.3 and Holy Innocents' High School, the competition aims to promote Chinese Language learning through storytelling.
Now in its 12th edition, the competition this year drew inspiration from the unit "With Your Companionship" (有你做伴), in the secondary school Chinese textbook "Hua Wen Ban Wo Xing" (华文伴我行). As in past editions, students were challenged to push their creative boundaries to craft narratives that were both original and contemporary. For example, students had to weave one of three given elements into their scripts — the theme (特定主题：有你做伴), the dialogue "A longer route is fine; maybe you'll encounter different landscapes" (预设对白：绕点远路没关系，也许能看到不一样的风景), and the sound effect of coughing (特选音效：咳嗽声).
Five teams from the Primary School category (Category A) earned the Merit Awards for their outstanding scripts, while seven teams from the Secondary School, Junior College/Millennia Institute, and Polytechnic category (Category B) clinched the Top 3 and Merit Awards. As an additional highlight, UFM100.3 will bring the winning Category B scripts to life as radio dramas, to be broadcast between July and August on the radio station."
National Chinese Reading Competition Cultivates Students' Joy of Reading (4 July 2026)
"A total of 1,909 students from 254 primary and secondary schools came together to celebrate Chinese reading culture at the second edition of the National Chinese Reading Competition. Among them, 150 students across the primary and secondary school categories advanced to the competition finals today.
Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), Xin Zhi Reading Club and the Association for Research on AI in Learning and Leadership, with support from local publishers and companies, the competition aims to foster a love for reading, promote a vibrant Chinese reading culture, and cultivate good reading habits among students. Guest-of-Honour Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the CPCLL, delivered a speech and presented awards to the winners at the award ceremony."
Mother Tongue Languages Symposium to Cultivate Children's Joyful Discovery in Mother Tongue Language Learning (13 July 2026)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the three Mother Tongue Language Learning and Promotion Committees (MTLLPCs) will hold the flagship Mother Tongue Languages Symposium on Saturday, 1 August 2026. This year, the symposium makes its debut at the Singapore EXPO, bringing together more participants and a richer programme than before.
Now in its 14th year, the theme of this year's symposium, "A Garden for Joyful Discovery", symbolises a vibrant and joyful learning environment for children to learn and appreciate their Mother Tongue Languages (MTLs). Through storytelling, role-play and creative expression, young participants can explore fun and creative ways to learn and use their MTL in their daily lives alongside four mascots: Xiao Tao, the collaborative flower; Sani, the confident adventurer; Kavin, the creative garden whiz; and Peppy, the caring bee.
This year's symposium will feature 42 sharing sessions and interactive workshops, as well as 41 exhibitors from schools and community partners on ways to promote MTL learning and appreciation. The sharing sessions and interactive workshops will draw insights from academics, educators, curriculum specialists, early childhood advocates, and media personalities. For example, parents can learn how Mediacorp Chinese news presenter Zhao Quanyin draws on her experience as both an anchor and a mother to explore ways to incorporate play in joyful Chinese learning at home. They can also hear from celebrity entrepreneur and early childhood advocate Syah Ibrahim, who will share how everyday play moments can be transformed into rich Malay Language experiences. Mediacorp Oli 968 presenter Nithiyia Rao will also share how her journey in Tamil radio broadcasting has shaped her approach to keeping Tamil alive and meaningful at home through stories, music, and cultural experiences.
In addition, curriculum specialists from MOE will share about the MTL curricula, how digital resources can support home-based learning, and practical strategies for parents to raise confident bilingual children."
School Terms and Holidays for 2027 (14 July 2026)
"The school year for 2027 for all MOE primary schools (including MOE Kindergartens) and secondary schools will start on Monday, 4 January 2027 and end on Friday, 19 November 2027."
Steps Taken by the Ministry of Education on Observations Made by the Auditor-General's Office in Its Report for FY2025/2026 (15 July 2026)
"During the Auditor-General's Office (AGO) audit, the Ministry of Education (MOE) identified possible falsified approval emails relating to the appointment of new officers. MOE takes this matter very seriously. We have made a Police report, and the officer responsible has been dismissed from service.
Robust and transparent hiring processes are essential to maintaining integrity and fairness in public service recruitment. In MOE, candidates are assessed through formal recruitment processes, including recruitment panels. Before an appointment can be offered, it must be approved by the appropriate authority. These steps help to ensure that hiring decisions are properly reviewed and authorised.
Following the issues identified during the audit, MOE has strengthened its processes. We have introduced independent checks to verify that all appointments have received the required approvals. We are also working towards automating staff appointment processes to reduce reliance on manual workflows and further strengthen governance."
New Community Programme Empowers Parents to Interact with Their Infants in Mandarin from Birth (18 July 2026)
"Parents of infants now have access to practical tools and strategies to nurture their children's foundation in the Chinese language from birth, with the launch of a new community programme, Parents' Workshop: Interacting in Mandarin with Infants Aged 0–12 Months (家长工作坊：如何与0-12个月的婴儿用华语进行互动).
Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL) and Tengah Grassroots Organisations, this pilot programme shows parents how to weave the Chinese language into their daily caregiving routines via the Chinese Language Multi-Sensory Interaction Guide Cards for Infants (与0-12个月婴儿多感官互动指引卡), which enable them to engage their infants in Mandarin through sight, sound and touch.
The pilot programme comprises five workshop sessions facilitated by past recipients of the Outstanding Preschool Mother Tongue Language Award , who will demonstrate interaction techniques and guide parents in using the activity cards with their infants. Parents can then bring the cards home to incorporate them into daily routines. The sessions will be held at Tengah Community Club on three Saturdays across July to September 2026."
Racial Harmony Day 2026 Our People, Our Tapestry (21 July 2026)
"Racial Harmony Day (RHD), which falls on 21 July, is commemorated annually by schools to deepen students' appreciation of racial harmony, multiculturalism, and social cohesion. Continuing with the theme of "Our People, Our Tapestry", the emphasis is on how various cultural threads, each representing the unique identities, traditions, beliefs, and practices of our diverse communities, are interwoven with one another. It reflects how Singapore's multicultural tapestry can remain strong and unified through fostering mutual understanding and respect across ethnic and religious communities.
Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee, joined students and staff at St. Anthony's Canossian Primary School to commemorate RHD on 21 July. Minister was welcomed by the school choir with the song "Little Red Dot" written by Singaporean composer Liong Kit Yeng, before joining a Primary 6 Character and Citizenship Education lesson, where students discussed the topic of racial stereotypes and how they could respond to promote greater understanding of one another's culture. Minister then visited 'Weaving Our Tapestry', a collaborative installation of paper links bearing messages reflecting our community's strength, diversity, and unity, before interacting with students at booths showcasing traditional games, food, music, and cultural practices from Singapore's different communities.
Minister also viewed a tiles exhibit created by Primary 1 students, who drew inspiration from Singapore's heritage to explore colour planning. The visit concluded with Minister sharing his personal experiences with racial harmony with students."
ASEAN Education Leaders Convene in Singapore to Drive Regional Education Agenda (22 July 2026)
"Singapore is hosting the 14th ASEAN, 8th ASEAN Plus Three, and 8th East Asia Summit Education Ministers' Meetings from 22 to 23 July 2026 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. The meetings are held as part of Singapore's chairmanship of the ASEAN Education Sector from 2026 to 2027.
As the ASEAN Education Chair, Singapore welcomes education ministers and senior officials from across the region to exchange perspectives and strengthen regional education cooperation. The 14th ASEAN Education Ministers' Meeting (ASED) and Related Meetings are attended by delegations from all 11 ASEAN Member States, as well as representatives participating in the ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia Summit meetings, and officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.
Themed "Strengthening ASEAN through Education", the 14th ASED opened on 22 July with remarks by Singapore's Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee. Minister Lee also launched the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2026 – 2030 together with fellow ASEAN education ministers. This work plan sets out the region's collective priorities to build inclusive, comprehensive, and transformative education systems. It focuses on developing well-rounded, resilient individuals alongside a highly skilled and competitive workforce, while fostering an ASEAN identity that embodies shared ASEAN values.
Under Singapore's chairmanship, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will organise signature programmes on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIEd), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education, and the holistic development of students. The Singapore Centre for Character and Citizenship Education will also lead a regional research network to advance shared approaches to values education across ASEAN Member States, providing a platform for countries to share how values education is designed and enacted within their national curricula. Through these initiatives, educators and students from Singapore and ASEAN members states will have the opportunity to learn from each other and strengthen their friendships."
Students' Singing and Songwriting Creativity on Display at Annual Xinyao Competition (25 July 2026)
"48 students were recognised for their vocal and compositional talent at the "Xin Kong Xia" (新空下) Xinyao Singing and Songwriting Competition 2026. This year, 356 participants from 68 schools submitted 124 original creations, a strong testament to students' continued interest in Xinyao, a genre of Mandarin songs unique to Singapore. Guest-of-Honour Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), delivered a speech and presented awards to winners at the award ceremony.
Now in its 12th year, the competition returned to a community space with the grand finals held at Our Tampines Hub's Festive Arts Theatre – reflecting the grassroots origins of Xinyao, which began as a youth-led cultural movement in Singapore 44 years ago. The winning entry for the Lyrics Writing Category, 《飞向云霄》 ("Soaring to the Skies"), penned by Sun Yucheng and Zhan Li from Catholic High School, was performed live during the event.
Jointly organised by the CPCLL, Lianhe Zaobao, TCR Music Station, and Jurong Pioneer Junior College, this annual competition aims to nurture students' interest in the Chinese language while encouraging creativity, original songwriting and appreciation of Singapore's Xinyao heritage."
Record Turnout of Over 2,600 Student Participants at 9th National Text Recital Competition (25 July 2026)
"Over 2,600 students from 281 primary and secondary schools, junior colleges, and Millennia Institute submitted more than 1,500 video entries for the 9th National Text Recital Competition – the largest turnout in the competition's history.
At the award ceremony today, 105 students emerged winners and were recognised for their vocal articulation, fluency and stage presence. Guest-of-Honour Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), delivered a speech and presented awards to the winners.
Jointly organised by the CPCLL, Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, Chung Cheng High School (Main), and the Singapore Chinese Teachers Literary Recital Society, the competition aims to raise Chinese language reading proficiency among students, ignite their love for learning the language, and deepen their understanding and appreciation of Chinese texts."
Measures to Tackle Youth Self-Radicalisation in Schools and Institutions (27 July 2026)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) takes a very serious view of youth self-radicalisation. Our schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) will continue to step up efforts to stay vigilant and respond to the threat of youth self-radicalisation.
Preventive and Educative Efforts on Counter-Radicalisation
In Social Studies and Secondary History, and Character and Citizenship Education (CCE), students learn about the negative impact of extreme ideas, prejudice and stereotypes, and explore how these can be addressed. Through teacher-facilitated inquiry and discussions, students consider the roles that individuals and groups can play in strengthening understanding and interactions across racial and religious groups, and how they can contribute to promoting harmony.
Cyber Wellness lessons in CCE teach students to be safe, respectful and responsible users of cyberspace, and to be a positive influence online. Students develop skills to recognise risks online, and identify and discern negative influences and inappropriate websites. Students are also taught to look out for one another and encouraged to seek help from trusted adults like parents, teachers or school counsellors.
Schools and teachers are also trained to identify students who may be at-risk of online self-radicalisation. For instance, school counsellors work closely with teachers and other school personnel to look out for students who may be at risk, so that timely intervention can be provided when concerns are identified. School leaders and teachers are also guided on prompt handling of such cases, including providing timely guidance and counselling so that issues can be addressed before they escalate to more serious levels.
Since 2007, MOE has partnered the Internal Security Department (ISD) to conduct counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation workshops and activities for student leaders, educators and other school staff across primary schools, secondary schools, junior colleges and IHLs. These efforts sensitise participants to the terrorism threat, tell-tale signs of radicalisation, and the importance of early reporting."
Record 210 Students Awarded the Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS) in Its 15th Year (28 July 2026)
"This year marks the 15th year of the Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS), with a record number of 210 students receiving the SgIS. Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee, graced the 2026 SgIS Award Ceremony, held at the Singapore University of Technology and Design.
The SgIS aims to nurture a core of Singaporean industry leaders to steer the development of the country's key strategic industries. To date, it is the only multi-industry scholarship offered in partnership between the Government and local industries. Since its inception, SgIS has established itself as one of the choice scholarships in Singapore, and awarded more than 2,000 scholarships to Singaporean students.
The SgIS highlights the importance the Government and local industries place on developing a pipeline of local talent that are essential for Singapore's economy and businesses in the long run.
From 28 Sponsoring Organisations (SOs) in 2012, the number of SOs for SgIS has increased steadily over the years to a total of 146 in 2026. These 146 SOs come from 16 key sectors, including biomedical and pharmaceuticals, electronics, engineering, lifestyle and food, and social services. Their strong support for SgIS provides good career opportunities that will develop a strong Singaporean talent pipeline to support strategic sectors."
Nurturing Students' Love for Mother Tongue Languages Through Expanded Opportunities and Joyful Discovery (1 August 2026)
"At the 14th Mother Tongue Languages Symposium (MTLS) on 1 August 2026, Minister for Education Desmond Lee announced the following initiatives to strengthen Mother Tongue Language (MTL) learning and deepen students' appreciation of language and culture:
a. Expansion of the Mother Tongue Language Elective Programme at both the secondary and pre-university levels to give more students the opportunity to pursue their MTL at an advanced level.
b. Expansion of the Malay (Special Programme) to allow more students the opportunity to learn Malay as a third language.
c. Launch of a new AI Essay Marking System (AIMS) to support Chinese Language teachers and students in secondary schools.
Expansion of Mother Tongue Language Elective Programme
The Mother Tongue Language Elective Programme (LEP), offered in selected junior colleges (LEP-JC) and secondary schools (LEP-Sec), nurtures linguistically talented students to achieve high proficiency in Chinese, Malay or Tamil and strengthen their engagement with culture and literature. The LEP-Sec focuses on building a strong foundation in language and cultural appreciation through the study of MTL Literature, while the LEP-JC seeks to cultivate a deeper interest in MTL and literature through a variety of cultural activities.
From 2027, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will expand both the LEP-JC and LEP-Sec programmes:
a. The LEP-JC and LEP-Sec programmes in Tamil Language (TLEP-JC and TLEP-Sec) will be expanded through a centre-based approach at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre (UPTLC), in addition to the two junior colleges and three secondary schools currently offering the programmes. These programmes are now more accessible to students from schools that do not currently offer the TLEP, and provide a clearer progression pathway for students moving from TLEP-Sec to TLEP-JC.
b. The LEP-JC programme in Chinese Language (CLEP-JC) will be expanded to a sixth school, Anderson Serangoon Junior College, allowing more students to benefit from the programme."
Heng Swee Keat named first chancellor of Singapore Institute of Technology (3 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat has been appointed the inaugural chancellor of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), the university said on Wednesday (Jun 3).
The appointment took effect on Monday and will last for a five-year term, ending on May 31, 2031.
As chancellor, Mr Heng will serve as SIT’s highest-ranking ceremonial office holder and ambassador.
He will preside over key university ceremonies, including convocations, and represent the university at major institutional and external engagements.
Mr Heng will also support SIT in strengthening partnerships and advancing strategic priorities, such as industry and philanthropic engagement.
"The establishment of the role of chancellor reflects SIT’s continued evolution and commitment to advancing its mission of nurturing industry-ready graduates and driving innovation through applied learning, industry collaboration, and research," said SIT.
Mr Heng said he was honoured to be appointed SIT's inaugural chancellor.
"SIT occupies a distinctive and important role in Singapore’s higher education landscape, preparing graduates with applied skills, industry experience and the confidence to contribute meaningfully to society and the economy.
"I share SIT’s conviction that applied research and deep industry partnership are not complementary to education — they are central to it," he added.
Chairman of SIT’s board of trustees Bill Chang said Mr Heng is "widely respected for his distinguished service, visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to Singapore’s development", particularly in education, innovation and economic transformation.
"In fact, SIT was gazetted as Singapore’s fifth autonomous university while Mr Heng was Education Minister, to provide more opportunities for industry-relevant upskilling and lifelong learning," Mr Chang added."
Hong Kong principal fired for swearing at security guards on Singapore school trip (4 June 2026)
"A Hong Kong school principal has been fired after he swore at security guards during a student trip to Singapore last month, the institution has announced.
The management committee of San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School in Tuen Mun announced on Wednesday (Jun 3) the immediate dismissal of principal Lee Cheuk-hing and its refusal to accept his resignation, submitted about a week after the confrontation.
The committee received Lee’s resignation letter on May 28, with his requested last day to be Aug 31.
“If he were to remain in office as principal before Aug 31, it would gravely disrupt the operation of the school and prevent the school’s teachers and students from moving forward as soon as possible,” the management committee said.
“This constitutes the immediate dismissal of Mr Lee and the removal of all his duties at the school.”
The statement added that the school confirmed Lee’s “vulgar” behaviour during the exchange tour violated the professional code of conduct for teaching staff, especially guidelines stipulated by the Education Bureau.
The committee emphasised that as the head of the institution, Lee was held to a higher standard by parents and the public to set a positive example.
Edmund Wong Chun-sek, a former lawmaker and currently a manager of the school, said the one-off incident would not affect the hiring of Lee’s replacement.
“I believe an isolated incident will not discourage dedicated, capable and aspiring educators from applying for this principalship,” Wong said."
He added that the decision to fire Lee was guided by the best interests and well-being of students."
Commentary: If your child’s myopia keeps getting worse, having new spectacles isn’t enough (5 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: When I tell parents that their young child’s spectacle prescription has increased again within a year, they are sometimes almost too calm about it. They see it as simply “updating glasses” annually and making the child sit farther from the television or reducing screen time.
This reaction is understandable in Singapore, where myopia is so common that it is seen as an ordinary part of childhood for many, harmless besides the need to wear spectacles. But this normalisation is a concern.”
Nearly 60 per cent of 12-year-olds and 80 per cent of teenagers in Singapore are short-sighted. Although the rate of myopia in Primary 1 children has recently dropped to 26 per cent, there is still a significant number of children between 7 and 17 years with high myopia coming in for professional consultations.
We experience myopia as blurred vision, but there is actually a structural change happening: The eye is elongating abnormally. Earlier onset of myopia gives the eye more time for the eye to continue elongating abnormally.
This increases the risk of a more severe version, called high myopia. In my practice, I have seen young patients with mild myopia develop high myopia within just a year or two. Families may assume this is simply growing up, until they learn how this also increases their risks of serious eye diseases later in life, including retinal detachment and glaucoma, which can lead to vision loss. A stronger prescription may sharpen vision, but it does not address the underlying progression.
Myopia Is A Chronic Condition
Myopia care has evolved in the past decade, from simply correcting vision to actively managing its progression. This may seem small, but it is an important nuance.
It doesn’t stop at making a pair of spectacles. Treatment needs to be tailored to the child’s age, rate of progression, lifestyle, eye condition and needs. This requires monitoring over time, identifying risk factors and measuring axial length (the length of the eye from front to back).
Axial length reflects how the eye itself is growing. Two children may have similar spectacle prescriptions, but very different patterns of eye growth and long-term risk profiles.
That’s why myopia should be managed over time, like any other chronic condition, with regular follow-ups and early intervention to help improve outcomes."
Fresh graduates may need to adjust salary expectations amid economic uncertainty: Analysts (5 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Fresh university graduates may need to moderate their salary expectations as wage growth this year is expected to vary across sectors amid global economic uncertainty, said analysts.
This comes after findings from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)’s School-to-Work Transition Study showed that graduates across most disciplines earn less than they had expected when entering the workforce.
The survey, conducted in 2025, polled about 2,500 Singapore resident graduates aged 22 to 28 who held at least a bachelor's degree.
It examined employment outcomes and early career experiences, including salary expectations, to better understand how graduates transition from education to employment.
According to the study, the most common reason university graduates turned down a job offer was low pay, with 30.6 per cent of respondents saying so.
Meanwhile, about a quarter – or 26.7 per cent – said they were waiting for a better offer.
Other reasons included a lack of interest in the role, an unsuitable work environment, and limited opportunities for career advancement."
Mother jailed for giving 15-year-old son methamphetamine, leaving drug utensils in living room (5 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A woman was sentenced to four years’ jail on Friday (Jun 5) for giving her then 15-year-old son methamphetamine and the utensils he needed to smoke it.
The 52-year-old woman and her husband, the boy’s stepfather, provided drugs to him from January 2025 to June 2025.
They also left various drug utensils in the living room where he could access them, and admitted to giving him another utensil on another occasion.
All parties cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim.
In January 2025, the boy chanced upon some drug utensils in the sink at home. He was curious and asked his mother what they were for, the court heard.
His mother, who pleaded guilty to two charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Friday, told him that they were utensils for smoking methamphetamine, which caused the boy to consider doing so.
Over the next few months, her 15-year-old son went on to smoke methamphetamine once every two to three days, using the various drug utensils left in the open.
The couple were both arrested at their home in June 2025, and officers found improvised drug utensils after searching the unit. The man’s case is still before the courts."
An all-nighter, six articles and an NTU campus newspaper born again (5 June 2026)
"In the wee hours of the morning on Apr 8, the lights remained on in a small room at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
As most of their peers lay sound asleep in bed, a group of about 13 students, with the help of a few alumni and faculty advisers from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) were still up working for a common purpose: they had a campus newspaper to bring back to life.
It had been around six years since the last time an article was published in The Nanyang Chronicle, a student-run publication dating back to July 1994.
The paper had put up a notice on its website that it was undergoing a "transformation" to adapt to a new media landscape and how audiences consume news, with a new online version promised by August 2020.
That, however, never materialised – until now.
That early morning on Apr 8 this year, the Media co-Lab at NTU buzzed with activity as students hopped from desk to desk and screen to screen, poring over stories with the closest scrutiny, their makeshift newsroom thrumming with energy.
At the break of dawn, once every word and photo had been quadruple-checked, they hit "publish" on their brand new website. Just like that, The Nanyang Chronicle was alive again.
"The articles weren't perfect, but publishing everything that night gave us a lot of satisfaction," said Ms Eunice Chin, a second-year student at NTU and chief editor at the Chronicle.
"It's a blur in my memory now, but it was also really fun."
That evening was the culmination of an effort led by NTU WKWSCI students Ms Sharon Tay, 20, and Ms Nooraishah Karim, 23, who had initially approached the school to start a new student-run newspaper to practise the journalistic skills they were learning in class.
The administration counter-offered: Instead of birthing a new beast, why not resurrect the sleeping giant?
A slate of six articles were put out that morning to kick off the Chronicle's new era.
Among the stories was a piece examining students' backlash behind NTU's renaming of The Hive (its world-famous "dim-sum" building), an article digging into concerns over the school's halal food variety, and a human-interest feature on students saving fallen bats on campus.
The stories received considerable interest among former NTU students – especially those once affiliated with the Chronicle. An article on campus-specific indie matchmaking platforms also made the rounds on social media sites such as Reddit, garnering about 1,000 views in a single weekend.
It was a victory for the group who did not have any expectations of how the articles would perform.
Yet the paper's six-year hiatus that preceded that hectic all-nighter is indicative of the odds stacked against student publications today.
In a media landscape inundated with content and shaped by shrinking attention spans and news fatigue, what is a student newspaper actually for?"
I was raised to say 'I love you' to my parents. Now I understand why others don't (5 June 2026)
"Growing up, my brother and I were trained to greet our father the same way every day.
"Daddy, good morning. I love you."
My mother always made sure we said it once in the mornings, and again in the evenings when he came home from work.
"Daddy, good night. I love you."
We kids said it without thinking. My parents said it back in the same way. No big deal; just part of the everyday routine.
Part of it came from church where, at Sunday school, we were taught to honour our parents in our daily life, which can come in the form of greetings, the way we spoke to them, and how we expressed care and appreciation for them.
Saying "I love you" felt natural in that setting.
For a long time, I assumed this was the norm.
Then as I grew older, going from primary school to secondary school, I started to notice that not everyone seemed to share the same norms.
Must Affection Be Spoken Aloud?
You do not need statistics and surveys to see how affection works in Singapore. You just have to pay attention.
At a coffee shop, a parent tells her adult child not to order too much food, but digs into the extra dish with gusto anyway, savouring the thought that the child wants her to be well-fed.
On the bus, someone receives a text message: "Going to rain. Bring umbrella." No greeting, no emoji, nothing else.
At the void deck of a public housing block, a father waits longer than necessary, then when his child arrives, says he was just there to pass time.
Nothing here sounds like "I love you". But it's there, beneath the curt words and brusque delivery.
This way of expressing care is often described as practical. It can take the form of reminders, corrections, or what feels like unnecessary scolding.
A child does well on a test but, instead of receiving praise, is asked where the missing marks went. A teenager gets home late and is censured for breaking curfew before being given the opportunity to explain.
Viewed on their own, these moments of "tough love" can feel tiring.
For many parents of my own dad and mum's generation, love was not about making their children feel good – it was about providing them with stability and making sure they were taken care of in concrete ways such as food, shelter and education.
In that context, saying the words "I love you" was not always necessary.
It was more important to do all the things that testified "I love you"."
How a boy and his eagle in Mongolia helped a grieving Singaporean son to let go – and create the book he needed (6 June 2026)
"The first time Siyuan Aw met Bekku, the 17-year-old was standing on top of his family’s hut somewhere in Mongolia’s Altai Mountains, phone raised skywards trying to catch a signal and frustrated by the choppy connection.
And then he called out to his golden eagle, which emerged from the clouds and landed on his outstretched arm. It was a bond unlike anything Aw had witnessed.
That encounter would eventually become the seed of a seven-year book journey, which resulted in Our Wings As One, a debut picture book that was recently shortlisted for the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award 2026.
WHEN THE WORLD GOT TOO LOUD
Back in 2018, Aw had arrived in Mongolia dealing with burnout and grief. The 43-year-old Singaporean had been working as the chief strategy officer of a leading advertising agency in Shanghai, where he was consumed by the relentless pace of agency life.
“Everyone seemed to have something to say about everything,” Aw recalled. “My world was getting louder, noisier,” he said. “My phone was a prison. I lived inside it – small, pixelated, trapped.”
The noise surrounding Aw felt impossible to escape – and the grief he had already been dealing with finally dismantled it all. The quick death of his mother from cancer a few years ago had marked a profound rupture inside him.
“Despite my profession as a brand strategist, I never successfully strategised myself out of my grief,” he recalled.
Gradually, something inside him shifted and not long after, Aw decided to leave the high-octane city of Shanghai and head towards the high-altitude wilderness of West Mongolia.
“It was not about escape,” he said. “I went there to listen again. To remember the language of silence.”
THE BOY AND THE EAGLE
In Ulaanbaatar, a chance encounter with local English teachers led Aw deep into the Altai Mountains, where he stayed with a local family – the first foreigner to have done so, he was told. They were a tribe of eagle hunters, whose lives remained closely tied to the rhythms of the mountains.
Bekku was one of them.
Aw’s early interactions with his new young friend were awkward, bridged eventually by his Canon 5D camera. The two slowly bonded over photography, with Bekku taking Aw on adventures through the mountains.
Despite his age, Bekku sometimes surprised Aw with moments of unexpected insight, what he called “wild wisdoms.”
"Why do you close your eyes when you're connecting with your eagle in the sky?" Aw had asked him once. "Because the language of our heart needs silence," Bekku replied. "When we close our eyes, we amplify the inaudible whispers of our soul."
In another instance, Bekku told him: "My eagle guides me everywhere I go. When I call my eagle, I connect with her spirit. When we fly in the sky, we fly as one."
Aw was mesmerised by their bond. "We became chasers of twilight, dreamers on rooftops. We would lie beneath the clouds and let our imagination run free. We would chase sunsets not to catch them, but to remember they existed,” he wrote in his journal."
'Never poorer for helping': The first Singaporean high sheriff in Wales wants to make volunteerism a norm (6 June 2026)
"These days when the high sheriff of Gwent in southeast Wales attends formal events she shows up dressed in a kebaya.
Unlike her predecessors, current office holder Mrs Shereen Aziz Williams is Singaporean and wants to pay homage to her birth country and cultural identity, even though she has set roots in her adopted home for the last two decades.
During our interview over Zoom this week, Mrs Williams, switched between English and her mother tongue Malay with as much ease as you'd expect of a typical Singaporean ordering food at a hawker centre.
We even spent a good part of our 90-minute conversation exchanging jokes in Malay.
"I speak more Malay when I'm in Singapore because I have some relatives, especially the elderly, who are more comfortable conversing in Malay," said the 44-year-old mother of three, whose parents still live in Singapore in Tampines.
"And I also try to find as many opportunities to speak it there, because there's very little opportunity to do so here."
Another typical Singaporean quirk emerged during our conversation. The self-professed tiger parent let slip that before our interview, she told her 16-year-old son to sit quietly nearby and do revision for his mathematics exams.
When her children try to ask her to be less stressed about their school examinations because they are not national exams or the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), her response is always: "It doesn't matter. It's an exam, you still need to study."
If they continue whining, she usually adds: "This is the Welsh side of you. No self-respecting Singaporean will ever say these exams don't matter."
I found it particularly interesting how strongly her Singaporean identity came through, given that she has not only been living in Wales for 21 years, but has also been an active member of the community there.
Almost from the get go after arriving in Swansea, she started work in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community spaces that looked at helping to foster cohesion and helping victims of domestic violence, among other things.
Over the years, she has received multiple awards and appointments recognising her outstanding contributions to the community.
The latest feather in her cap – being appointed high sheriff of Gwent, and being the first Muslim to hold the appointment there and reportedly the first Singaporean too.
There are 55 high sheriffs appointed in England and Wales each year, one for each county and metropolitan area, with individuals fulfilling the role for a year. Since Apr 9, she has been representing the county of Gwent, which has a population of about 600,000."
Why ballet may prepare my daughter for the AI age better than tuition (6 June 2026)
"The average Singaporean primary schooler spends three hours a week in tuition.
My nine-year-old daughter Claire spends double that time in a dance studio.
At 8pm on a Friday night, she's volunteering to stay behind after her ballet class. Not to practise her dance moves, but to be a teaching apprentice instead.
Shadowing her teacher, Claire helps younger dancers correct their posture and maintain their ballet poses, among other things.
In a society built on efficiency, risk aversion and ROI (return on investment), backing my daughter to spend that much time developing an interest or a potential career outside the typical Singaporean aspiration list of doctors and lawyers raises plenty of eyebrows.
This is especially evident during family dinners and gatherings, when questions about her apprenticeship focus on how it'll affect her job prospects in adulthood.
"But what's she really going to do in the future?"
"I hope you're not neglecting her schoolwork."
"You should shift some of your budget to enrichment classes instead."
Although these are well-meaning critiques, we're holding fast to our belief that this decision to let her spend more time at her ballet school rather than in a tuition class will serve her well in an uncertain future.
Our belief isn't based on blind idealism or the "follow your passion" cliche.
In a future where analytical reports, illustrations, videos and mathematical problems can be generated with artificial intelligence (AI) and solved in a matter of seconds, a pertinent question is whether current curricula are adequate or even relevant for her future.
And so, will surviving, or even thriving, in the current system really deliver education's implicit promise?
WHAT I SEE IN THE EDUCATION REALM
To be clear, I'm definitely not neglecting my daughter's education. She attends weekly Chinese tuition classes with her eight-year-old brother.
Every day, I see the value of a strong academic foundation, as my wife and I run an online education centre helping students who struggle with their science subjects.
When our students first enrol, we notice that they are often unsure about the subject and have little confidence in engaging in discussions about science. Then, as they learn and gradually build their mastery of the subject, they begin to speak up, share their opinions and carry themselves with confidence.
But from my vantage point, I also see the cracks.
In an uncertain future, the advantage people will have won't be from memorising a textbook or just academics.
Rather, what will give my daughter a leg up is to specialise in something that is difficult to replicate – perhaps a skill set like being able to communicate well with different audiences – paired with interpersonal intelligence and the values required to lead a room."
Hong Kong principal fired over Singapore row says he will seek legal advice (8 June 2026)
"A Hong Kong school principal who was sacked after he swore at security guards during a student trip to Singapore has expressed “shock and regret” over his immediate dismissal, saying he will seek legal advice on his employment rights.
Lee Cheuk-hing, former principal of San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School in Tuen Mun, said on Friday (Jun 5) that he had appointed legal representatives to review his dismissal, after the school board rejected his resignation and terminated his contract with immediate effect on Jun 3 without compensation.
Edmund Wong Chun-sek, a former lawmaker and the school manager, said the board had not received any formal statement from Lee, and that it would take its own legal steps should he bring in representatives to challenge his dismissal.
Lee was filmed swearing at security guards during a May 22 school trip in Singapore, prompting his suspension and an Education Bureau investigation.
"I offer my sincere and utmost apology to all affected parties," Lee said in a statement, adding that he had "severely condemned" himself for the lapse in emotional management and would "take it as a lifelong lesson".
This was his second apology over the incident.
On May 28, he released a tearful video apologising to Hongkongers and "all sectors" in Singapore, bowing to the camera and urging students not to follow his example.
Lee said in the statement that the dispute arose when a bus driver and security guards, who were speaking in English, failed to communicate effectively over where to unload passengers.
He added that he intervened to protect the minors in his care and to defuse the confrontation.
Lee highlighted his track record since taking up the post in 2022, noting that enrolment had surged from about 330 to roughly 540 students, a more than 60 per cent increase, while the school grew from 17 to 18 classes.
He also credited his leadership with improving teaching quality and community outreach.
Lee said that he had already submitted his resignation on May 28 to protect the school's overall interests and allow for a smooth handover, providing enough notice as required by his employment contract.
While Lee had requested that his last day be Aug 31, the board stated that his remaining there would "gravely disrupt the operation of the school and prevent the school's teachers and students from moving forward as soon as possible".
In a statement issued on Jun 3, the school board said that it dismissed Lee with immediate effect in accordance with the sponsoring body's direction and the Employment Ordinance, which allows employers to terminate a contract without notice or payment in lieu on certain grounds."
Omura's whale carcass found in Singapore can help scientists unlock mysteries of little-known species (8 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The whale found floating off Singapore's coast last September is helping scientists uncover new insights into one of the world's least understood baleen whale species.
After months of preservation work involving defleshing, cleaning and degreasing, researchers at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) have reduced the carcass to its skeleton.
Now, its preserved skull and ribcage will help tell the story of the rare visitor to Singapore waters, and the risks marine life faces in some of the world’s busiest seas.
The animal has since been identified as a male Omura's whale, which marine biologists believe reached its late teens before its death.
It measured about 10.6m from nose to tail, while its preserved skull alone measures 2.64m, making it one of the most significant marine specimens ever recovered in Singapore waters.
A RARE DISCOVERY
For LKCNHM researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the find was both unexpected and invaluable. They received news of the carcass while attending a scientific symposium and quickly mobilised to investigate.
"It was a moment of shock...Seeing the whale for the first time was amazing – sad but amazing," recalled Ms Natasha Tay, a specialist associate at the museum.
The whale was already heavily decomposed when it was found drifting near a wharf off Tanjong Pagar.
“In Singapore, it's quite difficult to encounter large marine life. It's unfortunate that the animal died. But it's something we get to keep – it's part of Singapore's natural heritage,” said Alex Figueroa, a LKCNHM research fellow."
Declining fertility a global challenge that no one has answers to, but efforts still worth it: PM Wong (8 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Declining fertility is a challenge facing countries all over the world, with no ready solution to address it, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (Jun 8). However, efforts to deal with the issue are still worth pursuing, he said.
“It's a global challenge. It's happening everywhere in the world. No one has the answers for now,” said Mr Wong, during a session of the Singapore Press Club’s Eminent Speaker Series.
He noted that people once thought declining birth rates happen only when a country reaches a certain level of income, which is why it was believed it happened more with affluent societies.
“But nowadays you look around the world, even developing countries are having declining birth rates below replacement levels,” he said.
Mr Wong said that countries have put in “a lot of resources to try and stop the decline and to encourage marriage and parenthood, but there has been no enduring success”. Some countries have temporarily succeeded in boosting birth rates, but the numbers eventually come back down, he said.
Singapore’s total fertility rate had dropped to a new low of 0.87 last year.
Mr Wong said that the Singapore government has not given up and is still trying to work on the issue, with a new workgroup led by Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah.
The approach is to think about it “less as a procreation incentive, less of a baby bonus” for couples, and instead look at what more can be done to create a family-friendly environment in Singapore, such as addressing young parents’ concerns around education, childcare and housing, he said.
“At the end of the day after doing that, I may not get more babies, but it's still worth doing,” he said.
“That's our approach: Try to make things better for families in Singapore. Because families are a key pillar of our society, and we want Singapore to be a place that's friendly and conducive for families to thrive and flourish.”
Why these MOE teachers left familiar classrooms to teach the Singapore curriculum overseas (10 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: When he first moved to Hong Kong for work, Mr Lim Wei Yi felt homesick for three months. After a decade teaching in Gan Eng Seng School, the 37-year-old had successfully applied for a posting at the Singapore International School in Hong Kong (SISHK), trading the familiar for the foreign.
Now into his second year, Mr Lim has adjusted to life in the city. But he is candid about the early days.
“I won't lie and say that I wasn't homesick, because Singapore is still at least about four hours away,” he said. “We are far away from our friends and family, and naturally, I'd be a bit homesick because my loved ones are all in Singapore.”
The language barrier also took some getting used to. While English is the main language within the school, outside is a different picture, with Cantonese and Mandarin used frequently.
Mr Lim's spoken Mandarin is "fine", but he has been picking up Cantonese from colleagues over lunch. Two years in, he has mastered a handful of phrases that have made daily life a little easier. "Siu siu," he said with a laugh – "a little bit" in Cantonese.
Mr Lim is among about 30 Ministry of Education (MOE) teachers currently posted overseas, teaching at SISHK and various overseas Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) locations. The ministry has about 33,000 teachers in total.
Hong Kong is home to one of the largest Singaporean expatriate communities in Asia, with over 20,000 residents.
“Generally, teachers would have served in MOE for at least three years and possess the necessary expertise and knowledge to be considered for such secondments,” an MOE spokesperson told CNA.
Beyond providing development opportunities for teachers, the arrangement also helps ensure that Singaporean students overseas can “integrate seamlessly into the Singapore education system upon their return”, said the spokesperson.
SISHK arranges induction sessions to support seconded teachers, who cover subjects including English, mathematics, science and humanities at the primary and secondary levels.
For teachers posted to SAF locations, a two-week understudy period forms part of the onboarding process, said a Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) spokesperson. The SAF has detachments in France, the United States and Australia.
Teachers are also briefed on administrative matters such as parent engagement, teaching resources and timetabling. “This will ensure the teachers are adequately prepared for their roles in SAF locations,” MINDEF said."
Boy, 3, drowned in condo pool while unsupervised; coroner's court finds nanny 'not forthcoming' (11 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A three-year-old boy who was at the playground of his condominium with his nanny rode off on his kick-scooter and fell into a pool, where he drowned.
While the nanny initially "insisted" that she had paid full attention to him and lost sight of him only while turning to place a water bottle on a bench, her account was contradicted by closed-circuit television footage and her subsequent admission.
In her findings on Thursday (Jun 11), Coroner Brenda Chua returned a verdict of death by accidental drowning and emphasised the importance of close supervision of young children.
This is especially when they are playing near swimming pools, she said.
THE CASE
The identities of the boy, his parents and the name of the condominium are protected by a gag order. The name of the nanny was not revealed in open court.
The court heard that the 60-year-old nanny had looked after the boy since he was eight months old and had a "very good" relationship with him.
The boy called her "nai nai", meaning grandmother.
He lived in a condominium unit with his parents, who employed the nanny to care for him.
On Mar 5, 2025, the boy went downstairs to the playground with his nanny, as was his routine after dinner. He brought along his kick-scooter, which he had used for one to two years.
The nanny claimed that she did not bring her phone to the playground that day as she wanted to pay "full attention" to the boy, and that she had not talked to anyone else.
She said she lost sight of him after she turned around to place a water bottle on a bench at the playground.
The boy sped towards the main pool and tried to turn left. However, he was too close to the edge of the pool, which had a downward-sloping edge, and fell into the water with his scooter.
There was no physical barrier around the 1.2m-deep main pool. The boy was 1m tall.
At 6.15pm, a resident spotted the boy and his scooter in the pool from her unit and called the police.
When officers arrived about 10 minutes later, the boy had been rescued from the pool. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but to no avail.
He was taken to hospital and declared dead that same evening. An autopsy found the cause of death to be drowning."
Authorities investigating cyberattack on Singapore-based Global Schools Foundation (17 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Authorities are looking into a cyberattack on the Singapore-based Global Schools Foundation, which operates private schools through Global Schools Group in multiple countries, including Singapore.
The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), Singapore's main data protection regulator, told CNA on Wednesday (Jun 17) that it is investigating the case.
In addition, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) said on Jun 15 that its Singapore Cyber Emergency Response Team (SingCERT) had reached out to Global Schools to offer advice on securing its servers.
Cybersecurity news websites BreachNews and DataBreaches.net have reported on the matter - with the first article appearing on Jun 11 - saying that students' personal information such as addresses and passport numbers was compromised in the incident, as well as email correspondence between staff and parents and salary records. Around 4.8TB of data was stolen, according to reports.
According to cybersecurity firm Moxfive, FulcrumSec emerged in September 2025. Ransomware tracking sites have attributed more than 20 victims to the group, including Australian fintech firm youX, legal information provider LexisNexis, engineering consultancy Arup Group and environmental services company Interzero.
The group claimed this week that it had hacked pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk and said it was exploring selling parts of the data after unsuccessfully demanding US$25 million from the Ozempic maker.
In a statement to CNA on Jun 17, a spokesperson for Global Schools Group said it had recently experienced a cybersecurity incident and was assessing its impact.
The spokesperson said the cyberattack had been "promptly addressed" with the support of external specialists, that the affected systems had been restored, and that relevant regulatory and law enforcement authorities had been notified.
The group added it had "contained" the incident but did not address FulcrumSec's specific claims about the scope of the data breach or the types of data accessed.
"We take all such incidents seriously and the security and privacy of our students, parents, staff, and stakeholders remain our highest priority," the group said."
Driver who crashed into school bus carrying ACS kids to be charged with dangerous driving, drink driving (17 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 29-year-old man who crashed his car into a school bus while speeding in 2024 will be charged on Thursday (Jun 18) with a slew of offences, including drink driving.
The police said they were alerted on Mar 6, 2024, at about 6am that a black car had driven and stopped against the flow of traffic along Cavenagh Road.
“When police officers arrived and approached the car, the driver sped off,” said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a press release on Wednesday.
About 15 minutes later, officers spotted the car speeding along Bukit Timah Road towards Upper Bukit Timah Road.
It weaved dangerously through traffic between Coronation Road and Anamalai Avenue, reaching an average speed of at least 114 kmh, said the police.
This exceeded the speed limit along that stretch of the road, they added.
The car ran a red light at the traffic junction of Bukit Timah Road and Sixth Avenue, and collided with a school bus making a U-turn there.
Four students from Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) were on the bus at that time, the school told CNA then.
The car veered to the left, collided with a lamp post, and came to a stop on a grass verge where it caught fire.
The school bus was badly damaged, losing both its front wheels due to the crash. Its windscreen was also smashed.
The car’s driver and his three passengers escaped from the burning vehicle, said the police.
The four of them, along with two boys on the bus, then aged 8 and 9, were taken to hospital. The car driver was arrested afterwards.
Investigations revealed that he had consumed alcohol before driving.
“He is a repeat offender and was previously convicted in 2019 for drink driving and inconsiderate driving,” said the police."
Inclusive playground opens in Tampines, featuring Singapore's first slide for wheelchair users (17 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A slide designed with wheelchair users in mind – the first of its kind in Singapore – is among the inclusive features of a new playground at Sun Plaza Park in Tampines.
The Magical Bridge Playground, opened by the National Parks Board (NParks) on Wednesday (Jun 17), offers wheelchair-accessible equipment, barrier-free routes, as well as amenities for people with autism.
It is open to visitors of all ages and abilities.
The slide was developed by the United States-based non-profit Magical Bridge Foundation, with what it terms as a "slide-and-sit landing".
Wheelchair users, aided by their caregivers, will start their play at the top of the slide. When they reach the bottom, there is a flat bench-style landing next to the slide.
This allows them to move to the side landing while waiting for their caregiver to attend to them or for their wheelchair to reach them. It also allows other people to use the slide in the meantime.
The Magical Bridge Foundation deals with innovative and inclusive playground designs, with 14 such playgrounds around the world.
The playground at Sun Plaza Park is its first collaboration with NParks and its second project in Singapore. The first is located near the front lawn of the National Museum of Singapore.
To better support visitors with low vision, contrasting colours are used for the playground equipment and surfaces."
Driver who crashed into school bus charged with dangerous driving injuring bus driver and 2 boys (18 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A man who crashed his car into a school bus in 2024 was charged on Thursday (Jun 18) with dangerous driving, drink driving and driving against traffic, among other offences.
The incident along Bukit Timah Road in the early morning of Mar 6, 2024 left a burning car on the road and injured the bus driver, two school boys and the man's own passengers.
Tan Yao Cong, a 29-year-old Singaporean, was handed five charges on Thursday: Drink driving, dangerous driving causing hurt, driving against traffic, failing to provide a breath specimen and allowing his vehicle to remain at rest, causing danger to others.
According to a police statement, the police were alerted to a black car driving against the flow of traffic along Cavenagh Road at about 6am on Mar 6, 2024.
When approached by the police, the driver sped off.
Police officers spotted the car zooming along Bukit Timah Road towards Upper Bukit Timah Road, weaving dangerously through traffic and beating a red light before colliding with a private bus making a U-turn.
The car collided with a lamp post and stopped on a grass verge before bursting into flames.
The driver and his three passengers escaped from the burning car. The passengers, along with two boys from the bus, were taken to hospital and the driver was arrested.
For dangerous driving causing hurt, a repeat offender can be jailed for up to four years, fined up to S$20,000, or both. He can also be banned from driving for five years."
Repeat offender with diarrhoea fetish jailed for targeting boys in secondary school (18 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Over roughly five years, a man with a fetish for watching teenage boys having diarrhoea and stomach cramps targeted school boys by posing as a schoolmate conducting a survey for a purported project or experiment.
He then asked the victims to describe their experiences with food poisoning or diarrhoea, sometimes asking for videos or asking the boys to consume substances that gave them diarrhoea in order to obtain videos.
Chew Jun Yang, Sean, a 36-year-old Singaporean, was sentenced to jail for six years and one month on Thursday (Jun 18).
He pleaded guilty to 11 charges, which include cheating by personation, sexual communication for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, causing hurt by an unwholesome drug and deceiving a person into creating intimate recordings by false representation.
Another 17 charges were taken into consideration.
THE CASE
The court heard that Chew contacted a total of at least 30 potential or actual victims from 2018 to 2023.
He asked many of them for personal information such as their name, gender, age, race, height, weight, school and co-curricular activity.
At least 19 of them provided some or all of the requested information to him. At least 10 of them provided one or more personal photos to Chew at his request.
According to a July 2025 report from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Chew suffers from a fetishistic disorder.
His fetish involves hearing and seeing videos of prepubescent males aged 13 to 15 having stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
Chew has had this fetish since he was 17 to 18.
At the time, his disorder had no contributory link to the offences, and he was aware of the legal and moral wrongfulness of his actions."
From rehab to recovery: The journey out of vape addiction - and why it's rarely a straight road (19 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The first thing Emily (not her real name) did every morning was reach for her vape - a habit she picked up after friends pressured her to try it at school when she was 13.
By 15, Emily had started to use Kpods, which are vapes laced with etomidate. The addiction left her struggling with brain fog and frequently skipping school and work.
“I started to vape because of stress, but after a while, it became a habit,” said the now 19-year-old.
"The hardest part was convincing myself I didn't need to vape."
Her turning point came during a six-month stint at the Reformative Training Centre (RTC) last year for an unrelated offence. There, she attended a rehabilitation programme that included weekly counselling sessions.
The sessions taught her to better manage stress, which in turn helped with her vaping addiction.
"I found out that I bottled my feelings up too much," Emily said. “I would let it build and build until my breaking point.”
While Emily underwent rehabilitation through a general programme, her experience reflects some of the challenges counsellors encounter when working with vape users trying to break free from addiction.
Ms Nicolina Ng, a counsellor at the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS), said that many participants develop greater self-awareness over the course of rehabilitation.
They become better able to identify the situations, emotions and people that trigger their cravings, while learning healthier coping strategies to manage them.
Since anti-vaping enforcement was stepped up in September last year, 520 offenders have been placed on vape rehabilitation programmes as of Mar 31, according to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
Of these, 123 have completed their rehabilitation, while 10 have reoffended.
Research shows that outcomes among participants of mandatory rehabilitation programmes can be comparable to those who engage voluntarily, provided the therapeutic approach is appropriately tailored, said Ms Eliza Yong, a senior counsellor at NAMS."
Exchange student gets jail for stalking ex-friends, accessing their Telegram accounts to find out why they cut him off (19 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: To find out why two girls stopped being friends with him, a 23-year-old man hired a hacker from the dark web to get access to their Telegram accounts and read their conversations.
Kevin Gao, an American exchange student, was sentenced to 20 weeks' jail on Friday (Jun 19) for his actions. He also stalked one of them and another former friend - both girls were 17 at the time.
He had gotten to know all three of his victims online through communication platform Discord and gaming platform Roblox.
Deputy public prosecutor Ashley Chin asked for seven to nine months’ jail for Gao, emphasising his “egregious and escalating” conduct, and noting that all of his victims were under the age of 18 at the time.
Gao’s lawyers, Mr Victor Lau and Ms Ong Hui Wen from Drew and Napier, argued for a two-month jail sentence.
Both the private psychiatrist and the one with the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) agreed that the man suffered from major depressive disorder with anxious distress, his lawyers said in their mitigation plea.
The IMH doctor found that his condition may have contributed to his crimes – his feelings of worthlessness and heightened anxiety significantly compromised his judgment and reasoning capacity, resulting in poor decision-making, Mr Lau noted in court on Friday.
Gao also engaged in self-harm on two occasions, cutting himself with glass in August 2024 and attempting suicide while in remand in January 2025, he added.
The abrupt termination of his friendships with his victims triggered his actions and affected his decision-making, Mr Lau said, adding that Gao’s behaviour was “erratic, subnormal and demonstrates a lack of control”.
He also stressed that Gao was a young university student isolated in a foreign country, and that the age gap between him and his victims was not that significant, calling for the judge to place more importance on rehabilitation than deterrence.
In considering the need to deter him from reoffending, Mr Lau highlighted that Gao will be deported immediately after his sentence concludes.
“Both doctors opined that once Kevin is back in his home country with the requisite familial and social support, his risk of reoffending is low,” he added.
Responding to the defence, Ms Chin disagreed with their characterisation of Gao’s behaviour as “erratic”, given that he hired Russian hackers to hack into Telegram accounts, and tried to call his third victim at least 1,000 times.
The IMH report also notes that Gao was not completely deprived of his ability to control his actions, and he could understand that his actions were wrong, she added.
Noting Gao’s mental condition, District Judge Ong Hian Sun nonetheless agreed with the prosecution that he must still be held responsible for the harm caused to the three young victims and sentenced him to 20 weeks in jail.
TELEGRAM HACKING
Gao got to know his first two victims in 2020 on Discord and they became online friends. In 2022, one of the girls started distancing herself from him because she no longer wanted to be his friend.
He stayed friends with the other girl, the court heard. According to his lawyers, Gao travelled to Singapore twice a year to visit her – they hung out and went sightseeing at tourist attractions, sometimes with her mother present.
Gao came to Singapore in August 2024 for an exchange programme at Nanyang Technological University ending in December 2024. That month, when he was in Singapore, the second girl stopped responding to him because she also no longer wanted to be friends with him.
Desperate for an explanation, he went to her house multiple times between Aug 1 and Aug 12 to confront her about why she had cut off contact. He also sought out her mother, but her mother could not offer him any closure and advised him to see a therapist, his lawyers said.
Her last message to him on Aug 12, 2024 read: “Hello. We cannot be friends anymore. You have caused me a lot of mental distress over the years. Please move on with your life, do stop contacting me or my mom.”
The girl eventually filed a police report against him and Gao received a stern warning for unlawful stalking a month later.
Upset that she had reported him to the police and still curious about why she had cut him off, he decided to search for “hacking services” on Telegram.
He intended to access the Telegram accounts of both girls because he believed that by reading their messages, he could find out why the second girl had cut him off, the court heard.
Gao’s search led him to a Russian hacker forum on the dark web, where he found one named “Wracker” advertising his services for US$1,500 in Bitcoin.
He contacted Wracker on Telegram and asked if they could help him gain live access to the two girls’ Telegram accounts. The hacker said they could make it happen for a total fee of US$3,000, and Gao hired them, providing them with the two girls’ Telegram usernames."
These stay-at-home dads started a workshop to help fathers style their daughters' hair (20 June 2026)
"A group of fathers are gathered together, laughing and chatting over pizza, drinks and other snacks.
But that's not all they're doing.
Some are concentrating intensely. Others are exchanging tips. Some are fiddling with hair ties while a few are struggling to keep three thick strands of synthetic hair from slipping through their fingers.
This is not a Friday night out. This is Dads and Braids.
Founded by longtime friends and stay-at-home dads Jeggan Rajendram, and Rukshan Chiththananda, it's a hands-on workshop where fathers learn how to style young girls’ hair.
Dads and Braids, which had its first run in April this year, was inspired by similar initiatives overseas, including Pints and Ponytails, and Braids and Beers.
Each session lasts for about 1.5 hours. There, Rajendram and Rukshan guide fellow fathers as they practice on mannequin heads and learn simple hairstyles for girls. These include basic ponytails, twin braids, criss-cross ponytails and styles accessorised with colourful hair ties, ribbons and clips.
The first few sessions took place in the cosy function room of the condominium estate where Rajendram and his family live, with about a dozen fathers turning up. Food is provided and lounge chairs are also available in case anyone needs a break.
DAD CAN DO IT TOO
The idea for Dads and Braids began after Rajendram left his high-ranking role at Meta in January, following a period of burnout.
The 41-year-old Singaporean father of two girls, aged four and two, said he had been exhausted and mentally consumed by work, even on weekends when he was physically with his family.
“To let go and relax, I took a trip to Sri Lanka with my elder daughter to bond and spend quality time with her, while my wife and younger daughter stayed at home,” he said.
During that trip, however, he realised something both embarrassing and sobering: He had no idea how to do his daughter’s hair.
“Throughout the trip, all I could manage was a messy ponytail,” Rajendram said. “I could sense my daughter, who’s used to showing off beautiful hairstyles done by my wife and our helper, was slightly disappointed.”
When they returned, Rajendram was determined not to make his daughter feel that way again. More than that, he wanted to prove to himself and his family that he was just as capable of styling his daughters’ hair, even though he never had to manage long hair himself.
Luckily, he could turn to his friend Rukshan, who had also left his role in health tech product management at the end of 2024 to be more present for his own four-year-old daughter.
Rukshan had started learning how to style his daughter’s hair after becoming a stay-at-home dad and taking charge of her daycare drop-offs and pick-ups.
“I would drop her off with just combed hair,” the 38-year-old said, laughing. “I remember her daycare teacher would give me the side-eye. When I picked her up later in the day, her hair would be beautifully done up, as if the teacher was trying to tell me in the best yet subtle way: This is how you do your girl’s hair.”
He wasn't 'smart enough' for studies. Now, he owns five drum schools and holds a Guinness World Record (20 June 2026)
"Three glass doors barely muffled the beats thundering from Mr Er Chow Kiat's studio in a quiet corner of Katong Shopping Centre.
Inside, there was just a drum kit and recording gear, but the wall outside the little glass cave told a different story. It was lined with framed media reports, accolades and, most recently, a Guinness World Records certificate.
In May, Mr Er set the record for the most spin-and-strike drumbeats in one minute – 233 beats in 60 seconds, to be exact – a feat that drew in this journalist, whose jaw slightly dropped as he demonstrated it live.
The 36-year-old's hands seemed to blur as he deftly performed the flashy, crowd-pleasing drumstick flourish.
Mr Er, known to others in his circle as CK or Chow, has become known for this trick, having performed it while drumming for the likes of Taiwanese singers Angela Zhang and WeiBird, guitarist Paul Wong from Hong Kong rock band Beyond, and Brazilian guitarist Mateus Asato who used to play for pop singer Bruno Mars.
Besides an illustrious career as a live performer, he has spent the past decade running Drum Tutor Singapore, a drum school he founded in 2016.
What first started as a home-based outfit where he taught about 30 students out of his parents' four-room flat in a public housing block has since grown to a school with 20 staff members and five outlets across Singapore that have seen more than 1,000 students.
But drum prodigy Mr Er was not. He picked up his first drumsticks only at 14 years old, at a time when he was struggling with schoolwork and felt directionless in life.
"I wasn't a particularly great student...I'm not the studious kind," he said. "My Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) result wasn't the best, and my parents were really concerned."
He remembered the shock of receiving his PSLE result: 159 out of 300 points.
He later sat his O-Levels as a private candidate – after not being able to progress to Secondary 5 with his N-Level results – but did not meet the polytechnic admission threshold.
"For a long time, I thought I wasn't smart enough," he said.
As a teenager, he would not have envisioned the opportunities that opened up for him later – including a full-ride scholarship to one of the top modern music schools in the United States, a year of performing on cruise ships while travelling around the Caribbean and, now, running a business that teaches others to love playing the instrument that sustained him."
World Cup sparks enrolment surge at football academies in Singapore (22 June 2026)
"The World Cup is fuelling a surge in football interest among kids across Singapore, with some youth academies seeing their usual enrolments double in June. Retailers are also scoring wins, with sales of youth jerseys and football boots soaring.
Industry players say the tournament is inspiring more children to take up the sport and pursue football development pathways. Alxis Thng finds out more."
Trafficking fears and red flags: Singapore couples caught up in botched overseas adoption attempts (22 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Singapore adoptive parents Sarah and Adam were in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, waiting nervously at a fast-food restaurant to meet a baby they were looking to adopt when a woman walked in with the newborn in her arms.
After a brief conversation, the woman told the couple to “take now...bring this baby back now”.
The couple was shocked – their adoption agent did not turn up, there was no paperwork and almost no information about the child.
They left without taking the baby.
That was in July last year. They then learnt that the circumstances of their case bore similarities to a baby-trafficking case spanning Indonesia and Singapore.
Eighteen women and one man are currently on trial in Indonesia for their alleged roles in a baby-trafficking syndicate that has links to adoption “agents” in Singapore.
CNA reported earlier this month that the court in Indonesia was told that at least four people in Singapore were allegedly involved in the trafficking of about a dozen babies, under the guise of adoption.
According to court records seen by CNA, Lie Siu Luan, also known as Lily, 70, confessed in a May 26 trial session to trafficking babies to Singapore and receiving anywhere between S$17,000 (US$13,200) and S$21,600 per child.
Those on trial are accused of selling at least 34 babies between 2022 and 2025. Prosecutors allege that Lie was the mastermind and ringleader of the group.
The court was told that the four people in Singapore who were in contact with Lily were known as “John”, “Petter”, “Mr Tan” and “Mr Chew”.
Lily described them as “adoption agents from Singapore” who had existing clients.
CNA has contacted the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for more information on whether any person in Singapore has been arrested or charged in connection with the case.
In January, MHA and MSF said in a joint statement that they were aware of the allegations. The ministries said then that the Singapore government was working closely with its Indonesian counterparts to review these allegations."
A mother’s awkward first period talk with her daughter: What she learnt from fumbling through it (22 June 2026)
"I was 12 years old when I got my first period – in school. Although I had a vague idea of what it was, nothing prepared me for it. I did not know what to do and was embarrassed by my stained skirt.
When I became a mother, I imagined the “period talk” as one calm, reassuring conversation where I would have all the right words. But motherhood has a way of humbling you, no matter how many parenting books you read or experts you interview.
That moment arrived at the supermarket, when one of my daughters – around six or seven years old then – asked why I was buying “diapers”. I was picking up sanitary pads.
I took that as a sign the conversation did not need to happen in a single scripted moment. So, I said, nonchalantly, that girls bleed every month when they grow up and need pads. In hindsight, this was probably not an ideal first introduction to menstruation. Certainly not in the middle of a supermarket aisle.
“What? Every month?! Why?!” she exclaimed, horrified. I awkwardly explained in simple terms how menstruation occurs. After fumbling over the correct anatomical terms (the gold-standard approach experts recommend), I eventually shushed her increasingly animated questions.
It was not the calm “period talk” I had envisioned. But that moment also taught me that it was less about explaining everything perfectly and more about getting over my own discomfort.
Dr Yeong Huiqing, resident physician at DTAP, pointed out that the awkwardness often comes more from the parent than the child. “Children often take cues from adults, so when we stay calm and open, they tend to feel comfortable too,” she said.
Rather than a one-off “big talk” about periods, Dr Yeong advised treating it like a normal conversation about another health topic.
“The goal is to normalise it, not dismiss it, helping her see it as a natural part of growing up,” she said.
“You do not need to go into too much detail at once, as that can feel overwhelming or confusing. Keep it simple and gradually layer in more information over time as they are ready.”
WHEN SHOULD PARENTS START THE PERIOD TALK?
Experts agreed that earlier conversations about menstruation are generally better. Do not wait till the first period, known as menarche, before broaching the topic.
“The average age of menarche is around 12 years of age, with breast development occurring approximately two years earlier,” said Dr Judith Ong, a consultant with the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at National University Hospital’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
That said, anything from ages nine to 15 is still considered “normal”, added Dr Yeong.
“A good time for parents to have a conversation about periods would be when they notice their daughter has started to, or is going through puberty (breast development, pubic or underarm hair growth, or a growth spurt),” said Dr Ong."
Degree holders may need to rethink job security assumptions as retrenchment patterns shift, say experts (23 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: For 46-year-old Steven Neo, losing his job as a senior programme manager at a global tech giant was more than a financial shock – it was a profound loss of an identity that he tied to his work.
“As a dad in an Asian community, I think there are a lot of societal expectations of what a guy and a dad should be as a breadwinner,” he said, adding that he got through the initial grief at his retrenchment with the help of his wife and young daughter.
Like most Singaporeans, he had been conditioned to follow a traditional script.
“The traditional route that Singaporeans are being educated on is you study hard, get a good degree, and then you are able to get a job,” said Mr Neo, who has a bachelor’s degree in information systems and a master's degree in business administration.
So when told in mid-2025 that he was being laid off, Mr Neo was stunned because of the lifetime of education and effort that had gone into his 25-year career.
Mr Neo’s experience embodies a shift observed in retrenchment trends in recent years that is challenging long-held expectations about what gives a worker job security, said experts speaking to CNA.
In the latest quarterly market data, degree holders experienced a sharply higher retrenchment incidence, rising from 2.6 to 3.1 retrenched per 1,000 resident employees – higher than those with lower educational qualifications.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said this figure from the first quarter of 2026 suggests that company restructuring remains concentrated among higher-educated workers, reflecting ongoing restructuring in professional and knowledge-intensive sectors."
NLB unveils timeline for upgrades to Queenstown, Ang Mo Kio libraries (23 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Ang Mo Kio Library will close on Aug 1 ahead of its relocation, while Queenstown Library will close temporarily from Aug 31 for a revamp, the National Library Board (NLB) said on Monday (Jun 22).
Ang Mo Kio Library is due to reopen at its new location at AMK Hub on Nov 20, NLB said in a Facebook post. Its last day of operation at its current location is Jul 31.
During the relocation period, patrons can visit the self-service Browse-n-Borrow kiosk and Sit-n-Read Node located on level 4 of AMK Hub.
Patrons may also visit nearby libraries in Bishan, Yishun and Toa Payoh to continue accessing library resources, NLB said.
“Patrons can look forward to greater connectivity and a refreshed library experience inspired by the green spaces and landmarks iconic to the neighbourhood,” added NLB.
Queenstown Library, which is a gazetted conserved building, will be temporarily closed for revamp “following extensive preparatory work due to its status as a gazetted conserved building”.
It will have its last day of operations on Aug 30, and is scheduled to reopen in late 2028.
“As Singapore’s oldest public library, its iconic facade will be preserved,” said NLB.
Patrons will have to wait for more details on alternative services available during the closure."
Two teens to be charged over roadblock evasion, crash that injured police and LTA officers (23 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Two teenagers will be charged in court on Wednesday (Jun 24) over separate incidents involving the evasion of a police roadblock, including one case in which a rider allegedly crashed into officers and caused serious injuries.
In that incident, a 16-year-old boy is accused of riding an unregistered vehicle at high speed as he approached the roadblock along Commonwealth Avenue West on the night of Mar 21, 2025.
He collided with a traffic police officer and a Land Transport Authority (LTA) officer.
The 44-year-old LTA officer suffered severe injuries, including a brain injury, a fracture to his knee, a muscle tear and a sprained ligament, the police said in a media release on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old traffic police officer suffered a head haematoma, abrasions and hip pain. A haematoma is a closed wound where blood collects because it cannot flow or drain out.
Both officers and the teenager were taken conscious to hospital, the police said.
The teenager will be charged with reckless driving causing grievous hurt, reckless driving causing hurt, evading a police roadblock, underage driving, using a motor vehicle without insurance coverage and using an unregistered vehicle.
If convicted of dangerous driving causing grievous hurt, which carries the highest penalty among his charges, he could face between one and five years’ jail if this is his first conviction.
He could also be disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles.
15-YEAR-OLD TO BE CHARGED WITH EVADING ROADBLOCK
The other case took place at the same roadblock.
A 15-year-old boy was allegedly riding an unregistered personal mobility device (PMD) on the road when he spotted enforcement officers.
“He mounted the pavement, abandoned the personal mobility device and fled on foot together with his male pillion rider,” said the police.
“Both were subsequently detained by traffic police officers.”
The teenager will be charged on Wednesday with evading a police roadblock, riding a personal mobility device on a public road, riding a personal mobility device on a footpath and riding an unregistered registrable personal mobility device on a footpath."
Commentary: Dear You shows it’s time to rethink Singapore’s dialect ban in public media (24 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The commercial release of Dear You has become about so much more than just one Chinese movie.
After Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) initially permitted only the Mandarin-dubbed version for general release, there was a steady outcry for more audiences to be allowed to watch it in its original Teochew language, beyond festivals or niche events.
The authorities have since said they were open to more Teochew screenings of the movie and said it would take a “more flexible approach” in considering applications for screenings of dialect films in cinemas.
This development is welcome. But this episode has reopened a broader discussion that keeps coming back: How should Singapore update how it manages dialect content today?
SINGAPORE HAS CHANGED
The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) reiterated the government’s stance of promoting Mandarin as an official language with a unifying role among Chinese community, while acknowledging the connection between dialects and Singapore’s cultural heritage.
This has been a consistent position since Singapore’s independence in 1965. The initial intentions of the Bilingual Policy were intertwined with the aims of nation building. English was framed as a tool for economic development, racial equality and national unity, while the three official Mother Tongues – Malay, Tamil and Mandarin – rooted Singaporeans to their cultural heritage.
Only 0.1 per cent of Singapore’s population spoke Mandarin most frequently at home, according to the 1957 census. The promotion of Mandarin was also meant to improve communication and help achieve social cohesion across the diverse Chinese linguistic groupings.
After more than 60 years of the Bilingual Policy and 47 years since the launch of the Speak Mandarin Campaign, Singapore’s sociolinguistic milieu and circumstances have drastically changed.
DIALECTS DO NOT IMPEDE LEARNING OF MANDARIN
I believe that the broad policy objectives are themselves sound, but we are long overdue a review of how these policies are implemented. This is especially regarding the restrictions on dialects in media such as film, radio and free-to-air TV, where dialects only exist in news bulletins and specifically approved programmes.
It has to be emphasised from a linguistic perspective that there is no empirical evidence that being exposed to Chinese dialects will impede one’s learning of Mandarin, more so than any other language that the individual is already aware of.
Any suggestion that this is the case is borne of ideological belief rather than actual linguistic study. Language interference effects when learning a new language do exist, but these effects are due to pre-existing languages in an individual’s repertoire, and interference can be from any language, not just dialects deemed to be culturally more similar.
In the case of young Singaporeans today, English is more likely to interfere with their learning of Mandarin, not dialects."
Two Singaporeans dealt with under ISA; teen subscribed to 'salad bar' mix of extremist ideologies (24 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Two self-radicalised male Singaporeans were dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in March, including a 19-year-old influenced by what the Internal Security Department (ISD) has called "salad bar" extremism.
Both cases of radicalisation were triggered by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ISD said on Wednesday (Jun 24).
Cyrus Dzulqarnain Al-Shahriar, a 19-year-old student, was issued a restriction order under the ISA.
He was self-radicalised online by Composite Violent Extremism (CoVE) and subscribed to pro-Hamas, anti-LGBTQ, anti-Western beliefs and violent incel ideologies, said ISD.
In the other case, 30-year-old customer service officer Tarmizi bin Mohd Taha was issued with an order of detention under ISA.
ISD said that Tarmizi was a staunch supporter of Hamas and aspired to travel to the Palestinian territories to join the group. He indicated that he would be willing to undertake armed violence against Israel or conduct attacks in Singapore, if instructed by Hamas, said ISD.
Both cases are unrelated.
"SALAD BAR" EXTREMISM
Cyrus' case highlights CoVE, which ISD has previously referred to as "salad bar" extremism.
In 2022, Cyrus joined several online religious discussion groups to learn more about Islam, where he was exposed to anti-Western and anti-LGBTQ content. He later made online posts inciting violence against the LGBTQ community.
Following the Hamas attacks against Israel on Oct 7, 2023, Cyrus was exposed to a proliferation of pro-Hamas narratives online.
"He came to support Hamas and their violent actions, including their killing of civilians, which he viewed as a form of jihad," said ISD.
In 2024, Cyrus had considered travelling to Gaza to join the group and take up arms against Israelis on the front lines of the conflict. However, he did not make preparations to do so, as he lacked the resources to travel overseas and was fearful of engaging in physical violence.
In mid-2024, Cyrus encountered social media posts by members of a niche online Islamist extremist group which subscribed to violent accelerationist ideas.
The group advocated creating “chaos” through violence to establish a future with Islam as the leading global civilisation, said ISD.
"They believed that they needed to destroy the current 'world order', where first world countries, including Singapore, were considered an extension of the United States, and under the control of Zionists," the agency said.
After joining the group's private chat group in early 2025, Cyrus' support for extremist violence deepened.
According to ISD, he was influenced by the group’s support for Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) offensive against then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, before its collapse in December 2024, as well as the Oct 7, 2023, attacks.
He began glorifying terrorist attacks that targeted Westerners, including Al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks in 2001 and the 2002 Bali bombings, and made online posts glorifying these attacks.
At the request of one member, Cyrus went to the Esplanade area twice to take photos of an e-publication authored by members of the group, with Marina Bay Sands in the background.
As part of a pledge of allegiance to the group, Cyrus uploaded these photos to his social media account in November 2025.
He then saw himself as a member of the group and began participating in “digital jihad” efforts, which involved harassing users online who were deemed to be anti-Islam so as to “combat American and Zionist movements”, said ISD."
Preschool director charged with cheating ECDA into disbursing S$14,000 in childcare subsidies (24 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A director of a preschool allegedly deceived the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) into disbursing more than S$14,000 (US$10,800) in childcare subsidies and falsified the enrolment and attendance information of several children.
Hoo Sian Chin, a 46-year-old Malaysian and Singapore permanent resident, was charged on Wednesday (Jun 24) with six counts of cheating and four counts in relation to the falsification of records.
Hoo was the director of Lighthouse Educare during the alleged offences committed between November 2017 and January 2020.
He is accused of deceiving ECDA into delivering childcare subsidies to Lighthouse Educare – ranging from S$300 to S$7,400 – for children purportedly enrolled at the school.
He is also accused of instigating someone named Gu Wenhui to make false entries by falsely recording a child's attendance in the preschool's records for the period between July 2018 and October 2018.
In March 2019 and February 2020, Hoo allegedly made false entries on his own while recording the attendance of children in the company records.
He did not indicate how he would plead, but asked for time to seek legal advice.
The case was adjourned to July."
Deep Dive - Is the stay-at-home dad becoming Singapore's new normal? (25 June 2026)
"More Singaporean fathers are leaving the workforce to become stay-at-home dads and take on more caregiving responsibilities. Amid concerns about lower household income, slower career progression and higher cost of living, is this a realistic choice for most families? How should couples decide who stays home and who goes to work?
In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Eugene Lim and Ryan Kong, two stay-at-home dads on the challenges and rewards of their decisions and what advice they would give to other dads who are thinking of making the switch."
Commentary: Why Dear You hit us so hard – and what it says about our feelings toward ‘dialects’ (25 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Why did a film from China, shot almost entirely in Teochew language on a modest budget with mostly non-professional actors, create such a storm in Singapore?
Tickets for the initial eight screenings of Dear You in Teochew were reportedly snapped up in under two hours. Days later, all 4,800 tickets to eight additional screenings were sold out about an hour after they became available on Monday (Jun 22). Some declared online that they would cross the Causeway to Johor Bahru just to watch the film in its original language.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) had earlier decided that a Mandarin-dubbed version would be used for general release, with the Teochew version only allowed for festival and niche screenings. This has sparked swift and passionate debate about Singapore's language policies.
Local filmmakers Eric Khoo and Jack Neo wrote a forum letter, calling the policy “outdated”. My colleague Luke Lu penned a CNA commentary questioning whether it is time to rethink restrictions on Chinese “dialects” in mainstream media. But is this really all about the policy?
BUZZ OVER FILMS WITH DIALECT
It seems that every time a film uses a Chinese “dialect”, it creates a buzz disproportionate to the occasion.
Two years ago, How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, a Thai film with only a handful of lines in Teochew, touched a raw nerve across Singapore, mine included. Over two decades ago, Jack Neo's Money No Enough, with its generous portions of Hokkien, was a home run at the local box office. Other films have drawn similar, if quieter, public fascination.
What is it about films with “dialect” in them?
Everyone has been quick to point to the Speak Mandarin Campaign. Launched in 1979, it aimed to make Mandarin the unifying language for Singaporean Chinese, sacrificing in the process Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese and other non-Mandarin Chinese languages. (They are not actually “dialects”, which are variants of a single language.)
In fact, the campaign was so successful that these languages no longer threaten Mandarin. It is English that does. The conditions that justified restricting “dialect” media in 1979 do not describe Singapore in 2026.
The policies speak of the ghost of a past anxiety. But the ghosts alone cannot explain how passionate the response has been.
A GRIEF FOR WHAT’S NO LONGER SPOKEN
And here is what I think is really going on: People are responding to loss.
The fervour around Dear You is not, at its heart, disagreement with a policy. It is grief. It is grief for a language that is dying.
According to the 2020 census, only 1.4 per cent of Singaporean Chinese aged 5 to 34 used a Chinese “dialect” as their most frequent language at home. Among those aged 60 and above, that figure was 31.6 per cent.
The people buying those tickets are not, by and large, fluent Teochew speakers seeking to improve their vocabulary. Many of them are probably not even Teochew themselves.
They are people who may have once heard this language and have since lost access to it. People buy the tickets also because the film promises them something increasingly rare: A few hours of hearing a language that has become, in their own lifetimes, a kind of novelty.
What Dear You does, and what How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies did before it, is give that language loss a narrative shape. These films do not romanticise the loss. We do.
And we do so precisely because the Singapore outside the cinema is no longer speaking the language. The Teochew in these films is not incidental. It is part of what gives them their emotional force.
Remove the Teochew, and you have a family drama. Keep it, and the story becomes an elegy that speaks of memory, inheritance and disappearance."
Nearly 4 in 5 Singapore adults with anxiety or depression don't seek professional help: Duke-NUS study (25 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Nearly four in five adults in Singapore living with anxiety or depression have not sought professional help, a study by Duke-NUS Medical School has found.
However, most are open to receiving support from peers, highlighting that informal, community-based support could help address unmet mental health needs, according to the findings published in the Singapore Medical Journal last month.
The study drew on data from an online survey of 350 adults experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, conducted as part of a broader initiative examining the economic impact of these mental health conditions, Duke-NUS said on Tuesday (Jun 23).
WHY MANY STAY SILENT
Researchers from Duke-NUS and its collaborators, including the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), found that 77 per cent of respondents had not sought care from mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers.
Associate Professor Daniel Fung, senior consultant at IMH’s department of developmental psychiatry, told CNA that concerns about privacy and confidentiality remain major barriers to seeking help.
“There is still a fair bit of stigma and fear of judgement in regards to mental illnesses, because it's perceived as a kind of a weakness in the individual,” added Assoc Prof Fung, a co-author of the study.
“Particularly in workplaces, people are a bit more cautious about letting their colleagues or their employers know, because they feel that their jobs might be affected. Sometimes, people also normalise the symptoms of a disorder.”
He noted that generally, many people in Asian cultures tend to be more reserved about sharing personal and emotional struggles, viewing such matters as "very personal and private" rather than something to be openly discussed.
Despite the reluctance to seek professional help, 62 per cent of respondents said they would be willing to receive support from peers with similar backgrounds or lived experiences.
The study also found that 51 per cent preferred one-on-one peer support over group-based interactions, while 43 per cent would be more comfortable receiving help virtually."
School bus operators allowed to raise fares by up to 20% in July and August: MOE (26 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: School bus operators will be allowed to impose a temporary fuel surcharge of up to 20 per cent on fares for July and August, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Friday (Jun 26), citing elevated fuel prices.
“Operators are discussing any fare adjustments with schools and communicating these to parents during the June school holidays, so that parents can plan their transport arrangements when the school term starts,” the ministry added.
The government previously announced temporary support measures for school bus operators, covering services provided from April to June, after fuel prices surged during the conflict in the Middle East.
In May, the support was increased from the equivalent of 13 per cent to 20 per cent of transport fare revenue.
At the time, MOE said that operators would be able to impose a “time-bound” fuel surcharge to offset higher operating costs from July, should fuel prices remain elevated. It also advised schools to "reasonably consider" requests from contracted transport operators to raise bus fares for off-site activities.
The ministry said on Friday that it will “continue to track the shifting fuel price situation closely and review the fuel surcharge cap where appropriate”.
Students on the MOE financial assistance scheme will not see any increase in fares paid out of pocket, as they will receive additional school bus subsidies to cover any increases in their school bus fares.
Those who require additional support or who do not qualify for the financial assistance scheme can approach their schools for school-based assistance."
World Cup fever drives surge in youth football enrolment in Singapore (26 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The FIFA World Cup may be taking place thousands of kilometres away, but its impact is being felt on football pitches across Singapore.
Youth football academies told CNA that interest in the sport has surged since the tournament began earlier this month, with more children being enrolled in training programmes after watching their heroes compete on the world stage.
TRetailers are also benefiting from the football frenzy, reporting strong growth in sales of youth jerseys, football boots and World Cup collectibles.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest in the tournament's history, with 48 teams playing 104 matches across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
YOUNG FOOTBALLERS INSPIRED BY WORLD CUP STARS
At Foundation Football Club, enrolment for its June holiday camp exceeded 60 participants, more than double the turnout for a similar camp held during the March school holidays.
Founder Leanne Teo said the World Cup has helped put football at the forefront of conversations among young players.
“They're discussing what happens during matches, all the highlights. They're talking about it, they're mimicking it, they're copying some of the moves. They are also getting a bit competitive with each other,” she added.
Training sessions also incorporate elements of the tournament.
"We do World Cup-themed matches, and they pick the teams, or they fight over...what team they want to represent this time, depending on the performance of the country."
Founded earlier this year, the academy hopes to create more development pathways for young footballers, including opportunities for them to progress into higher-level competitions and potentially connect with international scouting programmes.
GROWING INTEREST IN FOOTBALL PATHWAYS
At Get GungHo FC Celtic Soccer Academy, chairman Paul Adamberry said the World Cup is encouraging more young players to take football seriously.
He said that the number of parents signing their children up for free football trials has risen by about 40 to 50 per cent in recent weeks.
More notably, the conversion rate from trial sessions to paid training programmes has increased by about 80 per cent compared with normal levels.
“For children watching their favourite soccer star or national team compete in the World Cup, (it) definitely encourages them to want to play more, participate, get involved in tournaments, train harder,” Mr Adamberry said.
The academy caters to both recreational and competitive players. Mr Adamberry said about 70 per cent train recreationally, while around 30 per cent choose to join its competitive teams, including those that compete in the Singapore Youth League."
Teen in iJooz straw-licking case set to plead guilty in July (26 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A French teenager facing criminal charges in Singapore for a straw-licking stunt will enter a plea next month in a case that went viral on social media, a court heard on Friday (Jun 26).
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, who turned 19 on Thursday, is accused of posting to social media a video of himself putting a straw he had licked back into the dispenser on an iJooz vending machine.
His clip went viral and triggered a backlash that led to his arrest in Singapore.
His lawyer told a district court on Friday that his client - who was not present at the hearing - would enter a plea on the afternoon of Jul 13. Court documents indicate the case has been fixed for a guilty plea.
Maximilien, who is studying in Singapore, is out on bail. The court had, in late April, allowed him to leave Singapore for a three-week internship in Manila, a requirement for him to graduate. He has since returned.
The teen had uploaded the video on Instagram knowing that it "would or would probably cause annoyance to the public", according to court documents detailing the charges.
A second charge of committing mischief said Maximilien knew that he was "likely to cause wrongful loss or damage" to iJooz. The orange juice vending company had to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser.
Both offences were allegedly committed on Mar 12."
As a doctor, I see patients with fertility issues, but can't decide if I want kids (26 June 2026)
"As Singapore grapples with a historically low birth rate, I find myself paying more attention to public discussions on the subject than I did in my twenties – not least because I am turning 33 soon. This means I'm reaching a stage of life where the question of whether or not to have children starts becoming difficult to delay.
When I was younger, the issue felt distant. There were other priorities competing for my attention: education, career progression, financial stability, travel and relationships.
Having children or not was a decision I assumed I would eventually arrive at – when the time was right.
Yet here I am, rapidly approaching my mid-30s – and still none the wiser about whether children are right for me.
Among friends my age, more than half are still figuring out if they want children, regardless of whether they are single, engaged or married. Across the board, many are fearful of making this decision too hastily, in view of the commitment and responsibility involved.
THE PROS AND CONS OF PARENTHOOD
While many decisions in life can be deferred, fertility is one of those that comes with a deadline.
When it comes to parenthood, some individuals have always envisioned themselves as parents, while others have long known that children are not part of their plans.
Others, like myself, are simply at the crossroads.
When I imagine having children, I can see the appeal. I think about family structure, the unique experience of bringing up and caring for a new life, and the intimacy of a parent-child bond. I imagine the sense of purpose and connection that many parents, such as my friends and colleagues, have described.
At the same time, I am aware of the many sacrifices involved.
Parenthood drastically changes one’s schedule, budget, career and personal goals. I shudder to think about the loss of freedom, drained finances and never-ending caregiving responsibilities – from bathing and diaper-changing with toddlers to dealing with hormonal mood-swings from pre-teens.
Women feel these concerns particularly significantly, as the demands of domestic work and child care are often borne disproportionately by mothers.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2023 found that in Southeast Asia, women spend 4.2 times as long as men doing unpaid care work, compared to the global average of 2.2 times as long. During the COVID-19 pandemic years, for instance, women were more likely to shoulder the burden of extra duties associated with homeschooling and childcare while schools were closed.
However, at this point of my life, the bigger fear still is that one day, I may realise that I wanted children after all – only to discover that I have missed the boat entirely."
I thought my daughter was learning spelling for school – but she was also learning gender stereotypes (27 June 2026)
"Weeks into starting formal education last year, my youngest daughter brought home her Primary 1 spelling booklet, its corners still perfectly crisp and the pages pristine.
She proudly showed me the cover, on which she had haphazardly written her name and class. She was excited to challenge herself, first on a weekly list of words, then a combination of words and sentences as the year progressed.
Curious about what she and her classmates would be tested on, I flipped through the booklet. For each word, there was an accompanying “sample” sentence illustrating how to use the word. How helpful, I thought, no more learning words in a vacuum.
But as I scanned the pages, I thought perhaps it would have been better to omit the sample sentences entirely – there were numerous instances of gender stereotyping throughout the year-long list.
In the world of this spelling booklet, women and men were expected to behave in certain ways – a woman's place was in the home while the man did everything else.
“Father reads the newspaper” while “Mother bakes a cake”. In one of the weeks, “Grandmother sews a dress for me”; she also takes out butter from the fridge to soften.
Grandfathers, on the other hand, tell stories. Mothers, too, add salt to soup while fathers come home late from work each day.
And then there was the sentence that particularly rankled: “Mother screams when she sees a lizard.”
I put aside the booklet, feeling uncomfortable and worried. Coaching my daughter through each week's list would be easy enough. The bigger challenge, and one I wasn't sure I would succeed at, was offsetting the assumptions these sentences reinforced.
SUBTLE MESSAGES ABOUT GENDER
What troubled me most was the thought of my children – both girls and boys – growing up with such narrow ideas of what women and men should be.
I know they will inevitably encounter more overt forms of gender stereotyping as they grow up and may even be affected by them deeply. What I did not expect was to find those messages embedded in something as innocuous as a weekly spelling list.
I felt bad for the men too. My husband happens to be an excellent cook and, yes, he adds salt to soup, too.
And surely mums work, and work late. When they get home, the family can eat. My children know this well – they wait for me each night before we start dinner.
It’s the same with the worksheets my children brought home when they were in kindergarten, where nurses are women, mothers wear aprons, and doctors and police officers are men. If there is any floor-sweeping done, it’s likely a woman doing it. And the person holding a hammer would be a man.
Some might say I’m making a mountain of a molehill – what’s the harm in one tiny sentence in a spelling list? They’re exposed to worse on television and social media. But it’s from little unforeseen things that giant, immovable stereotypes eventually build."
I thought I was 'helping' my wife after childbirth. Truth is, I was missing out on being a father (27 June 2026)
"When my first child was born in 2023, I was over the moon. I was also completely lost.
As an expectant father, I prepared for childbirth by learning how to support my wife during her pregnancy and labour. I knew what to say and the small things that might bring her comfort – though how well I did is another matter.
Yet, nothing in the books I read or the prenatal classes I attended prepared me for my new identity as a father.
The reality of parenthood hit me when I held my son for the first time. I felt overwhelming love, but I did not know how to be a father.
My child was born at 37 weeks, three weeks before the estimated 40-week due date. At that point, we were still renovating our flat, so for his first night, I hurriedly bought a Moses basket – a woven basket without legs for newborns to sleep.
Then came a steep learning curve as I tried to figure out how to soothe a crying newborn while navigating conflicting advice from family, friends and parenting books.
Sleep deprivation clouded my mind. Before long, I was approaching caregiving like a checklist, focusing on helping my wife through early motherhood.
When I realised our son was more easily soothed by my wife, I instinctively stepped aside. What mattered to me was the outcome: that he was fed, comforted and healthy.
However, I soon realised I was missing something important.
I was not building a relationship with my child.
THE TRADITIONAL EXPECTATIONS OF A FATHER
Growing up, my father was present in the way that many fathers in his generation were. He was a provider and disciplinarian, somewhat distant but dependable.
Men were expected to be breadwinners, while women were caregivers. These expectations emerged in an era when most families had a single income and mothers often had support from extended family.
Today, families look different – with dual-income streams and little help beyond hiring a domestic worker or what the couple can arrange themselves.
In this environment, it is increasingly important for fathers to embrace caregiving as part of their role.
Research has consistently shown that children thrive with strong father-child bonds – one that differs from a mother-child bond.
A 2024 review of more than 180 studies, published in a leading psychology journal, found that paternal sensitivity – which is a father's ability to notice, interpret and respond to his child's needs – is linked to a more secure father-child attachment.
Children who feel securely attached to their parents tend to be better able to regulate their emotions, build trusting relationships and face the world with confidence.
Although many of us are influenced by how we were raised, we do not have to stick to being traditional father figures.
We simply need to set our own expectations of what kind of dads we want to be.
My father once admitted that he did not know how to carry a baby when my son was born, but he learnt how to be involved as a grandfather, and today, he enjoys carrying and playing with his grandchildren.
For me, I wanted to be a "present" father in my child's life. But being present means more than simply being in the room while my wife cares for him."
Man, 71, gets jail for molesting daughter more than 20 years ago (29 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 71-year-old man was sentenced to 16 months' jail on Monday (Jun 29) for molesting his daughter more than 20 years ago when she was between five and seven years old.
The man cannot be named to protect the identity of his daughter, now aged 32. He had contested two charges of molestation but was convicted of outraging his daughter's modesty twice.
The defence had sought judicial mercy, referring to the wheelchair-bound man's various medical conditions including end-stage renal failure.
However, the judge noted the abuse of trust, the fact that the victim was vulnerable and evidence that she had suffered psychological harm.
She said that the prisons had an adequate system of healthcare delivery in place and the need for retribution, punishment and deterrence is strong in this case.
THE CASE
The man had been convicted in July last year of molesting his daughter twice between 1999 and 2001.
The victim testified that her father had molested her while she was unwell and napping on the living room couch.
He also molested her in the living room on a second occasion when her mother walked past them and told him to stop what he was doing.
No one else witnessed the acts. The mother denied what happened, and the victim testified at trial that the molestation occurred often, estimating that she was molested 50 to 100 times.
The victim confided in two boyfriends about being molested by her father and finally moved out in August 2015 after she "snapped" during a family trip when she found it frustrating and difficult to be around her father.
The victim studied overseas and later returned to Singapore, filing a police report when she was an adult.
She explained at trial that she had been in denial at the time of the offences and did not want to confront the fact that her own father had been molesting her.
Even as she matured and recognised that she had been abused, she did not want others to find out because she felt it was an "extremely shameful thing".
The prosecution had argued that the delay in the victim's disclosure of the incidents should not have a negative impact on her credibility."
More seniors level up with esports pro training aimed at boosting reflexes, digital skills (29 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: About 200 seniors in Singapore are set to undergo 12 weeks of professional esports coaching under a new programme aimed at keeping older adults mentally active, socially connected and digitally savvy.
The initiative, organised by social service agency Lions Befrienders and supported by OCBC, will see coaches from the Singapore Cybersports and Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) train participants in games such as Counter-Strike, Street Fighter and Just Dance.
The games were chosen for their ability to improve reaction time, hand-eye coordination and communication.
Retiree Neelathevi Chenpathayan, 68, welcomed the programme, saying it offers seniors a fun way to stay mentally engaged. She tried several games during Saturday's (Jun 27) launch and said Just Dance quickly became her favourite.
"It's good for seniors to enjoy these types of games to keep our minds alert. So (we can) be happy and can learn the game and enjoy," she told CNA.
Another retiree Lim Beng Hong regularly plays Street Fighter and Ring Fit Adventure with his wife. The 65-year-old said such activities present an opportunity to connect with younger generations.
"These esports are mainly played by youngsters, but now it's introduced to the elderly," he said. "In future, we can play these esports together with the youngsters, so we have better interaction with them. I can play with my children or even my grandchildren."
OCBC will contribute S$100,000 (US$80,000) over two years to fund 2,400 coaching sessions, which will be conducted at gaming facilities in Bishan, Pasir Ris and Jurong West.
"Flower-arranging, mahjong or painting are the kinds of activities often cited as ways to promote active ageing'. But why not deploy technology?" Said the bank's group CEO Tan Teck Long.
"The likes of Counter Strike 2 or Nintendo-based fitness titles blend gaming technology, physical activity, cognitive engagement, and social interaction in one attractive package."
An inaugural cohort of 100 seniors will kick off the programme, with another 100 joining in the following year. Coaching will be conducted in groups of eight to 10 participants, and up to 40 per cent of seniors from the first cohort will return to mentor new participants.
"We will be training our seniors on all the various games. This is not only fun...this also helps with their eyes and hands coordination. It's also a way to create a competitive (aspect) to encourage them and motivate them to pick up esports," said Mr Phil Loh, head of the charity’s integrated community case provider.
Beyond recreation, Mr Loh said esports can help seniors become more comfortable with technology. He said: "It's a gateway to introduce them into the digital world."
Lions Befrienders plans to hold an esports and exercise-gaming competition among its active ageing centres in November. Selected participants will go on to represent the organisation at this year's Silver Showdown, Singapore's senior esports tournament, in December."
Indonesia seeks up to 10 years' jail for 19 members of syndicate that sold babies to Singapore (30 June 2026)
"JAKARTA/BANDUNG: Indonesian prosecutors are demanding prison sentences of between five and 10 years for members of an alleged syndicate accused of selling babies under the guise of adoption to couples in Indonesia and Singapore.
Eighteen women and one man are currently on trial at the Bandung City District Court accused of selling at least 34 babies between 2022 and 2025, some of whom were taken to Singapore and sold for thousands of dollars for each child.
The harshest sentence of 10 years was sought for five defendants including Lie Siu Luan - also known as Lily - whom prosecutors believe is the brains and ringleader behind the operation.
Another defendant whom prosecutors are seeking a 10-year prison sentence is Astri Fitrinika, who is believed to be responsible for recruiting nearly all of the babies sold by the syndicate.
The three other defendants recommended for a 10-year sentence were Djaka Hamdani and Elin Marlina who allegedly helped recruit babies for the syndicate as well as Lai Siu Ha who is accused of forging documents to obscure the babies’ origins.
“The defendants’ actions have disturbed the public. The defendants’ actions are contrary to religious principles and accepted standards of morality,” prosecutor Billie Andrian told the Bandung City District Court on Tuesday (Jun 30) on the reasons why the five should get the 10-year jail terms."
Two boys, 11 and 12, given conditional warnings after 'forcefully' opening train cabin door (30 June 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Two boys who were seen opening a restricted cabin partition door on an MRT train in videos circulating on social media have been given conditional warnings.
In response to CNA queries, train operator SMRT said on Tuesday (Jun 30) that the incident occurred on Feb 21 on a train along the North-South Line and that it was aware of the video, which went viral over the weekend.
The nine-second clip appears to show the two boys using a tool to open the cabin partition door, before entering the restricted area and pressing what appears to be a white button on a panel several times.
The police confirmed on Tuesday that a report was lodged on the same day of the incident.
"Upon completion of investigations and after careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, the Police, in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, administered conditional warnings to the two male subjects, aged 11 and 12, for offences under the Rapid Transit System Regulations."
SMRT said the boys were seen "forcefully opening" a cabin partition door at the back of the train, triggering an onboard alarm.
The train captain, who was in the front cabin, immediately informed the Operations Control Centre, said SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai.
Station staff at the next station were alerted to investigate, while the boys alighted at that station, he added."
Ngee Ann Kongsi sponsors 900 tickets to Dear You screenings in Teochew (1 July 2026)
"Ngee Ann Kongsi has sponsored 900 tickets to the Teochew screenings of the Chinese film Dear You for its members and affiliated Teochew clan associations, the philanthropic organisation announced on Wed (Jul 1).
The sponsored tickets are for commercial screenings at Golden Village VivoCity, including sessions held on Jun 20 and 21, as well as additional screenings scheduled for Jul 4 and 5.
Of the 900 tickets, 800 are for the organisation's members and Teochew clan associations such as Teo Yeonh Huai Kuan and Teochew Federation, as well as partners including staff from Ngee Ann Primary School and Ngee Ann Secondary School. The tickets are not available for public purchase.
The remaining 100 are set aside for seniors, caregivers and their family members through the Ngee Ann Kongsi Social Impact Hub, an initiative with the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) that supports programmes related to ageing and eldercare.
Among the beneficiaries attending this weekend's screenings is Mr Liew, who will be attending the screening with his wheelchair-bound Teochew mother-in-law, and Ms Suan, who plans to watch the film with her 93-year-old mother, Madam Tan Gek Yong.
Born in Puning, China, Madam Tan moved to Singapore as a child and later built her life here with her late husband, who was from Jieyang, China. According to Ngee Ann Kongsi, she has not watched a Teochew film in about 40 years.
The sponsorship comes amid strong public interest in Dear You, whose Teochew screenings have repeatedly sold out and sparked broader conversations about dialects, heritage, Chinese cultural identity and surrounding language policies in Singapore."
NTU provost Christian Wolfrum appointed to lead Singapore's national AI programme (1 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Nanyang Technology University's (NTU) provost Christian Wolfrum has been appointed to lead Singapore's national artificial intelligence initiative as executive chairman of AI Singapore (AISG) from Wednesday (Jul 1).
Professor Wolfrum takes over from Professor Ho Teck Hua, who stepped down on Tuesday, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) said in a press release.
AISG brings together Singapore-based research institutions and the broader ecosystem of AI start-ups and companies to support Singapore’s AI efforts.
The programme is driven by MDDI, NRF and the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
As AISG's new executive chairman, Prof Wolfrum will work with MDDI, NRF and relevant stakeholders to lead AISG's next phase of growth. This includes advancing Singapore's priorities under the National AI Strategy 2.0 and supporting Singapore's ambitions to be a leading global hub for trusted and impactful AI, MDDI and NRF said.
Prof Wolfrum "has a deep familiarity with Singapore’s research, innovation and enterprise ecosystem, and has been a consistent supporter and advocate for our national initiatives and cross-institutional collaboration", they said.
Prof Wolfrum currently serves as deputy president and provost of NTU, and has significant experience in shaping AI research ecosystems, they added.
As the former vice president for research at ETH Zurich, he played a key role in defining the university’s strategic research direction and was closely involved in the establishment of major Swiss national AI efforts, including the Swiss national AI institute and the Swiss AI initiative.
Prof Wolfrum said that he was "honoured" to take on the role as AISG executive chairman.
"AISG's unique strength is its position at the interface of academia and industry, and that is exactly where AI champions are built: Companies that embed AI into the core of their products and operations, not as an add-on but as a fundamental capability, backed by a workforce that understands AI deeply enough to build with it.
"Research without industry impact is incomplete, and industry without deep research is short-sighted. Singapore's AI ecosystem can close that gap, and AISG will be the engine to get there."
Mother fails in court bid to get ex-husband to foot half their daughter's Australia university bill (2 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A woman turned to court to get her ex-husband to pay for expenses including half of their daughter's Australian university bill, as a previous maintenance order required him to bear 50 per cent of their daughter's educational expenses.
However, a Family Court ruled largely in favour of the father, saying it would be wrong to legally compel the father to financially support the mother's personal choice, which was made despite his objection.
The father had raised concerns about his daughter attending an overseas university rather than a local one because of the financial commitment.
District Judge Kow Keng Siong said in a judgment made available on Wednesday (Jul 1) that the financial commitment was substantial at more than S$401,000 (US$310,000) for a six-year medicine course.
Footing half of it means the father would have to contribute about S$2,789 per month, which is about 30 per cent of his S$9,500 monthly income.
THE CASE
The parents were divorced over a decade ago, and have a daughter who is turning 22 this year.
She is a third-year medical student in Australia. Her mother has been paying for her overseas education but wants her ex-husband to shoulder some of the expenses.
The father objected, as he never agreed to bear these overseas education expenses.
As part of the divorce arrangement, orders were made for the father to pay S$650 per month for his daughter's maintenance, and 50 per cent of her educational and medical expenses.
The mother lodged an application to enforce these orders, claiming her ex-husband had defaulted on the maintenance as well as the educational and medical expenses.
She also applied to increase the father's contribution towards their daughter's general maintenance, citing the higher costs of her studies in Australia.
The father, on the other hand, sought to reduce his contributions.
The mother said her ex-husband had increased monthly payments to S$1,450 per month from around March 2018 and again to S$1,500 per month from February 2021 at their daughter's request.
Using these higher figures, the mother said the father did not always pay these amounts in full, and that he had reverted to paying only S$$650 from November 2025. She sought arrears of about S$10,000 using the higher figures.
The father said he had made the increased payments voluntarily for needs as they arose but these did not vary the court's order for S$650. He said he was not in arrears at all but had instead overpaid by more than S$81,000 using the S$650 figure.
Judge Kow found the higher figures were not enforceable."
Commentary: Why turning off screens is so hard for children (3 July 2026)
"OXFORD, England: The challenges and consequences surrounding children’s screen use are a leading concern for UK families.
One especially difficult challenge is the resistance, arguments and emotional battles - “techno-tantrums” - that can follow when parents ask children to end a screen-based activity or refuse children’s requests to start one. Most families with young children experience these at least occasionally and, for some, frequently.
It’s especially hard for children to move away from a screen because digital content is designed to be engaging. Content developers’ monetisation models usually require this to justify the expense to develop that content. At a minimum, this typically involves using bright colours and fast-paced content with quick and unpredictable transitions, as well as other cues to capture and hold attention. Algorithms ensure you mostly see what would be most interesting to you.
More contentiously, many examples of digital content for children include features that, in the most generous interpretation, persuade children to make choices they might not otherwise have made and may not be in their interests.
Examples include a beloved character encouraging the child to select a particular in-app option, exploiting the child’s emotional attachment with that character. Limited-time pay-to-play offers are presented to compel a quick decision, when slower deliberation may have led to a different choice.
A consequence is that children’s digital activity no longer unfolds solely based on their preferences and interests. Instead, digital design features aim to capture and hold children’s attention, motivate certain decisions over others, and, after digital activity has ended, hasten their return.
This battle between the gratification of continuing screen use or putting down the device when it is required or in one’s best interest is not unique to children. Parents report high rates of technoference - when their own digital activity impedes, interrupts or worsens interactions with their child. Children have even less ability to resist these lures and tactics to engage and sustain their attention.
This does not mean families should resign to a losing battle, or that all digital activity is inherently bad. There are things we can do to help, and at the same time establish foundations for children to better self-regulate their own digital activity and prepare for the digital demands in their future.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
First, give slower-paced options. Provide children with digital options that have slower paced, educational content and more active engagement. Be wary of apps, platforms and programs high in persuasive design features.
This will ensure children engage with digital content better aligned in content, pace and design to their developmental needs. Some reputable sources offer expert reviews and ratings of digital content for children.
Second, join in with children's screen use. One of the largest reviews of research to date found a small association between children’s screen time and negative outcomes. Notably, though, some effects flipped positive when adults were engaged alongside children. Using a screen together helps families understand what their children are viewing and doing on digital devices. It also allows for shared interests, experiences and conversations during and after digital activity.
Third, be careful using screens as a distraction. Try to limit giving children digital devices to keep them occupied or calm them down.
Children’s ability to deal with boredom, frustration, excitement or other emotions at times that might be especially undesirable to parents - in a doctor’s office, at a restaurant or on a long car ride - requires that they encounter and learn to manage these emotions. Children won’t learn to manage challenges they haven’t encountered."
Motherhood isn’t a competition or exam – so why do we judge other mums like we’re grading them? (3 July 2026)
"Two years ago, before I gave birth to my son, I joined my first WhatsApp group for mothers.
I was nervous, but also excited at the prospect of meeting other mums and bonding over the struggles that came with caring for a baby.
“A group can make you feel less lonely about pregnancy and new motherhood,” my friend, who was also pregnant, said.
Well, less lonely was one way to describe the experience.
The group, with over 700 members, was based on our estimated delivery date. But that was about the only thing we had in common.
Everything else, from socioeconomic background to our opinions on diaper brands, confinement practices and how we dealt with hunger pangs, was different.
At first, this seemed interesting and I did learn a few things. After all, here were hundreds of women going through roughly the same stage of pregnancy, asking various questions at odd hours of the day. Was this discharge normal? Which breast pump was worth buying? Who else is unable to sleep?
But I realised that a community built around shared uncertainty could also become one where judgement is rampant.
Barely a week after I joined, a few mums had an intense argument about babymoons. One mum in her final trimester had asked for destination suggestions and some mums commented that she was being extremely irresponsible for holidaying during that period.
When the disagreement got ugly – condescending remarks flew thick and fast and there were intense debates about what made a “good mother” – I left the group.
I could not escape the mentality, however. The atmosphere of judgement among mums followed me everywhere, from pregnancy to birth and beyond.
When I opened up about my son not sleeping unless my husband or I were close by, one friend remarked: “Oh, but did you know if you keep doing that, he’ll never learn independence?”
When he turned one, and I shared my struggles with trying to stop breastfeeding or getting him to eat more, another mum said: “It’s probably because you’re not resilient enough and you give in every time he cries.”
I see this on social media too, where loud voices hide behind anonymity and parade around on their high horses. And there, it’s worse.
Commenters who watched a video of a mum sleep training her one-year-old son said she was “heartless” and “selfish”. A post by another mum about low-stimulation forms of screen time for toddlers was flooded with comments that she was “lazy” and “not creative enough in engaging kids”.
Rather than responding with curiosity or empathy, or giving constructive advice, it seems there are always mums ready to turn someone else’s parenting choice into a moral test.
THE RULEBOOK MENTALITY IN MOTHERHOOD
There is a term for this. Some call it a rulebook mentality, which refers to a mindset where all mums must follow a certain set of rules – and if they don’t, they will be judged.
In motherhood, this manifests as the belief that there is a One and Only Correct Way to Mother, and that anyone doing it differently must be careless, selfish, ignorant – or just a bad mother.
I am guilty of this, too. I catch myself giving the side-eye when I see a mum using a digital device to calm her toddler’s tantrum. I feel taken aback if a mum goes on frequent long holidays without her young children. And don’t get me started on mums who push all the playtime to their helpers.
I have watched another mum choose differently from me and felt that small, ugly spark of superiority.
I do not like admitting this. It makes me come across as petty and self-righteous – and I know that, in those moments, I am.
So why are mums so rigid with their rulebooks? And why do we judge others when we hate being judged?"
Winning at what cost? More children getting hurt amid growing pressure to excel in youth sports (3 July 2026)
"Gwenaelle Mak was just five years old when she fell in love with artistic gymnastics.
At age six, when most of her kindergarten peers were learning how to ride a bicycle, Gwenaelle was doing cartwheels with ease and preparing for competitions.
From Primary 5, she began representing her school at the National School Games (NSG) and competed in other competitions such as the National Championships and Singapore Open.
From training once a week, the frequency of her sessions increased to eight hours weekly, three times a week when she started to compete for her school and a club.
She continued to love her sport, but the intensity of the training caught up with her body.
Gwenaelle, who is now 16, said that as the frequency of training increased, the risk of injury was higher.
In Secondary 2, she experienced heavy swelling in her knee that would not go away despite lighter training. An MRI scan confirmed that she had a torn meniscus, a condition that could have been caused by too much training or a bad landing.
Her doctor recommended surgery, because it is hard for the meniscus to heal by itself. And at her age, she had a good chance of making a full recovery.
She went ahead with the operation, which required just an overnight stay in the hospital but nine months of physiotherapy. Six months after her surgery, she was able to return to a scaled-down training routine.
Gwenaelle is one of a growing number of young athletes seeking treatment for sports-related injuries.
Both KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and the National University Hospital (NUH), which are the only two public hospitals in Singapore that admit paediatric orthopaedic cases, said that they have observed a growing number of such cases. They were, however, unable to provide any figures.
As children here increasingly take part in sports and competitive sports from a young age, health experts are concerned that such injuries among young athletes will only continue to grow and have a lasting effect on their health as adults.
INJURIES PREVALENT AMONG YOUNG ATHLETES
Doctors who spoke to CNA TODAY said that the age when young athletes are most affected is between eight and 15 years, because this is a period of rapid growth.
Children and teenagers have growth plates, also known as epiphyseal plates, which are specialised areas of cartilage located near the ends of long bones, where new cartilage continually forms. Once puberty ends, these plates harden into solid bone, allowing bones to lengthen.
In the meantime, the growth plates with the softer cartilage are vulnerable to repetitive loading, because they are weaker than the surrounding bones.
In contact sports such as football and rugby, high-impact collisions could cause trauma-related growth plate fractures.
Doctors said that the common injuries they see in young athletes are acute ones such as fractures, sprained ankles, kneecap dislocations, as well as injuries linked to the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the knee.
At NUH, up to 50 per cent of teenagers treated for the first time by the orthopaedic department suffer from acute injuries or chronic complaints related to sports."
Team Singapore athlete charged with sex offences (6 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A Team Singapore athlete has been charged with sexual offences against a 12-year-old girl when he was 17.
As the alleged offences occurred when the accused was below 18, he cannot be identified under the Children and Young Persons Act.
The accused faces two charges of rape and one charge of committing an indecent act with a child by kissing her lips.
The three charges arise from one incident at a housing block in Bukit Batok.
According to court records, he got to know the alleged victim online.
A gag order has been issued protecting her identity.
In response to queries from CNA, the associations linked to the sport the accused engages in said they learnt of the charges on Jul 2.
This was when the accused returned to court for a further mention of his case.
“Pending the outcome of the court proceedings and our own review into the matter, we have suspended his carding support with immediate effect,” said the associations.
“We take such matters seriously. Team Singapore athletes are expected to uphold high standards of conduct. Where athletes are found to have fallen short of these standards, we will not hesitate to take the appropriate disciplinary actions.”
Former infant care teacher jailed for force-feeding toddler until she vomited (8 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A former infant care teacher was sentenced to 14 months' jail on Wednesday (Jul 8) for force-feeding a toddler until she vomited.
When an informant reported that child abuse was taking place at the preschool, a review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage revealed that the same teacher had been rough towards two babies.
The 37-year-old Singaporean woman pleaded guilty to one charge of ill-treating a child in her care, with another two similar charges taken into consideration.
The woman cannot be named as the court imposed gag orders on her identity and the identity of the victim, which covers the name of the preschool.
THE CASE
The court heard that the woman was an infant care teacher at the preschool from 2022 to Oct 2, 2024.
She was tasked with caring for about 10 infants who were aged between two and 18 months. Her duties included changing diapers, feeding and conducting activities and lessons.
A couple enrolled their daughter at the school from February 2024.
On Sep 23, 2024, the woman was caring for the girl, who was then 12 months old, along with three other infants.
At about 11.50am that day, the woman took the four children into the preschool's nap room to drink milk and sleep.
Each child was placed on a mattress and given a milk bottle to drink from.
At about 11.56am, the victim stopped drinking but left milk in her bottle.
The teacher noticed this and put the bottle back in the girl's mouth. The girl turned her head away and refused to drink.
The teacher took the child into her lap and tried to feed her again, but the girl would not drink. Instead, she began to cry.
The teacher held the bottle to the girl's mouth a few times but the toddler refused to drink. She struggled, turning her head around and kicking.
The teacher then placed the child back on her mattress and patted her back a few times to calm her down so that she could finish her milk.
After trying a few more times, the teacher used her hand to hold the child's head while pushing the bottle into her mouth.
She also pressed down on her head and force-fed the child by squeezing milk into her mouth.
The toddler spat the milk out. When she later struggled, the teacher hit her body with her hand.
The teacher then force-fed the victim for two minutes, causing the child to kick her legs and swing her arms.
The child vomited over the mattress and floor after the teacher briefly removed the bottle.
In response, the teacher hit the child's head with her hand, pulled her upwards by her hands and carried her off the mattress in order to remove the bedsheet.
The woman hit the victim's back three times before taking the child out of the room.
She later admitted to doing these acts as she was upset that the toddler was crying a lot."
Over 850 fewer spots in Phase 2A of 2026 Primary 1 registration exercise (8 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: One primary school will not be accepting any children of alumni in this year’s Primary 1 registration exercise – Canossa Catholic Primary School.
According to data released by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Wednesday (Jul 8), there are 867 fewer spots in Phase 2A across all primary schools.
MOE cut the Primary 1 intake for most schools earlier this year in view of significantly falling student cohort sizes in 2027 and the coming years.
At the time, MOE said the cuts would minimise the need for school mergers or relocations and maintain a good geographical spread of primary schools for students across Singapore.
Canossa Catholic Primary School, which has 120 spaces in total, saw 61 students apply in Phase 1, which is for students whose siblings are currently in the school.
With 60 spaces reserved for Phases 2B and 2C, it means there is no open spot in Phase 2A, which is predominantly for children of alumni.
Children whose parents are staff members at the school, or members of the school advisory or management committee, also come under this phase.
Those who attended an MOE kindergarten under the purview of and located within the primary school can also apply under Phase 2A.
The school combined with Canossian School in 2025 to become a mainstream primary school designated to support pupils with moderate to significant hearing loss who can go through the national primary curriculum and use the oral approach.
Last year, it had 19 open spots in Phase 2A.
Compared to 2025, there were 1,460 fewer spots available in 2026 overall. Of the 179 primary schools in Singapore, 61 cut their intake but 12 schools increased the number of spaces."
From The Awakening to Unbeatables: An exhibition tracing the history of Mandarin TV in Singapore (9 July 2026)
"TV buffs can trace the history of local Mandarin television dramas in a new special exhibition jointly presented by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and Mediacorp.
Singapore TV: From Local to Global – taking place from now until Jan 26, 2027 – brings together original costumes, artefacts, photographs, magazines and multimedia installations from drama productions from the 1960s to the present day.
The exhibition has five zones, each covering a different era in the history of television dramas.
Look out for personal artefacts on loan from artistes, like Aileen Tan’s Star Search trophy from 1988 and Fann Wong’s Most Popular Newcomer trophy from Star Search 1995 (what else should she win next?).
There’s also a display of iconic costumes from memorable dramas, including Xie Shaoguang’s monk costume from The Legend Of Ji-Gong, Zoe Tay and Li Nanxing’s evening wear from The Unbeatables and the robes worn by Christopher Lee and Fann Wong in The Return Of The Condor Heroes.
Even the Golden Pillow makes an appearance, mounted on its very own pedestal. Put your ear close to it and you’ll hear a whispered message.
The exhibition’s other interactive experiences include a “dubbing booth” where you can test out your own talents at voicing lines from Good Morning, Sir!; a podium where you can give your own Star Awards acceptance speech and make it however long you want it; and photo opportunities with props like playing cards a la The Unbeatables, and Ah Shui and Ah Mei’s umbrella and bag from The Awakening."
From The Awakening to Unbeatables: An exhibition tracing the history of Mandarin TV in Singapore (9 July 2026)
"TV buffs can trace the history of local Mandarin television dramas in a new special exhibition jointly presented by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and Mediacorp.
Singapore TV: From Local to Global – taking place from now until Jan 26, 2027 – brings together original costumes, artefacts, photographs, magazines and multimedia installations from drama productions from the 1960s to the present day.
The exhibition has five zones, each covering a different era in the history of television dramas.
Look out for personal artefacts on loan from artistes, like Aileen Tan’s Star Search trophy from 1988 and Fann Wong’s Most Popular Newcomer trophy from Star Search 1995 (what else should she win next?).
There’s also a display of iconic costumes from memorable dramas, including Xie Shaoguang’s monk costume from The Legend Of Ji-Gong, Zoe Tay and Li Nanxing’s evening wear from The Unbeatables and the robes worn by Christopher Lee and Fann Wong in The Return Of The Condor Heroes.
Even the Golden Pillow makes an appearance, mounted on its very own pedestal. Put your ear close to it and you’ll hear a whispered message.
The exhibition’s other interactive experiences include a “dubbing booth” where you can test out your own talents at voicing lines from Good Morning, Sir!; a podium where you can give your own Star Awards acceptance speech and make it however long you want it; and photo opportunities with props like playing cards a la The Unbeatables, and Ah Shui and Ah Mei’s umbrella and bag from The Awakening."
‘Not discipline, but torment’: Accommodations manager pleads guilty to abusing 6-year-old boy (9 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A man who looked after primary school students pleaded guilty on Thursday (Jul 9) to beating a six-year-old boy with a hanger more than 600 times, forcing him to hold a push-up position for hours and making him sleep in the toilet and drink his own urine.
The boy suffered severe injuries as a result, including to his ribs, lungs and kidneys, and was hospitalised for 46 days.
The man also pleaded guilty to abusing two other victims, aged 10 and 11.
The 31-year-old Singaporean, who cannot be named to protect the identities of his victims, took care of young foreign students who lived in accommodation provided by the company he worked for, which was owned by his aunt.
He was responsible for managing the accommodation and teaching the primary school students Mathematics and English, despite having no teaching or childcare qualifications.
In one incident, after noticing that the 10-year-old boy did not do his homework, the man demanded an explanation. Upon failing to get one, he punched and slapped the boy in the face at least five times, the court heard.
He punched the boy in the face multiple times again when he could not answer one of the questions while doing his homework.
The next day, the boy’s teachers observed the bruise on his cheek and the school counsellor lodged a police report.
The man also made the two older boys hold a push-up position and hit them with a hanger multiple times.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Timotheus Koh and Cheronne Lim asked for between nine years and six weeks' to 10 years and eight weeks' jail for the man, on top of six strokes of the cane.
Most of the man’s actions were captured on CCTV, and the videos “really show the extent of the depravity” of his actions and the cruelty he inflicted on his young victims, said Mr Koh, adding that the videos are very difficult to watch.
The prolonged nature of making the boys hold a push-up position and using a hanger, which the prosecution considered dangerous equipment, are aggravating factors, he said.
The 10-year-old boy even suffered a hanger-shaped bruise on his back, a testament to how much force the man used, he noted.
As for his abuse of the six-year-old boy, Mr Koh highlighted that the man, who performed caregiving duties, breached the trust the boy and the boy’s parents had in him when he subjected the boy to “not discipline, but torment”."
Marriages in Singapore dip by 6.2% in 2025, couples having children later (9 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The number of marriages in Singapore fell by 6.2 per cent to 24,688 in 2025 from 26,328 the year before, according to the family trends report released by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on Friday (Jul 10)."
The last time there were fewer marriages was in the COVID-19 year of 2020, when 22,651 marriages were registered. This is the third straight year that the number of marriages has dipped."
Of the marriages last year, 19,682 were civil marriages, down from 21,144 in 2024."
The number of civil marriages fell across all age groups last year, with a larger decrease in marriages involving grooms and brides aged 25 to 34, relative to other age groups.
Muslim marriages fell to 5,006 last year from 5,184 in 2024. This was also mainly due to the decrease in marriages among grooms and brides aged 25 to 34, relative to other age groups."
Responding to queries from CNA on why this age group saw the biggest drop, an MSF spokesperson said that similar to many advanced societies, Singapore has seen a gradual shift towards later marriage due to changing societal norms and shifting personal priorities."
About 27.3 per cent of citizen marriages last year were between a Singaporean and a non-resident."
Among such marriages, 70.9 per cent were between a Singaporean groom and a non-resident bride."
The report also showed that the median age at first marriage has increased over the past decade."
For grooms, it rose to 31.1 years last year, from 30.3 years in 2015. For brides, it increased to 29.6 years last year, from 28.2 years in 2015."
This is the third year MSF is releasing a family trends report."
Besides marriage trends, the 2025 report also looked at the resilience of families."
“Resilience is the ability to cope with and adapt to challenges and adversity and bounce back from difficult life events,” said MSF."
“A resilient family makes for better individual well-being and stronger communities. It is important that we continue our efforts in nurturing resilient families.”"
A 2025 MSF survey on families found that 90.7 per cent of families reported moderate to high family resilience scores, an increase from 85.9 per cent in 2023."
The survey also found that nearly 95 per cent of married respondents were happy with their marriage."
About 92.8 per cent felt their relationship was going well, and about 78.3 per cent said they would frequently confide in their spouse."
The survey also found that 88.3 per cent said they rarely or never considered ending their marriage."
Speaking at the National Family Festival appreciation event at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said the ministry will continue to partner with the community to strengthen family resilience across generations."
"Family begins with each one of us – in the everyday interactions we share with our loved ones, and in our collective commitment to Singapore’s families," he added."
The findings on marital quality are derived from the MSF survey on families, which is a face-to-face survey conducted every two years. The marital quality findings are from the survey conducted in 2025."
The survey sample consists of about 3,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents aged 15 and above. The sample is generally representative of Singapore’s population after weighting by gender, age group, housing type, and race."
Family resilience was measured using the 32-item Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire. Respondents rated each indicator on a 5-point scale ranging from rarely/never to almost always. A composite score is then derived based on the average score of the 32 items."
DISSOLUTIONS
The report also examined marriage dissolution trends. The dissolution of a marriage is the legal process of ending a marriage, either through divorce or annulment."
Last year, a total of 7,242 marriages ended in a divorce or an annulment, a 1.9 per cent decrease from the 7,382 dissolutions in 2024."
The median age at divorce rose over the last 10 years, from 42.9 years in 2015 to 44.3 years in 2025 for men, and from 38.8 years to 41.2 years for women."
Couples who married from 2006 to 2014 had lower dissolution rates before their 10th anniversary than those in the 2005 marriage cohort."
The cumulative proportion of marriages that dissolved before the 10th anniversary fell from 17 per cent for the 2005 marriage cohort to 13.5 per cent for the 2014 marriage cohort."
“The most significant improvement was seen in the fall in dissolution rates for Muslim marriages,” MSF said."
“While the rate for Muslim marriages remained higher than that of civil marriages across all cohorts, the gap has narrowed significantly for more recent marriage cohorts.”
Among dissolved marriages, the highest proportion occurred between the fifth and 10th anniversaries. After the 10th anniversary, increases in dissolution rates at each subsequent five-year interval were smaller."
For example, 7 per cent of the 2004 resident marriage cohort had dissolved before the fifth anniversary. Another 9.3 per cent of this marriage cohort ended their marriage before the 10th anniversary, bringing the total proportion dissolved by then to 16.3 per cent."
Subsequent increases were smaller, bringing the total proportion of dissolved marriages in the 2004 cohort to 21.5 per cent before the 15th anniversary and 24.7 per cent before the 20th anniversary."
“This suggests that it is crucial to support marriages in the early years to build a strong foundation to withstand future challenges,” MSF said."
Based on dissolution rates before the 10th anniversary, dissolution rates for marriages involving men who married at ages 20 to 24 years are consistently the highest.
PARENTHOOD
The report showed that Singapore residents are also becoming parents later in life."
Last year, the median age of first-time fathers increased to 33.8 years from 32.9 years in 2015."
Similarly, the median age for first-time mothers increased to 32.1 years from 30.5 years in 2015."
Singapore’s total fertility rate remained at a record low of 0.87 in 2025, marking the third consecutive year it has remained below 1."
Having two children remained the most common among ever-married resident women in Singapore."
Among ever-married women aged 40 to 49, those with two children made up the largest group, accounting for 40.5 per cent in 2025. This is a decrease from 42.4 per cent in 2015."
Over the same period, the proportion of women with no children increased to 16.1 per cent from 11.6 per cent."
The proportion of women with one child rose to 25.5 per cent from 22.3 per cent."
The report also showed that 61 per cent of fathers with children born in 2024 took government-paid paternity leave, up from 56 per cent in 2023."
His parents sold their home to fund his education. Now this Singaporean has a Harvard PhD (10 July 2026)
"When Dr Joel Tan, 37, took the stage at the Harvard Medical School-Affiliated PhD Programs Hooding Ceremony on May 28, going viral was the last thing on his mind.
To an audience that included 167 of his fellow doctoral students and his beaming parents, he opened up about being rejected from two of Singapore's public universities before making it to the world-renowned Harvard's doctorate programme.
In a matter of days, his speech amassed more than 23,000 views on YouTube and made headlines in Singapore media outlets. Clips from his address were reshared endlessly on social media, particularly the moment where he earnestly proclaimed: "Talent is everywhere; opportunity is not." One LinkedIn think piece quipped: "C's and D's to PhDs".
It's a compelling comeback story: the late bloomer seemingly stifled in Singapore's demanding education system eventually makes it to one of the top universities not just in the United States, but the world.
To date, it's been about 15 years since Dr Tan has been in Singapore. However, his viral speech prompted hundreds of people from his homeland – acquaintances, long-lost friends and even strangers – to reach out to him to congratulate him and also share their own stories.
"That has probably been the most meaningful part of the whole experience,” he told me over a Zoom call from his home in Boston.
For Dr Tan, the experience has been tuning him into the dialogues sparked among Singaporeans on whether all types of learners can thrive in Singapore's carefully structured, high-pressure education system.
It has also taken him on several trips down memory lane, helping him put his past academic struggles into perspective.
"I used to think that my educational path was unusual, but so many people have told me that...they were also late bloomers. They also struggled in school and felt like they were falling behind in Singapore," he said.
"I think (these people) and I are part of a small but important minority for whom the system really didn't work as well as intended."
In Dr Tan's view, however, there's nothing inherently wrong with Singapore’s merit-based system. In fact, he credits a lot of his later success in university to the academic foundation and training he received in Singapore.
"My path was not straightforward, but it definitely taught me a lot of discipline and perseverance, and that no one really gets anywhere by themselves."
A CHILDHOOD SHAPED BY CURIOSITY
By most measures, Dr Tan is successful in his field – he has a PhD in biological and biomedical sciences, been published in the prestigious journal Nature and has now even managed to achieve some level of internet renown.
Yet, Dr Tan remains humble, almost to the point of self-deprecation. More than a few times, he apologised for rambling during our chat despite my assurances that I did indeed want to hear all about his life.
As we talked about the elements that paved the way for his perhaps unlikely success, he enthused about the people who had given him opportunities: his parents, mentors, and the educational institutions that opened doors to him.
While the bespectacled scholar was more reticent when it came to discussing his own part in his achievements, he admitted to feeling vindicated.
"None of the things that I've accomplished, especially in Harvard, were easy. I was only able to do these things by putting in a lot of time and a lot of hard work.”
And his vindication is perhaps warranted. After all, there was a time when many – including Dr Tan himself – had felt that he might not be cut out for higher education, let alone a successful career in academia.
According to Dr Tan's old report books, his teachers at Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) all noted that he was an outgoing and friendly child. He excelled in home economics and was good enough at badminton to make the school team.
Even as a boy, he already had an innate curiosity in the world around him. Seeing tree leaves fluttering around the playground would have him wondering how photosynthesis worked. Watching fish dart around under the surface of a lake, he'd puzzle over how fish breathed underwater.
He broke into an easy smile as he recalled his "very active" primary school years. "I just wanted to know everything, and I wanted to talk to everyone."
The youngest of three children, he recalled little academic pressure from his parents. Even though his Malaysian-born father and Taiwanese mother had chosen to settle in Singapore due to its strong education system and economic prospects, they insisted that he find and follow his passions.
Whenever his homemaker mother needed to run errands, she would often drop him off at public libraries, where he frequently gravitated towards the science section.
“I was probably looking at books that were far too advanced for me at the time," he said, grinning, "but I remember loving the feeling that there were answers in those pages.”
They shut themselves away for years. Now these hidden youth are trying to return to the world (11 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The first time Danzel Panniachelvam tried to disappear, he was a primary school pupil hiding under his bed. He had told his mother he was being bullied in school.
By Secondary 1, he had stopped attending classes. By age 19, his world had shrunk almost entirely to his family’s flat as he slept the days away, gamed through the night and avoided almost all contact with the outside world.
“He doesn’t want to see anybody,” said his mother, Aludia Cabigunda Panniachelvam. “The doctor’s diagnosis is extreme depression. He’s afraid to go out.”
The years of inactivity has also weakened his legs and affected his balance, leaving him in need of physiotherapy. But even leaving home for medical appointments can overwhelm him.
To reach him, case worker Tan Yang Hong had to start small and consistently show up once every fortnight for six months.
“A lot of what I did with Danzel was to...try and engage him as much as possible,” Tan said.
Such is the slow, often invisible work involved in helping Singapore’s hidden youth — young people whose withdrawal is not simply shyness, defiance or a preference for staying at home.
For many of them, retreating from the world becomes a way to cope with their fears until it hardens into a way of life over the months and years.
Better known by the Japanese term, hikikomori, hidden youth isolate themselves from school or work and social life for at least six months. Some never leave their bedrooms. Others can venture outside but only with trusted companions by their side.
While the phenomenon was first recognised in Japan, social workers in Singapore say they are now seeing more young people retreat from education, friendships and, in severe cases, their own families."
The parenting mistake many of us make when our child is left out (11 July 2026)
"Last Christmas, my daughter was almost banished from a kingdom.
She and my friend's daughter, both under seven years old, were happily playing make-believe at my new friend's home when, suddenly, the game changed.
My friend's child crowned herself queen in their imaginary world and brusquely told my daughter that she couldn't be queen, too.
My instinct was to dethrone the tiny sovereign. But I decided not to get into any disagreement with her parents, so I held my tongue and redirected their play instead.
Other parents I spoke to had similar stories about exclusion.
One friend's five-year-old didn't get to attend a kindergarten classmate's birthday party after the host rescinded the invitation sent to the whole class, claiming the response from my friend was late – even though there was no deadline stated.
One parenting expert recalled how her six-year-old son was shooed away when he asked to join a football kickaround at the playground, with boys shouting, "Go play with the girls". He left the playground in tears.
Another friend said her bright, bookish son was repeatedly left out of game and movie nights throughout his upper primary and secondary school days, because his schoolmates assumed that he "would not enjoy such activities".
At 17, he still struggles with self-doubt and finds it difficult to form new friendships, she added.
While occasional rejection is an inevitable part of growing up, parenting experts and counsellors cautioned that deliberate and repeated exclusion can leave children questioning their self-worth – and that how parents respond in those moments may matter more than the exclusion itself.
Early brain development specialist Patricia Zoey Tan, 54, from The Early Brain Academy, which offers mentorship programmes for parents with children under three, said that the effects of exclusion are generally felt more acutely in the teenage years, because adolescents are more emotionally sensitive and self-aware.
They are also likelier to see social media posts about events they are left out of, making exclusion feel even more acute.
Parenting educator Jacinth Liew, 40, said brain scans show that exclusion activates the same part of the prefrontal cortex that feels physical pain – especially when it is sustained and involves a clear imbalance of power.
The founder of Our Little Play Nest, which provides teaching resources as well as courses for parents, added: "If it's a chronic case of exclusion and bullying, the challenge is that the child is going to feel that it is about them. This could affect their confidence and their ability to make new friends."
So how should parents respond when their children are being excluded? And can these experiences build resilience?
SUPPORT, DON'T RESCUE
Experts generally cautioned parents against jumping in to defend their children too quickly.
Doing so may signal to the children that they are powerless to manage difficult situations on their own.
Behavioural therapist and parenting coach Claire Chong said a parent's role is to provide emotional safety, not instant solutions.
Ms Chong, 37, who has two children aged six and two, added: "Many parents understandably feel intense protective instincts when their children are excluded.
"Sometimes, our own childhood wounds get activated, too. We remember what it felt like not to belong."
Rather than removing obstacles, parents should first sit with their children's hurt, frustration or confusion, and reassure them that their feelings make sense.
When children feel emotionally understood, their nervous systems settle down and they can begin to problem-solve, she added.
Once children are in the problem-solving mode, parents can guide them towards agency."
The real cost of having children is not diapers, childcare and tuition (11 July 2026)
"Before the Child LifeSG credits expired on Jul 6, I posted a well-meaning reminder on my Instagram account.
I assumed only a handful of parents needed this reminder, and that most would have already used the credits to offset their expenses. However, to my surprise, I was mistaken.
Many parents around me suddenly realised they were "richer". Some had forgotten about the credits entirely, while others knew vaguely that they had received something, but had not figured out how to use them before the deadline.
These Child LifeSG credits were introduced by the government last year to families with Singaporean children aged 12 and below to help defray household expenses. Eligible families received S$500 (US$387) per child via the LifeSG mobile app.
For a family like mine with two children, S$1,000 covers groceries, diapers, school supplies, enrichment classes or a month of childcare-related expenses.
Yet the fact that many parents had not spent or claimed the credits struck me as surprising, because I often hear fellow parents say the same thing: raising a child in Singapore is expensive.
When my husband and I contemplated having kids, we considered the obvious financial expenses like pregnancy check-ups, delivery fees, infant care and milk powder, among other things.
But now as a mother of two, I've realised that when questioning whether a couple can afford a child, the answer isn't a simple mathematical calculation of tallying the long laundry list of expenses.
Sure, necessities and enrichment costs do add up. But there's also the potential cost of trying to sustain our pre-parenthood lifestyle with a child in the mix.
How willing are we to adjust our regular routines? Can we still save, invest and afford a holiday or two alongside a baby?
THE HIDDEN COSTS
When people discuss the cost of having children, we often focus on the obvious financial expenses.
Diapers. Medical bills. Childcare. Birthday parties. Family holidays. Domestic help. The list goes on and on.
Beyond that, there's also the cost of wanting our children to have the opportunity to be their better selves, such as signing them up for enrichment classes to broaden their horizons or tuition classes to help them keep up with the academic rigour of our education system.
These are real costs, but they are only part of the picture.
The bigger adjustment is that the arrival of a child changes the financial structure and rhythm of a household.
Before having children, a couple may be able to survive comfortably on two incomes. They can eat out, travel, save, invest and recover from financial mistakes more easily. If one person loses a job, the other person’s income can help cushion the blow.
After having children, the same household may suddenly have higher fixed expenses and less flexibility. A couple who previously felt financially comfortable may start to feel stretched because the disposable income they could once set aside for a rainy day is now needed for childcare expenses. The margin of safety they once had has disappeared.
One parent might also opt to put their career on hold to focus on parenting for a few years.
This is where many couples underestimate the real cost of parenthood. It isn't just simply affording to pay the bills, but also whether one’s household can still function well when life becomes less predictable."
Eligible Singaporean children to receive S$500 in Child LifeSG credits from Jul 14 (13 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Eligible families will receive S$500 (US$386) in Child LifeSG Credits for each Singaporean child aged 12 and below, with disbursements starting from Tuesday (Jul 14).
Singaporean children born between 2014 and 2025 will receive the credits from Jul 14, 2026.
Those born in 2026 will receive the payout in April 2027, said the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
Announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Budget 2026, the payout adds to a similar S$500 top-up disbursed to more than 450,000 children in 2025, as part of continued government support for child-raising expenses.
The credits can be used at physical and online merchants that accept PayNow UEN QR and NETS QR payments. Families can use them to offset household expenses such as groceries, utilities and pharmacy items.
The Child LifeSG Credits will be automatically credited to the Child Development Account (CDA) trustee of eligible children, based on MSF records as at Jun 1, 2026. No application is required.
Trustees can access the credits via the LifeSG application and will be notified by SMS once the credits have been credited to their digital wallet in the app.
To safeguard against scams, MSF said the SMS notifications will only be sent from “gov.sg”.
"The SMS notifications will only contain information on the disbursement status and related terms and conditions. Trustees will not be asked to reply to the SMS or provide personal information," the ministry added."
A*STAR launches S$150m study on adolescent health and development (13 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) will launch a five-year, S$150 million (US$115.9 million) initiative to study youths aged 10 to 24, covering sleep, early childhood development and digital media use.
Announcing the initiative on Monday (Jul 13), the agency said it would work with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and other partners to study about 5,000 adolescents to generate Singapore-specific evidence on youth development.
Most existing research on adolescence is based on Western populations, limiting its relevance to Asian societies where cultural norms shape youth experiences differently, said researchers from A*STAR's Institute for Human Development and Potential.
While the first 1,000 days of life are a critical window for development of the body, brain and immune system, adolescence marks a crucial "second window of opportunity", they said.
Adolescents experience rapid physical growth during this period, said Professor Johan Eriksson, the institute's executive director.
"The brain is developing really rapidly, and there are a lot of things happening otherwise, hormone-wise. And there's also a change in social, family relationships," he added.
"This is a period that we need to research much more. To be really honest, very little has been done in this research before, so I would say that what we are going to do now is novel."
The study comes amid growing public concerns over youth mental health, lifestyle and digital habits, A*STAR said on Monday. “It seeks to address the lack of longitudinal evidence in Singapore and Asia to guide policies, programmes and interventions.”
Gaps remain in understanding adolescent development, particularly how early life experiences and social changes shape outcomes over time, the researchers said.
Other studies, such as the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes study, have looked at specific aspects of child development here, but this initiative aims to harmonise data across studies and "put everything together", said Prof Eriksson.
Most previous studies in Singapore and elsewhere focused on a single aspect of adolescent health, such as mental well-being, he added.
Singapore's population also has a slightly different genetic background compared with Western populations, as well as distinct cultural differences, Prof Eriksson said.
"The family means much more and in a different way to Singaporeans than it means to many Western populations. Schooling and the stress sometimes associated with achievements in school are different compared to many Western populations," he added."
SingPost to release National Day stamps inspired by historic 1966 design (13 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: At a glance, the two sets of stamps look similar - four characters from different walks of life against a backdrop of buildings.
Take a closer look and the advancements Singapore has made in the past 61 years shine in the background of the 2026 commemorative stamp set for National Day.
The collection, which will be released on Aug 7, pays tribute to the nation's very first independence anniversary stamps, Singapore Post said in a media release on Monday (Jul 13).
The commemorative issue reimagines the 1966 set of stamps that carried the theme Surviving in a Challenging Future in a Multi-Racial Society.
Depicting workers from diverse communities, the stamps featured housing blocks and industrial infrastructure in the background.
The 1966 stamps also hold a singular place in Singapore’s philatelic record, said SingPost.
"Issued to mark the first anniversary of independence, they remain the only Singapore stamps ever to bear the full formal name Republic of Singapore. Every issue since, beginning with the Masks and Dances definitive series in 1968, has carried simply Singapore."
"The original 1966 stamp series was a purposeful declaration of our new statehood, capturing the sense of optimism, vision and progress for the nation,” said former Chairman of the Stamp Advisory Committee, Lim Chong Jin, who oversaw the selection of this year’s National Day stamp.
In a move to reflect the shift from nation-building to global connectivity and sustainability, the 2026 version offers three landscapes - the changed Singapore central business district skyline, blocks of flats alongside an MRT train and high-rise buildings decked in greenery alongside the Gardens by the Bay Supertree and drones.
"When the suggestion of remaking the iconic 1966 series was first mooted, the committee saw a historic milestone to celebrate exactly how far we have travelled as a nation," said Mr Lim."
Prosecution to check if teen who licked iJooz straw will have student pass cancelled; case adjourned (13 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A teenager who posted a video of himself licking a straw and returning it to an iJooz vending machine was meant to plead guilty on Monday (Jul 13), but the case was adjourned at the prosecution's request.
The prosecutor said she was checking with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on whether 19-year-old French national Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien would have his student pass cancelled upon conviction.
This may have an impact on his sentencing, said State Prosecuting Officer Sukhdev Kaur.
Maximilien faces one charge each of public nuisance and mischief over the incident at Goldhill Centre on Mar 12. He is accused of licking a straw, placing it back into the straw dispenser of an iJooz machine and posting a video of the act on his Instagram Story.
The act caused iJooz to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser, worth S$5 (US$3.90) in total, the charge states.
PROBATION POSSIBILITY?
Maximilien is represented by Mr Kalidass Murugaiyan and Mr Kanthan Raghavendra.
When asked by District Judge Kelly Ho, Mr Murugaiyan explained that his client was not in Singapore on an exchange programme, but as a student-pass holder.
Part of Maximilien's programme requires him to have a stint in France from September to the end of this year, said the lawyer.
When the judge asked how probation as sought by the defence would work in that situation, Mr Murugaiyan said the feasibility of probation could be assessed if a probation suitability report is called for.
He said he was in the process of working with Maximilien to see if he can come back for interviews at certain periods.
If he does not make the trip to France, he cannot complete the programme, said the lawyer.
Maximilien's school, ESSEC Business School, earlier said it was aware of the incident and that internal investigations were underway.
In response, Ms Kaur said the prosecution was checking with ICA on whether Maximilien's student pass would be cancelled upon conviction.
This may have an impact on his sentencing, and the prosecution will review its sentencing position pending ICA's reply, she said.
She asked for an adjournment of four to six weeks but did not object to a shorter adjournment of three weeks.
The guilty plea was fixed for Jul 30."
Commentary: AI has changed the way my students write and that worries me (14 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: In recent semesters, something has changed in the way some students in my ethics and communications classes write.
In the past, students who wrote well often wrote differently, some more direct, some conversational. Some took risks with unusual examples or arguments. Even weaker writers tended to have recognisable habits or ways of framing ideas.
Increasingly, however, I find myself reading submissions that feel polished but interchangeable. Arguments arrive neatly packaged: a balanced introduction, three structured points, a counterargument followed by a conclusion that sounds thoughtful without saying very much. The same phrases emerge even when discussing entirely different topics.
The answer, unsurprisingly, has been generative AI.
To be clear, this is not an extensive issue. But even a handful of such cases worries me, especially given the recent announcement that students across Singapore’s institutes of higher learning will learn AI skills tailored to their fields of study from 2027.
Students now have access to powerful tools. When they begin to believe that having access to well-phrased answers is the same as developing genuine knowledge and understanding, that will be the problem.
Take the example of my student who submitted a piece with the terms “social responsibility” and “ethical implications”. When I asked what those terms meant in relation to his example, the student could only repeat the phrase rather than explain his reasoning.
In the end, the student admitted to using AI to generate ideas and structure the piece, because “I didn’t know how to start”.
Students sometimes submit carefully balanced arguments on controversial issues, but struggle when asked which side they personally find more convincing or why. Other times, they stumble when asked why they chose a particular example or source, before admitting that it was because it “fit the argument” rather than because they fully understood it.
In the past, these would have been revealed with weak writing. The argument might be underdeveloped or students might struggle to connect the evidence to the claim. These showed us educators where the thinking had broken down. Now, AI can cover over some of those cracks.
WHY ORIGINAL WRITING MATTERS
In many cases, students are not trying to deceive anyone. Perhaps they are unsure how to begin, or they use it to improve their language or organise ideas they already have. Used thoughtfully, AI can be a valuable learning aid.
But has the student made a genuine choice in the argument? Can they defend their claim when challenged? Can they restate their argument in their own words?
These questions matter because a piece of writing is not the final product. In higher education, writing is one of the ways students learn to think, notice what is important, organise complexity, weigh competing ideas and develop judgment.
Students need to experience the discomfort of thinking without immediate assistance, a process educational psychologists call the productive struggle. Because that discomfort is often where learning begins.
Already, research suggests that while AI can improve writing fluency and efficiency of written outputs, heavy reliance on these tools may also reduce opportunities for deeper engagement with ideas, independent problem-solving and the kind of cognitive effort that supports deeper learning. This has implications beyond the classroom when students graduate into the workforce."
2027 school year to start on Jan 4 and end on Nov 19 (14 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The 2027 school year for all Ministry of Education (MOE) kindergartens, primary and secondary schools will begin on Jan 4 and end on Nov 19.
Primary 1 and Kindergarten 1 pupils will start school on Jan 4, while students in Kindergarten 2 and Primary 2 to 6 will report to school a day later on Jan 5.
For schools used as venues for the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education (SEC) written examinations, the final school term will end earlier on Oct 29, the ministry said on Tuesday (Jul 14).
Those entering their first year in junior colleges (JCs) and Millennia Institute (MI) will start on Feb 3, with the rest of the JC and MI students starting earlier, on Jan 11.
VACATIONS IN 2027
The March holidays for all schools will run from Mar 13 to 21, while the June holidays will start on May 29 and end on Jun 27.
September holidays are scheduled from Sep 4 to 12.
MOE Kindergartens, primary and secondary schools will begin their year-end vacations on Nov 20, while JC and MI students not taking the GCE A-Level examinations will start their break on Nov 27.
Those taking the A-Level examinations will have their break after their assessments end."
35 schools oversubscribed in Phase 2A of Primary 1 registration exercise (15 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A total of 35 schools were oversubscribed in Phase 2A of the Primary 1 registration exercise this year, a drop from last year, based on data released by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Wednesday (Jul 15).
The most oversubscribed school in Phase 2A this year was Red Swastika School in Bedok, with 88 applicants for 24 spaces.
Applications under Phase 2A started at 9am on Jul 9 and concluded at 4.30pm on Jul 10. One school – Canossa Catholic Primary – will not take in any children in this phase of the exercise.
With 120 spaces in total, 61 students applied to the school in Phase 1, which is for students whose siblings are currently in the school. 60 spaces are typically reserved for Phases 2B and 2C.
According to MOE’s website, all eligible Phase 1 applicants will be offered a place in the school they applied to. This is why Canossa Catholic Primary has 59 spaces available for Phases 2B and 2C, and no open spots for Phase 2A.
The next two most oversubscribed schools were Princess Elizabeth Primary School in Bukit Batok, with 137 applicants for 47 spaces and Shuqun Primary School in Jurong West, with 93 applicants for 32 spaces, the data showed.
Princess Elizabeth Primary was also among the top three most oversubscribed schools last year."
Some fresh grads endure tough job hunts, even with thousands of entry-level PMET job openings (16 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: When he was a junior college student, Mr Ng Rui Jie did not put much effort into getting a scholarship that would bind him to a government job, because he simply did not expect a difficult job search after university.
Today, the 25-year-old National University of Singapore (NUS) computer science graduate wishes he had a scholarship bond to serve. It would have meant a guaranteed job.
“I do feel a bit regretful,” Mr Ng told CNA. Despite submitting more than 120 job applications since last October – before he graduated this year – he has yet to secure a full-time role.
“I do consider, if I had chosen a different path, how would that turn out?” Mr Ng said.
On paper, Mr Ng’s jobseeking struggles stand in stark contrast to a seemingly buoyant job market.
According to recent Ministry of Manpower (MOM) data, there were 32,800 entry-level vacancies for professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) in March, accounting for 43.6 per cent of all PMET job openings.
These entry-level jobs have a minimum salary between S$2,300 and S$5,000, are considered suitable for fresh graduates, and are advertised on job portals to recruit locals.
The data on job openings, which came from surveys conducted by the ministry and online job portals, has remained steady over time – there were 32,500 entry-level PMET vacancies in December 2025, and 34,600 in December 2024.
Yet on the ground, the experiences of eight young jobseekers from the graduating classes of 2025 and 2026 paint a different picture.
While a majority eventually managed to secure full-time job offers, several told CNA they endured a difficult job search that involved compromise.
For some, the prolonged uncertainty of getting hired meant having to rethink their career timelines or choosing a safer, stabler entry into the workforce.
MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
Earlier this year, a study by MOM found that fresh graduates across most disciplines earned less than they expected when they started work. Low pay and waiting for a better offer were top reasons for turning down job offers.
Asked about this, the fresh graduates told CNA they did not feel that they were being picky.
Instead, they maintain that they want to expand their horizons, trading generous work-life balance and immediate financial rewards for career-building roles that offer a foot in the door.
Mr Ng, the computer science graduate, had already tempered his expectations when he started his job search last year.
His job search was not limited to Big Tech and the private sector. He hoped for a collaborative company culture and work-life balance, but was prepared to accept “996” hours – working from 9am to 9pm, six days a week.
He also moderated his expected salary to S$5,000 from S$6,000, on par with the S$5,500 median monthly salary for information and digital technology graduates in 2025.
“I think that we are very open-minded. A lot of us have a growth mindset,” said fellow jobseeker Afsheen Jae, a 22-year-old business graduate from Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
“We want to be given more opportunities, and we want to be in an environment where there is opportunity for career progression over a high salary from the start.”
Ms Jae had applied to about 120 jobs since the start of the year, an experience she described as eye-opening because of a lack of responses from employers. She came close to settling for an internship, but has since received a full-time offer."
Singapore Night Festival returns in August with new Museum Zone and larger-than-life light shows (16 July 2026)
"If you're already planning your weekend outings for August, here's one to add to your list.
The Singapore Night Festival (SNF) is back for its 17th edition from Aug 21 to Sep 5, turning the Bras Basah-Bugis precinct into a lively after-dark destination with light projections, immersive installations, performances and food.
This year's theme, Myths And Legends, draws inspiration from the folklore, traditions and stories that have shaped Singapore and Southeast Asia.
One of the biggest changes this year is the introduction of a new Museum Zone, centred around the National Museum of Singapore, the Children's Museum Singapore and nearby heritage spaces.
The festival also has three zones: Zone 1 that stretches from Funan to CHIJMES, and has a craft market at Capitol Singapore as well as interactive programmes and installations in CHIJMES.
Zone 2 spans Cathay Green to Waterloo Centre and offers performances, exhibitions and participatory experiences.
Zone 3 at Bras Basah Complex and Stamford Arts Centre showcases cultural experiences, from xinyao performances and traditional arts to community-led activations celebrating Singapore’s living heritage.
Among the headline attractions is Tales Of Earth And Sea, a projection mapping show by The Fox, The Folks that will light up the facade of the National Museum of Singapore.
Those looking for something more immersive can check out The Lost Legacy Of Fort Canning: The Forbidden Hill, a 70-minute night walking trail through Fort Canning Park that uncovers the myths and mysteries surrounding Bukit Larangan or Forbidden Hill.
This year's edition also sees the debut of the MALAM Projection Mapping Competition, which brings together artists, students and creative collectives from around Southeast Asia to showcase original projection mapping works. The new competition aims to spotlight emerging regional talent while giving creatives a platform to experiment with the medium.
"Singapore Night Festival has always been more than light installations. It is about creating shared experiences that bring people together after dark, while showcasing the best of creative talent from Singapore and Southeast Asia," said festival director Qazim Karim from HeritageSG."
Schools embrace World Cup final fever with live screenings, later starts and jersey days (16 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Instead of telling students to turn in early and miss football's biggest spectacle, some schools are finding ways to help them celebrate the upcoming World Cup final while ensuring that they are well-rested enough for classes.
From overnight watch parties and later school start times to national team jersey days, some schools in Singapore are making special arrangements, recognising that many students will be staying up to watch the 3am kickoff between Spain and reigning champions Argentina on Monday (Jul 20).
Among the schools embracing the World Cup fever is Victoria School, which is organising an overnight watch party for up to 350 Secondary 1 to 4 students.
This is a voluntary event to foster school spirit and camaraderie among students, said Principal Low Chun Meng in a letter seen by CNA.
Students will report to school on Sunday night before turning in for a few hours' sleep in the hall. They will then watch the final together before resting again, showering and heading to lessons, which will begin at 7.30am.
A minimum of five to eight teachers will be at the event.
"It’s a good idea, especially for the students to bond," said 15-year-old Lucas Augustin, a Secondary 3 student at Victoria School.
"But it’ll be even better if school was cancelled the next day. After all, it’s unlikely that the students can concentrate in class given the adrenaline and lack of sleep."
Another school is expecting a watch party of more than 300, comprising students, staff and parents.
Singapore Sports School said the idea of a live screening was proposed by its student council.
Students will organise games and activities during half-time, while parents will support the event by providing snacks.
Lessons will start later at 10am, with non-boarding students allowed to stay overnight in the auditorium before having breakfast on campus ahead of lessons.
Principal Ong Kim Soon said the initiative has been well-received and that he hopes students will look back on it as a time when the school community came together to do something different.
"Beyond enjoying the match, we hope the experience of lobbying and organising will strengthen the student leaders’ confidence and sense of agency," Mr Ong said.
"We also hope that the match will showcase the best of football and sporting excellence that our student-athletes can aspire to."
LATER START TIMES
Other schools are making it a little easier for students to recover after the early-morning final.
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) is starting classes later than usual, at 8.30am, while Monday's chapel will be rescheduled to Wednesday instead.
Principal Kevin Pang said he wanted to support families in creating "meaningful memories together, with adequate time for rest" while preserving a key part of the school's identity.
"If your family chooses to watch the FIFA World Cup final together, I hope you enjoy the occasion and create lasting memories," Mr Pang said.
"I also ask every ACSian to get sufficient rest, return ready to learn and honour our rescheduled Chapel on Wednesday by arriving punctually and participating wholeheartedly," he added.
Hwa Chong Institution is starting classes even later on Monday, at 9.30am, while the dismissal time remains unchanged.
In a message to parents, the school said: "We hope the later start will provide our students and staff with a little more time to rest before the school day begins, while also acknowledging a sporting occasion that brings people around the world together."
Singapore may block under-18s from social media platforms that fail child safety standards: Josephine Teo (17 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Social media platforms that fail to meet child safety standards could be blocked for users under 18, while those that do could continue offering access to young users, Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo said on Friday (Jul 17).
Speaking at a forum on child online safety organised by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Institute of Policy Studies, Mrs Teo said discussions pointed towards a "differentiated landscape" where access hinges on whether platforms can provide a safe environment for children.
“It is potentially a differentiated landscape where some services, some platforms have made it possible for child-safe access, and they continue to offer access to those under 18,” she said in her closing remarks.
“But there may be some other services that either have not been willing or able to do it, then as a society, we think that it is probably better to block access for under-18s to these kinds of services.”
Restricting access is "not the starting point" and "not the preferred outcome", she stressed. The government's priority remains working with platforms to strengthen safety features so children can keep accessing digital services more safely.
Her remarks build on an earlier proposal for tiered or age-based access, under which younger children could be barred from certain platforms while older teenagers gain access gradually as they develop the maturity to navigate online spaces.
Singapore already has several age-related safeguards in place. These include Codes of Practice for Online Safety, age assurance requirements for apps and annual reporting obligations for social media platforms.
"The idea that we can kick them off (social media) completely is not a very realistic one," Teo said, noting that children today grow up without a clear separation between online and offline life.
Protecting children from harm is "only part of it", she added. Preparing them to navigate digital spaces responsibly matters just as much, if not more, in the long run.
TIERED ACCESS TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Summing up the discussions at the forum, Mrs Teo said there was broad support for tiered access and stronger expectations that tech companies take responsibility for designing safer platforms.
She said safety should extend beyond moderating harmful content to features that shape user behaviour, such as recommendation algorithms, design elements that encourage constant use and the ability to interact with strangers.
"If we really want to create a child-safe environment, making sure it doesn't stop at the border called content but instead goes into considerations that define the features, the design of these services, is something that has also come across very loudly and clearly.”
Jail for 66-year-old man who offered 12-year-old boy cash and cigarettes in exchange for sexual acts (17 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: After befriending a 12-year-old and smoking with him, a man in his 60s asked the boy to let him take photographs of his genitals in exchange for a cigarette.
The boy agreed. This escalated into the man asking to fellate the boy in exchange for similar gifts, which became a regular affair.
Over a period of about three years, the man and the boy engaged in such sexual acts at least eight times.
Abdul Rahim Sa’ad, now 66, was sentenced to 12 years and 11 months’ jail on Friday (Jul 17), after pleading guilty to two charges of causing the victim to perform a sexual act on him while the victim was below the age of 14.
The total sentence included four months’ imprisonment in lieu of caning. The man cannot be caned due to his age as he is above 50.
Another 14 charges were taken into consideration. A gag order has been imposed to protect the victim’s identity.
WHAT HAPPENED
At the time of the offences, Abdul, a Singaporean, visited his sister’s residence regularly. The location was redacted from court documents.
Sometime in April 2020, Abdul and the victim became acquainted after the older man struck up a conversation with the victim who had passed by the flat on his way to visit a friend.
The pair also smoked cigarettes on occasion.
On Apr 29, 2020, the victim visited Abdul and asked for a cigarette. Abdul told the boy to show him his underwear and genitals and to let him take photos. The boy agreed and received cash and a cigarette afterwards.
The boy started occasionally requesting for cigarettes and cash from Abdul which the older man gave in exchange for sexual activities.
Between Apr 30, 2020 and Aug 4, 2020, Abdul asked to fellate the boy in exchange for giving him cigarettes. The victim suggested going to a handicapped toilet at a community centre where Abdul performed the act on the boy.
It lasted for about 10 minutes, after which Abdul bought a pack of cigarettes for the victim.
A similar incident took place sometime between Aug 5, 2020 and Dec 31, 2020 at the same handicapped toilet when the victim asked for cigarettes and cash. The victim had turned 13 then, according to charge sheets.
The court heard that Abdul and the victim engaged in similar sexual acts on at least eight occasions between 2021 and 2023.
On Jan 4, 2024, the police arrested Abdul after his niece lodged a report alleging that the accused was procuring sexual services from young boys in exchange for cigarettes. Abdul has been in remand since."
No discrepancy found in O-Level English oral exam questions: SEAB (18 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: There was no discrepancy in the GCE O-Level English oral examination on Wednesday (Jul 15), as the question displayed to candidates was the same as that shown to examiners, said the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB).
Responding to CNA queries, SEAB said on Saturday that it had conducted investigations after receiving feedback. This followed complaints on social media alleging that the question displayed on some candidates' screens differed from that shown to oral examiners during the exam.
About 5,000 candidates sat for the O-Level English oral examinations on Wednesday morning.
In a Reddit post, a user claimed he was "stunned" by the different prompt and had asked the examiner for more time to gather his thoughts.
Noting the feedback, SEAB said: "The findings confirmed that there was no discrepancy, and the question displayed on the candidates’ screens was the same as that on the oral examiners’ screens.
"We have also observed online comments from individuals who acknowledged that they had misread the prompts at the first instance."
SEAB said that for each oral exam session, only one version of the exam video and questions is released via its e-Examination system to all examination centres.
"Hence, all candidates and oral examiners access the same examination video and test content," it added.
"In addition, processes are in place before the commencement of the oral examination session to verify that the correct video and questions are shown onscreen."
The oral communication component of the O-Level English exam comprises two parts: planned response and spoken interaction.
The planned response component accounts for 10 per cent of the overall O-Level English grade. Candidates are given time to plan and deliver a response to a video clip and an accompanying prompt presented on a computer screen.
This is followed by the spoken interaction component, where candidates engage in a discussion with the oral examiners on a topic based on the same video clip.
SEAB stressed that all candidates will be "assessed fairly based on their prepared responses and in accordance with the assessment rubrics"."
No discrepancy found in O-Level English oral exam questions: SEAB (18 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: There was no discrepancy in the GCE O-Level English oral examination on Wednesday (Jul 15), as the question displayed to candidates was the same as that shown to examiners, said the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB).
Responding to CNA queries, SEAB said on Saturday that it had conducted investigations after receiving feedback. This followed complaints on social media alleging that the question displayed on some candidates' screens differed from that shown to oral examiners during the exam.
About 5,000 candidates sat for the O-Level English oral examinations on Wednesday morning.
In a Reddit post, a user claimed he was "stunned" by the different prompt and had asked the examiner for more time to gather his thoughts.
Noting the feedback, SEAB said: "The findings confirmed that there was no discrepancy, and the question displayed on the candidates’ screens was the same as that on the oral examiners’ screens.
"We have also observed online comments from individuals who acknowledged that they had misread the prompts at the first instance."
SEAB said that for each oral exam session, only one version of the exam video and questions is released via its e-Examination system to all examination centres.
"Hence, all candidates and oral examiners access the same examination video and test content," it added.
"In addition, processes are in place before the commencement of the oral examination session to verify that the correct video and questions are shown onscreen."
The oral communication component of the O-Level English exam comprises two parts: planned response and spoken interaction.
The planned response component accounts for 10 per cent of the overall O-Level English grade. Candidates are given time to plan and deliver a response to a video clip and an accompanying prompt presented on a computer screen.
This is followed by the spoken interaction component, where candidates engage in a discussion with the oral examiners on a topic based on the same video clip.
SEAB stressed that all candidates will be "assessed fairly based on their prepared responses and in accordance with the assessment rubrics"."
My car is pricey, but a 10-hour daily school run would cost me more (18 July 2026)
"From 1.30pm to 6pm every day, I spend about 4.5 hours driving my five children to school, childcare, sporting activities and enrichment classes.
It sounds excessive but here is what I've calculated: without a car, those same trips by public transport would take close to 10 hours a day.
For my family, owning a car isn't about status or wealth. It is how we make family life, work and school fit into 24 hours.
Without a car, getting the kids to school would take me anywhere between 45 minutes and one hour each way by public transport.
Since my oldest can travel home independently and my two preschoolers attend the same school, I'd still need to make three separate trips a day.
Private-hire vehicles or taxis aren't feasible long-term alternatives either. With several children in tow. I'd have to book a six-seater, which is notoriously expensive and difficult to get.
A car is the only way I can juggle school runs, extracurricular classes and training sessions, and my part-time work schedule.
Based on the conversations I've had both online and offline, I'm certain that I'm not the only parent in Singapore who feels this way.
WHAT I'VE RECOUPED AFTER BUYING A CAR
When I was a younger mum with fewer kids, I, too, believed that owning a car in Singapore was not a necessity.
Back when it was just two kids, we travelled everywhere on public transport after selling our first car.
We lasted six months before we bought a second car, when I found out I was pregnant again.
Speed-walking in the hot sun to catch buses and trains with two children, aged four and two then, was extremely challenging for a pregnant woman, to say the least.
Since then, we've been car owners.
Undeniably, the monthly costs of running a car are high – we spend about S$1,000 on fuel, parking and road toll, excluding road tax and insurance.
But what we have gained are two things: time and energy. And it's impossible to put a price on them.
Instead of spending hours planning multiple bus and train trips with my kids, I have more time to start dinner promptly, help with homework and school preparations, and get everyone to bed earlier.
Our family car is also a safe space for the children to unwind every day after school as I drive around.
We have had meaningful conversations, shared laughter and car karaoke sessions. They have eaten packed lunches, taken power naps or used the time to do homework in between classes.
All this, put together, gives us just that bit more breathing space to enjoy the small pockets of time with each other in the midst of hectic work and school weeks."
Broken by years of parental pressure, depression and grief, she's learning to heal – one batch of brownies at a time (18 July 2026)
"As Ms Jessica Tan smiled and posed for my colleague's camera in her family kitchen, her mother drifted in and out of the room, proudly photographing her daughter on her smartphone. It was very Kris Jenner – matriarch of the Kardashian brand – and I half-expected her to proclaim, "You're doing amazing, sweetie".
At some point, Ms Tan's mother bustled into frame, insisting on removing a bunch of bananas she felt were spoiling the background.
Watching Ms Tan laugh good-naturedly at her mother's fussing and the easy rapport they shared, I was surprised to learn there had once been many unhappy times that had driven mother and daughter apart.
Growing up, Ms Tan, who is now 31 and just launched a home baking business late last year, had coped largely in silence with depression, grief and the pressure of living up to her parents' expectations.
Those struggles may sound all too familiar to many young Singaporeans.
For Ms Tan, however, they would unfold with a severity that few people experience: a diagnosis of major depressive disorder at 14, the sudden death of her boyfriend in an accident at 20 and, years later, four suicide attempts while outwardly thriving in a dream corporate career.
THE WEIGHT OF EXPECTATIONS
When I arrived on a Tuesday afternoon at her house, the doors were wide open and Ms Tan greeted me warmly, a childlike brightness lighting up her smiling face. It almost felt like we were kids on a playdate, rather than a journalist and her interviewee.
But childhood, for Ms Tan, was never about fun or leisure.
Born into a family where excellence was the norm, she grew up acutely aware of the constant pressure to measure up to the lofty achievements around her.
Her paternal grandfather wrote Mathematics textbooks used across Malaysia. Her father, Mr Eugene Tan, studied law at the University of Cambridge, while her mother, Mrs Michelle Tan, and two older brothers also excelled academically.
From the age of four, she trained as a competitive artistic gymnast before taking up track and field, representing Singapore schools in the 100m and 200m hurdles at international competitions.
"It was just wake up at six, go to school, train from 1pm to 8pm, go home, do my homework, and the day starts all over again. I got, maybe, five days off a year, and that was it," the former athlete recalled.
Under a coach who had once captained China's Olympic gymnastics team, mistakes were rarely tolerated. Ms Tan recalled having to complete 100 handstand push-ups in a row, sometimes remaining upside down for as long as half an hour until she finished every repetition.
"We were trained to push through everything. That's how I developed the mindset of not complaining, not sharing my emotions and just bottling everything up."
During one of her first major gymnastics competitions when she was eight years old, she was suddenly paralysed with fear and couldn't attempt a move she had practised many times before.
Her mother lost her temper in front of her teammates, their parents and her friends.
"She said, 'We spend so much money on your training, but you don't even have the guts to do this move'," she told me, her tone turning sombre.
"That's when I realised this wasn't really fun and games anymore. I had to make sure I won something to make my parents happy and proud."
By secondary school, Ms Tan was involved in competitive sport and the student council, and studying for more than 10 O-Level subjects.
Around then, she began experiencing debilitating brain fog and dissociation, symptoms she didn't realise were linked to depression.
Fearful of others' reactions, she brushed them off as exhaustion, but soon began self-harming in secret."
Man, 72, gets jail for repeatedly raping underage step-granddaughter (20 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 72-year-old man was sentenced to 23 years' jail on Monday (Jul 20) for sexually abusing his step-granddaughter over five years from when she was aged just nine.
The Singaporean man, who cannot be named due to gag orders protecting the victim, pleaded guilty to three charges of aggravated statutory rape.
Another 18 charges were considered in sentencing.
The court heard that the offender was in his 60s at the time of the offences, while the child was between nine and 13. She called him "grandfather".
From 2018 to July 2023, the man sexually assaulted the victim multiple times in his car and at a flat.
In 2018, the victim routinely visited her step-grandfather once or twice a month. He would ask her to accompany him to a mall and promised to buy her what she liked.
He did this only to her and not to any of the other grandchildren, because he wanted to get her alone for sex acts.
He would drive the girl to a multi-storey car park where he sexually abused her, rewarding her after each instance by buying her art supplies or other items she liked.
Sometimes, the girl tried to resist him, but he told her he would buy her an item she chose if she complied. The girl would then give in, even though she was uncomfortable with the sexual acts.
The elderly man also asked her to keep their sexual encounters a secret.
The abuse went on for years until April 2024, when the girl was doing an art project in school.
THE ART PROJECT
The theme for the project was "struggle", and she drew the back of a human body with hands wrapped around it.
When the art teacher asked the victim for the story behind the work, the girl revealed that she had been sexually assaulted by her step-grandfather.
The teacher alerted the victim's mother, who later took her to lodge a police report.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Santhra Aiyyasamy and Ariel Tan sought 23 years' jail, but did not ask for imprisonment in lieu of caning because of the "totality principle".
This principle requires a court to take a last look at all the facts of a case to assess if a sentence is just and whether it could be crushing.
The prosecutors said the sexual acts escalated from molestation to rape, with the man becoming more emboldened with time as he attempted to rape her when she 11 to 12.
They added that there was clear evidence of planning and premeditation in this case, including getting the victim to be alone with him in isolated areas and grooming her."
77-year-old man on trial for sexual abuse of girl, 14, who became pregnant (20 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: When her mother contracted breast cancer, a young girl grew closer to an elderly family friend, but this man allegedly abused her sexually, impregnated her and made her get an abortion.
The Singaporean man, now 77, went on trial on Monday (Jul 20) for 10 charges, mostly for committing obscene acts with a young person and sexual penetration of a minor.
Another three charges were stood down or set aside temporarily while the trial proceeds.
The court imposed gag orders which forbid the identification of the man and the alleged victim.
THE CASE
The man was a 64-year-old insurance agent who owned a business at the time of the offences in 2012 and 2013.
The alleged victim's mother was his secretary.
The man had been a close family friend since the alleged victim was a toddler, the prosecution said.
When the girl's mother contracted breast cancer when the girl was in Secondary 2, the man was entrusted with looking after the girl and her older sister.
Instead, he crossed emotional and physical boundaries and entered into an inappropriate relationship with the girl when she was 14, alleged Deputy Public Prosecutors Tay Jia En and Tan Jun Ya.
The prosecution will lead evidence from five witnesses at the trial, with the alleged victim as their main witness.
They said in their opening statement that the alleged victim had led a sheltered life with few friends.
Although the man was a constant presence around her mother, she initially did not like him, said the prosecutors. This changed when he gave her a listening ear and grew to be her confidante.
After her mother contracted breast cancer, and with her father busy working, the accused was entrusted with fetching the girl and her sister from school and other activities.
He also helped renovate their property and allowed the family to stay rent-free at one of his properties, said the prosecutors.
They claimed that the accused started alienating the girl from her family, saying that her father was a bad person.
The man also allegedly lied to the girl that he was only around 40 years old.
THE PROSECUTION'S CASE
The prosecution's case is that the man picked the girl up from school in 2012 when she was in Secondary 2.
While taking her to tuition in his car, he suddenly held her hand. He began texting her more often and taking her out for meals, said the prosecutors.
He later kissed her while parked at a reservoir, and the girl became desensitised to his acts of holding her hand and kissing her, the prosecution added.
The alleged victim will testify about how the man took her to various locations where he sexually assaulted her and how he attempted to rape her in a car park.
The prosecution said the accused continued to engage in penetrative acts after the girl turned 16 in 2014.
As a result, she became pregnant around early 2015, when she was still studying, alleged the prosecution.
The girl underwent an abortion in February 2015, with the man accompanying her to the clinic. The prosecutors claim that the abortion, which traumatised the girl, was done at the behest of the man.
The illicit relationship continued until the end of 2017 when the alleged victim ceased the relationship.
She consulted the AWARE Sexual Assault Care Centre for advice in 2019 and lodged a police report."
Parents of teenager who died during 2024 Maldives school trip sue SJI International (20 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The parents of Jenna Chan, the 15-year-old student who died during a school expedition to the Maldives in November 2024, filed a lawsuit on Monday (Jul 20) alleging negligence against St Joseph's Institution International (SJII).
Jenna's parents, Dr Jennifer Liauw and Mr Alan Chan, who are suing as co-administrators of her estate, said they resorted to litigation after more than 20 months of trying to obtain answers about her death from the school.
"We did not want to be here," said Dr Liauw.
"For over a year and a half we asked the school to work with us to find out what happened so this can never happen to another child. Every door was closed. This claim is about accountability, and about making sure Jenna is the last."
The claim, which seeks damages arising from Jenna's death, was filed in the General Division of the High Court on what would have been the teenager's 17th birthday.
Jenna, a Singaporean who was a Grade 9 student at SJII, died on Nov 8, 2024, after reportedly being struck by the propeller of a reversing boat while snorkelling near Dhigurah Island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll.
THE INCIDENT
The lawsuit alleges that on the morning of Nov 8, 2024, Jenna entered the water from a boat after receiving permission to do so from the accompanying teachers for the trip. Shortly afterwards, the boat's engine was engaged, and she was struck by the vessel's rotating propeller.
According to the family's statement of claim, the boat then reversed towards others in the water until one of the teachers shouted at the captain to stop. The claim states that Jenna was stuck under the boat at this time.
The two accompanying teachers then dived beneath the boat to free Jenna, before fellow students helped haul her onto the vessel. She briefly regained consciousness and whispered: "Help me."
She was then brought to the Dhigurah Health Centre and was pronounced dead about 15 minutes after her arrival.
The lawsuit alleges that the Maldives expedition formed part of SJII's compulsory Outdoor Education programme, which all Grade 9 students were required to complete as part of the school's curriculum. The expedition was run by the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), a United Kingdom-registered charity engaged by the school.
The family alleges SJII failed to assess the safety of the destination adequately, properly vet MWSRP as a provider for schoolchildren, ensure suitable supervision during the excursion and verify that marine activities were conducted under safe conditions.
They also allege that the school gave parents repeated assurances about safety, including that it had "all emergency procedures in place" to address "every single scenario that can happen".
The family further alleges that SJII withheld information after Jenna's death, refusing to allow the parents to meet the two accompanying teachers or to provide them with the school's investigation findings despite repeated requests.
According to the statement of claim, no investigation report has been shared with the family."
Members of Indonesia syndicate which sold babies to Singapore get 3 to 7 years' jail (21 July 2026)
"JAKARTA/BANDUNG: An Indonesian court on Tuesday (Jul 21) convicted members of a baby trafficking syndicate of selling babies under the guise of adoption to couples in Indonesia and Singapore, and meted out jail sentences of up to seven years, with the minimum at three years four months.
Eighteen women and one man were found guilty by the Bandung City District Court of selling at least 34 babies between 2022 and 2025, some of whom were taken to Singapore and sold for thousands of dollars each.
The harshest sentence of seven years was handed down to 70-year-old Lie Siu Luan - also known as Lily - whom the court ruled to be the brains and ringleader behind the operation and recruited the other defendants in the case.
Meanwhile, Astri Fitrinika, 26, and Djaka Hamdani, 35, were sentenced to six years and seven months in prison each for their role in recruiting the babies trafficked by the syndicate. Djaka is the only male defendant in the case.
The court also handed down six years and seven months in prison to 60-year-old Lai Siu Ha, whom the court said helped the syndicate in forging documents to obscure the babies’ origins.
Elin Marlina, accused of aiding Astri and Djaka in recruiting the babies, also received a similar sentence of six years and seven months.
The other 14 defendants were each given a prison term of three years and four months for playing minor roles in the operation.
These include five who falsely claimed to be the babies’ parents on forged legal documents and video calls to potential adopters.
The court also ordered for the eight babies who were rescued when members of the syndicate were arrested last year to be under the care of the West Java social service agency.
“As for the babies in Singapore, we couldn’t identify who the adoption agents (in Singapore) were, so we had no way of knowing what happened to (the babies). Police will keep investigating the case,” prosecutor Cucu Gantina told reporters after the trial.
The sentences were lower than the 10-year prison terms prosecutors had earlier sought for Lily, Astri, Djaka, Lai and Elin.
Prosecutors earlier sought five years in prison for the other 14 accomplices."
Former PE teacher admits sexually abusing 14-year-old student in hotel (23 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A former physical education (PE) teacher pursued his 14-year-old student romantically and took her to a hotel where he sexually abused her.
When the student later broke off the relationship, the teacher persistently questioned her school senior about her dating status, threatening self-harm.
The student eventually told her senior what had happened. The senior then informed a teacher, and a police report was made.
The 45-year-old Singaporean man pleaded guilty on Thursday (Jul 23) to three counts of sexual penetration of a minor, with another 12 charges to be taken into consideration for sentencing.
The court imposed gag orders on the identities of the victim and the man. The name of the school cannot be published as a result.
THE CASE
The court heard that the man was a teacher at a secondary school at the time of the offences in 2022 and 2023, with 18 years of teaching experience.
The victim, now 18, was between 14 and 15 years old at the time.
In 2022, the man was the victim's PE teacher. They followed each other on Instagram.
In May that year, the man struck up a conversation with the victim on Instagram about books and writing, which the victim was passionate about.
After exchanging phone numbers, they began chatting on WhatsApp and Telegram.
The teacher chatted "enthusiastically" with her online, although he was reserved in person.
In July 2022, he began hinting to the victim that he was fond of her and confessed his romantic feelings.
The victim was shocked and did not know how to react. When the teacher asked her repeatedly to be his girlfriend, she said she was unsure and needed time to think.
Asked if it was wrong for a teacher to be in a relationship with a student, the man said it was not a problem, as long as it did not affect her studies.
The girl also voiced doubts about their 28-year age gap, but the man assured her that age was "not an issue".
In August 2022, the man suggested that the victim go to his house, but she refused.
He then suggested meeting at a hotel. When the girl asked what they would do there, he said they could read, watch television or "hang out".
Although she was reluctant and felt it was wrong, she trusted the man and was eventually convinced by him to meet at the hotel.
He arrived first, then arranged to meet the victim on the third floor, where he passed her a key card to the room.
Not wanting to be seen together, he instructed the girl to go to the room after he had entered.
When inside, the girl sat on a sofa and read a book. The man then sat beside her and became physically affectionate towards her, including putting his head on her lap and hugging and kissing her.
They left the room separately after about five hours.
Afterwards, the victim told the accused that she was willing to be in a relationship with him. She felt guilty as she had made him wait for an answer since July, and she also felt that acts like kissing should only take place within a relationship.
She had also become convinced that it was acceptable for her to enter into a relationship with the teacher.
The court heard that the man was "elated". He was affectionate with the teen, calling her "baby" and "princess", and speaking to her frequently about sex.
He told her that he wanted to have sex with her and would wait for her to turn 16.
The victim did not know how to respond at times when he discussed sexual topics with her and would avoid carrying on the conversation.
In the circumstances they were in, the victim was in a relationship that was exploitative of her, the court heard."
HSA warns against 3 products after consumers, including a 12-year-old, suffer serious health effects (23 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Thursday (Jul 23) warned the public not to buy or consume three products found to contain banned or potent medicinal ingredients after three people, including a 12-year-old boy, suffered serious adverse effects.
The products - C-Nine Dietary Supplement Product, Xue Ya Gao Zhong Feng Qing Cao Yao Cao and B-Lian-S Herbal Cream - were marketed as supplements or herbal products, which should not contain any medicinal ingredients.
HSA said it has received reports from doctors and members of the public about adverse effects linked to the products. After testing, they were found to contain potent medicinal ingredients such as steroids, antifungal medicine and the banned substance sibutramine, which may be harmful if taken without medical supervision.
After using the products, the consumers developed heart palpitations, Cushing's syndrome and stretch marks.
BANNED, POTENT MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS
In the case of the 12-year-old boy, he gained 6kg and developed stretch marks on his legs over two months after regularly applying B-Lian-S Herbal Cream to treat eczema.
The cream was purchased by the child’s mother, who came across the product on Facebook and placed an order with the Malaysia-based vendor through Facebook Messenger.
The cream was marketed as a "natural extract formula" that does not contain steroids and was said to be effective in managing psoriasis, eczema as well as red and itchy skin. But HSA found that the cream contained a potent steroid and an antifungal agent.
According to HSA, the overseas vendor’s social media account was linked to a local Shopee store. The authority has worked with the platform administrator to disable the online store, while Malaysian authorities have also been alerted to the Facebook account."
Primary 1 registration: 33 primary schools oversubscribed in Phase 2B of 2026 exercise (23 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A total of 33 primary schools are oversubscribed in Phase 2B of the 2026 Primary 1 registration exercise, the same number as last year, data from the Ministry of Education showed on Thursday (Jul 23).
Of the 33 oversubscribed schools, 31 will go to the ballot.
Every year, 20 spaces in each school are reserved for Phase 2B – the last phase where children with links to a school can apply to enter.
The most oversubscribed school in Phase 2B this year was Nanyang Primary School in Bukit Timah, with 52 children applying for 20 vacancies.
The next two most oversubscribed schools were Ai Tong School in Bishan and Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School in Bukit Timah, with 51 applicants for 20 spaces and 46 applicants for 21 vacancies respectively.
All three schools were also among the top five most oversubscribed schools in Phase 2B of the 2025 exercise.
The two next most oversubscribed schools in 2026 were Holy Innocents’ Primary School in Hougang and Kong Hwa School in Mountbatten.
MOE cut the Primary 1 intake for most schools earlier this year in view of significantly falling student cohort sizes in 2027 and the coming years.
At the time, the ministry said the cuts would minimise the need for school mergers or relocations and maintain a good geographical spread of primary schools for students across Singapore.
Compared to 2025, there are 1,460 fewer spots overall in 2026. Of the 179 primary schools in Singapore, 61 cut their intake while 12 schools increased the number of spaces available."
Singapore Oceanarium launches new behind-the-scenes shark feeding experience (24 July 2026)
"Shark lovers, this experience is for you.
Singapore Oceanarium's newest guided programme, Ocean In Focus: Apex Predators, offers visitors a deeper look into the world of sharks and other ocean predators through exclusive behind-the-scenes access and hands-on interactions.
Launching in conjunction with World Shark Awareness Day on Jul 14, the 60-minute experience accommodates up to 12 participants, who'll be guided by Singapore Oceanarium's animal care specialists.
Each participant will receive a programme lanyard, programme credential, shark species identification postcards and an exclusive Dunkleosteus plush keychain as a keepsake.
The experience begins in the Singapore Oceanarium's public galleries, where visitors learn about the ancient marine predators that once ruled prehistoric oceans, before exploring the important role sharks continue to play in today's marine ecosystems.
EXCLUSIVE BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACCESS
One of the highlights is the exclusive access to a support area, where guests can observe how animal care specialists prepare food and feed sharks using broadcast, target and dive target feeding techniques.
Participants will also get an aerial view of the habitat, handle real shark specimens and shark eggs, and examine the chainmail suit worn by divers during feeding operations.
While a regular visit to the Singapore Oceanarium introduces visitors to sharks through exhibit displays and interpretive panels, this programme offers first-hand insights from specialists into the care that goes on behind the scenes.
"The biggest difference is actually the perspective shift," shared Elyn Tan, manager of Education at Singapore Oceanarium.
"We really want to share these behind-the-scenes stories because for members of the public, when they come to the oceanarium, all they do is read the interpretive boards. But hearing the stories is so different. The biggest takeaway from this programme is really to let people know that shark care isn't random. It's deeply calculated."
Man, 77, gets jail for molesting granddaughter by licking her ear and stroking her back (24 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 77-year-old man asked his granddaughter to teach him how to use Microsoft Excel and molested her when he went to her home for the lesson.
The man, who cannot be named due to a gag order protecting the victim, was sentenced to five months and two weeks' jail on Friday (Jul 24). He pleaded guilty to one count of assault or use of criminal force with intent to outrage modesty.
The court heard that the victim was 17 at the time of the offence. She called the accused, who is her biological maternal grandfather, "Nana".
The victim and her family would visit the man at his residence at least once a week in 2019. The accused had never been alone with the victim before the incident.
Sometime before Aug 26, 2020, the man asked the victim if she could teach him how to use Microsoft Excel. After the victim agreed to do so, he visited her unit on one or two occasions to learn from her.
During those times, at least one other member of the household was present.
Around noon on Aug 28, 2020, the man visited the unit again for lessons. The victim and her elder sister, named as A1 in court documents, were at home while their parents and younger brother were at work and school respectively.
The man and the victim were seated side by side at the living room as she taught him how to use Excel. As A1 was leaving the unit to pick up her younger brother from school, the man asked her what time their parents would be back.
A1 then left at about 1pm, leaving the man alone with the victim.
At one point, the man asked the victim to close the living room door and after she sat back down, he placed his arm across the chair and stroked her back over her clothes.
The victim felt uncomfortable and pushed him away. He then asked for a hug. While hugging her, he again rubbed her back over her clothes and licked her ear.
While carrying out these acts, he told the victim that he had been "waiting a long time to do this".
The victim panicked and pushed him away, before telling him to leave the house. But the man continued to remain in his seat and kept silent.
Overcome with fear, the victim sent her elder sister multiple messages via SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram and Snapchat, asking her to return home as soon as possible.
She also sent an audio message on WhatsApp telling her sister she was "scared".
Her sister immediately rushed home after seeing the messages and returned to the unit with her younger brother. The accused had left the home by that time.
After the victim revealed what had happened, her sister wanted to inform their parents. But the victim told her not to do so as she was afraid their parents would not believe her.
Following the incident, the victim stopped talking to the man and he stopped coming to her home except during festive visits in 2021 and 2022.
VICTIM INFORMS PARENTS
During one such visit on May 4, 2022, the victim behaved coldly towards the accused and did not greet him. The man later told his wife about the victim's behaviour. This prompted his wife to call the victim's mother.
During the call, the accused's wife mistakenly identified A1 as the one who did not greet her husband. The victim's mother later spoke to A1 about this. Angered upon hearing the exchange, the victim then told her mother that she was the one who did not greet the accused.
She proceeded to disclose what had the accused had done. Her parents confronted the man that same day, and he replied: "Oh, that incident." He lied to them that he had only placed his arm around the victim’s shoulder and did not touch her anywhere else.
At 1.22am the next day, the man messaged the victim's father on WhatsApp, saying: "I’m really remorseful for (what) I have done to you (and) your family. Pls forgive me. I’m truly sorry."
The victim lodged a police report with her parents on May 5, 2022 and the accused was arrested on Jan 5, 2026.
He was released on bail the same day and charged on Jan 8, 2026. He has been on bail since.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Hidayat Amir sought 8.5 months' to 10.5 months' jail for the accused. He argued that the degree of sexual exploitation has been fairly moderate, noting that the act of licking the victim's ear was intrusive as it involved the use of saliva.
The man had also abused the victim's trust in his capacity as the biological grandfather. Mr Hidayat said the man's comments that he had been "waiting a long time to do this" was not said in vacuum and that the man had waited until the sister left the home to commit the offence."
Man admits to sexually abusing 11 girls, including his daughter, grandchildren, nieces and students (24 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: For more than 30 years, a man sexually abused 11 young girls including his daughter, his two grandchildren, four nieces and four other children.
The girls were between the ages of five and 10 when he started preying on them, court documents showed.
The four other girls were children who attended an enrichment centre he ran with his wife, or were tutored by him when he conducted tuition lessons at home.
The man, now 71 and suffering from a rare blood cancer, admitted to 33 charges for various sexual offences on Friday (Jul 24).
He pleaded guilty to 10 of them for offences against six of his victims. The remaining 23 will be taken into consideration when he is sentenced in September.
The man raped his daughter, then 15 years old, in 2005. He told her not to tell anyone because the family would split up and that it would be her fault that her siblings did not have a family, the court heard.
After sexually assaulting his seven-year-old granddaughter in 2023, he told her that if she told anyone about the abuse, she would not be his favourite grandchild.
The man, who uses a wheelchair, cannot be named to protect the identities of his victims.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Jiang Ke-yue and Ronnie Ang argued for 32 to 36 years’ jail for the man.
They cited a report by a doctor with the Institute of Mental Health, which noted that the man reoffended even though he was imprisoned twice for such offences in 1999 and 2020.
The man is a danger to children, the report found.
“The accused had severely breached the position of trust reposed in him as family and teacher, and trampled on the very dignity of the various children he was meant to safeguard and nurture,” the prosecution argued.
He started preying on his granddaughters after he was released from prison in 2021, and his latest crimes came to light in 2023.
After his granddaughters told their mother about the abuse, the man’s daughter, or their aunt, came forward about the abuse she had faced."
Born with hearing loss, she found her voice on the musical theatre stage (25 July 2026)
"Every five to seven days, Sabrina Wong changes the tiny batteries powering her hearing aids. Without them, the 21-year-old struggles to hear and follow conversations.
The tiny devices have also helped make what she once thought was a “wild dream” possible – performing on stage.
Born with moderate-to-severe hearing loss in both ears, Wong grew up shy and introverted, often retreating into what she calls “my own world”.
Today, the Shanghai-born Wong is set to graduate from LASALLE College of the Arts in August with a bachelor’s degree (Honours) in musical theatre, and has performed in several college productions.
For Wong, finding her voice has been a deeply personal experience.
GROWING UP WITH HEARING LOSS
Wong was diagnosed with hearing loss in both ears after a routine newborn hearing screening. However, she did not wear hearing aids consistently until she was around five or six years old.
The older, bulkier devices she tried were uncomfortable and some doctors had told her parents it was “fine” for her to go without them.
In preschool, while other children gravitated towards friendship groups and shared inside jokes, Wong often felt unsure of what was going on around her.
“Spending my kindergarten years without hearing aids shaped my shy and somewhat introverted personality. Since I couldn’t hear what others were saying, that led me to live in my own world,” she said.
It was only when she was about to enter elementary school that she began wearing hearing aids to keep up in class. Wong said that missing those early years of language development also affected her speech.
She developed a lisp and had difficulty pronouncing words with certain sounds.
“Because I didn’t start wearing hearing aids until I was around five, I missed out on an important phase in language and speech learning,” she said. “With my hearing loss, I can hear higher-frequency sounds, but not much mid-frequency or slightly higher low-frequency sounds.
“So when I’m not wearing hearing aids, sounds like ‘s’ and ‘z’ are very loud to me. I would overcompensate by pronouncing those sounds louder, which resulted in incorrect pronunciation (and which contributed to the lisp).”
Hearing loss also affected Wong academically. She recalled taking much longer than her peers to complete schoolwork.
“When I was a kid, I was really behind and very slow in pace. For example, homework that might take other kids one hour could take me two to three hours. I also had extra time during examinations,” she said.
While the hearing aids improved how she interacted with others, Wong explained that the experience of hearing through the devices is different from that of natural hearing. For instance, she finds certain background noises overwhelming.
“It gets really loud for me on the MRT or in windy places because our ears would naturally filter out these sounds. Hearing aids are electronic instruments, so the sound produced can sound quite electronic. Imagine the sound that an old television makes – that’s what some hearing aids sound like,” she said.
Even with her hearing aids, speech can still sound muffled, especially when people are speaking softly.
“I still struggle to approach people in newer settings,” she said. “Sometimes, I can’t hear people that well, so I have to keep saying, ‘What did you say? Can you speak louder, please?’ It gets awkward eventually, and it’s a bit uncomfortable to keep asking people what they said.”
FINDING HER VOICE THROUGH MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS
Although Wong describes herself as “a shy person”, performing has never intimidated her.
“I’ve loved the idea of being a performer since I was a kid,” she said. “When you’re performing, you’re essentially becoming your character. You’re not yourself anymore.
“If the character is extroverted, then I become extroverted. Even if I’m just singing in a concert or recital, I’ll be some other persona – I’m not fully Sabrina anymore.”
Wong began learning the guzheng (traditional Chinese plucked zither) at around five, but it was watching singers performing on television that sparked her interest to be on stage.
“I would see those singers on TV and think, ‘they’re so cool. I want to do that too’,” she recalled.
At around nine years old, her parents enrolled her in singing lessons as an enrichment activity. No one imagined those lessons would one day lead her to contemplate a future in musical theatre.
At 11, Wong joined a youth musical theatre programme. She landed her first role as an ensemble member in her first major production, juggling rehearsals with school.
Recalling the exhilaration she felt on performance day, Wong said: “Standing there, doing what you’ve been practising for months, it’s hard to explain those feelings but it was the ultimate joy to be able to stand there and do what you love.”
Although she soon realised how much she loved musical theatre, pursuing it professionally initially felt like “a wild dream”.
“I thought it was kind of crazy. I didn’t really think that way because I have hearing loss; I just thought that I’m not good at singing or dancing,” she said. “I realised if that dream was going to come true, I had to practise a lot more.”
More job tasters, credits to explore hobbies: SG Youth Plan aims to reach over half a million youths in 5 years (25 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A new national plan for youth development was launched on Saturday (Jul 25) by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo.
Called the SG Youth Plan, it aims to reach more than half a million youths from all backgrounds over the next five years, said Mr Neo, who is currently also senior minister of state for education.
“The Youth Plan is a case where we've heard from our youths, more than 60,000 of them over a period of time, to understand what are their fears, their concerns and what are their aspirations, what do they want to achieve,” Mr Neo told reporters on Monday ahead of the launch at the SG Youth Forum at Suntec Convention Centre.
More than 415,000 responses were gathered from youths and stakeholders between November 2024 and March this year about the plan, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and National Youth Council (NYC) said in a press release on Saturday.
Under the plan, over 20 initiatives will be implemented over the next five years to help young Singaporeans navigate an increasingly complex world, they said.
They include credits to let youths explore new hobbies and interests, an independent living pilot in co-living spaces, and more opportunities for overseas exposure.
In an independent living pilot, private operators Coliwoo and Eco-Energy will offer more than 100 units at a discounted rate, for those aged 21 to 35.
The NYC will also commit up to S$20 million (US$15.5 million) to support up to 3,000 youth-led projects in the next five years.
Speaking during an interview at *SCAPE in Somerset, Mr Neo noted that the government has “always placed a lot of focus and attention on our youth”, with Singapore consistently ranked among the top countries globally for youth development.
“But at the same time, I think there are fundamental shifts that are happening around us. As we speak, there are several wars going on and as a result, there are supply chain disruptions, rising costs,” he said.
“It leads to some of our youths asking, can they continue to afford the same things that their parents used to?”
The unprecedented rate of technological disruption, including the advent of artificial intelligence, also brings uncertainty for youths over the opportunities available to them moving forward, said Mr Neo.
“Couple that with the rise of social media, on one hand, it makes our youths more connected, but on the other hand, it can also leave them feeling constantly judged, really wondering if they are ever good enough,” he said.
Nonetheless, Mr Neo noted that a lot of youths do feel confident in the future of the country, and want to find meaning and purpose, as well as to actively contribute."
Lawyer attrition concerns need to be taken seriously, more data needed: Shanmugam (26 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Issues raised about lawyer attrition and workplace culture must be taken seriously, but more detailed and objective data is needed to assess the extent of the problem, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said on Sunday (Jul 26).
At the same time, aspiring lawyers should be aware of the high pressure that "comes with the territory", he added.
Speaking at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Law freshmen inauguration ceremony on Sunday, Mr Shanmugam referred to a recent Law Society study on lawyer attrition.
The study identified issues including long working hours, toxic workplace culture, pressure, derogatory or unfair treatment in court, concerns over whether legal practice remains a sustainable career and the impact of artificial intelligence on lawyers.
Mr Shanmugam said official figures showed attrition had remained "broadly stable" over the past decade.
Citing data Minister for Law Edwin Tong gave in Parliament in May, Mr Shanmugam said that about 60 per cent of lawyers remained in practice after five years between 2015 and 2024, while about 40 per cent remained after 10 years.
Over the same period, the number of practising Singapore lawyers grew by 26 per cent, while the number of in-house counsel increased by about one-third to around 4,800.
"The rate of attrition is stable over the past 10 years. And the size of the profession has grown steadily.
"But that does not mean there is no problem, and everything is okay," he said.
Mr Shanmugam said it was important for the profession and the courts to address the issues raised by the study, while collecting more detailed and objective data. This should include how many lawyers have such complaints, as well as perspectives from law firms and the courts, he said.
"You need to size the problem and verify it, and then deal with it," Mr Shanmugam added.
Addressing the incoming law students, Mr Shanmugam said those who aspire to practise law at the top end of the profession should expect demanding work, considering Singapore's competition with other leading legal centres and the high remuneration offered.
He noted that a first-year qualified lawyer at a top local firm can earn more than S$100,000 (US$77,480) annually, with pay at the very top firms ranging from S$120,000 to S$140,000.
After six to eight years, the best-performing lawyers may make junior partner and earn about S$200,000 to S$300,000 a year, he said.
He also said that the government, legal service and judicial service offer competitive salaries to attract talent, though not at the level of the highest-paying private firms, reflecting the different pressures and demands of the roles.
Mr Shanmugam said: "When you get paid like that, then the expectations and demands will also be high. Work is expected almost round the clock. It is even more intense in London, New York. The pressure comes with the territory. So it's a choice. You want that?
"Or do you want a different pace of life? Then you must choose a firm that makes quality of life a part of its work culture. There are firms like that," he said.
"But let me also be clear. None of what I have said about law being a demanding profession excuses poor supervision, lack of training, harassment, bullying and unreasonable treatment of lawyers," he added.
"These issues need to be taken seriously."
This single mum returned to school at 40 – sharing polytechnic life with her teenage son (27 July 2026)
"At a polytechnic graduation ceremony, most people are likely there to cheer on their children. For 18-year-old Muhammad Abbas, it was the other way around.
In May, the teenager sat in the audience as his mother, 40-year-old Sharifah Radhia, walked across the stage to receive her specialist diploma.
Watching the woman who already juggles multiple roles – as a single mother of three and a full-time operations manager – step onto the stage in her graduation gown filled Abbas with pride.
“I always knew she could do it,” he told CNA Women. “But seeing my mum actually up there, in the gown and receiving her specialist diploma, it felt very different. I was there for a very important moment in her life.”
The graduation ceremony had special meaning for the pair because the mother and son spent the past year studying on the same campus at Temasek Polytechnic (TP).
While Abbas was studying for his diploma in cybersecurity, Sharifah attended evening classes for her one-year specialist diploma in business analytics. Although they rarely met each other in school, they shared a similar experience of navigating assignment deadlines and exam stress.
“Our study schedules are different but we definitely had our shared struggles of school assignments,” Abbas said with a laugh.
RETURNING TO SCHOOL AT 40
Sharifah, who holds a degree in business management, could have simply settled for the familiar routine of a stable job. However, she felt that she was “capable of more”.
Seeing some peers struggle with new systems at work and hearing some older workers say that learning anything new after 40 was “too hard” strengthened her resolve to return to school.
“I remember thinking: I don’t want to be so comfortable that I stop learning anything new,” she said.
She believed the skills from her specialist diploma would remain relevant in most workplaces.
The evening classes were held from 7pm to 10pm twice a week and allowed her to continue working.
Another reason she chose the course was its focus on statistics, an important part of data analytics.
Sharifah used to enjoy Mathematics but struggled with statistics in her earlier studies. “I wanted to see how much further I could go in this area,” said the mother of three.
“Pursuing a course in data analytics has given me a stronger understanding of statistics and has significantly improved my ability to interpret and apply statistical concepts in practical scenarios.”
The timing, she added, also felt like a “sweet spot”. Her youngest child had just entered Primary 1 while her middle child was still one year away from taking the primary school leaving examination.
At the same time, Abbas had just enrolled at TP through the polytechnic foundation programme, a one-year preparatory pathway that allows eligible Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students to progress to their diploma studies upon passing certain core modules.
“My mum inspired me a lot to continue my journey at TP,” Abbas said, adding that he sought her help in math-related topics for his course assignments.
STEPPING UP TO HELP HIS MUM
Sharifah said her eldest child became one of her biggest supporters. Whenever she had assignment deadlines, he would find ways to lighten her load at home.
For instance, he would check his younger sister’s homework and occasionally step in to send her to and from tuition classes when their domestic helper was unavailable.
“Even just washing the dishes and keeping my room clean helped my mum feel less stressed,” he said, to which Sharifah smiled.
“I appreciate that Abbas was attentive and picked up some of the responsibilities that he mentioned without a lot of complaints, because I also understand that teenagers have their own lives and activities,” Sharifah said.
There were also moments where Abbas saw his mother struggling with difficult assignments. “Sometimes, she would complain about how it was very difficult and questioned why she was doing the specialist diploma,” he said.
Sharifah recalled those moments of doubt. “I would ask myself, why did I sign up for this? Was there really a need for me to study at my age?”
Even so, she persevered, balancing a tight schedule of work, studies and parenting."
TV presenter Diana Ser lists out life advice for her children entering university: 'Don’t just make friends' (27 July 2026)
"For parents, no matter how old your children get, there is always one more piece of advice you would like to squeeze in before they head out the door.
For former actress and Talking Point host Diana Ser, that door just happens to lead to university.
The 54-year-old recently revealed that two of her three children – presumably her eldest son Jake, 19, and daughter Christy, 17 – will be starting university next year.
To mark the milestone, she shared a series of adorable throwback photos of them growing up, along with five life lessons she hopes they'll carry with them into adulthood.
1. Iron your clothes
It's more than just about appearance, though – it reflects self-respect and discipline, she wrote.
2. Seek solace in the outdoors
“Nature calms, refreshes, and rejuvenates.”
3. Don’t just make friends
“Cultivate friendships that last. These provide emotional and psychological support and relationships, and relationships that anchor you.”
4. Get enough sleep
“You’ll look and think better. Period."
5. Get perspectives on everything
“But ground your decisions to what matters most to you. Your values, passion, and loved ones.
Ser and former actor James Lye have been married for 22 years and are also parents to Jaymee, 14."
Former preschool teacher jailed for slapping 3-year-old boy, causing his head to hit cupboard (27 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A former preschool teacher was sentenced to five months' jail on Monday (Jul 27) for slapping a three-year-old boy so hard that his head hit a nearby cupboard.
The 31-year-old Singaporean woman pleaded guilty to one charge of ill-treating a child in her care under the Children and Young Persons Act.
The court imposed gag orders on the victim covering the incident location and school. CNA is not naming the accused as a search of her name reveals the school.
The court heard that the victim was a pre-nursery student in the preschool under the woman's care.
At about 10.30am on Sep 12, 2025, the boy was sitting on the floor crying outside his classroom.
When told about this by another teacher, the accused walked out of the classroom, lifted the boy by his wrists and carried him into the classroom.
She threw him to the floor, and the crying boy smacked her thigh in response.
In retaliation, the woman slapped the boy's arm. The commotion drew the attention of other teachers.
The accused closed the classroom door and scolded the victim before slapping his face twice. The impact caused the boy's head to hit a cupboard next to him.
The school principal had approached the classroom because of the commotion and saw the slaps.
She immediately intervened, carried the boy out and informed his mother of what happened.
When questioned by his mother, the boy initially denied that anything untoward had happened, but later said the accused had told him not to tell his parents about it.
The boy's mother lodged a police report."
3 self-radicalised teens detained by ISD; 2 planned attacks on schools in Singapore (27 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 14-year-old boy who was self-radicalised online was prepared to carry out a mass-casualty stabbing attack at his secondary school after creating a 21-page manifesto detailing the attack.
He was arrested by the Internal Security Department (ISD) in May, a month before his planned attack, and issued with a detention order, the agency said on Monday (Jul 27).
The Secondary 2 student was among three teenagers who were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), said the ISD in a press release.
Another of them was a 15-year-old Secondary 4 student who was self-radicalised online by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ideologies, and planned to conduct an attack in Singapore to further the group’s cause and establish an Islamic caliphate in Southeast Asia through violent means.
The two secondary school students were not named as they are under 18.
The other case involved 19-year-old tertiary institution student Tan Jun Jie, who also supported ISIS and planned to carry out knife attacks against Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops at Sembawang Air Base and LGBTQ students in his school. He also attempted to conduct cyberattacks against the websites of Muslim organisations that he deemed deviant.
“Though their cases are not related, all three were self-radicalised online by violent extremist ideologies, and had made preparations to conduct local attacks,” ISD said.
The schools that were targets in the attack plots were not identified by ISD.
“CLOSE SHAVE”
The 14-year-old is the youngest person to be detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). It is also the first detention involving Composite Violent Extremism (CoVE), previously known as “salad bar” extremism.
This refers to a form of violent extremism where individuals subscribe to multiple, and sometimes conflicting, extremist ideologies.
The boy’s radicalisation journey began with first-person shooter (FPS) games on online gaming platform Roblox, which recreated real-life school shootings, such as the 1999 Columbine High School incident.
“Out of curiosity, the youth searched for more information online, and learnt that several mass shooters had been victims of bullying, and their acts of violence were a form of retaliation against those who had wronged them,” the agency said.
“The youth identified with these mass shooters, as he claimed to have also been a victim of bullying.”
His social media algorithm also fed him violent gore and mass shooting content, while he joined online channels in the True Crime Community.
While playing the games and watching the violent footage online, the student imagined his bullies as the in-game characters and the victims in the videos, and himself as the perpetrator of the violent acts.
In 2024, he came across on social media ISIS supporter Omar Mateen’s 2016 mass shooting on a Florida gay nightclub.
“He idolised Mateen as he related with the latter’s experience of being bullied, and admired Mateen’s high kill count during the attack,” said ISD.
He believed it was justifiable to kill gay people, as he considered them to be haram – or forbidden – in Islam.
After consuming more ISIS content, he began supporting the group’s killing of kuffar, whom he defined as non-Muslims, and was willing to attack them if instructed by ISIS.
He also considered travelling to Syria to join the group, but lacked the resources. The youth shared ISIS-related videos with his friends, including several schoolmates, to flaunt his support for ISIS and promote the group.
None of his schoolmates was radicalised by his attempts, noted the ISD.
He was also exposed to far-right extremist materials, including anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi narratives, eventually developing such views over time, such as support for Adolf Hitler’s killing of Jews as he believed they were responsible for mistreating Palestinians in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The ISD added that the youth supported the notion of white supremacy and considered himself more “white”, as he perceived himself to be fair-skinned.
“By late-2025, fuelled by personal grievances at being bullied by his schoolmates and put under academic stress by his teachers, the youth planned to conduct a mass-casualty attack against non-Muslim teachers and schoolmates at his school during the then-upcoming school holidays in June 2026,” said the ISD.
“He timed his planned attack with the school holidays as he thought there would be fewer teachers present to stop his attack, and had identified specific days when he and his targets would be present in school for co-curricular activities.”
'Can’t turn every school into a garrison': SM Shanmugam on balancing security, free movement after school attack plots (27 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Schools cannot be turned into “garrisons” as there is a need to balance security and free movement on campuses, said Senior Minister K Shanmugam on Monday (Jul 27) after three teenagers were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Of the three students, two had planned attacks at schools. One of them, a 14-year-old, had drafted a 21-page manifesto detailing the attack.
When asked if security measures at schools will be stepped up, Mr Shanmugam said: “Schools are open spaces.
“You can't turn every school into a garrison or a cantonment, then it won't feel like a school. I've made the point about public buildings too in the past.
“In Singapore, if you want the majority of people to feel comfortable, confident, you have to have a balance between security and also free movement. People want to live without having to go through a whole series of restrictions.”
Mr Shanmugam, who is also coordinating minister for national security and home affairs minister, said that along with the efforts from the authorities, there has to be a vigilant society that looks out for each other and for things that are not quite right.
“At the same time, we have to accept that there is only so much you can do in terms of physical security. On top of that, of course, within schools and within other places, you train people to be alert and understand security,” he added.
The 14-year-old boy was arrested just weeks before he had planned to carry out the attack on his school. The Ministry of Home Affairs described it as a “close shave” after someone from his school noticed the signs of radicalisation and alerted the authorities.
Education Minister Desmond Lee said on Monday that it is an instinct for people to tighten up when such events happen.
“Let’s put perimeter fences, let's do 100 per cent checks, let's go around and check every bag, have metal detectors and so on – that cannot be the main kind of approach that we take when it comes to this,” he said.
Mr Lee said there are already multiple layers of vigilance, training and contingency planning in place in schools, along with security measures such as closed-circuit cameras, security staff in schools and institutes of higher learning (IHLs) and selective bag checks when necessary.
“But schools are places where people learn. They spark the joy of learning. They are places where people must feel comfortable learning,” said the education minister.
He added that not every IHL is a gated and closed community, with campuses that are open and free for people to come and go.
“So we want to make sure that we strike the right balance and put in place the right measures through getting people more aware of what they need to look out for, and strengthening this overall community of vigilance,” said Mr Lee.
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN?
Several radicalised youths in recent cases had viewed harmful content on social media.
In the latest case involving the 14-year-old boy, he had “avidly consumed” violent gore and mass shooting content that he encountered on social media, based on algorithmic recommendations as well as on online channels that were linked to the True Crime Community.
In response to a CNA question on whether a social media ban will solve the issue of youths encountering extremist content online through their algorithms, Mr Shanmugam noted the experience of other countries.
“A number of approaches have been tried in other countries. Social media bans have been imposed in Australia, the UK has discussed it, France’s parliament has looked at it, with varying degrees of effectiveness,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has been speaking publicly about what can be done to protect young people, not just from extremist online content, but also the harmful effects of social media on their development.
How to best deal with the issue, including whether a ban is the best approach, is a matter that MDDI is looking at, he said.
“But harmful extremist content, when we come across it, we block it. But as I said, in today's world, it's not possible to block everything,” said Mr Shanmugam, adding that one of the youths had been radicalised through online gaming platform Roblox."
Singapore police issue directions to block access to terrorism-related content online (27 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The police said on Monday (Jul 27) that it issued directions to internet service providers and one online service provider over terrorism-related content under the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA).
The Singapore Police Force issued a disabling direction to one service provider, requiring it to take all reasonable steps to disable access by Singapore users to the relevant online videos. It also issued access blocking directions to internet service providers, requiring them to block access to websites carrying the offending material.
The content includes material that advocates for ISIS and mass shooters, glorifies extremists and encourages supporters to join extremist causes, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a news release.
Investigations found a direct link between the content and previous self-radicalisation cases in Singapore, where youths were radicalised after consuming material from these sites or used information from them to plot attacks, MHA said.
“The rise in self-radicalisation cases in Singapore, particularly among youth, is a matter of deep concern," it said.
“Online platforms must not be allowed to serve as vectors for the spread of terrorist ideology to persons in Singapore, and the government will not hesitate to act against entities that seek to do so.”
On Monday, the Internal Security Department said three self-radicalised youths – aged 14,15 and 19 – were detained in recent months under the Internal Security Act.
While their cases are not related, all three were influenced by violent extremist ideologies and had made preparations to conduct attacks locally.
In its press release, MHA said it is working with the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to safeguard Singaporeans, especially children, from harmful online content.
It urged parents, educators and the wider community to remain vigilant over young people's online activities and to discuss the dangers of online radicalisation with them.
Members of the public who come across content that glorifies or incites violence can report it through the platform's in-app reporting function or to the Internal Security Department (ISD). The public should also alert ISD if they suspect a threat against Singapore or believe someone may have become radicalised.
STRENGTHENING SAFEGUARDS IN SCHOOLS
In a separate release on Monday, MOE said schools and institutes of higher learning will continue strengthening efforts to stay vigilant against youth self-radicalisation.
Students learn about the negative impact of extremist ideologies through social studies, secondary history, and character and citizenship education, while cyber wellness lessons teach them to identify negative influences and inappropriate websites, MOE said.
Schools are also trained to identify students at risk of online self-radicalisation, with counsellors, teachers and school leaders working together to provide early support and intervention.
All secondary school personal learning devices are installed with an application that filters objectionable material, including extremist websites, MOE said. Schools also use website filtering systems on their wireless networks, and these safeguards are reviewed regularly.
On the police's directions to block access, MOE said the move would help protect Singaporeans, especially children, from harmful online content. It added that parents play an important role in supervising their children's online activities beyond school."
'Predator' who paid 13-year-old girls for sex gets jail and caning for statutory rape (27 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A man kept a detailed diary of how much he spent on sexual acts with 17 girls, three of whom were 13 at the time.
One of the 13-year-old girls lodged a police report against him after he asked her for more sex.
Edmund Tan Shi Hui, a 28-year-old Singaporean man, was on Monday (Jul 27) sentenced to 25-and-a-half years' jail and 24 strokes of the cane for statutory rape.
Tan pleaded guilty to six counts of statutory rape against the three 13-year-old girls, with another 10 charges taken into consideration.
His lawyer argued for a lower sentence, saying the payment of the victims should not be an aggravating factor since it was essentially commercial sex, but the judge rejected this argument and found that the payment was instead an aggravating factor in the rape cases.
THE CASE
Tan was between 24 and 25 years old at the time of the offences in 2022 and 2023.
He got to know the first victim sometime before early March 2022 in a Telegram group chat.
The victim posted an advertisement saying she was 16 to 18 years old and was offering her sexual services for S$200 (US$155) to S$300.
Tan saw the ad and sent a private message to the victim, saying he was above 20 years old and willing to pay for sexual services.
They agreed to meet on Mar 4, 2022, with Tan paying S$100 for one round of sex in a public toilet.
The first victim met Tan at a toilet at Kovan MRT station in her school attire.
She performed a sex act on Tan, and he later told her that he knew she was younger than her professed age.
He said he would not report her, as he would "get into worse trouble than her" and paid her S$100 before they left.
After this first meeting, Tan texted the first victim saying he regretted giving her so much money.
He asked to have a video call with her, promising not to record it and offering S$500.
The first victim took the video call while in her school toilet and performed sex acts. Tan said he would pay her when they met in person, but later blocked her on Telegram.
The first victim chanced upon Tan via online video-conferencing platform Omegle in December that year.
Tan asked to chat with her and they later agreed to meet for paid sex.
The pair engaged in sex acts on Dec 26, 2022, and the girl later asked Tan to buy her a pregnancy test kit, as her period was late.
Tan did not want to as he said she had engaged in sex with other men. However, he met her again for paid sex in April 2023.
This time, the first victim asked Tan to stop having sex with other girls as she was worried about contracting sexually transmitted diseases from him, but he refused."
Live births in Singapore fall by 11.4% to 29,864 in 2025; deaths rise slightly (27 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The number of babies born in Singapore fell in 2025, while deaths remained largely flat, according to the Report on the Registration of Births and Deaths, which was released by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Monday (Jul 27).
In 2025, there were 29,864 live births in Singapore - an 11.4 per cent decrease from 33,703 in 2024.
Meanwhile, there were 26,499 deaths in 2025, an increase of 0.2 per cent, compared to the 26,442 deaths in 2024.
Singapore’s natural increase - the excess of births over deaths - narrowed sharply in 2025, mainly because there were 3,839 fewer live births while the number of deaths increased by just 57.
By ethnic group, Chinese residents recorded a natural decrease in 2025, with 3,071 more deaths than live births. Malay, Indian and other residents continued to record natural increases, at 3,006, 1,199 and 2,231 respectively.
BIRTH RATES AND TOTAL FERTILITY RATE
The crude birth rate, which refers to the number of live births per 1,000 residents, fell to 6.5 in 2025 from 7.4 the previous year.
The crude death rate held steady at 6.0 deaths per 1,000 residents, even as the number of deaths rose slightly.
This brought Singapore’s crude rate of natural increase - the excess of births over deaths per 1,000 residents - to 0.5 in 2025, down from 1.3 in 2024. It was 5.9 in 2006.
The median age of resident first-time mothers rose to 32.1 years in 2025, continuing a steady increase from 31.3 years in 2021, 31.4 years in 2022, 31.6 years in 2023 and 31.9 years in 2024.
ICA said this reflected a "clear trend of first-time mothers progressively delaying childbirth to later stages of their lives".
About 47.5 per cent of all babies born in 2025 were to first-time mothers.
The ICA report comes after Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said in Parliament in February that Singapore’s resident total fertility rate (TFR) had fallen to a historic low of 0.87 in 2025.
The TFR refers to the average number of children a woman would have in her lifetime during her childbearing years.
Assuming the total fertility rate stays at 0.87, it would become “practically impossible” over time to reverse the trend, Mr Gan said, as Singapore would have fewer women who can bear children.
The country’s fertility rate fell below 1.0 for the first time in 2023 to 0.97, and remained the same in 2024."
Over-securing campuses in response to school attack plots may lead to normalisation of fear, say experts (27 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Ramping up security at campuses following the revelation of school attack plots may bring a sense of safety and assurance in the immediate short term, but may inadvertently normalise a culture of fear among students, experts said.
While physical security has a role, preventing students from slipping into radicalisation is just as important, said experts. This includes developing open communication channels with trusted adults with whom they can clarify doubts when they come across dangerous content or face difficulties.
On Monday (Jul 27), the Internal Security Department (ISD) said that it had detained three teenagers who were self-radicalised online, with two of them plotting to carry out attacks in schools.
One boy, 14, drafted a 21-page manifesto detailing the attack plan and admitted to authorities he would have carried out the stabbings. He was arrested weeks before he was due to carry out the attack, in what ISD called a “close shave”.
Associate Professor Razwana Begum, head of global security and strategy at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, said: “Schools must remain places where students feel safe, but also where they continue to feel trusted.
“We should be careful not to unintentionally create environments that resemble high-security facilities unless the threat assessment clearly warrants it.”
She said that equally important to physical security measures are trusted relationships between students and adults, accessible counselling support, threat assessment capabilities, and a school culture where concerns can be raised early.
Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder of local non-profit The Whitehatters that facilitates community dialogue, said that while schools need robust security plans, she would be “very cautious about turning schools into heavily fortified spaces”.
“If students have to walk through metal detectors every morning, that inevitably changes how they experience school. It subtly sends the message that school is a place where danger is expected rather than the exception,” she explained.
“We have to be careful not to create an environment where fear becomes normalised.”
Pornsak to pursue master's degree in nutrition and lifestyle medicine at NUS at age 44 (28 July 2026)
"Lately, our social media feeds have been filled with proud parents celebrating their children's milestones, from Chew Chor Meng's daughter's NUS graduation to Diana Ser's two kids who will be starting university next year.
Former Mediacorp host Pornsak, however, has decided it's his turn to hit the books again at 44 years old.
The local host announced on Instagram that he's been accepted into the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, where he will be pursuing a master's degree in nutrition and lifestyle medicine from August.
Classes begin on Aug 3, and if all goes according to plan, he will complete the programme in about two years.
Sharing the good news on Instagram, he wrote: "I'm going back to school again."
8days.sg has reached out to Pornsak for more on his decision to further his studies, but has not received a response at press time.
These days, many people know Pornsak for co-hosting livestreams for Ichigo.sg alongside former Mediacorp actors Zhang Zhenxuan and Kang Chengxi.
But away from the cameras, he's also been practising as a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner at Everspring Medical Group.
Pornsak earned his TCM practitioner's licence in 2021 after spending 10 years studying while juggling his showbusiness career.
He also shares that his master's programme is part-time, allowing him to continue seeing patients at his clinic while running his business and attending lectures.
Pornsak isn't the only local celebrity proving that learning doesn't stop after your 20s.
Earlier this year, former Mediacorp actress Florence Tan graduated at 49 with a degree in health science."
16-year-old gymnast Amanda Yap clinches Singapore's first Glasgow Commonwealth Games medal (28 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Teenager Amanda Yap clinched Singapore's first medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after a sensational performance in the women's balance beam final on Tuesday (Jul 28).
At The Arena in Glasgow, the 16-year-old, who is making her Games debut, registered a score of 13.233 to take silver behind Australia's Breanna Scott (13.933). Canada's Lia-Monica Fontaine finished in third place.
In doing so, Amanda equalled Singapore's best finish in the sport at the Games, with Lim Heem Wei also taking balance beam silver at the 2010 edition.
This is also Singapore’s first gymnastics medal at the Games since Hoe Wah Toon claimed bronze in the individual men’s artistic vault in 2014.
The teenager booked her spot in Tuesday's final as the second-best qualifier.
Last October, she made history as the first Singaporean gymnast to qualify for a world championships final, eventually placing sixth in the balance beam.
She followed that up with a silver in the same event at the Bangkok SEA Games, ending Singapore’s two-decade-long wait for an individual SEA Games balance beam medal."
NLB to launch new multi-year campaign to get Singaporeans to read more (29 July 2026)
"The National Library Board (NLB) will launch ReadSG – a five-year national campaign to encourage Singaporeans to make reading a daily habit – in September to coincide with the inaugural National Reading Month.
With changing reading habits in an increasingly digital world, where people are consuming more short-form content, ReadSG seeks to encourage sustained long-form reading, which NLB says helps build attention and critical thinking skills, support overall mental well-being, and build empathy and social understanding.
Among the initiatives is the ReadSG Challenge, which gamifies reading by allowing participants to log their daily book reading sessions through CrowdTaskSG, a government digital platform that rewards users for completing various activities from walking in parks to buying budget meals.
CrowdTaskSG users earn experience points for completing tasks, allowing them to level up, as well as coins that can be redeemed for cash.
Another initiative is Read For Good, formerly known as Read for Books, where every 15 minutes spent reading contributes towards charitable causes supporting communities such as kidsREAD or MINDS.
Further details on both initiatives, including how the challenges work, will be announced at the campaign launch.
The campaign will officially launch on Sep 6 at the National Library Building with programmes running from 11am to 6pm. Activities include themed reading spaces, activity booths, a marketplace and a mass reading session, where participants gather to read together. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will attend as guest of honour and serve as the campaign's patron.
NLB will also bring back its Big Book Giveaway on Sep 19 and 20. Last year's edition saw about 60,000 pre-loved books given away to the public.
More information on ReadSG and its programmes is available on the campaign's official website."
Man who drove Porsche with 2 young sons on boot fined S$5,000, banned from driving (29 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A man who posted a video of himself driving a Porsche with his two sons sitting on the boot was fined and banned from driving on Wednesday (Jul 29).
Prem Anan Sugunakumar, a 40-year-old Singaporean, said he did so because he thought it would be an "enjoyable experience" for his sons, then aged eight and seven.
He was fined S$5,000 (US$3,870) and banned from driving for six months after pleading guilty to a charge of a rash act endangering personal safety.
The court heard that Prem knew his act would endanger his children.
On the morning of Oct 20, 2025, he decided to spend time with his sons.
He drove his car to Dairy Farm Lane, a two-lane road in Bukit Panjang, and led the boys to the vehicle from their home nearby.
He lifted the boys and placed them on the boot of the vehicle, facing the road behind.
He then drove at a moderate speed down the lane towards Dairy Farm Heights with the boys on top of the boot.
His wife filmed the incident and he posted it later on TikTok.
At the time, another driver going in the opposite direction saw what happened and made a police report that same day.
MULTIPLE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS
The prosecution read out a list of more than 15 traffic violations that Prem had committed between 2004 and 2020, including speeding, inconsiderate driving and unauthorised parking.
It sought the maximum fine of S$5,000 for Prem, along with six months' disqualification from driving.
The prosecutor said it was purely fortuitous that the children did not sustain any injuries, adding that they were vulnerable due to their age.
As their father, he should be expected to prioritise or at least look out for their safety. Instead, he deliberately put them in a position of danger."
Law Ministry to undertake broader review of legal education: Edwin Tong (29 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Law (Minlaw) will undertake a broader review of legal education and consider a launching a guide that sets out professional norms and workplace behaviours, said Minister for Law Edwin Tong on Wednesday (Jul 29).
Speaking at the Legal Profession Symposium, the former litigator noted that while the attrition in the industry is real, attrition figures alone do not tell the whole story.
"Lawyers have always left practice at some point in their career, usually at the earlier frame of their career," said Mr Tong, noting that attrition figures have remained broadly stable.
Between 2015 to 2024, about 60 per cent of lawyers stayed in practice after five years, and 40 per cent after 10 years.
The real question is not whether people are leaving, but why they are leaving, the minister said.
"Are they pursuing different aspirations and opportunities, or are they pushed away because legal practice has become intolerable and unsustainable when otherwise they would like to be in practice? And I think that distinction matters a lot."
Around the world, law schools are rethinking how to prepare the next generation of lawyers, and Singapore should study how these developments apply to it, said Mr Tong.
This is why the law ministry will undertake a broader review of legal education, he added.
"But no matter how well we prepare our students, the most important learning still begins after they enter practice, just as it did for my generation."
Workplace culture, good supervision, mentorship and respect matter at the workplace, said Mr Tong.
"At the same time, I do not believe the experiences described in the report is the majority of our profession. They don't define our profession," said the minister, referencing the Law Society's findings that were released in June.
The four-year study found that lawyers are leaving private practice amid toxic workplace cultures, bullying, unreasonable workloads and a profession that intrudes into their personal lives.
Those experiences probably reflect the actions of a small minority, he added. "Unfortunately, it only takes a few individuals to cast a shadow over a profession that is overwhelmingly made up of decent, committed people who want to see their juniors succeed and will mentor them well."
Mr Tong stressed that nothing excuses poor supervision, inadequate training, harassment, bullying or unreasonable treatment.
For example, being screamed at, ridiculed, or expected to work unreasonably is not acceptable, he added.
While there is no single formula for a healthy and sustainable workplace, Mr Tong noted that a workplace can be demanding without being demeaning, and feedback can be candid without being disrespectful.
The law ministry is considering introducing a sustainability code or guide for the legal profession, he said.
Rather than prescribing how law firms should be run, the code would set out the professional norms and workplace behaviours that lawyers should aspire to, said Mr Tong."
Commentary: Rules on social media will only go so far for teens. This is what I did instead (30 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: About five years ago, my eldest son Truett, then 13, approached me with what seemed like a perfectly reasonable request.
A number of his friends were on Instagram - could he set up an account, too?
He probably assumed I’d say yes, given how I had spent the better part of two decades making a living creating campaigns on social media. Instead, I spent the next two evenings putting together a ten-slide PowerPoint presentation explaining why I thought he should wait.
The presentation covered Meta's own research on the effects of social media on young people, how notifications exploit our reward systems, why adolescent brains are particularly susceptible to social validation and a handful of studies on attention and mental health. Despite my best efforts to inject levity and memes, it was probably in the running for top ten most boring presentations a 13-year-old has ever sat through.
I sat back at the end of my spiel, and braced for his protest.
There was none. Instead, he listened quietly, thought about it for a moment, and asked if Discord, an instant messaging platform, was off-limits too. After ironing out some ground rules, we agreed that he could be on that platform.
For Instagram, my preference was that he wait until he was 18. We eventually settled on revisiting the conversation at 16.
And just like that, the Kao family social media guidelines were set.
JUST FOLLOW LAW?
The recent debate surrounding social media bans for children has reminded me of that conversation.
Australia in December 2025 became the world's first country to ban social media for children under 16. Since then, some countries such as Malaysia have followed suit. France is the latest country to act, approving legislation on Jul 21 to ban children under 15 from social media.
Critics have questioned whether such laws are enforceable, with a recent study in Australia suggesting limited impact.
We were all young once, and we know how remarkably resourceful teenagers are. Give them a rule, and they will discover a way to break it.
That does not mean the legislation has failed or is unnecessary. We don't judge every law by whether it catches every offender. Rather, It’s about establishing a social norm and making harmful behaviour harder.
I see social media restrictions in much the same way. If they raise the barrier to entry, even slightly, they have already done part of the job.
It's a little like speed cameras on expressways. Every driver knows where some of them are. People slow down before reaching them, then speed up afterwards. We know this, and laugh about it, yet few among us would argue that speed cameras therefore serve no purpose.
Their value isn't simply in catching offenders. Sometimes it's enough that they cause people to slow down for a stretch."
What is ‘salad bar’ extremism, and is a new rehab playbook needed to tackle this form of radicalisation? (30 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: As extremist threats shift beyond traditional ideological lines with the rise of “salad bar” extremism, detecting and rehabilitating radicalised individuals has become more difficult than before, said experts.
Also known as Composite Violent Extremism (CoVE), it has seen individuals assemble their own patchwork of ideologies, including conflicting ones such as pro-ISIS and far-right narratives, upon which they pursue violence..
This development has implications for rehabilitation, which has to address a more complex mix of ideological, psychological and behavioural influences in radicalised individuals. This means rehabilitation cannot rely on past playbooks, experts told CNA.
The term "salad bar" was made popular by former Federal Bureau of Investigation director Christopher Wray to describe individuals who pick and choose different beliefs and narratives, rather than subscribing to one ideology.
Researchers recently started referring to it as CoVE to better capture the complexity of these evolving pathways. Authorities in the United Kingdom have also used the term Mixed, Unstable and Unclear (MUU) extremism to describe it.
In Singapore, the Internal Security Department (ISD) faced the first case of salad bar extremism last September, when a 14-year-old boy was dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Since then, there have been similar cases.
In June this year, a 19-year-old youth was revealed to have been arrested for the same reason, while earlier this week, the ISD announced that it has detained a 14-year-old boy who was plotting a school attack.
WHY IS IT MORE DANGEROUS?
“For the individuals driven by CoVE, it is violence first, and ideology second. They will make their ideology fit their actions,” said S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) professor of security studies Rohan Gunaratna.
The rise of salad bar extremism reflects an important shift in the threat landscape, noted Associate Professor Razwana Begum, head of global security and strategy at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
“Traditionally, we tended to associate radicalisation with a single ideological movement,” she said.
However, individuals today are drawing from multiple sources, including conspiracy theories, anti-government sentiments, racial or religious hatred, geopolitical events, online communities and a fascination with previous attackers, she added.
This becomes dangerous as it is much harder to identify radicalised individuals, as they may not fit the traditional profile that security agencies, educators or even family members are familiar with, said Assoc Prof Razwana.
The 14-year-old in the recent case was radicalised by pro-ISIS thought, far-right extremism, including anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi narratives, white supremacy beliefs, and also violent gore and mass shooting content through the online True Crime Community.
RSIS associate research fellow Kenneth Yeo added that the “pick-and-choose nature” of such ideologies adds to the danger.
“Traditionally, there is an authoritative source of extremist ideology and counternarrative efforts could be directed towards it,” he said, noting that this does not really apply to salad bar ideologies where there is no need for coherence.
CoVE cannot be dealt with from a counter-ideological approach only, as it does not have a specific and relatively clear structure that can be deconstructed, analysed and countered, said RSIS dean Kumar Ramakrishna."
Teen who licked iJooz straw and returned it to vending machine gets S$600 fine (30 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A teenager who posted a video of himself licking a straw and returning it to an iJooz vending machine was fined S$600 (US$465) for public nuisance on Thursday (Jul 30).
The clip had gone viral after someone in his Instagram circle recorded it and forwarded the footage to a media outlet, the defence said.
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a 19-year-old French national, pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance, with a second charge of mischief taken into consideration.
On Mar 12 this year, Maximilien attended a boxing session at Goldhill Centre.
After this, he went to an iJooz vending machine there and bought a drink.
He took a straw from the machine, licked about half of it and placed the contaminated straw back on the straw dispenser, filming the process.
He then collected the drink, took the contaminated straw and left.
Maximilien later edited the footage and uploaded it to Instagram.
The act caused iJooz to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser, worth S$5 in total, the charge states.
BOTH SIDES CALL FOR FINE
The prosecution was in agreement with the defence that a fine was suitable.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Maximilian Chew, who took over the case from a state prosecuting officer, said a fine would suffice because of Maximilien's youth and the circumstances of the case.
He left the quantum to the court's discretion.
The previous hearing had been adjourned for the prosecution to check the status of Maximilien's student pass on conviction.
"I understand that ICA will make that decision having regard to all relevant considerations including circumstances of the case and the outcome of today's proceedings," said Mr Chew.
He added that the prosecution's sentencing position is therefore independent of the outcome of Maximilien's student pass."
Singapore expert panel recommends targeting harmful social media features instead of imposing age bans (30 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Social media platforms should be made safer for young people by addressing potentially harmful design features rather than imposing blanket age-based restrictions, an expert panel has recommended.
The Ministry of Health (MOH), which convened the panel in September 2025 to examine the impact of social media use on young people's mental health, announced on Thursday (Jul 30) that it had submitted its report to the government.
In its report, the panel "considered the evidence on the potential negative impact of problematic social media use on young people’s mental health, weighed against the possible benefits that social media may bring", said MOH.
"On balance, the panel is of the view that the cost of inaction is too high."
It recommended "a precautionary and proactive approach" to regulating social media use among young users, MOH said.
The panel noted: "Definitive causal links between problematic social media use and adverse mental health outcomes have not yet been established, and conclusive causal evidence may take years to emerge.
"However, the evidence of association is clear and sufficient to act on - many jurisdictions have already done so in some form, recognising that waiting for certainty is not a responsible option."
The Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health was commissioned to review the international evidence base. This informed the expert panel's deliberations and underpinned the recommendations it set out, MOH said.
The panel is co-chaired by Institute of Mental Health chief Dr Lim Choon Guan and Associate Professor Lee Jungup at the National University of Singapore's department of social work.
ADDRESS RISKS, RATHER THAN A BLANKET BAN
The panel acknowledged that countries including Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Indonesia have moved to raise the minimum age for access to social media.
Most of these moves seek to ban users under the age of 16 from accessing platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. France's proposed legislation targets users under the age of 15.
"The panel acknowledges the intent behind such measures, but is concerned that blanket age-based restrictions do not distinguish between harmful and beneficial uses of social media, and risk being counterproductive should young people easily circumvent age restrictions," said MOH.
"A more durable and proportionate response" is preferred to make social media safer by design for young people, rather than simply deferring the onset of its use, it added.
The recommendation is broadly in line with the government's recent approach.
Earlier this month, Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo said at a forum on child online safety that restricting social media access was "not the starting point" and "not the preferred outcome".
In May, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam said in parliament that Singapore's approach was “more demanding, more rigorous” than a blanket ban."
New Curiosity Credits could help self-help groups offer more enrichment programmes for niche interests (30 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Singapore self-help groups (SHGs) said the new Curiosity Credits could unlock a wider range of enrichment programmes for youths by pooling demand for niche interests.
These could include courses such as culinary arts and speech and drama, which may otherwise be difficult to offer because of low enrolment.
The scheme aims to help youths pursue non-academic interests, pick up new hobbies and make friends outside of school.
For a start, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth will work with the self-help groups to provide S$500 (US$380) in credits to youths aged 13 to 17 who receive support from them.
The four ethnic-based SHGs are the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Mendaki, the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) and the Eurasian Association. These groups were set up to uplift the underprivileged in their communities.
The list of eligible programmes is still being finalised. The National Youth Council said more details will be announced at a later date.
SPARKING NEW INTERESTS
Organisations that run enrichment programmes said the credits could help expose more youths to activities they might otherwise not have the opportunity to try, such as robotics and sailing.
Coding school The Lab hopes to offer its classes under the new initiative after previously partnering with the CDAC.
Its co-founder Adelene Fong said the goal is to spark youths' curiosity and encourage them to continue learning independently, with many of the coding platforms used in class being open source and freely accessible.
“What we really want to do is to make sure we trigger their interest,” she added.
“Most of our classes, the platform that we choose, especially for the older kids, are open source. It's technically free. So they can go beyond just attending this class...they can go home and just try it out.”
Ms Fong said some life skills, such as logical thinking, cannot be developed in traditional classroom settings or learned from textbooks.
The School of Robotics is also keen to come on board.
Its past programmes with SINDA showed that even youths with little initial interest in coding later discovered a passion for robotics.
“They were very fascinated about what robotics is capable of,” said School of Robotics CEO Stephen Zhuo.
“So especially when they build a project through their imagination and make it alive, (that) would actually interest them.”
Beyond technology, the credits could also lower barriers to trying sports such as sailing, where introductory courses can be costly.
The Singapore Sailing Federation said there is strong interest in its introductory courses and is exploring using the scheme to allow more youths to experience the sport.
“This is a chance for a lot of our children to experience the open waters. Some of them, after they spend an hour or two with us, want to continue learning how to sail,” said its CEO Leslie Tan.
“I would be happy to work with any organisation that wants to give children who may not otherwise get a chance to try and see what it's like to go out and enjoy the open waters.”
Commentary: The value of men’s book clubs amid the male loneliness epidemic (31 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: “I would like a strong and independent woman as a partner. But if she is already strong and independent, why would she want to date someone like me?”
A participant said this at a book club I hosted to about a dozen other men in attendance. We were discussing Inheritance by local author Balli Kaur Jaswal, a decades-spanning story following a Punjabi family as they navigate changing identities and a modernising Singapore.
I was glad that he was honest about his feelings. Many of us would have trouble expressing such private thoughts, especially to people we’re meeting for the first time.
Yet the conversation flowed freely as we used the characters’ experiences as a launchpad into our views on shifting expectations around familial and romantic relationships in Singapore society.
This was a typical session of my men’s book club, which explores depictions of masculinity and male issues such as fatherhood, social isolation and incel culture. I believe such discussions can function as valuable spaces for men, particularly at a time when male mental health is in the spotlight.
THE MALE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC
Much has been made of a “male loneliness epidemic”. A 2020 NUS study showed that elderly men (aged 61 to 96) were twice as likely as women to be “socially disconnected”. A 2023 IPS poll found that youths aged 21 to 34 were more likely to report higher levels of loneliness than other age groups, suggesting that many young men may also be experiencing loneliness.
From 2019 to 2024, male suicide rates in Singapore have consistently been higher than women’s, in line with international trends. Singapore men are also less likely to seek mental health services than women, despite being more likely to experience a mental disorder in their lifetime.
These are occurring against amid debates about toxic masculinity and the “manosphere”, an internet subculture featuring hypermasculine male content creators pushing ideas of traditional gender roles as a route to self-improvement.
Amid a rise in social isolation and harmful online content, there is a need for men to talk about their issues in a healthy way.
THE NEED FOR MEN’S BOOK CLUBS
In late 2025, I co-founded the Modern Man’s Book Club. My co-founder Zubin Jain and I had noticed that book clubs in Singapore were predominantly attended by women. It was not clear to us why this was so - book clubs are open to all, and there isn’t an intuitive reason why men would read less than women.
While there are no conclusive studies on why this happens, one explanation could be that women may view book clubs as a social activity and invite their friends, resulting in book club attendances skewing majority female. These book clubs may then fly under the radar for many men, or those who attend, find that they may not relate to the issues being discussed.
We saw a potentially underserved audience and decided to start a book club for men who may already be reading or want to read more, but lack an outlet to share their thoughts about the books they read.
The response has been heartening. From just a handful in our first two sessions, we now regularly have around 15 to 20 participants at each session, with both returning and first-time attendees. While our book club is open to all genders as we believe everyone is affected by the issues we talk about, men now outnumber women at our sessions.
What has surprised me most is the free-flowing nature of these conversations. While Zubin and I prepare handouts with discussion prompts for participants, on almost every occasion, the discussion takes on a life of its own after our introductory question to the group. So much for the stereotype that men do not talk about themselves.
The conversation tangents that participants embark on are also varied. In our discussion of the 2025 Booker Prize winner Flesh by David Szalay, some shared their frustrations with the protagonist’s portrayal as an emotionally detached character with monosyllable dialogue."
‘Literally born into it’: Given up for adoption at birth, Anita Fam found her life's purpose in helping others (31 July 2026)
"Anita Fam still remembers the day her brother awkwardly handed her a brown envelope. “Anita’s documents”, it said in her mother’s handwriting.
That was 2014. Fam’s father had recently passed away. While clearing the family house, Fam’s brother found the envelope in the safe.
It contained Fam’s original birth certificate and an adoption petition.
“I've known I was adopted since probably the age of five,” said the 63-year-old. “I vaguely remember my mum coming to my bedside and telling me.”
But this was the first time Fam was seeing her original birth certificate. There was a section in it that listed an unmarried 19-year-old woman from a small town in Johor, Malaysia, as her birth mother. Where her birth father’s name should be, there was nothing but a dash.
The address? Not a hospital. Not a home. It simply noted: “Care of Salvation Army Singapore”.
Decades later, Fam, the president of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), helped shape Singapore’s hundreds of social service agencies, including The Salvation Army.
“When I shared my birth story with The Salvation Army folks, they said that my roots are in social service – I was literally born into it,” Fam said.
As Fam steps down from her presidency on Jul 31, 2026, she reflects on her journey.
THE FULL-TIME VOLUNTEER
Surprisingly, Fam does not know her birth name. “I didn’t even look at it (on my birth certificate). It didn’t matter to me,” she told CNA Women.
Her father’s family had a strong culture of adoption – many of her cousins were adopted – so she accepted her being adopted as a “natural thing”.
She grew up in a privileged household and loving family, she said, and became a lawyer.
In 1994, she had just made junior partner in a law firm when a family friend invited her to sit on the board of the Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) and do pro bono legal work. She did for three years.
Then in 1999, she gave birth to her eldest daughter. Fam, who described herself as “not the world’s most maternal”, simply loved being a mum.
She was then an in-house finance lawyer at an American multinational. She took two months’ maternity leave – standard at that time – then extended it to four months. Then, she converted to a part-time role, taking conference calls in the dead of the night while breastfeeding her baby.
But when she realised she was not giving her best to either work or family, on Dec 31, 1999, Fam resigned to become a full-time mum.
But it would not be just changing diapers and supervising play time for Fam.
Less than a month later, the same family friend roped her in as a volunteer to help children with physical disabilities integrate into mainstream schools. She became vice-chairperson of AWWA’s Teach Me programme, which provided therapy and education assistance, and introduced the students to sports.
A few months later, in September, heavily pregnant with her second child, Fam became chairperson of the programme. Later, she also chaired TM Services, AWWA’s umbrella for programmes supporting children and youth with physical disabilities and additional needs, and launched a job-readiness programme that offered vocational training and internships for youths.
“Today, the pressure is to get five or six internships in the pocket. But in those days, internships (for students in institutes of higher learning) weren’t a thing,” she recalled. Fam knew this would give these youths an edge in the job market.
Many of today’s most recognisable disability advocates passed through her programmes, including Paralympians Yip Pin Xiu, Theresa Goh and Jovin Tan.
“I watched them grow up. And they left their mark (on me) because of their drive, resilience and clarity (of purpose),” she said.
FROM VOLUNTEER TO SECTOR LEADER
In part, this experience inspired Fam to devote herself to volunteering. By 2010, she was serving on more than 10 boards and committees, working across diverse social issues including healthcare, palliative care, disability and autism support – all unpaid.
“I used to tell everyone I haven’t worked since the end of last century,” mused Fam. “My husband corrects me. I just haven’t been paid since the last century, he says.”
It was also in 2010 that Fam was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). Her doctor believed it was because her workload was too heavy, and she had to leave more than half the boards, Fam said.
But she continued volunteering. And in 2016, she was appointed to co-chair a task force with the then-NCSS president to steer Singapore’s social service sector for the next five years.
The roadmap the task force developed identified four priorities – to empower individuals and families, build stronger communities, strengthen organisational capabilities and develop the ecosystem. The vision was for every person to be empowered to live with dignity in a caring and inclusive society.
Two years later, she was offered the role of president at NCSS."
Caterer Gourmetz charged over River Valley gastroenteritis incident that left 60 students ill (31 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Catering company Gourmetz was charged in court on Wednesday (Jul 29) over food safety offences linked to the River Valley Primary School gastroenteritis incident in January, which left 60 students ill.
Authorities said in a statement on Jan 16 that most of the affected students had returned to school, except for four who recovered at home. No one was hospitalised.
River Valley Primary School is one of 13 schools under the new central kitchen meal model, with Gourmetz operating its school canteen.
The company faces six charges over alleged offences committed on Jan 16 and Jan 28 in relation to food storage, false labelling, bacterial contamination and maintenance of a licensed food establishment.
According to court documents, the company had allegedly stored sauce in a dirty blue thermal tub in its processed vegetable chiller room on Jan 16.
The company is also accused of storing marinated chicken on a dirty trolley that had accumulated food stains in the meat chiller room.
The company is further accused of failing to ensure its licensed food establishment was properly maintained and kept clean. The rubber gasket of the meat chiller room door was purportedly damaged and the ceiling of the processed vegetable chiller room was allegedly dirty with black spots.
Ready-to-eat steamed chicken rice and garlic fried rice sets produced by Gourmetz were allegedly found to contain Bacillus cereus, a type of bacteria that causes food poisoning at levels exceeding permissible limits.
The company is also accused of using false labels on bento sets on Jan 28. The meals were labelled "ready by 8.30am" even though they had allegedly been packed and ready at about 6.48am.
It also allegedly stored raw marinated chicken on dirty plastic pallets and kept frozen pastries uncovered in a raw material freezer."
Missing Singaporean woman who unexpectedly left for Cambodia found safe (31 July 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 20-year-old Singaporean woman who became uncontactable after unexpectedly travelling to Cambodia has been found, police said on Friday (Jul 31).
Ms Aishah Siregar, who was last heard from by her family on Tuesday, “has been found safe by the Cambodian National Police”, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
“We have reached out to our Cambodian National Police counterpart to obtain more information and to render further assistance as appropriate,” SPF said.
The police said that the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Singapore Embassy in Phnom Penh are providing consular support to her family.
“The police express appreciation to the Cambodian authorities for their prompt assistance,” SPF added.
Ms Aishah’s last message to her mother said she was going to school on Tuesday morning. According to their family’s helper, Ms Aishah was last seen leaving the house in a light grey hoodie and grey pants.
However, when her family prepared to pick her up as usual, they discovered that her WhatsApp and Telegram accounts had been deleted, her older brother Syafiq Siregar told CNA on Friday afternoon.
Ms Aishah’s phone line was also dead when they attempted to call her.
The family returned home to find her passport missing and lodged a police report. They later discovered a flight itinerary in her emails for a trip to Cambodia on Tuesday afternoon.
Other emails showed she had transferred hundreds of dollars to an unknown figure over the past few days. While the family has never seen or spoken to the person, Mr Syafiq said their name matches that of an online friend his sister had been gaming with for over a year.
“We heard her call out the name (before),” he said. “She played every day, so all of us heard that she has been playing games with this person.”
“We know of this person. But we have never seen, we have never heard him speak at all. But we know that she’s playing games with this person.”
The transactions have raised the family’s fears that Ms Aishah was lured to Cambodia by a scammer. The country has emerged as a hub for scam compounds, which are known for luring and trapping individuals to carry out scams on their behalf.
“MY SISTER IS NOT LIKE THIS”
Mr Syafiq said Ms Aishah’s sudden departure for Cambodia was uncharacteristic of her, describing his sister as obedient and someone who never caused issues.
“My sister is not like this. She has never run away from home. She's not rebellious,” he said. “We have a very close bond as a family.”
He said his mother was “distraught” and found it difficult to work as usual. “All of us here are just trying to do as much as we can to get as much information.”
News of Ms Aishah’s disappearance began circulating on social media after a user posted on Instagram asking for any leads on her whereabouts.
“Our family is very worried, and every minute that passes feels so long,” said the user, identifying himself as Ms Aishah’s father.
“As a father, I am begging for your help. I just want my daughter to come home safe,” he wrote.
Mr Syafiq said late on Friday that he, on behalf of his family, thanked Cambodian Ambassador to Singapore Sok Khoeun, the Cambodian Embassy in Singapore and the Cambodian police for the “fast response and actions in helping us find our sister”."
Distrust, anger, disruptions: Incarcerated parents on the struggle to rebuild family ties after release (31 July 2026)
"When Ms Samsiah Samsudin was first arrested, the youngest of her four children was just eight months old.
Now 49 and working as a driver transporting passengers for a logistics company, she recalled her foremost concern then: "I was very worried. I knew my husband could not look after the children."
She said her now ex-husband had been abusive throughout their marriage, and although she had asked her parents for help, her relationship with her siblings and family "wasn't strong".
In the end, her children remained largely in her ex-husband's care, with some support from her family. At first, he took them to visit her, but stopped about three years into her five-year sentence for a drug-related offence.
Even though a social service agency helped to coordinate visits with her family, her once-close relationship with her children fractured.
Reconnecting with her third son upon her release in 2019 was particularly hard. He was just 11 when she entered prison and nearly 17 when she was released.
"He was already a teenager, so he tended to rebel. When I tried to talk to him, he kept saying I lied to him, I left him – so it's quite painful," Ms Samsiah said, her voice choking with emotion.
"If I made a little mistake, he would say things like, 'This is what you get for leaving me'."
Since her release, Ms Samsiah has received support from several social service agencies, most recently being connected with the Women In Recovery Association (WIRA), a charity assisting female drug ex-offenders in their rehabilitation journey.
Through its Procare befriending programme and support group, she learnt to better manage conflicts with her son and regain her confidence as a mother.
For parents such as Ms Samsiah, working on staying in touch with family and restoring relationships – especially with their children – can be difficult during imprisonment.
And the pain and reconciliation do not end there.
Even after their release, rebuilding trust with their families can be a long and trying process, complicated by the years of separation that have altered their roles and relationships.
Experts who have worked with ex-offenders said that a family member's imprisonment can destabilise a household in many ways.
These include the financial strain of losing a breadwinner, coping with complex feelings of anger, shame and disappointment towards a loved one, and the social stigma that leads some families to withdraw from their communities.
Some families also expect ex-offenders to fall back into their old roles immediately after release.
Others are not ready to reconnect, however genuine the efforts are by the ex-offenders to make amends.
THE EFFORTS TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER
For inmates hoping to remain close to their children, their willingness to stay connected can run up against practical limits.
Inmates are allowed to write not more than four e-letters each month – with just one face-to-face visit a month for those serving prison sentences and those in drug rehabilitation centres.
Mr Roy Leng, the head of Allkin Restorative Service, said that even a shorter jail term may coincide with a significant period of a child's development.
For example, there may be changes in how they communicate, which can then be difficult for parents to catch up.
Allkin Restorative Service is a support programme for individuals and families affected by incarceration, under the social service agency Allkin Singapore.
For 45-year-old Daniel (not his real name), who spoke on condition of anonymity, what hurts is missing out on his four-year-old daughter's milestones.
He was sentenced when she was a newborn and is expected to be released in August after being in jail since 2023 for drug-related offences.
"I was not there when she took her first steps," he said. "Doesn't matter if it's playing with her at home, accompanying her at the playground or sending her to school – I want to be present. I've so much lost time to make up for."
My dad always opens the door for others. It took me decades to fully understand why (31 July 2026)
"Growing up, I thought every dad was like mine.
I don't remember my mum ever opening a door herself. Whether it was entering a restaurant or coming home, before her hand could even reach the handle, Dad would already be there. Getting out of the car, he'd walk around and open her door.
And he doesn't do this just for my mum.
If there's someone walking behind him – an old uncle, a young kid or someone he's never met before – he'll naturally hold the door open, too.
To him, it's simply the right thing to do. To me, it's just something I assumed to be normal.
It wasn't until I started hearing my friends talk about their own parents and venturing into the dating pool myself, that I realised not every husband treats his wife like this.
I had simply been lucky enough to grow up believing this was what every marriage looked like.
And looking back, I see my dad had been teaching me these lessons about love even before I understood what they meant.
WHAT MY FATHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT LOVE
One of my earliest memories with Dad was when I was around four years old.
He was holding my hand while we were walking along a pavement. Out of nowhere he said: "Son, one day it won't be my hand you're holding. It'll be someone very special to you."
Then he moved me to the outside of the pavement, which was closest to the roadside. "When that day comes, always let her walk on the inside."
I asked him why. "So if a car comes, it'll hit you instead of her," he said.
I burst out laughing. It sounded so dramatic to me then, even though it turns out that this act of etiquette dates back centuries in Europe.
Only years later did I realise that when he taught me that, it wasn't a lesson on walking. It was about how your instinct should be to protect the one you love from anything and everything, big or small.
When I started dating, I found myself doing the same thing without even thinking about it, nudging my date to the inside of the pavement while I placed myself on the outside.
Some of my friends laughed at me. "You think what? How many cars actually crash into people every day?"
They may be right. But to me, that was never the point. It was just my small way of telling the person I'm walking with: "I've got you."
Some lessons from my dad took me even longer to understand.
My parents weren't perfect. They had their fair share of disagreements. But one thing remained constant: Dad always apologised first.
It baffled me, especially as I grew out of childhood. It wasn't as if he was wrong all the time.
When I asked him why, he simply said: "Cut your losses."
I laughed. "What does that even mean?"
"Son, if I win this argument, your mum still won't be happy. And when she isn't happy, the whole family isn't."
Honestly, I thought it was nonsense. If you're right, you're right. Why apologise?
It took me years to understand that Dad wasn't saying one person should always give in. He was saying that sometimes protecting the relationship is more important than protecting your pride.
To be fair, Mum apologised plenty of times too. It wasn't a one-sided relationship where Dad was always the one giving in.
But Dad always made the first move, not because he had done something wrong, but because he didn't want the misunderstanding or fight to hurt the relationship.
In his mind, saying sorry didn't necessarily mean "I was wrong". It just meant "I love you more than I love being right".
Looking at Mum and Dad now after all these years, I think that's what has kept their marriage so strong. Neither of them ever saw apologising as losing. They saw it as choosing each other."
TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi urges NTU doctoral graduates to 'actively seek the unknown' at conferment ceremony (1 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: TikTok chief executive officer Chew Shou Zi on Saturday (Aug 1) urged doctoral graduates to "actively seek the unknown" and apply their "superpower" to address real world problems.
In a 10-minute speech at a graduation ceremony for PhD students at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the 43-year-old Singaporean spoke about his upbringing in Yio Chu Kang and his early encounters with technology, his academic journey from Hwa Chong Institution to Harvard Business School, and climbing the corporate ladder to eventually lead the social media platform.
The ceremony is part of NTU's 2026 convocation. This year, more than 14,000 students from the class of 2026 - the largest batch in the university's history - will graduate across 29 ceremonies.
A total of 575 graduates received their doctorate degrees across two ceremonies on Saturday, with Mr Chew addressing those who attended the first ceremony in the morning.
Noting that the graduates are entering the workforce in a time of "massive structural change", Mr Chew said it is time for them to take the lead as they enter a new and uncharted era of artificial intelligence.
"We see it every single day, and an unprecedented big picture innovation era. This is a pivotal and exciting point in history - where change is not constant, but exponential and compounding."
He advised the doctoral graduates to "actively seek out the unknown".
"You've just spent years earning a PhD, proving that you already know how to push the boundaries of human knowledge. Now, take that superpower and apply it to the messy, ambiguous problems of the real world.
"Seek out rooms where you are the least experienced person in them. Embrace uncertainty because that is where meaningful innovation happens. As you go out there, rely on the network of brilliant peers sitting around you today, because they are your community," he said.
The community will remind them of their purpose and reflect what they are truly capable of, added Mr Chew.
"So as you leave this university, keep that curiosity that first opened the map for you. Wherever this extraordinary educational passport takes you next, above all, remember to protect your creativity and to protect your joy, because you are the generation that will build the next era of positive innovation."
More students can pursue mother tongue languages under expanded programme from 2027 (1 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: More students will be able to pursue the study of mother tongue languages and literature at an advanced level from 2027, as the Ministry of Education (MOE) expands its Mother Tongue Language Elective Programme.
Education Minister Desmond Lee announced this at the 14th Mother Tongue Languages Symposium on Saturday (Aug 1), with the expansion aimed at giving more students opportunities to deepen their language proficiency and appreciation of culture and literature.
From 2027, MOE will broaden access to the Tamil language elective programme at both the secondary and junior college levels through a centre-based approach at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre.
This is in addition to the two junior colleges - Anderson Serangoon and National - and three secondary schools - Commonwealth, Riverside and Yishun Town - currently offering it. The move will allow students from schools that do not currently offer the programme to participate and provide a clearer pathway for such students going from secondary school to junior college.
The Chinese language elective programme at the junior college level will be expanded to a sixth school, Anderson Serangoon Junior College.
MOE will also expand the Malay (Special Programme), which allows students whose mother tongue language is not Malay to learn it as a third language, and gain an understanding of the Malay community in Singapore and regionally.
From 2027, National Junior College will become the programme's fifth centre, enabling more students to take up Malay as a third language.
"We want to create pathways for students who want to learn mother tongues more deeply," said Mr Lee."
Missing Singaporean woman found in Cambodia says she was not forced into scam activities (1 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 20-year-old Singaporean woman who was found safe in Cambodia after she was reported missing said on Saturday (Aug 1) that she travelled there of her own accord to work as an English teacher, denying that she had been forced or was involved in criminal activities.
In a video released after Cambodian police located her in the country, Ms Aishah Siregar said she left Singapore because she found life stressful and wanted to "find my own path".
"It is entirely my choice," she said, adding that she had not been forced or scammed into travelling to Cambodia.
"To clarify once again, I have not been involved or been forced to partake in any scamming activities or any criminal activities," she added in a video statement obtained by CNA from Cambodian authorities.
The one-minute video, taken at the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Headquarters, was released after Singapore police on Friday said Cambodian authorities had found Ms Aishah safe in the country.
Cambodia's Ministry of Interior also reportedly said she told investigators that she had travelled to the country because of personal family issues and had deliberately cut off communication with her family after leaving Singapore.
Citing findings by the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams, the Khmer Times reported that she left Singapore on Jul 28 aboard Emirates flight EK-348 and arrived at Techo International Airport later that day.
Before she went missing, Ms Aishah’s last message to her mother said she was going to school.
However, when her family prepared to pick her up as usual, they discovered that her WhatsApp and Telegram accounts had been deleted. Her phone line was also dead when they attempted to call her.
The family returned home to find her passport missing and lodged a police report. They later discovered a flight itinerary in her emails for a trip to Cambodia.
It raised the family’s fears that Ms Aishah was lured to Cambodia by a scammer, and the family appealed publicly for help."
Woman, 20, charged with trafficking minor for sex; 8 men charged with paying girl for sex (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 20-year-old woman was charged on Monday (Aug 3) with trafficking a 16-year-old girl for sexual exploitation and receiving S$1,435 (US$1,120) from the process.
The Singaporean woman is also accused of using Telegram to facilitate the provision of sexual services by a 16-year-old girl and living on the earnings of her sex work.
The names of the accused woman and the alleged victim cannot be published due to gag orders issued by the court. Court records indicate that the accused and the alleged victim were occupants in the same shelter.
Eight men were also charged with obtaining or attempting to obtain the sexual services of a 16-year-old girl by paying her money ranging from S$30 to S$150.
This allegedly occurred in February 2024 at places like a toilet for the handicapped, staircase landings and in parked vehicles.
They are all Singaporean men: Muhammad Ngasri Sengngari, 35; Wilfred Ang Shui Lai, 34; Irham Hussaini Mohamad Hussain, 24; Muhamad Haziq Bakatiar, 23; Muhammad Ameerulah Noor Mohamed, 27; Syahirul Daud Abdul Razak, 26; Muhammad 'Aizat Khalis Daud, 38; and Fazal Hanafi Abdul Hameed Chaudhry, 41.
The accused woman also allegedly worked with another unidentified person to deceive three people on Telegram into paying for sexual services that were not provided.
The police said in a statement that they had arrested all nine people after investigating the sexual exploitation of two minors who were below the age of 18 at the time.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the 20-year-old woman had allegedly exploited both victims by facilitating their provision of paid sex and profiting from the arrangements.
The identities of the eight men were established via follow-up investigations."
Singapore must prepare workers for more job changes and continuous retraining: Jeffrey Siow (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Singaporeans are likely to change jobs more frequently in future, and the government's focus will have to shift towards continuous retraining to help workers adapt, said Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow on Monday (Aug 3).
Speaking at a dialogue organised by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs – his first public engagement since being promoted to full minister last month – Mr Siow said younger Singaporeans are unlikely to follow the same career paths as previous generations.
"For many of us...where you work for one organisation and one job for a long time, that's not going to happen for my kid, not going to happen for the next generation of Singaporeans,” said Mr Siow, who is also second minister for finance and co-chairs the Economic Strategy Review committee on global competitiveness.
“It's more likely the case that you will take different jobs, try different things. You may have to change companies very often.”
This means the focus must shift from preparing people before they enter the workforce to helping them acquire new skills throughout their working lives, he added.
"The centre of gravity will shift from the pre-employment stage, away from schools, away from universities, to in-employment – when you are going for retraining more often, or when you are in between jobs, doing more training and reskilling and building up the capabilities to be able to adapt, to take up new jobs and to do new things," Mr Siow said.
He was responding to a question on the trade-offs Singapore would face in implementing the Economic Strategy Review (ESR), released in May with 32 recommendations to drive growth, jobs and resilience.
SMALLER WORKFORCE AS AN ASSET
Singapore's demographic constraints mean the country must place greater emphasis on developing its workforce, said Mr Siow.
"Our population is ageing very quickly. Our (total fertility rate) is abysmal," he said, adding that this would mean "a more highly skilled workforce, but a much smaller one".
Rather than treating this purely as a constraint, Singapore could invest more intensively in each worker, he said.
“With a smaller Singaporean base, actually I can invest more per person, train them more, train them more intensively, build the structure to enable them to get access to reskilling resources more quickly, help companies, incentivise them to retrain Singaporeans and prioritise those efforts.
"That is something not many cities or countries can do."
Singapore already has a headstart with SkillsFuture, Mr Siow said, and doing more in this area would help the country overcome its manpower constraints."
Man in secret sexual 'relationship' with 13-year-old niece for almost 2 years, gets jail for rape (3 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: In getting into a sexual relationship with his 13-year-old niece, a man sexually exploited her, raped her during staycations and "punished" her with sex acts when he grew jealous about a schoolmate she was dating.
The 38-year-old Singaporean man, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, was sentenced to 21 years' jail and 16 strokes of the cane on Monday (Aug 3).
He pleaded guilty to six charges that included statutory rape and sexual assault. Another 17 charges were considered in sentencing.
The court heard that the man was close to his brother, the victim's father.
At the time of the offences, the offender was in a relationship with a woman whom he later married in May 2024. However, they did not live together.
He lived with his grandmother until she died before getting his own home.
PAIR GREW CLOSER AFTER HER 13TH BIRTHDAY
When the victim was below the age of 13, her interactions with her uncle were limited to family gatherings and outings on special occasions.
In September 2022, the man took the victim out to celebrate her 13th birthday and she rode on his motorcycle.
She said she enjoyed it and wanted to do it again, so he took her out several days later for supper.
While out, the girl saw her ex-boyfriend and told her uncle that he had touched her sexually and that she did not take issue with it.
From that day onwards, the pair grew closer and the girl would visit her uncle after school.
On one occasion, he molested her and asked if that was what her ex-boyfriend did. Although the girl was shocked, she did not object or react.
From October 2022, the pair considered themselves a couple, exchanging romantic messages daily, kissing and engaging in sex acts.
On a family trip to Malaysia around November 2022, the man molested the girl while they were alone in his room.
During the girl's school holidays in the same month, the girl got permission from her parents to sleep over at her uncle's place.
His grandmother had died by that time and they were alone at home.
After drinking alcohol, they engaged in sex acts and the man tried to rape her but could not, but he did it the next morning on her agreement.
After this, the pair had sex about four times a week at the man's home.
He also went out to eat and shop with the victim, but avoided behaving intimately when their family members were around.
In 2023, the victim got permission from her parents to have a staycation with her uncle. He took along alcohol and toys and they had sex at a hotel.
They continued seeing each other in 2024, with the teenager visiting her uncle after school. The man joked about committing incest with her."
Understanding the road to online radicalisation: Why platforms like Roblox are only one part of the puzzle (4 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Gaming platform Roblox has come under the spotlight after it featured in recent cases involving self-radicalised youths in Singapore.
In May, a 14-year-old boy who was preparing to carry out a mass-casualty stabbing attack was arrested by the Internal Security Department (ISD).
In a separate case, another 14-year-old who recreated Islamic State attacks online was issued a restriction order in November.
In both cases, Roblox was one of several online spaces where the teenagers had been exposed to violent or extremist-related content.
Experts say this reflects a broader pattern, with the pathway to radicalisation often spanning multiple online platforms.
SEARCH FOR BELONGING
For some vulnerable teenagers, the process often begins with isolation.
“If you're isolated, you realise that you don't want to go out because you don't want to eat alone. You don't want to do things alone,” said Ms Pauline Phoon, founder of social enterprise COMEBACK and a member of Singapore's Media Literacy Council.
“When you're in Roblox...that loneliness is mitigated by the sense of being with others. And then you feel that you are accepted,” she said.
Experts say vulnerable teens may seek connection across multiple online platforms – from mainstream social media and gaming communities to private messaging channels – where they may become increasingly exposed to extremist content.
"From my experience engaging with radicalised youth, one factor that these youths have in common is a quest for significance,” said Mr Ahmad Helmi Mohamad Hasbi, senior research analyst at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and a religious counsellor with the Religious Rehabilitation Group.
At the same time, these young people are lacking in confidence and self-esteem, he said.
WHY ROBLOX APPEALS
Ms Phoon said that sandbox games such as Roblox, which give players plenty of freedom without any predetermined goal, can be a creative space for people to explore.
“Look at all their characters – it’s all squarish, so that is actually kind of reflective of what Lego does to encourage creativity. You can create your own space, your own games, how you want to engage your friends and even the general public.”
These games can appeal to vulnerable youth who feel isolated and are searching for purpose, say experts.
Most Roblox experiences are unrelated to extremism, and the platform explicitly prohibits extremist content.
In response to CNA’s questions about how it handles extremist content, Roblox said it has artificial intelligence detection systems and monitoring teams in place. The company said it also works with law enforcement and safety organisations.
A search on the platform did not find terrorist training camps or school shooting simulators that were reportedly used by the self-radicalised youths, but CNA did find military simulation games, which recreate modern battlefields featuring trenches and drones.
Such games allow players to simulate tactics inspired by contemporary conflicts.
They can also provide players with clearly defined roles, objectives and a like-minded community to achieve them, which could appeal to isolated children looking for a sense of belonging."
SG Science Fest offers free entry to Science Centre with science shows and activities over National Day weekend (4 August 2026)
"Science fans have something to look forward to this National Day weekend. Science Centre Singapore is marking the long weekend with the SG Science Fest, a three-day event featuring science shows, hands-on activities and water-themed experiences.
Running from Aug 8 to 10, from 10am to 6pm daily, the festival is free for all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. It features live science demonstrations, including a face-off between a human and a robot, alongside interactive experiments and water play zones.
Joining the festivities is Quby, the popular WhatsApp sticker character, who will appear throughout the festival as a guide through the various activities, photo spots and storytelling experiences.
This year's festival also adopts an ocean-themed setting, with programmes inspired by marine science. Visitors can take part in mystery-solving activities, water play experiences, and children's games with a marine-inspired twist.
Other hands-on stations explore marine science through activities such as testing ship buoyancy and examining coral fragments.
Families with young children can also visit SG Science Fest Juniors at KidsSTOP, which features storytelling sessions inspired by Singapore's maritime heritage, alongside opportunities to view specimens of local marine plants and animals. Tickets for the SG Science Fest Juniors bundle at KidsSTOP are priced at S$5 per adult and S$10 per child.
At the Omni-Theatre, visitors can catch films including Little Eve – Stories Of Planet Earth and Ocean Paradise, with tickets from S$9. During selected screenings of Earth: Our Only Home, 10-year-old musician Shayne, one of Singapore's youngest licensed buskers, will perform live alongside the planetarium presentation.
The Science Centre will also host food and play zones celebrating Singapore's heritage. The Bazaar at the Marquee will have booths on Singapore's local delicacies, alongside a community art installation. At the amphitheatre, visitors can try traditional childhood games such as chapteh and five stones.
For more information, those interested may visit the official Science Centre Singapore website."
Woman seeking S$1 million in child support from alleged father fails to get court-ordered DNA test (4 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A woman failed in her bid to get the court to order a DNA paternity test from a man she claims to be the father of her child, setting back her attempt to seek up to S$1 million (around US$780,000) in lump-sum maintenance from him.
In a judgment on Jul 30, District Judge Phang Hsiao Chung said that although the family court has the power to order a DNA test, this should be exercised sparingly in light of legitimate privacy concerns.
He added that in this case, the woman did not present enough evidence to obtain such an order.
Judge Phang also said that it was not enough for parties to know each other and have sexual relations.
"Otherwise, a promiscuous woman who conceives a child can, on the pretext of seeking maintenance for the child, apply to the court to order any man whom she has ever had sexual relations with to submit to DNA paternity testing, simply by making a bare allegation that she had sexual intercourse with that man around the time the child was conceived."
He added that the court must be satisfied that the woman and the man did in fact engage in sexual intercourse around the time the child was conceived before ordering the man to go for a DNA paternity test.
The woman, who was not named in the judgment as is usual for a family court ruling, gave birth to the child in May 2014.
She had married another man known only as "M" the year before, and he was listed as the father on the child's birth certificate.
In 2020, the woman and M obtained an interim judgment for divorce. They were granted joint custody of the child and a second child.
M was solely responsible for maintaining both children.
The woman then turned to the court to get what she claims is the real father of her child to pay child maintenance of S$8,926 a month, or a lump sum of S$1.07 million.
THE WOMAN'S ARGUMENTS
The woman, represented by Ms Diana Foo from law firm Legal Eagles, submitted to the court two slightly different accounts of what happened.
First, she said that she met the child's birth father around 2013 through a marriage-and-friendship introduction agency.
They developed a relationship and had sex at his home. The woman claimed that she had agreed to have premarital sex with the man because he said he was unmarried.
She also claimed that he was her only boyfriend at the time.
When she told the man about her pregnancy, expecting him to support her and the child, he denied responsibility, saying it was not possible that the child was his.
He later cut off all contact with her, she said. However, during her first trimester, the woman said that M supported her and she married him in August 2013.
She then put M as the father on the child's birth certificate because she could not put the real father's name, since he refused to acknowledge he was the biological father.
She added that she was in a state of emotional distress at the time, struggling with pregnancy and forming a rapport with M to get him to agree to being named as the father.
In the woman's second account of the events, she claimed that she met the father of her child in late 2012 instead, after she had broken up with M, whom she had known earlier.
She said they had sex about four times in 2013 at the man's home, with the last time being in August 2013.
She agreed to have sex with the man because he gave her the impression that he was serious about marrying and settling down with her.
After she got pregnant and the man cut off contact with her, she got back together with M.
In her second account, the woman said that even though M was responsible for solely maintaining the child after their divorce, she had been the child's primary caregiver and bore the costs of the child's upbringing.
She claimed that M was not the biological father of the child, providing a DNA paternity report that stated so.
However, she admitted that the samples were not collected under a strict chain of custody. This means there was no documented record showing who handled the samples from collection to testing.
The report itself stated that it could not verify patient names and sample origins."
Commentary: Has Singapore reached a 'when, not if' moment for school attacks? (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: It’s been drilled into us: A terror attack on Singapore is a matter of “when, not if”.
The disclosure on Jul 27 that three youths had been detained under the Internal Security Act for planning attacks in Singapore brought to light one particularly chilling case: A 14-year-old Secondary Two student was arrested in May, weeks before he intended to carry out a mass-casualty stabbing at his school during the June school holidays.
He had reportedly been influenced by Composite Violent Extremism (CoVE): a mixture of Islamic State propaganda, far-right extremism and fascination with mass shootings. The teen had prepared a 21-page manifesto detailing his attack plan and identified teachers and students as targets.
School attacks are not new, but a recent cluster of incidents suggests that they are no longer a predominantly American phenomenon.
In November 2025, a 17-year-old student allegedly detonated explosives in his Jakarta school, injuring 96 people. In February, an 18-year-old gunman stormed a school in southern Thailand, killing its principal and wounding a student. In June, two students aged 14 and 15 opened fire at a high school in the Philippines, killing three students and injuring at least 20 others.
The case of the 14-year-old boy inevitably raises a difficult question: If school attacks are not unthinkable, what does a “when, not if” mindset mean when it comes to keeping our children safe?
THE SECURITY PARADOX
School security is not only about preventing an attack. A school must be safe but also feel safe for it to function as a school.
The perception of a threat creates pressure for visible action. Once the learning environment is organised around fear, security begins to defeat its own purpose.
Mandatory bag checks and school drills against assailants may reassure students and parents that the danger is being taken seriously. Yet these same measures can make the threat feel more immediate.
Active-shooter drills, like those practised by millions of American students each year, illustrate this paradox: They may prepare students to respond during an attack, but they also require children to repeatedly imagine that a gunman could enter their classroom, which could institutionalise anxiety.
This underpins Senior Minister K Shanmugam’s response that we cannot “turn every school into a garrison”. Children should not be in an environment designed to remind them that they could be attacked.
WHAT DOES MEANINGFUL PREPAREDNESS LOOK LIKE?
The challenge, then, is how to strengthen security without allowing the machinery of security to dominate the experience of school.
This does not mean physical security is irrelevant. The key is to implement quiet layers of protection that make schools difficult to attack without making them difficult places for learning.
Schools need friendly but trained security personnel, sufficient CCTV coverage, sensible access controls and rehearsed evacuation procedures. These are invisible layers of security that could be masked as background routines to normalise habits without raising alarm.
Schools in Singapore already conduct emergency drills, such as fire, evacuation and lockdown drills – at least twice annually the Ministry of Education said in 2021 – for staff and students to rehearse the “run-hide-tell” principle. While these drills rehearse response against an active attacker, it should be approached in a calibrated manner to avoid making fear part of everyday school life.
Schools already have security measures in place, and each close call is a reminder that preparedness cannot become an exercise in simply going through the motions."
Meet the AI tutor helping polytechnic students learn better (5 August 2026)
"Developed by NCS and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, the curriculum-grounded tool tailors support to help students grasp module concepts faster and in greater depth.
For adult learners, the most difficult questions do not always arise during class or consultation hours. They may surface late at night, between work commitments or while revising independently.
At Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), that challenge helped inspire AI Tutor, an artificial intelligence (AI) learning tool developed in partnership with NCS.
Designed as a 24/7 learning companion, AI Tutor helps students work through difficult concepts, reinforce understanding and progress at their own pace. For continuing education and training learners, many of whom hold full-time jobs and have limited opportunities to consult lecturers, this added support can make a difference.
“We saw an 8 to 10 per cent improvement in examination pass rates among students who used the tool, compared with a previous batch that did not,” said Ms Lynn Fong, senior director and registrar at NP and director of its Centre for Learning & Teaching Excellence.
“WHAT DIFFERENTIATES AI TUTOR IS THAT IT IS NOT JUST REACTIVE BUT PEDAGOGICALLY INTENTIONAL.” – MS LYNN FONG, SENIOR DIRECTOR AND REGISTRAR AT NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC AND DIRECTOR OF ITS CENTRE FOR LEARNING & TEACHING EXCELLENCE
NOT JUST ANOTHER CHATBOT
At first glance, AI Tutor works much like a chatbot. Students type a question into a search bar and receive an instant response. The difference lies in how those responses are generated.
Rather than drawing broadly from across the internet, AI Tutor is grounded in NP’s course materials. This keeps responses aligned with what students are expected to learn, while reducing the risk of inaccurate, conflicting or irrelevant information that can surface with general-purpose AI tools.
“By anchoring AI Tutor in relevant materials, we guide learners in a structured and pedagogically sound way to arrive at an accurate conceptual understanding of the subject matter,” said Ms Fong. “Learners engage with ideas consistently, in line with what they are expected to analyse, apply and evaluate in the curriculum.”
The close partnership also helped the platform evolve in response to learners’ needs. NP and NCS found, for instance, that text alone was not sufficient when diagram- and circuit-based problems formed a key part of learning.
“We initially assumed text-based inputs would be sufficient, but feedback quickly showed otherwise,” said Mr Wong Boon Kiat, partner and practice lead of AI mission engineering at NCS. “That led us to build image upload capabilities so learners could submit diagrams, charts or problems and get meaningful explanations.”
Added Ms Fong: “The AI was engineered to break these visuals down into step-by-step explanations, helping learners to see how concepts connect.”.
“THE TOOL FREES EDUCATORS TO FOCUS ON THE MORE COMPLEX CONVERSATIONS THAT REQUIRE HUMAN JUDGMENT AND EXPERIENCE.” – MR WONG BOON KIAT, PARTNER AND PRACTICE LEAD OF AI MISSION ENGINEERING AT NCS
WHEN ANSWERS LEAD TO BETTER QUESTIONS
General-purpose AI tools can provide a wide range of information, but they may not always help students think through a problem. AI Tutor is designed to support the learning process rather than simply retrieve information.
Ms Fong said the tool guides learners from basic understanding towards analysis, synthesis and evaluation, skills that are important for those upskilling or moving into new careers.
At a foundational level, AI Tutor helps students quickly find relevant information from their course materials, clarify areas of difficulty and build understanding through follow-up questions.
The tool is also designed to encourage deeper thinking. When a student asks how a circuit works, for instance, AI Tutor can do more than provide an explanation. It may surface higher-order questions that prompt analysis and reflection, such as: “How can the superposition principle be applied to analyse the circuit?” This can help learners connect multiple concepts and think more critically about the topic.
The platform also supports more targeted revision. Students can generate personalised quizzes to test their understanding, followed by a performance summary that highlights strengths and areas for improvement. This lets them focus on what they have yet to master, rather than revisit entire sets of lecture notes."
Are words like 'supermum' and 'girl boss' doing women more harm than good? (5 August 2026)
"We use superlative language all the time. A bowl of noodles is extremely delicious. A massage, mind-blowing. A holiday, a once-in-a-lifetime experience – even if it’s just a regular holiday.
We use hyperbole when describing women too. Superwoman, supermum, girl boss, powerhouse, goddess, queen – it seems women are constantly "killing it" and exhibiting "main character energy".
It’s not uncommon to say “slay, queen” to a friend who got promoted at work or “you’re in your hot girl era” when she prioritises living for herself.
Dr Natalie Games, senior clinical psychologist at Alliance Counselling, said many of these terms began as expressions of encouragement and empowerment.
The problem is that they’ve become overused and that could be bad for women. Dr Games said it’s not the words themselves but what happens when they become identities women feel they must live up to.
“Labels like these can unintentionally reinforce perfectionism and conditional self-worth, where our value becomes tied to constantly performing, achieving or appearing resilient,” she explained.
“Research suggests that when people believe they must always be exceptional, they become more vulnerable to burnout, anxiety, shame and self-criticism,” she added.
Grace Loh, psychotherapist and executive coach at Grace PsyCap, said superlative labels create a moving benchmark of the woman who is always composed, productive and endlessly capable – and women then start comparing themselves to that imagined standard.
“At the same time, mental distress grows when there is a big gap between who I am right now and who I feel I should be,” Loh told CNA Women.
“Superlative language inflates those ‘shoulds’ and ideals, which are associated with higher levels of shame, guilt and depressive symptoms, particularly among women who already carry elevated self-standards.
“Over time, being human starts to feel like falling short,” Loh added.
WHEN EMPOWERING LANGUAGE TURNS HARMFUL
Loh pointed out that superlative labels can be used as mutual encouragement among friends or even to playfully tease each other. This creates a shared identity, which research has shown to be beneficial.
When women feel similar – rather than inferior – to the person they are comparing themselves with, it can boost their mood, said Loh.
“From a media perspective, superlative language has also been part of a broader post-feminist culture that encourages women to see themselves as powerful agents in control of their lives,” she added.
“In small doses and in safe communities, calling a friend superwoman or queen can be experienced as simple appreciation and solidarity.”
However, empowering language becomes harmful “when it shifts from a description of how a woman feels today to a prescription for how she must live every day”, said Loh.
Dr Annabelle Chow, clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology, said a useful litmus test for whether empowering language is harmful is: Does this label leave room for being human?
She explained: “If ‘girl boss’ means doing your best, it can feel affirming. If it means effortlessly balancing work, parenting, relationships, fitness, self-care and emotional well-being at all times and without struggle, it becomes an impossible standard.
“Many women are not distressed because they are failing. They are distressed because they are measuring themselves against unrealistic expectations.”
Four arrested after man allegedly abducted, threatened with parang (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Two men and two women, aged between 30 and 38, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in a case of abduction and possession of a scheduled weapon, police said on Wednesday (Aug 5).
The Singapore Police Force said in a news release it was alerted to a man being threatened by a group of people with a parang at a carpark along Canberra Street at about 1.55am on Tuesday.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was confronted by the four persons due to a dispute over a car rental agreement, and the 38-year-old man from the group brandished a parang and threatened the victim,” police said.
The victim was then asked to sit in the front passenger seat of his vehicle and the 38-year-old man drove him to another location, while the other man, 36, sat in the rear.
Acting on information received, officers located the victim’s vehicle. When the 38-year-old man saw the police, he allegedly fled in the vehicle with the victim and the 36-year-old man as passengers.
Police gave chase, with the pursuit ending after the vehicle crashed into a lamppost at the junction of Woodlands Avenue 7 and Woodlands Avenue 10.
Following the collision, the 36-year-old man fled on foot while the 38-year-old man was arrested at the scene, with a parang recovered in his possession.
The 36-year-old man and two women, aged 30 and 38, were later separately arrested through follow-up investigations."
Reported discrepancies in O-Level English oral not technical in nature or result of malicious act: MOE (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The discrepancies reported in the recent GCE O-Level English oral examinations were not technical in nature nor the result of a deliberate or malicious act, Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary said on Wednesday (Aug 5).
The issue arose after some candidates who sat for the exam on Jul 15 said the text prompt they saw on screen differed from what the oral examiner later read out to them.
This sparked complaints on social media, prompting the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) to investigate. SEAB said at the time that there was no discrepancy, as the same question had been shown to both candidates and examiners.
Responding to parliamentary questions on the discrepancies reported after the exam on Jul 15, Dr Puthucheary said some candidates may have experienced significant distress from the circumstances, which may have affected their ability to provide a suitable response.
Schools are working with these candidates to apply for special consideration, a process that reviews final subject grades for candidates whose performance was adversely affected by circumstances beyond their control.
“This is to ensure fair assessment. Each application will be evaluated on its merit,” said Dr Puthucheary.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) found no discernible pattern in the incidents: the 432 candidates who reported discrepancies came from 200 different oral examiner teams, with no particular order among the affected candidates, he said.
WHAT HAPPENED
For the oral exam, candidates first sit at a silent preparation station, viewing exam instructions, a text prompt and a video on a computer screen. After 10 minutes, they are then called to see the oral examiner, who reads out the same text prompt to start the presentation, with a second examiner also present.
Candidates have two minutes to deliver a planned response, followed by a discussion with the examiners on a topic based on the video clip.
“To be clear, the discrepancies reported were not about what the oral examiners asked. Only that the recollection of the text prompt at the preparation station was different from what the oral examiner read out,” Dr Puthucheary said.
All stations at the examination centres access the same approved, secure, encrypted material from the system, he added.
For this exam, the video showed street barbers at work, with the prompt: "Who do you think would go to a place like this for a haircut? Why do you say so?"
The reported discrepancies varied significantly, with different phrases recalled by different students, including some who took the exam at the same centre with the same examination team, Dr Puthucheary said.
Some candidates reported reading “Would you go...”, “Would you be interested...”, “Would you want...” or other variations, he added.
In its investigations, SEAB verified the exam material through system-level checks, logging into candidates' accounts to confirm the prompt and video they accessed.
It also reviewed digital logs of the material's authoring and delivery, as well as logs of what appeared on candidates' screens during preparation.
Investigations found that oral examiners and candidates accessed the same material at every centre, with no evidence of a system malfunction and no discrepancy between what was shown to candidates and examiners, Dr Puthucheary said.
All candidates’ and examiners’ accounts accessed only one source, and no cybersecurity incidents were detected."
NSF raped deaf and mute 13-year-old girl while pregnant wife was away, gets jail and caning (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A full-time national serviceman (NSF) who was absent without leave (AWOL) raped a deaf and mute 13-year-old girl when his pregnant wife left the flat to run errands.
The girl sent a phone text message to the wife for help and tried to struggle, but was overpowered by the man.
The 24-year-old Singaporean man, who cannot be named to protect the victim, was sentenced to 12 years and nine months' jail and 12 strokes of the cane on Wednesday (Aug 5).
He pleaded guilty to a charge each of aggravated statutory rape and being absent without leave. Another two charges were taken into consideration.
THE CASE
The accused knew the victim because he had attended secondary school with her older brother.
The victim was close to the accused's wife, who was the goddaughter of the victim's mother.
Before the offences, the victim met the accused only a few times and always with other people around.
They communicated through very basic sign language and gestures, or by typing on their phones.
On Nov 2, 2024, the victim's mother had to attend an event and arranged for the victim to stay over at the accused's two-room flat.
This was the victim's first time there.
The next morning, the offender's wife, who was four to five months' pregnant, left the flat to run errands and left the teenage girl alone with her husband.
He beckoned to the girl to go to the bedroom with him, where he asked her to have sex with him, despite knowing her age.
The victim communicated that she did not want to.
The man, who was 22 at the time, persisted by typing messages on her phone.
When she continued rejecting him, he offered to pay her.
He molested her and pulled her towards the bed.
The victim secretly texted his wife for help, saying her husband wanted to have sex with her.
The man then raped the teenager. She struggled to escape but was restrained by him.
When his wife returned and began unlocking the flat's door, he stopped his assault and told the girl to go to the toilet quickly to wash herself.
His wife confronted him and he lied that the girl had grown angry and taken a knife from the kitchen.
He claimed that he had showered and gone to the bedroom.
The victim did not tell the man's wife what had happened because she did not want to be the cause of their breakup, and the woman was pregnant.
That evening, the victim's mother picked her up and drove to another house where relatives noticed that the girl had injured her forearm and there was a love bite on her neck.
When questioned, the victim showed a photo of the offender to them and indicated that he had given her the love bite.
The victim's mother called the police on Nov 3, 2024, and they arrested the man that same day.
He also pleaded guilty to going AWOL. He was supposed to report for duty at the Civil Defence Academy on Oct 23, 2023, but failed to do so, remaining absent without leave until his arrest."
Primary 1 registration: Nearly half of all primary schools oversubscribed in Phase 2C (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Nearly half of all primary schools in Singapore are oversubscribed in Phase 2C of this year’s Primary 1 registration exercise, according to data on the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) website on Wednesday (Aug 5).
Of the 179 schools accepting students in this phase, 79 are oversubscribed. Of those that have more applicants than vacancies, 73 will go to the ballot.
Phase 2C is considered the most competitive phase and is open to all children. Forty places in each primary school are reserved for this phase.
The most oversubscribed school in this phase was Princess Elizabeth Primary School in Bukit Batok, with 159 students vying for 40 slots.
This was followed by Northland Primary School in Yishun, which drew 141 applicants for 42 places.
Nan Hua Primary School, Chongfu School and Rosyth School completed the top five.
Princess Elizabeth, Northland, Nan Hua and Chongfu were also among the top five last year.
Registration for this phase opened at 9am Jul 28 and closed at 4.30pm on Jul 30.
BALLOTING
In most cases, balloting is conducted when the number of applicants exceeds the number of vacancies. It takes place in any phase from Phase 2A to Phase 2C supplementary.
Priority admission into the school is given in this order: Singaporeans living within 1km of the school, Singaporeans living between 1km and 2km of the school, followed by Singaporeans living further than 2km from the school. Next come permanent residents in the same distance groups.
The next phase, 2C supplementary, is for children who have yet to be registered in a primary school.
The vacancies for the next phase will be updated by 1pm on Aug 11."
WP asks for 'updated growth model' that benefits workers; govt says approach 'always built around Singaporeans' (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Workers' Party (WP) on Wednesday (Aug 5) called for an updated growth model that will benefit Singapore workers, whereas the People's Action Party (PAP) government said the current approach has delivered good results to generations of people in Singapore.
Members of Parliament from both sides of the aisle spoke during a debate on a motion tabled by WP Members of Parliament Kenneth Tiong (WP-Aljunied) and Jamus Lim (WP-Sengkang) on an "economy of the future" that works for all Singaporeans.
Mr Tiong called for an updated growth model in his speech - one that "cares not only about the headline gross domestic product (GDP) growth figure, but the structure of growth".
He asked for an “honest” measurement and prioritisation of what matters from growth, which includes accounting for how much Singapore workers, owners and entrepreneurs have contributed to the national income.
WP chief Pritam Singh reiterated the party’s call for retrenchment support, saying it was time to legislate minimum retrenchment benefits.
"This legislative omission in our employment laws sits in stark contrast to the reality our workers face, as set out by the ESR report," he said, referring to the Economic Strategy Review which released its final report on Jun 24.
Responding to the WP’s motion, Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng said in his speech that financial support during unemployment or retraining gives workers and families “breathing space” but this must be connected to a pathway forward for the worker.
The objective must be to help each individual return confidently to sustainable work and not merely make unemployment more bearable, he said.
He added: “We will not be able to promise that every job will remain unchanged. I don't think we can, or should we even try to … hold back technology merely to freeze rules in place.”
But the government will help workers prepare earlier, acquire relevant capabilities, find credible next steps, and navigate change without being left alone.
“That is how a worker obtains a lasting share of economic success, not only through compensation after disruption, but through the enduring ability to contribute, to earn, to adapt, and to progress,” said Dr Tan.
Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance Jeffrey Siow said the government’s economic strategy has “always been built around Singaporeans” whether as workers, professionals, investors, entrepreneurs or business owners.
“Economic growth has never been an end in itself. It is a means to an end – to create better jobs, higher incomes and better lives for Singaporeans. And by that measure, Singapore's economic model has delivered to generation after generation of Singaporeans,” said Mr Siow, who co-chairs the ESR committee on global competitiveness.
AN "UPDATED" GROWTH MODEL
Mr Siow was responding to Mr Tiong’s opening speech in the motion, who had urged the government for "significant" reforms to Singapore’s present economic structure to pursue a fairer distribution of growth.
Mr Tiong said while it is "acceptable" as an exigency to grow first and then redistribute this growth through vouchers and rebates, over the medium and long-term, there should be a fair distribution produced by economic growth itself.
Hence, Singapore needs an economic engine that is driven by dynamic local companies, healthy domestic demand, and with Singaporeans and Singaporean capital venturing abroad, he said.
"Only when Singaporeans thrive, and believe the ladders of opportunity are fair to all, can this country be open," said Mr Tiong.
To this end, he called for the government to "measure what makes that growth worth having", adding that this includes a fair share of national income, real income growth in line with productivity, and a widening range of what an ordinary wage can afford."
WP presses for stronger support for youths and entrepreneurs; govt says jobs, skills are key to lasting success (5 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Workers’ Party (WP) on Wednesday (Aug 5) called for better opportunities for young Singaporeans and local entrepreneurs, saying that Singapore's next phase of economic growth should create broader opportunities for citizens.
In response, the People’s Action Party (PAP) government said that Singaporeans gain a lasting stake in the country’s success by participating meaningfully in the economy through good jobs, skills development and support to adapt to change.
The debate centred on a WP motion tabled by Members of Parliament (MPs) Kenneth Tiong (WP-Aljunied) and Jamus Lim (WP-Sengkang), which set out the opposition party's vision for "an economy of the future" and its proposed economic playbook.
An amended motion was eventually passed in parliament after a nine-hour debate.
Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng said the question posed by Mr Tiong – "How does an ordinary Singaporean get a lasting share of our country's success?" – was a fair and important one.
“A Singaporean gets a lasting share of that success by meaningfully participating in our economy: Through good jobs, sustained real wages growth, and finding fulfilment through work; by acquiring and building skills and skillsets that remain relevant as technology changes; and, after any setbacks, by taking up the opportunity to learn, and the support to recover and build again,” he said.
YOUTHS AND THE CAREER LADDER
For almost all Singaporeans, the “jobs ladder is the main route up”, Mr Tiong said, and not many become entrepreneurs because of factors including the lack of social safety nets for risk-taking, the small domestic market and the high cost of doing business.
Policymakers should “remake the system” with young Singaporeans as the “first consideration rather than the last adjustment”, he said.
Among his proposals was a special innovation zone around Nanyang Technological University (NTU) where state land is charged at cost recovery instead of market value, and takes its returns from the companies that grow there rather than from rental income.
Calling it a district that would be both "pro-worker and pro-business", Mr Tiong said Singapore should spend the next three decades becoming a place where homegrown companies can thrive.
“We have spent 30 years making this country a good place for other people's companies to succeed,” he said. “I am asking that we spend the next 30 making it a place where ours can.”
WP Non-Constituency MP Andre Low focused on what he described as a "broken bottom rung" of the career ladder, arguing that too many young Singaporeans struggle to make their first meaningful step into stable employment.
He proposed a “fair start promise” to the youth – a national commitment that Singaporeans under 30 transitioning from education or National Service should have access to either stable employment or a properly paid career-building pathway.
He suggested various ways for young people to get their fair start, including building a “national market” for paid apprenticeships.
While Singapore already has workplace programmes for young entrants, there needs to be a different route where an occupation requires “sustained, supervised practice”. This means a proper apprenticeship framework providing paid employment, full employee status, Central Provident Fund contributions, structured training and portable skills."
Primary 5 and Secondary 3 students got 15 more minutes of sleep in 2025 than in 2023 (6 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Primary 5 and Secondary 3 students got 15 more minutes of sleep on school days in 2025 compared with 2023, said the Ministry of Education on Wednesday (Aug 5).
Based on the ministry's latest survey, the students got an average of about seven hours of sleep on school days, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Syed Harun Alhabsyi in parliament.
In 2023, Primary 5 and Secondary 3 students also got an average of seven hours of sleep on school days. MOE declined to share the exact figures for 2023 and 2025.
This falls short of the nine to 11 hours recommended for those aged 11 to 13, and eight to 10 hours for those aged 14 to 17, according to the Ministry of Health's HealthHub website.
Dr Syed Harun was responding to a parliamentary question from Dr Choo Pei Ling (PAP-Chua Chu Kang) on whether the government tracks sleep trends among school-going children, and what measures are being considered to improve their sleep health.
He cited several steps already in place. Personal learning devices for secondary school students have been set to enter sleep mode at 10.30pm by default since January.
Schools also teach students healthy sleep habits, including regular sleep hours and avoiding caffeine and digital devices before bedtime, as part of self-management and time management lessons.
Separately, MOE has partnered KK Women's and Children's Hospital to engage parents on supporting their children's sleep health through sessions with medical experts."
Commentary: It takes more than a reward system to nurture a reader (7 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: When was the last time you read a book? If it’s been a while, you are not alone. A 2024 study done by the National Library Board (NLB) found that while 89 per cent of adults read more than once a week, only 28 per cent read books.
To tackle the change in reading habits, the NLB recently announced a five-year national movement called ReadSG. It includes a gamification initiative where participants can log their daily reading on a government digital platform and earn virtual coins that can eventually be exchanged for cash.
The new campaign aims to promote regular long-form reading, which NLB says helps build critical thinking skills in a world increasingly dominated by short-form content. More details will be announced in September.
The truth is, as bite-sized posts and AI-generated summaries flood our screens, and the internet promises instant information at the tap of a fingertip, patience is something many of us are losing. How often have we tutted at a website that takes a few seconds longer to load, or opted for the point-form summary of a news article instead of finishing the full piece?
Recently, I’ve heard people complain that close to three-hour long films like The Odyssey are “too long” when back in 2003, during the theatrical release of the three-hour-and-21-minute Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, audiences were just thrilled to get their ticket’s worth with such an epic experience.
The problem that NLB is trying to solve is real and reading does more than entertain. Many people who love reading do so for the joy they derive from storytelling but the ability to focus on long-form narratives also cultivates patience and concentration – skills that translate into stronger attention spans across other areas of life.
DO REWARDS ENCOURAGE READING?
That said, is a reward system the best way to help people pick up a book?
Such systems aren’t new in Singapore. We’ve seen them used to nudge people towards certain causes: Healthpoints for healthier lifestyles and to encourage blood donation, and the beverage container return scheme to encourage recycling with a refundable 10-cent deposit.
The question is if these systems actually change behaviour. I’ve seen friends shaking their fitness devices while sitting in front of the TV just to earn Healthpoints. My mother-in-law uses hers during her morning exercises, but with or without the tracker, she has always been committed to staying active.
Neuropsychologists have pointed out that reward systems often don’t work as intended. They’re similar to giving kids prizes for good grades.
It may motivate them in the short term, but doing so shifts the focus to the external reward rather than the intrinsic satisfaction of accomplishing something worthwhile. Once the reward disappears, so does the desired behaviour. It risks fostering a mentality of “What do I get?” instead of “This is the right thing to do.”
It is also why I’ve never used reward systems with my own children. When they do well in exams, I praise their effort. The reward they get is the satisfaction and sense of achievement they feel. If I want to encourage a behaviour, I use positive reinforcement, such as telling them they’ve been a great help when they assist me in the kitchen. This builds self-motivation.
Reading should be the same: The reward is the adventure and joy you derive from a good story, and in non-fiction, the knowledge gained. Campaigns may be able to remind you to pick up a book, but it cannot conjure the curiosity that makes you want to turn the pages.
Just like how my mother-in-law is driven to stay active because she wants to, and not by the reward of points. The key lies in building genuine interest."
ISD scholarship does not guarantee future recruits, but may drive peer-led counter-radicalisation: Experts (7 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: For 17-year-old student M M Chua, the Internal Security Department (ISD) has always seemed like a “secretive organisation”.
“Most of the time, ISD seems to come up in the news for radicalisation, and that subject matter. I thought that was possibly the only thing that ISD handled," the Integrated Programme student told CNA.
He was among the first batch of students who received the ISD Junior College and Polytechnic Scholarship, a bond-free scholarship that was launched in August last year.
The 10 successful applicants were notified in end-May this year, and underwent a two-day immersion programme in June.
IB student Chan Y, who was also one of those who received the S$2,500 (US$1,950) award, gained clarity about the agency’s work and the threats facing Singapore.
“I had a misconception that ISD only went after extremists and terrorism and did not know about the anti-subversion, anti-espionage divisions,” said the 18-year-old.
Both students’ full identities are not revealed for data and privacy reasons, said ISD.
Their experiences reflect one of the scholarship's key objectives: giving students a rare opportunity to understand the work of an agency whose operations largely remain out of public view.
With youth radicalisation in the spotlight following ISD’s detention of three self-radicalised youths announced last week, experts told CNA that such an outreach initiative by the ISD could help raise awareness among the segment through peer-to-peer conversations among students.
Observers added that such an initiative can also help the ISD compete with the private sector for talent in the long term, by connecting with a generation which prioritises purpose and meaning in their choice of work.
TALENT
The scholarship caters to those in their first year of junior college, fifth year of the International Baccalaureate programme, and first two years of polytechnic, said ISD.
“The scholarship aims to raise awareness of the threats facing Singapore and to inspire students to consider a future career with ISD in safeguarding Singapore’s safety and security,” the agency told CNA.
To qualify, students are assessed on their knowledge and interest in security issues and current affairs through a written essay and an in-person panel interview.
Observers said the scholarship draws youths to the agency’s work, finding out more about an organisation whose work typically stays hidden, without constraining their future career options.
“I think in the current economic environment, a lot of people, including youths, might be thinking about careers in terms of not just interest, but also about stability and progression,” said Dr Teo Kay Key, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies who does youth-related research.
“At that age, they are likely still exploring options, and could be applying just to gain exposure to a field that typically is more secretive.”
It would also help ISD compete for talent with other sectors, by appealing to what matters to a younger workforce, said observers.
"There is indeed competition from various sectors for talented and capable graduates,” said Mr Edmund Lin, principal consultant of Singapore Education Consulting Group.
The bond-free nature of the scholarship is “likely a carefully examined decision” to help the agency “attract the right talents who would gladly and willingly serve in ISD”, he added.
COUNTER-RADICALISATION
Two of the recent three cases had planned attacks on schools, with a 14-year-old boy creating a 21-page manifesto detailing the stabbings. ISD said the boy had admitted that he would have executed his attack, had he not been arrested.
In the past decade or so, more than half of the 23 youths dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) had intended to mount attacks in the country.
With youth radicalisation in the spotlight in Singapore, especially with the rising threat of “salad bar” extremism, observers said the scholarship would also help boost awareness among youths, with recipients possibly sharing what they learnt with peers.
“It is possible since those participating in the scheme would likely gain more knowledge about the topic of youth radicalisation and its warning signs,” said Dr Teo.
However, given that the immersion programme is two days, the youths may not be fully equipped or trained to spot all warning signs nor to deal with anyone who might actually be radicalised, she said.
“What it probably can do is to create more awareness amongst participants, and hopefully they spread these knowledge points to others around them,” she added.
Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder of non-profit The Whitehatters that facilitates community dialogue, agreed that while this peer-to-peer effect may not be a primary purpose of the scholarship, it would be an indirect benefit.
“If scholarship recipients develop a better understanding of how radicalisation happens, the warning signs to look out for, and where to seek help, they may become more confident having conversations with friends or encouraging someone to reach out for support,” she said."
Singapore authorities unable to conclude if any offence committed amid Indonesia baby trafficking case (7 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Authorities in Singapore have been unable to conclude whether any offences were committed in the country, after members of an Indonesian baby trafficking syndicate were jailed last month.
The ringleader of the syndicate in Indonesia admitted to trafficking at least 12 babies to Singapore, receiving between S$17,000 (US$13,250) and S$21,600 per child.
In response to CNA’s queries about investigations and arrests in Singapore, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Friday (Aug 7): “Based on information available to us thus far, we are presently unable to conclude that any offence has been committed in Singapore, or by Singaporeans or Singapore-based entities.
“We will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against those who have broken our laws.”
The ministries said they will continue to work closely with the Indonesian authorities for information on each child and their biological parents.
“This information will help to inform the assessment of what is in the best interest of the child – a key consideration for the Singapore courts to eventually decide on each pending adoption application,” MSF and MHA added.
In January, the Singapore ministries said there had been “some delays” in the processing of citizenship applications for some children.
Authorities have been engaging the affected adoptive parents to explain the situation to them.
“We are keenly aware of the anxiety that this situation has caused to the adoptive parents, and are working closely across the relevant authorities to ensure that the cases are dealt with as expeditiously as we can, and to safeguard the welfare and interests of the children,” MSF and MHA said then.
An Indonesian court on Jul 21 meted out jail sentences of up to seven years for members of the baby trafficking syndicate.
Eighteen women and one man were found guilty by the Bandung City District Court.
The harshest sentence of seven years was handed down to 70-year-old Lie Siu Luan - also known as Lily - whom the court ruled to be the brains and ringleader behind the operation and recruited the other defendants in the case."
Jail for training officer who pushed woman with intellectual disability, causing knee injuries (7 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A woman who worked as a training officer at a social service agency was sentenced to 14 weeks' jail on Friday (Aug 7) for pushing a person with intellectual disability, causing her to suffer a dislocated knee and multiple fractures.
Nur Amira Shahirah Azmi, a 21-year-old Singaporean, pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt that resulted in grievous hurt to a woman she knew was a vulnerable person.
The victim and the location of the offence cannot be identified due to a gag order.
The court heard that the victim had been diagnosed with an intellectual disability more than 10 years ago, making her a vulnerable person under Section 74 of the Penal Code.
The victim had been attending training programmes at the premises where the incident occurred. Before noon on Aug 30, 2024, the victim and a male trainee were seated in a classroom while waiting for lunch. Trainers had previously instructed the victim not to assist the man at lunchtime as part of efforts to train him to be independent.
When it was their turn to get lunch, the victim extended her hand to guide the man towards the classroom door. A trainer reminded her not to help him, and she proceeded to the door on her own while the man remained seated.
Amira, who was near the classroom, overheard her colleague reminding the victim not to help the man. Angered that the victim had not followed instructions, she approached her while scolding her, causing the victim to retreat further into the classroom.
Amira then pushed the victim once. The victim fell to the ground and hit a foam structure behind her. Although she began crying, Amira continued to stand over her and scold her for about 10 seconds.
She then walked towards the classroom door but returned shortly after to scold the victim for another 20 seconds as she remained on the ground.
The victim continued crying and pointed to her left knee. Amira rolled up the victim's pants to check for injuries but did not see any obvious signs. She tried to help the victim up and gestured for her to return to her seat, but the victim remained on the floor.
Amira briefly left the classroom. When she returned, she saw that the victim had managed to stand up on her own but was holding onto a table for support. Amira then helped her back to her seat.
Later, other trainers noticed that the victim was unable to stand or walk on her own. Amira informed her supervisors of the victim's condition but said she did not know why the victim was in pain.
The victim's mother was notified. As the victim was still unable to walk, Amira and another trainer arranged for transport and accompanied her home.
INJURIES
The victim was taken to Sengkang General Hospital that evening, where doctors found that she had sustained a left knee injury. She was admitted for further investigations, which revealed a dislocation and several fractures that caused pain and prevented her from bearing weight.
Surgery was not required. Instead, she was fitted with a hinged knee brace for six weeks.
On Sep 3, 2024, Amira admitted to her supervisors that she had pushed the victim. A colleague subsequently lodged a police report, while the victim's mother also filed a report after being informed of the incident."
I was 14 when I first visited my father's offshore workplace. That's when I found my calling (8 August 2026)
"I was about 14 the first time my father took me to his place of work: a gigantic floating facility that extracts and processes oil while at sea.
At that age, I never thought much of ships, much less working on them. Like many children my age, I wanted to become a flight attendant or a pilot.
But that visit changed everything.
I still remember staring at my father's "office", an enormous structure rising out of the ocean.
It wasn't just a ship. It was a self-contained city.
There were living quarters, offices, control rooms, workshops, cranes and an endless maze of pipes and equipment, all working together to keep the facility running.
I was fascinated that something so massive could remain at sea for years, carrying out such a complex operation so far from land.
It struck me that the world of engineering could mean building something much bigger, something that literally keeps the world running. And I had this inexplicable desire to be a part of it.
I left that vessel with a clear goal: I wanted to become an engineer.
Suddenly, Mathematics and Science – already my two best subjects in secondary school – no longer felt like subjects I had to study. They were stepping stones towards making my dream a reality.
My friends found it amusing, since many of them were already leaning towards business or other more popular courses. Despite that, some of them were impressed that I already knew exactly what I wanted to do after graduating.
THE "TOUGHEST FITNESS PROGRAMME" I SIGNED UP FOR
Just last year, I landed an internship with an offshore marine services contractor in Singapore. I spent three months behind the scenes learning operations, followed by five months in the shipyard, where I got my first real taste of the industry's realities.
As I counted down the days to my first internship, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. It started to really sink in that I was about to step into a male-dominated industry.
Having studied in mixed-gender environments, I assumed the biggest challenge was working in a male-dominated industry.
I was wrong.
Although I was based in Singapore, my internship took me to shipyards in Malaysia and Indonesia for vessel inspections and testing, where I experienced firsthand just how physically demanding the work could be.
No two days were the same. One day could be spent working through technical documents in the office, while another could involve being onboard a vessel, assisting with inspections, checking equipment against drawings and technical requirements, and recording anything that needed to be rectified.
The work was hands-on. Understanding a problem meant physically going down to the machinery, seeing how everything fitted together and speaking to the people operating it.
Some mornings, getting to work felt like going through an obstacle course when the day had not even begun. Before stepping into the vessel, I'd have to climb over mooring chains larger than myself and move around heavy equipment.
Boarding could mean scrambling up a rope ladder or climbing a pilot ladder alongside the ship. By 8.30am, I'd be drenched in sweat.
Once onboard, I'd be moving between different decks, climbing steep stairways and squeezing through tight spaces, sometimes while carrying equipment in the heat.
The shipyard pushed me in ways I hadn't expected. It often felt like the toughest fitness programme I could have signed up for, and there were days when I wondered if I could keep up.
Rather than let it get the better of me, I started going to the gym three or four times a week to build the strength and endurance needed to handle the intense conditions.
Although the maritime industry is demanding, it's also far more dynamic than I had imagined.
Every day brought a new problem to solve, a different part of the vessel to explore or another opportunity to learn, and I found myself wanting to understand it even better."
She quit school twice. Her horror art studio nearly closed. Now, its neon art jams book out most weekends (8 August 2026)
"As a teen, Merida Lim had done well enough academically to enter a six-year Integrated Programme (IP) at an elite school. But what she recalls of that period were her panic attacks, which led her to be frequently sent to the general office.
They got so bad that she even had to go for counselling and therapy.
Her coping mechanism: Whenever she felt down or sad, she would draw scary stuff – a canvas drenched in black and red, a woman covered in blood.
“It was my way of release – like a rage room, but with art that came from the deepest parts of my soul,” said the 21-year-old. “That’s how I fell in love with art.”
At 16, Lim dropped out of school. Because she was in an IP programme, she did not take her O-Levels and left with only a PSLE certificate.
She then pursued a graphic communication diploma at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) but dropped out as well after her second year. Lim told her parents she wanted to start a horror-themed art jamming studio.
By then, she was a two-time dropout with no O-Levels, starting a business at 19.
A HORROR-THEMED ART STUDIO
So many parents and children dream of getting into the IP programme. Why did Lim quit?
“I simply could not see myself following the conventional path and getting a nine-to-five office job,” she reflected.
“I have been very entrepreneurial since I was young,” Lim said. As a teen, she picked up face painting from YouTube, and began offering it at children’s parties, gradually raising her rate from S$15 per hour to S$100.
At NAFA, she realised she was not exceptional at graphic design – just a “solid average”. At the same time, her young mind was brimming with business ideas. She tested some of them briefly, including a kidswear brand.
When Lim decided to quit NAFA, her mum was worried – she wanted Lim to complete her diploma first. But her dad, an entrepreneur with his own mobile app studio, was all for the idea.
In October 2024, with S$10,000 of Lim’s own money saved from part-time waitressing and face painting jobs, and a S$24,000 loan from her dad, Lim started Scuro, a horror-themed art studio, at 79 Kampong Bahru. She named the studio after the Italian art term chiaroscuro, referring to the contrast between light and dark.
The Scuro studio featured horror posters, an oversized gothic chair, as well as props, candles, and head-banging music to create the vibe. Customers could paint with screwdrivers, sponges and strings, and end each session with fruit punch in ‘blood bags’.
The timing was perfect. The opening coincided with Halloween and there were many bookings in the first month. Lim earned enough to cover rent. But in the second month, bookings dropped by more than 50 per cent. It “flopped”, she said.
In Singapore, entrepreneurship comes with significant capital outlay and risks, Lim said. Most of her start-up capital went into the first month’s rent and a two-month deposit. She also had to sign a two-year rental contract.
“Imagine the stress I was under because I did not have any runway,” Lim said.
Thinking that her studio would shut down, she broke the news to her boyfriend and friends, and promised them she’d get a job, work hard and get her life together. She even told her landlord to start searching for new tenants.
“I was calculating the debt I would be in and regretted going so hastily into a business,” Lim said. “But I was not going down without a fight.”
Lim made a TikTok video to share her dire situation and appeal for support. “In my video, I said that if I didn’t earn S$6,000 within the next 50 days, my studio would close down,” she said.
She also began to experiment with new art jamming concepts – neon horror-themed art jams using fluorescent paint, candlelight art jams and neon art jams.
Of the three, neon art jams saw increased bookings. Kids, in particular, loved the idea.
Moreover, in her first month of business, Lim had hand-painted a forest and mushrooms on the wall, even staying back past 11pm to paint checks on the curtains. In the second month, after adding neon elements, the decor worked perfectly for children’s neon art jams with just a change of music and lighting.
Over the next few months, Scuro evolved into a family-friendly art jamming studio.
And that saved her business."
Major review underway to support families across life's journey: PM Wong in National Day Message 2026 (8 August 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A “major review” of how the government supports Singaporean families not just at the point of marriage and parenthood, but throughout their life’s journey, is underway, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Saturday (Aug 8).
“We are taking a fresh look at issues like the costs of raising children, access to affordable infant care and childcare, and other ways to lighten the load on families,” Mr Wong said in his National Day Message at the National Stadium.
He added that he will share more about those plans at the National Day Rally, which will be held on Aug 23 at the Institute of Technical Education College Central in Ang Mo Kio.
The annual message was broadcast in four languages, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) Gan Kim Yong speaking in Mandarin, and Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad delivering it in Malay.
Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash delivered the message in Tamil.
In his English message, Mr Wong acknowledged that family life has come under greater strain across the world.
Expectations have risen, and parents feel pressured to give their children the best possible start in life. Meanwhile, many are caring for ageing parents while balancing the demands of work, he said.
“We hear these concerns in Singapore too. Many families are stretched as they juggle these competing demands,” he said.
Mr Wong said that economic growth and technological progress must ultimately translate into better lives for all Singaporeans.
“We want Singapore to be a place where everyone can pursue their aspirations with confidence, raise families with peace of mind, and look to the future with hope,” he said."