NLB to offer 60,000 pre-loved books in largest giveaway, each visitor can take up to 10 (9 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – Some 60,000 books – the largest number to date – will be given away by the National Library Board (NLB) on Sept 13 and 14 to mark its 30th anniversary.

In a press release on Sept 9, the NLB said that unlike previous editions, which were spread across several library branches, the 10th Big Book Giveaway is being organised as a single large-scale event in 2025.

Members of the public who want to take home these pre-loved books can visit the plaza of the National Library Building at 100 Victoria Street on the two dates above from 10am to 4pm. They can scan their library-compliant identity card or NLB eCard, or request a QR code day pass."

S’porean boy, 14, given ISA restriction order; first self-radicalisation case from mixed ideologies (9 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE - Within a year of consuming extremist content, a 14-year-old boy supported ISIS, far-right and far-left extremism, communism, hated women and Jews, and idolised Osama bin Laden, Adolf Hitler and Kim Jong Il.

He was in contact with several foreign extremists, one of whom offered to help the boy plan an attack in Singapore and even sent him bomb-making manuals.

His picking and choosing of ideologies was so varied the Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Sept 9 his was the first self-radicalisation case involving a “salad bar” of ideologies."

When old-style school canteens say goodbye, we lose more than we think (9 September 2025)

"I still recall the piping hot bowls of wonton noodle soup sold at my school canteen.

Seasoned with lashings of the canteen auntie’s signature chilli sauce and doled out in distinctive red bowls, these noodles were a constant source of comfort as I navigated the ups and downs of daily life in my 10 years at my all-girls alma mater."

Tour of NLB facility gives public rare look at how books get readied for library shelves (9 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – The distinct scent of thousands of new books fills the air of a warehouse in Changi South.

It is not a bookshop but the Library Supply Centre (LSC), where some 3,000 brand new books are catalogued and processed daily.

In a year, the volume of materials processed in the warehouse exceeds one million items."

Home for teen girls healing from abuse officially opens after relocation with expanded services (9 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – A centre for teenage girls from difficult backgrounds who are healing from trauma and abuse was officially launched at its new home on Sept 9.

HCSA Dayspring, a residential treatment centre, supports girls up to 18 years old who have survived different forms of abuse."

Raising children for life: Where lessons in kindness and resilience matter as much as ABCs (10 September 2025)

"On occasions like National Day and Mother’s Day, children at Kinderland Academy @ Yio Chu Kang rehearse songs and skits, their small voices and footsteps filling the classrooms.

They then bring this energy next door to the elderly residents of Econ Healthcare, turning an ordinary day into something special with handmade mementoes and performances.

Among them is five-year-old Enzo Low, who attends Kinderland with his two-year-old brother Elio. Before each visit, teachers show children from the Nursery, K1 and K2 levels how to interact with the elderly. Children learn to ask residents questions, help those in wheelchairs and connect with them through songs and artwork."

Calmer bedtime routines, smarter screen habits, easy family fun: Practical ways to raise healthier children (10 September 2025)

"Raising happy and healthy kids does not require big changes or strict routines. Often, it is the small, everyday moments – like sharing a meal, going for a walk, or reading together before bed – that make the biggest difference.

As a parent, you play a big role in shaping your child’s habits and long-term health. The good news? You do not need to overhaul your whole routine. Mealtimes, playtime, and bedtime are all opportunities for simple, meaningful and fun ways to build healthier routines.

For practical ways to get started, click through these everyday scenarios for simple, doable ways you can try with your family."

Large families with young children to receive first tranche of $1,000 LifeSG credits from Sept 10 (10 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – Families with three or more Singaporean children aged one to six years old will receive $1,000 in credits for each child from Sept 10, under a scheme to defray expenses.

About 33,000 Singaporean children are eligible for this round of credits. This is the first disbursement under the new Large Families Scheme, which was introduced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Budget 2025.

The families will continue to receive $1,000 every year till the child turns six."

Can prompting ChatGPT make us better communicators? (10 September 2025)

"Most of us didn’t grow up thinking we’d spend a few hours every day talking to a robot.

But here we are, in 2025, and millions of us now write daily messages, not just to colleagues or friends, but to large language models (LLMs) with names like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude."

How often do Singaporean teens see academic dishonesty? (11 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – The Hong Kong education landscape was rocked by scandal in August after a 15-year-old student from one of the city’s top schools was accused of submitting an AI app built by a third party as her own invention to academic competitions.

MediSafe, an AI-powered platform that flags potential prescription errors by cross-checking medications against patient details, won eight awards in international competitions.

However, netizens began questioning how a secondary school student could have created such a complex AI system."

Battles over kids’ screen time can get complicated with grandparents (11 September 2025)

"At a recent visit to the wet market, I watched a grandmother hand her phone to her grandson, proud of her ingenuity in keeping him occupied instead of running around the stalls.

It seemed harmless, even loving. It’s also completely understandable."

SUTD robot curbs mosquito breeding; trials completed in Jalan Besar (12 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – Rooftop and drain inspection to detect stagnant water to combat mosquito breeding has traditionally been laborious and could pose a safety risk.

Enter Sable, a shoebox shaped robot. Developed by researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Sable can get into tight and hard-to-reach spaces.

For instance, rooftop inspectors often have to lift heavy concrete slabs, which are often erected as secondary roofs, to access the tight space under the slabs. But because Sable can access the spaces under the slabs, inspectors do not need to lift them."

More than half of children aged 2 to 6 exceed recommended daily screen time: Survey (12 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – More than half of children aged between two and six here spend more than an hour daily on digital devices, exceeding the recommended one-hour limit on screen time set by the Ministry of Health.

This figure balloons to 81 per cent on weekends, according to the findings of an inaugural Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) survey released on Sept 12."

S’pore parents call for help to manage children’s device use as lines blur between learning, leisure (12 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE - Phones and laptops have become necessary in school settings today, used for schoolwork and communication with teachers and peers.

Many secondary school students also use their school-prescribed personal learning devices (PLDs) for non-academic purposes, parents said, adding that they find it difficult to stop their children from doing so when they get home from school."

New cyber-security campaign launched to remind public to Stop and Check suspicious messages, calls (13 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE - Even as artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to make scams more persuasive by playing on one’s emotions, it is also being used to tackle such crimes.

Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said this on Sept 13 on the sidelines of the launch of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore’s (CSA) sixth national cyber-security campaign, themed Stop and Check.

The campaign reminds the public to check unsolicited text messages and calls with official sources and trusted family and friends before responding to them."

I’ll always take pride in being a Singaporean-Bengali: NTU history grad’s dad was a migrant worker (14 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE - Ms Lutfa Shazneen Hasan grew up enthralled by her parents’ stories about life in a central Bangladeshi town along the Padma River and the country’s realities of war, famine and protests.

The 23-year-old, who graduated from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) with a bachelor’s degree in history in July, said their experiences inspired her to study immigrant history.

“Our family story is like that of hundreds of thousands of others, where those from the Global South have to migrate to other economies for their economic needs,” she said."

We can rewrite our stories: Indonesian maid who earned online degree while working in Singapore (14 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE - Growing up in an Indonesian village where most girls did not pursue higher education, Ms Siti Mujiati nevertheless dreamt of being an educator.

She put that aside when she came to Singapore in 2012 to work as a domestic helper, to raise her two daughters as a single mother.

Years later, while attending financial management courses at Aidha, an independent charity founded in 2006, Ms Siti – who is now 40 – felt inspired to plan for her future again.

She saved up and put herself through three years of online classes. In 2021, she attained a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the Indonesia Open University, or Universitas Terbuka."

More after-school centres to serve more students in coming years: PM Wong (14 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE - An after-school student care service founded by Singapore’s four community self-help groups will open more centres in the coming years.

Making this announcement at Big Heart Student Care’s tenth anniversary celebrations, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong added that student care in Singapore has evolved beyond basic homework supervision."

School Spotlight: Xingnan Primary pupils partner industry experts to design learning space (14 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – A group of pupils at Xingnan Primary School in Jurong West helped to design a multi-purpose room in their school, something which even most adults might not have done before. They worked with coaches to turn their sketches into reality, learning lessons beyond the classroom in the process.

When the school leadership wanted to redesign an empty classroom with a sustainability theme, it approached Ms Sim Shoo Shyuan to tap her team’s expertise. She is the co-founder and director of The Possible Class, a firm that conducts design and architecture workshops."

Jean Twenge started the debate about kids and phones, now she wants to end it (14 September 2025)

"NEW YORK – Researcher and author Jean Twenge’s three teenage daughters are not exactly Luddites, but they have put up with stricter technology rules than most of their friends have had to follow.

Julia, 13, has a Pinwheel – a “kid’s phone”, she calls it – with no internet and limited apps.

And Kate, now 18, had a flip phone until she was 16½. Her friends were boggled by how long it took her to plunk out simple texts, but Kate says she learnt skills her peers have never had to master. Like, how to find her way without GPS. Or how to have an actual phone conversation."

17 pupils, two employees at E-Bridge Pre-School in MacPherson fall ill with suspected food poisoning (14 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – Seventeen children and two employees from a pre-school in MacPherson have fallen ill with suspected food poisoning.

They are from E-Bridge Pre-School’s Circuit Road branch, and had symptoms of gastroenteritis from Sept 9.

No one was hospitalised and the case is being investigated, said the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) in a joint statement on Sept 14."

We are watching a scientific superpower destroy itself (14 September 2025)

"The Trump administration’s assault on America’s universities by cutting billions of dollars of federal support for scientific and medical research has called up from somewhere deep in my memory the phrase “duck and cover”.

These were words drilled into American schoolchildren in the 1950s. These actions were meant to protect us from the nuclear attack that could come, we were told, at any time. Though even in elementary school most of us intuited that there was something futile in these attempts to shield ourselves from destruction, we dutifully went through the motions. How else could we deal with the anxiety caused by the menace?"

Former ITE HQ and ITE Dover campus to be demolished by HDB for new homes (15 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – The former ITE headquarters and ITE Dover campus in Dover Drive are set to be demolished by the Housing Board, with most of the site slated for housing development.

On Aug 14, the HDB was granted permission by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to demolish the two sites: 10 Dover Drive, which served as ITE HQ from 1995 to 2012, and 20 Dover Drive, home to the ITE Dover campus from 1995 until its closure in 2010."

SIT completes move to Punggol beside JTC Business Park; campus designed to foster ties with industry (15 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – In a lab at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), an information and communications technology graduate student is hooked up to a computer via a cap studded with electrodes. The cap is reading her brain signals as she imagines moving her hand in a certain direction and speed.

When the “mind reader” machine learning model wrongly predicts the student’s hand motion, she demonstrates the correct motion to train it.

The aim is to eventually have stroke patients use such a machine to do “mental rehearsals” of moving their limbs, thereby helping them build brain plasticity, said Professor Vinod A. Prasad, director of the Infocomm Technology cluster at SIT."

Be bold and innovative in envisioning S’pore’s future: Desmond Lee to poly students (15 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE - Polytechnic students were encouraged to try to solve national issues, amid geopolitical and economic pressures, an ageing population, as well as technological and climate changes.

In envisioning Singapore’s future, they should be bold and innovative, while keeping their feet firmly planted on the ground and continuing to pick up new skills, said Mr Desmond Lee.

“There will... be opportunities for you to wrestle with the trade-offs as you try to solve complex national issues,” said Mr Lee, as he asked students to imagine what education would look like in the future and how life in the city-state can be reimagined."

Singapore team hits starry heights with five-medal haul at astronomy Olympiad in Mumbai (15 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE - Five students from Singapore clinched four gold medals and a bronze at an international Olympiad for astronomy and astrophysics – the country’s best performance in nearly 20 years.

The annual International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, this year held in the Indian financial capital Mumbai, attracted nearly 300 students from over 60 countries. It ran from Aug 11 to Aug 21.

The Singapore contingent comprised Raffles Institution students Kai Wen Teo, 17, and Shuheng Jerry Lan, 15, and NUS High School students Cheng Le Eng, 18, Ruhan Tasneem Shafa, 17, and Jun Min Wang, 15."

S’porean who left NTU to run noodles stall allegedly led gang pushing cocaine vapes in S. Korea (15 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE - A Singaporean arrested in Malaysia for allegedly trying to move vapes laced with etomidate and cocaine to South Korea was an engineering student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Ivan Tan Zhi Xuan took a year off school in 2019 to run a bak chor mee (minced pork noodles) stall in Ang Mo Kio.

Tan, a 31-year-old Singaporean, is facing accusations in Malaysia that he was the ringleader of a criminal group, which tried to recruit students in South Korea to set up a distribution network for drug-laced vapes in Seoul."

Healthcare cluster rolls out ‘AI-free’ periods for doctors to prevent deskilling (15 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – Healthcare cluster National University Health System (NUHS) has been rolling out artificial intelligence-free periods for doctors in the past year as part of efforts to prevent deskilling.

Deskilling is the loss of previously held skills due to over-reliance on technology."

The PSLE and other exams need a no-AI rule (16 September 2025)

"When students sit the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) in September, they will not have access to ChatGPT; neither will their seniors taking other national exams in the weeks ahead.

But if we are preparing students for the world where generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) will be ubiquitous, why not just give students free access to best simulate that environment?"

NUS expands deep tech start-up support with new investments, collaboration with Stanford University (16 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – The Republic’s start-up ecosystem is set to gain fresh momentum as the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS) injects new capital into its venture support programmes.

With two new co-investment partnerships and a collaboration with Stanford University, NUS Enterprise is expanding support for its innovation and entrepreneurship programmes and offering students more global learning opportunities.

SG Growth Capital – the investment arm of Singapore’s Economic Development Board and Enterprise Singapore – will co-invest with NUS Enterprise in selected start-ups and venture funds."

SIT working with partners to set up test bed for ideas across Punggol Digital District (16 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE – The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is working with JTC Corporation, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and industry partners to set up a test bed that extends beyond the campus – so that ideas can be trialled across the entire Punggol Digital District (PDD), and eventually beyond.

One idea is autonomous robots that provide services within the precinct, and could be programmed to patrol areas, detect suspicious objects, and alert security officers when needed, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Sept 16.

“Through initiatives like these, SIT is transforming the campus into a rich field of possibilities,” PM Wong said. He was speaking at the official opening ceremony of SIT’s Punggol campus, attended by over 500 students, alumni, industry partners and donors."

Beyond drawing and painting: How art teachers inspire our children and help them see the full picture (27 June 2025)

"Three Master Teachers with decades of experience in teaching art share their perspectives on how art education and art teachers, in a rapidly evolving world, are now more crucial than ever to help us thrive in future.

Ms Chun Wee San’s approach to teaching art is informed by neuroscience. She purposefully uses anecdotes to spark conversations and curiosity in her students, so that they learn and remember better. She shares three ways in which she fosters this curiosity in students, and helps them grow comfortable with uncertainty – a key trait of the world today."

Lighting Up Classrooms with the Joy of Teaching (9 July 2025)

"From quiet breakthroughs to class-wide celebrations, 12 teachers share the moments that bring a smile to their face at work.

We ask our Outstanding Youth in Education Award finalists and recipients: What brings you joy?

Mr Lim Yang Jun (Fuhua Primary School)

Teacher Recipient, OYEA 2025

Mr Lim champions inclusivity, transforming spaces to cater to students of different needs.

With his team, he introduced calming corners in every classroom, signalling that any student may experience negative emotions, and ready support is available to all, regardless of their challenges or backgrounds.

In this way, the physical environment itself becomes a powerful tool for fostering a welcoming and inclusive school community."

What coming full circle looks like (21 July 2025)

"When Ms Ng Lee Siah left teaching in 2009, she wanted to try out different career options. Five years later, she found herself returning to her educator roots. She shares with Schoolbag how the unconventional loop she had taken has shaped her, and what has changed – or not – in the teaching profession.

Speaking to Ms Ng Lee Siah, one gets the sense that she has an adventurous and inquisitive streak. But it’s not something that is immediately apparent when Schoolbag first met her at the Project Work Marketplace of Ideas Pitch. The Eunoia Junior College (EJC) teacher, who teaches Project Work (PW), was there to accompany her students for their group presentation.

Named Sustainabite, her PW group had proposed to create a recipe kit with insect-based protein product to combat food insecurity in Singapore. Their comprehensive and practical proposal – and charming presentation – won them first place in the pitching event, and they readily credited Ms Ng for her guidance in helping them shape their work.

Sustainabite’s win aside, their quirky personalities compelled us to find out more. There are five of them: one wants to go into public policy; one is a self-proclaimed insect lover who is determined to work for NParks; one wants to go into foreign policy and law; one wants to study biology; and one is interested in music cognition and neuroscience. So, how did Ms Ng get all of them on the same page? Turns out, she herself has as diverse a set of interests as the winning team she oversees.

A fortuitous posting

Ms Ng first entered the teaching profession fresh out of school. “I graduated with an Engineering degree from Nanyang Technological University, and I applied to all the jobs I didn’t mind trying out,” she recalls. “I went for interviews with a few companies, and MOE got back to me, offered me a teaching position.”

That led her to her first teaching stint, where she was trained to teach Mathematics and posted to Pioneer Junior College (PJC). “I went to the school website to find out more about the school, and I saw that the PW oral presentations were ongoing. My interest was piqued and I remember wondering if I could call the school to ask to sit in for the presentations,” Ns Ng says.

She did not contact the school eventually, but fate would have it that PJC set up the PW department that year. The Head of Department (HOD) asked Ms Ng if she was interested to join. She said yes immediately, which surprised him. “The idea of working on a project and solving a problem sounded interesting to me because there was no PW when I was in JC,” she elaborates."

Chatterbox conversations: A fun way to bond this Racial Harmony Day (21 July 2025)

"Teaching children about racial harmony doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the most powerful lessons happen through everyday conversations at home – and a simple paper chatterbox can be the perfect conversation starter.

The everyday conversations that we share with our children carry more significance than we might realise. These moments are valuable opportunities for our children to learn and practise having respectful conversations. Interactions like this one open our hearts and build a genuine interest to learn about other cultures. They form the building blocks for practising and upholding harmony in our diverse society.

This Racial Harmony Day, let’s extend the commemoration beyond school activities by engaging in meaningful conversations at home to understand each other’s thoughts and feelings about our cultures and experiences. One fun way is to use a paper chatterbox – a beloved childhood game reimagined with a thoughtful twist.

You’ll find questions within to get you talking and thinking about race and culture, like “What is your favourite festival and why?”."

Finding a school that’s good for your child (22 July 2025)

"With students graduating into an increasingly complex world, choosing a school for them must go beyond simply looking at its academic track record. Mrs Tan Chen Kee, MOE’s Director of Schools, explains why it’s crucial to understand your child to ensure a good match between them and the programmes a school offers.

Strong bonds are often rooted in empathy – after all, there’s nothing like walking a mile in someone else’s shoes to truly understand where they are coming from. And if that means venturing into uncharted territory, Mrs Tan Chen Kee, MOE’s Deputy Director-General of Education (Schools) and Director of Schools, is up for the challenge.

To bond with her godson, who’s currently in Primary 6, Mrs Tan gamely took up gaming so she could better understand this pursuit he spent so much time on. “I’m really no good at it, but he takes me on his raids, and I wander around and randomly shoot where he tells me to shoot,” she describes, laughing heartily. “And I do it so I can understand his reality. The world the young generation faces today is totally different, and we won’t do them any good by judging them based on our reality. We need to enter their world and then bring them to where they need to be.”

In the same spirit, Mrs Tan decided to accept an invitation to a Facebook group for parents of primary school students about a year ago. “I wanted to get insights into what weighs heavily on parents’ minds and hearts, what keeps them up at night. It’s about seeing things from their lived reality.” From heated debates about different parenting approaches to unfiltered comments about schools and teachers, her year of observation spent “in the field” was illuminating.

“All parents want the best for their children,” says Mrs Tan. “They are trying their best based on the information they have access to, and their own life experiences.” If parents spent their own youth navigating a system that was more focused on academic results and saw how professional pathways opened up with the help of school experiences and networks, scepticism about the message that “every school is a good school” is understandable.

“Many parents still define a good school as one that is well-resourced and has a track record of producing good academic results,” she acknowledges. “They think that there is only a certain basket of schools that will create the best set of opportunities for their children and drive their own decisions along these directions.”

Over-parenting vs being involved – here’s why the difference matters (23 July 2025)

"Work pressures can cause time-starved parents to jump in to solve problems for their children instead of seizing teachable moments. Mrs Tan Chen Kee, MOE’s Director of Schools, shares how parents can better work with their child’s teachers to help the children flourish, and recalibrate expectations for a more meaningful partnership.

Back when Mrs Tan Chen Kee was a student, silence was golden when it came to parent-school interactions.

“My mum was a teacher then, but still, she didn’t really care about what was going on in school unless the school called her,” says Mrs Tan, who’s now MOE’s Deputy Director-General of Education (Schools) and Director of Schools. “And when that happened, it usually meant bad news, so it was better for the school not to call.”

While the belief then was that “no news is good news”, today’s paradigm between schools and parents is quite different. “The parenting approach has changed over the years,” Mrs Tan acknowledges. “These days, most parents want to be a lot more engaged with schools.”

That is a healthy sign, since both parents and schools share the same goal of helping the child flourish. However, being too involved can lead to over-parenting, which can have its drawbacks. One of these is what Mrs Tan calls “short-circuiting the process of learning”.

What does that mean? Well, let’s say a child is not able to get into the co-curricular activity (CCA) of their choice. How a parent responds can inform the life lessons their child absorbs from the experience.

Scenario 1: The parent helps the child to understand that in life you don’t always get what you want, but be open to what you get

In this scenario, the child comes to terms with the reality that in life, we don’t always get what we want. “So it’s about learning to deal with setbacks and disappointment, to be more resilient, and to bounce back” says Mrs Tan.

By opting for a different CCA, the child could also discover new interests and hone a sense of flexibility with regards to different pathways. Parental involvement could then be talking to their child about being open to alternative possibilities in life."

Next Stop, Primary School: Preparing the Child, and the Parent (29 July 2025)

"Making the leap to primary school can feel daunting for both parents and children. Seasoned preschool leader Ms Loy Wee Mee shares practical strategies to make this transition smoother.

While academic preparation often dominates parents’ concerns about Primary 1 transition, Ms Loy Wee Mee, who has 24 years’ experience in the early childhood sector, says that life skills and social-emotional readiness matter more. Here, she shares what parents can focus on in the years leading up to primary school.

Building essential life skills

The foundation for a smooth transition begins well before K2. Children develop crucial skills through daily routines, from managing their belongings to problem-solving.

For instance, they learn to handle situations like forgetting their water bottle by finding appropriate solutions, such as requesting a cup. Parents can also get their children to be familiar with skills like handling money and time management, so when they enter primary school, they can confidently buy food at the canteen and finish their meals on time.

“Going into primary one is not about academics. It’s really about that self – how excited is the child to say, ‘Great, it’s going to be another journey. I can do it.’,” explains Ms Loy."

Next Stop, Primary School: A Principal’s Perspective (29 July 2025)

"Does more preparation mean that children would do better in primary school? Woodlands Primary School Principal Mrs Lillian Chen shares what parents can do to help their children thrive in primary school.

What’s really needed at Primary 1?

Children need fundamental self-management skills, not solely academic preparation, to thrive in primary school, says Mrs Chen. She emphasises that children should be able to handle basic tasks independently, such as packing their school bags with a given timetable and managing toilet routines.

Social-emotional preparation is equally crucial. “Children need to understand how to make new friends, how to interact with new friends,” says Mrs Chen.

Is it even possible to over-prepare my child?

While parents’ intentions are good, over-preparation through excessive academic enrichment classes can be counterproductive. “Too much of it can actually take away the joy of learning because students start to associate learning with stress, a packed schedule, or even overly challenging tasks,” Mrs Chen cautions.

She highlights concerning scenarios where students end up disengaged due to over-preparation. “We do see instances of students in class being very bored, and when asked why are you not engaged? The child’s reply can be, usually, ‘I have already learnt this two weeks ago during my tuition class.’”

This disengagement can affect crucial aspects of learning, particularly the development of soft skills through collaborative projects and group work, Mrs Chen says."

Next Stop, Primary School: The Power of (Continued) Play (31 July 2025)

"What’s the true value of play, especially when formal schooling starts? Hear from Mr Lee Hoi Leong, a parent of two and co-founder of a non-profit organisation focused on encouraging creative skills and confidence in children.

How should we see ‘play’?

The word ‘play’ often carries negative connotations among adults, being viewed as the opposite of work and study. “We often hear ‘please don’t play, go and study’, or if you’re working, then you’re not playing,” Mr Lee observes. But he thinks we got it backwards. “From our personal experiences, most of us have very positive memories of play. We remember the fun moments rather than the times we were working intensely. Play is positive.”

This perception of play as the antithesis of productivity, Mr Lee suggests, misses its true value. Play offers significant developmental benefits, particularly in building a child’s sense of agency.

“One thing that I really like about play is that most of the time, the player is in control. We are in self-directed mode,” he says. This element of control and self-direction in play, Mr Lee explains, is vital for children’s development. It helps them build confidence in making decisions and managing their own learning – skills that become even more crucial as they progress through primary school and encounter more structured expectations.

Making time for unstructured play

As a parent himself, with two children in primary school, Mr Lee says that he can “totally identify with the peer pressure that Singaporean parents are facing” when he hears about friends sending their children to extra classes.

“One of the few things that (my wife and I) very intentionally do is to set aside time for play,” Mr Lee shares. He admits that it can be challenging now that his children are in middle and upper primary, and their time is increasingly taken by up homework and after-school programmes.

This is where the intentionality is particularly key. “We make sure that there are a few times in the week where we bring them to play sports, go to the playground, go to the park, or just let them choose something that they want to do,” Mr Lee says."

Choosing to teach: What led me here and what keeps me going (1 August 2025)

"Many may think that returning to the classroom year after year is what teaching is about. But for me, it’s a career that is much more – with its potential for personal development and the privilege to work with young minds.

By He Jia Wen

In my 16 years as a teacher, I have had my fair share of questions from students and friends about my career choice. “Why did you become a teacher?”, “Should I go into teaching?”, and even “How come you stayed so long at the job?”

I love it when students ask these questions. Beyond sharing my story with them, it is also a great opportunity to reflect on what brought me to the job and what is keeping me here.

What got me into teaching was simple: I accepted a teaching scholarship at 18 which allowed me to study what I loved (English Literature) and guaranteed me a job when I finished my university studies. Before that, I had intentionally applied for a relief teaching stint at a secondary school after my A Level, just to be sure I know what I am signing up for.

In those few months doing relief teaching, I found that I enjoyed the dynamic nature of student interactions. While there was some structure in how a lesson progressed, I could not anticipate how students would react. Initially, I would get worried when I went off-track during a carefully planned lesson. But these moments often brought about questions or quips from students, which I slowly started to welcome, as they showed students’ curiosity and confidence – and encouraged me. The bustling activity and infectious energy of students on campus was also an environment I relished. On top of all that, my supervisors gave me positive feedback, which assured me I could do reasonably well at the job.

What kept me in teaching for the next fifteen years was more complex. It was a mix of seeing the impact of my words and actions on students’ life choices, having the chance to grow professionally, and being in a job that expected me to reflect on my personhood."

The future is student-made and eco-friendly (5 August 2025)

"From automated drying racks to solar ovens, students are applying their science knowledge and creativity to overcome everyday climate challenges. These school-led initiatives show how the next generation is taking real steps toward a greener future.

Drying clothes, cooking, commuting – we do not think much of these everyday actions, but our students are reimagining them through eco-friendly design. This initiative is in support of Go Green SG 2025, an annual nationwide sustainability movement organised by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. We speak to four schools whose students are turning curiosity into climate action, one project at a time!

Building toy cars with rechargeable sun-powered batteries

Over 16 weeks, Secondary 1 students at Compassvale Secondary School explored sustainable design by creating rechargeable battery-operated toy cars during their Design & Technology lessons.

As part of the project, the students built two items: a toy car, and a solar-powered battery charger to power the car. Along the way, they engaged in design thinking, artefact fabrication, and the construction of electrical circuits.

Mr Aydrian Yap, Head of Department (Craft & Technology), shared that this project helped students understand how electrical components work together, and how renewable energy can be stored and harnessed to power vehicles.

The students were also allowed to bring their solar charger home to recharge household batteries. This was to encourage their families to shift away from using disposable batteries, a small but positive change in daily habit that goes a long way towards greener living."

They are Lion Mums, hear them roar in this parenting vodcast (14 August 2025)

"How different are they on-screen and off-screen? Catch the actresses from the popular Singapore drama series as they host a series of Canteen Chats on hot parenting topics with MOE teachers, parents and experts.

Every parent wonders: Am I doing enough to help my child thrive?

With so much advice out there, it can be hard to know what really matters. Sometimes, what helps most is just hearing other parents and teachers lay it all out – the wins, the worries, the would-haves – and deciding what’s most important to you.

That’s what MOE’s video podcast series, “Canteen Chats with Lion Mums”, sets out to do.

In four candid episodes, cast members from the popular Lion Mums drama sit down with MOE teachers, parents and experts, and talk openly about parenting, stress, success, resilience and learning. And about what helps, what doesn’t, and how parents and teachers can work together to support every child.

Here’s a quick look at the episodes, and why they are well worth a watch."

Harnessing sustainable solutions from insects, fungi, and fish (29 August 2025)

"Junior college students turn Singapore’s eco-challenges into opportunities by dreaming up creative ways to improve our country’s food resilience. They also explore different perspectives to build new understandings as they collaborate with their peers and make sense of real-world issues.

Singaporeans’ love for food is indisputable. But while there’s always chatter about hawker culture and how we miss local food when we go overseas, there are deeper conversations about food happening in junior colleges (JC). In particular, how does Singapore, which imports more than 90% of our food, build up our capacity and capabilities for local production despite space constraints?

These discussions are triggered by Project Work (PW), a core part of the A-Level curriculum to help students develop crucial competencies such as collaborative skills and cross-disciplinary knowledge. PW also aims to prepare them to come up with creative solutions to real-world challenges, such as how to improve volunteerism rate and public transport, among others.

But it’s the solutions to improve food security that took the top three spots in this year’s Marketplace of Ideas (MOI) Pilot Pitch, where PW groups were invited to present their proposals to judges from MOE and its partner agencies for the 2024 MOI – Land Transport Authority, National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, and the Singapore Food Agency /Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.

Here are the winning teams’ proposed solutions."

‘It was like watching my own family on stage’ (2 September 2025)

"Sibling rivalry, bickering at dinner, caregiving woes – students watch familiar moments unfold, then shape what happens next. In Character and Citizenship Education, the Family Education Interactive Drama Programme is turning perspective-taking into practice; three schools reflect on how conversations and behaviours have shifted.

By Sabrina Lee

It started like any sibling argument: raised voices, bickering, then silence. But this quarrel wasn’t at home – it was centre stage at Hai Sing Catholic School’s school hall, where student Heather Chew leaned in, drawn into the “drama”.

“It felt like I was watching my own family in a play,” says Heather.

Drama that draws students in

That sense of recognition is exactly what educators are aiming for through the Family Education Interactive Drama Programme, jointly developed by MOE and Families for Life to support students’ learning in Character and Citizenship Education (CCE).

Schools such as Dunman Secondary, Juying Secondary and Hai Sing Catholic School are bringing Family Education to life through the Interactive Drama Programme, offered in both live and pre-recorded formats for lower secondary students.

In the live version, performers stage a play, pause at key moments, and invite students to step in with their views and responses. The pre-recorded version lets classes watch the performance on video, with students role-playing scenes and reimagining them in their own way.

In both formats, teachers connect the drama experience back to lessons, helping students reflect and apply the learning in meaningful ways."

The Little Things – Teachers’ Day 2025 (4 September 2025)

"What are some seemingly small, insignificant things our students do that teachers notice, treating every moment as a chance to bring out the best in them? This Teachers’ Day, we celebrate how our educators tap on every student’s quirk by listening and guiding them to realise their potential."

This accidental lecturer is poised to help students find their way (5 September 2025)

"Without an industry background in food science, Chemistry graduate Eric Kwek started from scratch as a lecturer, learning about the protocols, processes and partnerships that would benefit his students. That is exactly why the Senior Lecturer at Republic Polytechnic is good at preparing students for life after school — to show what can be achieved from ground up.

His unapologetically vibrant wardrobe catches the eye – a flash of personality that hints at his teaching style: open, distinctive, and quietly boundary-pushing. It’s more than just flair. It suggests a willingness to stand apart and to create space for others to do the same.

You start to understand that outlook better once you know where Mr Eric Kwek comes from. The Senior Lecturer at Republic Polytechnic’s School of Applied Science didn’t start his career as a teacher. After graduating with a degree in Chemistry, he was unsure of his next steps. He joined Republic Polytechnic as an administrative officer, overseeing timetables and curriculum operations, which also suited his strengths. “I like seeing how everything fits together,” he says. “There’s satisfaction in making sure things run smoothly.”

But what stayed with him weren’t the spreadsheets. It was the fleeting interactions with students: checking in, offering comfort, sensing when someone seemed off.

Born with an eyesight condition that made eye contact and social interaction challenging, he often second-guessed how he was perceived. “I used to avoid eye contact because I was afraid people would think I was being rude,” he shares. That self-consciousness, which had once dented his confidence, also gave him perspective – helping him better understand and support students who struggle in their own ways.

Who, me? A lecturer?

The idea of becoming a lecturer never crossed his mind – until he was invited to teach a Chemistry class, as part of a Republic Polytechnic initiative that gave non-teaching staff the opportunity to try classroom facilitation. The students responded well – but it was his own quiet excitement that surprised him most.

The experience lit a spark – one that made him realise he wanted to teach. Heartened, he embarked on a four-year part-time Master’s in Life Sciences while delicately balancing family and full-time work."

His ‘dual empathy’ approach helps students find their True North (5 September 2025)

"Mr Mario Goh’s students develop not one but two needles in their inner compass – one pointing them to know themselves and the second to understanding others. When they get their bearings right, everything – including grades, career choices, and relationships – will fall into place, says the lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Business & Accountancy.

When Mr Mario Goh approaches a problem, whether previously as an HR consultant, or today as a business lecturer and school adviser, one of the first questions he asks is, “What’s your pain point?”

Being able to define a problem with clarity and unabashed honesty is half the battle won, and not as easy as it sounds, says the Senior Manager for Student Development and Leadership at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Business & Accountancy (BA).

This is why he has developed a series of frameworks and guiding principles to live by, across his years as an organisational psychologist and with over 15 years under his belt as a polytechnic lecturer.

These principles aren’t dense truths to be distilled, but are meant to be easy to apply like a life hack. One such principle is his philosophy of “dual empathy”, which he applies to both his teaching and mentoring sessions.

He explains, “Students need an inner compass made of two needles: self-empathy and empathy for the ‘other’.”

If they develop a good understanding of themselves, and of who the “other” party is and what they need, they will make better and more confident decisions. The “other” could refer to a project partner, client, society – anyone they are navigating with and need to show empathy for.

“By fostering dual empathy, students can navigate personal and workplace transformations and contribute meaningfully to society in a sustained and enduring way.”

This artist-lecturer designs hope and confidence in her students (5 September 2025)

"Ms Ng Wen Lei believes schools should be places of hope – like what Nanyang Polytechnic was to her when she was a student. Through gentle guidance and artistic insight, the Senior Manager at Nanyang Poly’s School of Design & Media helps students discover that creative confidence lies in believing they always have options.

Should schools be places that spell endless possibility? For Ms Ng Wen Lei, Senior Manager at Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Design & Media, that question isn’t philosophical – it’s practical. And personal.

Years ago, when her A-level results fell short, she felt adrift. “I lost hope,” says Ms Ng. “Then how? Where to go? I despaired.” But flipping through a polytechnic brochure, she spotted a design course, and with nothing left to lose, enrolled in the course. At Nanyang Polytechnic, she found herself immersed in hands-on tools and technical skills. For the first time, she wasn’t just learning – she was making, designing, even taking on freelance projects.

“I realised I could do things. Make things. Earn from my skills,” she says. “It showed me that failure is not the end. There are always options.”

This belief – that creativity offers choices, and choices bring hope – now sits at the core of how she teaches.

“Creativity is having hope in options,” she says. “It means believing that one of many possible paths might work, and having the confidence to try.” It’s a mantra that doesn’t come from theory alone. It’s something Ms Ng has lived, and continues to practise as a lecturer.

Art meets education

Much of Ms Ng’s strength as an educator comes from the life she lived before returning to Nanyang Polytechnic to teach full-time. A practising artist and former artistic director of digital art programme Noise Metaverse, she spent years curating immersive digital experiences and experimenting with form, narrative, and audience engagement.

Her studio practice informs how she teaches: layering experiences, scaffolding discovery, and helping learners navigate the unfamiliar. “I borrow techniques from the art world and apply those methods to unpack creativity for students,” she explains. She’s especially drawn to the ways artists across history tried to be creative – not just what they made. “People think creativity is something you either have or don’t. I want my students to see that it’s a skill. It can be learnt.”

She tailors lessons to her students’ trades and traits (5 September 2025)

"Ms Izriena Idris meets students where they are at – designing competitions around their social media trends, or speaking the language of their courses. This is all part of the skills she imparts as ITE College East Lifeskills Lecturer, role-modelled with her special blend of care and rigour.

Ms Izriena Idris is a Lifeskills Lecturer at ITE College East, but to her nursing students, she speaks like a nurse, and to her engineering students, she speaks like an engineer.

This is a method Ms Izriena describes as “trade-speak”, where she adapts lifeskills to the specific language and context of each student’s future profession. It reflects her belief that teaching should connect with students’ training, be relevant to their professional identities, and make soft skills applicable to daily life and work.

For instance, when teaching communication to nursing students, she emphasises phrases that convey emotional sensitivity and build empathy. These skills are necessary for nurses who regularly handle delicate conversations with patients and their families during vulnerable moments. With engineering students, she helps them emphasise clarity, structure, and logic in their statements – attributes essential for reporting faults or managing technical issues.

“Communication looks different in every job, and makes a difference in every job,” she explains.

Her own chameleon-like skills at communication and rapport-building are what landed her the lecturing career she enjoys.

Over 15 years ago, she was handling marketing and college relations at ITE when her manager spotted her ability to connect with students of all backgrounds. She eventually decided to become a lecturer, where her skills in business services and professional development could make a direct impact on students.

Reading the room and switching up the energy

Through Ms Izriena’s lessons on public speaking, resume writing, and financial literacy, her students learn to put their best professional foot forward.

However, these subjects might inadvertently come across as too abstract or not directly relevant to students, and this requires Ms Izriena to be creative and adaptive.

For example, when she was teaching mental health as part of her Personal & Professional Development modules, she observed her students becoming restless. She quickly adapted, putting aside her lesson plan to ask them about mental health struggles that they had come across.

Gradually, the students opened up and shared stories about their close friends, family members and even themselves. “Once they heard their classmates share personal experiences, it changed everything,” says Ms Izriena. “Suddenly, they were listening.”

And only then did she return to her lesson plan."

He brings purpose and precision to every classroom move (5 September 2025)

"Shaking things up may be a good way to describe Mr Marek Otreba’s style of teaching. He thrives on using innovation to help students be better thinkers at St Andrew’s Secondary School. The Lead Teacher (Social Studies) earns his students’ respect not just for running fun and engaging lessons, but for making learning more accessible through differentiated lessons.

You could write your answers on paper or… How about getting out of your seat, pretend to be an influencer, find a spot around the school and deliver your answers via a video post?

To Mr Marek Otreba’s students, such are the fun and spontaneous activities he comes up with in class and out.

Get to know Mr Otreba better and it is clear that a lot of thought goes on behind these seemingly casual moves. Every task, digital feedback form, or station rotation (a structured circuit of short activities each focused on a specific skill), starts from an intentional place to help students think harder, grow in skill or values, or to simply benefit from differentiated instructions.

A different kind of Humanities teacher

Originally from Canada, the 42-year-old Lead Teacher (Social Studies) at St Andrew’s Secondary School came to Singapore in 2011 following two years of teaching in the UK. It was a “sliding doors” moment: He was seeking a permanent teaching role, and MOE reached out via an international job portal.

When offered the role, he was told: “We don’t want you to adapt to the way we teach Humanities. We want you to ignite change.” He has stayed true to that invitation.

Over the years, Mr Otreba has led and co-led cluster and national-level Networked Learning Communities (NLCs), and founded the Assessment and A.I. NLC, to explore how emerging technologies can support meaningful teaching and learning. For these efforts, he was conferred the MOE Outstanding Innovator Award in 2023."

She teaches them ‘not just to look but also to see’ (5 September 2025)

"It’s been no regrets for Mdm Elsie Cheng, who swopped engineering for teaching to leave more impact on people’s lives. She finds imparting and shaping values to be among the most rewarding parts of teaching design and technology as Edgefield Secondary School’s Head of Department for Craft & Technology.

There is a moment that Mdm Elsie Cheng Swee Eng will never forget: Her Design and Technology student, passionate about cats, was struggling to sketch his idea for a grooming device. His drawings were a far cry from the elegant solution he envisioned.

Mdm Cheng could see where the possibilities lay, but she was not about to lay them on a silver platter. Instead, she offered tips to guide him there.

Months later, that same student built a prototype that dispensed powder while grooming, which helped contain the flurry from the pets’ shedding fur. As she holds up a photo of his creation, Mdm Cheng, the Head of Department for Craft & Technology at Edgefield Secondary School, smiles with pride. What mattered to her was not the result, but the growth of the student as he worked towards his goal.

This moment was one of many that cemented her decision to leave the corporate world to become a teacher.

From engineer to educator

At the start of her career, after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, she joined Hewlett-Packard as a procurement engineer. But that left her feeling unfulfilled somehow. “I could not get the kind of job satisfaction I wanted. I did not get to see the end product, or the impact of what I was doing.”

She thought about how her Secondary 2 Form Teacher had seen an educator in her and suggested that she take up some tutoring work way back when.

Hence, she made a shift to education in 2011 – with no regrets. Her engineering expertise gave her a systematic way of breaking down challenges, but teaching gave her something deeper: the chance to shape lives. “In engineering, I was solving problems. In education, I am helping others learn to solve them.”

Students are attracted to Physics thanks to her magnetic lessons (5 September 2025)

"Mdm Quek Shir Ryn is driven to show how relevant Science is in her students’ lives, so that they embrace the subject beyond grades. As Head of Department (Science) at Bartley Secondary School, she also exudes a gravitational pull on colleagues to design more engaging learning experiences together.

Mdm Quek Shir Ryn did not enjoy Science as a student. That is always a surprise coming from the Head of Department of Science (!) at Bartley Secondary School. She might even have spaced out once or twice in class, she confesses, because “I couldn’t understand the ‘why’ behind the concepts”.

As a teacher today, when she sees her students looking restless, it reminds her of her younger self. “It’s not that they are not trying. I can see that they are trying very hard in many other areas like their CCA, Student-Initiated Learning, or leading their peers,” she reasons. That is a signal to her to up her game, to help them find the relevance behind what they are learning.

Making links to industry and perfumery

Her intent came through clearly in the years after the Covid-19 pandemic. The school’s Applied Learning Programme (ALP) in Chemical and Applied Sciences (Fragrance) had stalled. Industry partnerships had gone quiet, and student engagement had dipped. “I thought, I need to do something about this,” she says. “If we want our students to take science seriously — to see its relevance — then they need to see it applied in the real world.”

Mdm Quek reached out to companies and strengthened partnerships with industry players such as P&G and Scent by Six, who subsequently gave input to the programme. Guest speakers were invited to share career pathways in STEM, and students were brought on learning journeys to fragrance labs and consumer healthcare companies. For the perfumery module, Mdm Quek collaborated with perfumery experts to enhance students’ understanding of how scientific principles apply to real-world fragrance formulation.

Cultivating tomorrow’s STEM leaders today

As ALP programme owner, Mdm Quek is known for planning learning journeys that demonstrate real-world application of STEM concepts — including trips for department teachers to the NUS Science Demo Lab and ITE College Central. She believes that for students to be excited about STEM, teachers must first be inspired themselves.

When Secondary 3 students visited A*STAR’s National Metrology Centre, they deepened their understanding of SI units and the role measurement science plays in supporting industries. They also learned how precision in measurement underpins innovation, ensures product reliability, and facilitates international trade.

Beyond the classroom, she extends STEM learning through industry partnerships. When she brought students to Kenvue Singapore, they gained invaluable insights into the fragrance development process and learned how sensory science influences consumer experiences. They also explored how global industry leaders like Kenvue and Givaudan collaborate, and the technologies involved in creating consumer health products."

Family tradition that led to her career of a lifetime (5 September 2025)

"At first, she resisted the pull of the classroom. Now, she cannot imagine life without teaching. Mdm Lee Siok Kwan, PE Teacher at Woodgrove Primary School, comes from four generations of teachers. She designs physical activities that build character, imparts skills, reinforces values and promotes mental well-being.

At 55, after 24 years in the teaching service, Mdm Lee Siok Kwan has taught thousands of students. For all her students, she hopes to leave behind moments that matter to each.

Mdm Lee, who currently teaches Physical Education (PE) and Programme for Active Learning (PAL) at Woodgrove Primary School, gets so much job satisfaction that she cannot picture herself retiring. “I want to keep teaching as long as I can,” she says. “Teaching warms my heart and fills my soul.”

Teaching in their DNA

Coming from a family of teachers – grandparents, parents, husband, and soon, her son – Mdm Lee initially resisted the pull of the classroom. “Teaching is in my DNA, but I never knew it,” she says.

After her GCE A-Level examination, without any clear goal in mind, she enrolled in what was then known as the College of Physical Education at the suggestion of her father, a PE teacher himself. Her initial years as a beginning teacher were challenging, but also rich in learning, which laid the foundation for her teaching career. Subsequently, she took four years off to raise her four children, but she had already been bitten by the teaching bug by then.

“I was grateful I was there for my children’s milestones, and thankful that MOE kept the job open for me all those years.” When she was ready to return to work, what surprised her was how much she missed teaching and she appreciated the opportunity to continue “touch(ing) many lives”.

The class that made her realise her true calling

Posted to Woodgrove Primary School to teach PE and English after her extended absence, she faced a class which posed various challenges. There were social-emotional concerns, learning difficulties, and dysfunctional home situations rolled into one – her toughest class to date.

“I made the effort to get to know the students well, eat with them during recess, and find out their interests,” she says. Through these informal encounters, she listened to their stories and began to understand them better while forging bonds with them."

With a culture shift, she turns mistakes into motivation (5 September 2025)

"How do teachers respond to their students’ errors? At Kong Hwa School, they view them as springboards to learning and growth. Ms Diana Lin’s “Culture of Error” approach also shapes student mindsets to look beyond grades and strive for improvement.

The Primary 6 girl was inconsolable. Tears streamed down her face over her score that was just shy of a better grade.

Her teacher Ms Diana Lin, better known to her students as Mrs Tan, was concerned. Here was a child who wanted to become a teacher when she grew up, and loved learning, but was feeling so upset over missing a single percentage point.

While such incidents do not happen frequently, Mrs Tan, who is Kong Hwa School’s School Staff Developer and has been teaching at the school for two decades, says that these incidents crystallise the need to help children see that learning is about growth, not just grades.

Rewriting the rules of mistakes

Mrs Tan, a recipient of the MSEA Gold Award in 2022 and the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan LEAP Award in 2024, has been reshaping how teachers and students across the school approach mistakes.

She worked with her Vice-Principal to create a “Culture of Error”. This approach challenges both teachers and students to see mistakes as learning opportunities rather than something undesirable. The approach required teachers to examine their own reactions to student errors and reflect on how their responses influenced classroom dynamics.

“It took a little bit of time for everyone to get on board,” Mrs Tan acknowledges. “Teachers had to be vulnerable and share how they feel about making mistakes as an adult, and rethink how they react and respond towards their students’ mistakes.”

This Science teacher is a ‘balsam plant’ for spreading knowledge and kindness (5 September 2025)

"At Endeavour Primary School, Mr Jonathan Lo’s secret to effective Science education is to make it so captivating that students forget they are learning. The Head of Department of Science proves every day that the most rigorous form of education can often feel like play.

When 12-year-old Adhrit Rayala is asked what plant his teacher would be, he says, “Balsam plant.”

Then, with theatrical flair, he makes an exploding hand gesture to mimic seeds bursting from their pods. Most teachers would be bewildered with the comparison. Mr Jonathan Lo, however, takes it as a compliment, tickled. He even teasingly clarifies with Adhrit if he is referring to the knowledge he imparts, and Adhrit nods emphatically.

It is a metaphor that captures exactly how Mr Lo teaches – knowledge spreading far and wide through his thoughtful pedagogy at Endeavour Primary School.

“He makes science come to life!” Adhrit says, eyes sparkling as he recounts adventures that sound more like treasure hunts than textbook lessons. Like the time Mr Lo mysteriously brought plants to class, only to have students design their own experiments to see how water is transported in plants. Or when a seed collection project sent Adhrit’s family across the island in search of a floating seed found only at West Coast Park.

This is Science education at Endeavour Primary School: experiential, engaging, and transformative.

Rewriting the rules

Where Mr Lo is concerned, “I do not want to teach just based on the textbook. It is boring to learn the flower parts by only reading about them,” he states.

Instead, his lessons unfold like real-world mysteries. And this also applies to Mathematics. To get students to understand percentage change, Mr Lo brought in an example of a movie-ticket promotion that looked great… until students crunched the numbers. What could have been a routine exercise morphed into a masterclass in critical thinking, consumer behaviour, and ethics.

“I asked them about their feelings and opinions about the deal. ‘What do you really think about these promotions? Would you be attracted?’” Soon, the class was debating how companies market to seniors, students, and families, and whether those deals were truly fair.

Then came the twist: Mr Lo told his students that he was misled by the terms of this promotion, and explained how he provided feedback and got a refund. “Even as a teacher, I am still learning.”

She teaches lessons in flavour, grit and dignity (5 September 2025)

"For Ms Lina Tan Lay Nah, food is never just food. It offers a chance to connect, go green, or advance patient care. At Nanyang Polytechnic, the Senior Lecturer and specialist in food technology teaches students how to create meaningful products and find purpose in the process.

Food isn’t just sustenance, says Ms Lina Tan Lay Nah. It’s care, comfort, and when done well, a form of dignity. And above all, it must be tasty.

“If it’s not tasty, forget it,” she often tells her students. No matter how nutritious a dish is, she believes it won’t succeed unless people actually want to eat it.

That focus sharpened in 2019, when her father-in-law, who had dysphagia, choked after she made him a nutrient-rich porridge, thoughtfully enhanced with goji berries. The berries’ seeds, which retained their firmness after cooking, created a dual texture that was hazardous for someone with swallowing difficulties.

For Ms Tan, a Specialist (Food Technology) and Senior Lecturer at Nanyang Polytechnic, the experience wasn’t just humbling. It marked a turning point.

Overcoming her berry bad start

In ageing Singapore, where nearly one in four citizens will be 65 or older by 2030, dysphagia is a growing concern. The condition, which affects one’s ability to swallow safely, can lead to malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and even death.

Yet food options for its patients are somewhat limited, bland, and unappealing. Ms Tan then made it her mission to develop meals that are both suitable and enjoyable.

She introduced the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), encouraging students to reimagine food for people with swallowing difficulties.

One of their creations included the world’s first nutrient-fortified local dessert for such patients, a Herbal Tea Duo that won at the 13th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards 2025 (Food & Nutrition category), and a mocktail that was recognised by the World Food Innovation Awards 2025 (Best Drink Innovation).

One team even reimagined bandung, the nostalgic rose syrup drink, into a safer version, as liquids that are too thin may go down the windpipe."

He teaches AI, assisted by AI (5 September 2025)

"In his classroom, Mr Max Chua, a Lecturer at ITE College West, blends empathy with innovation, using AI to teach and to listen. His own story of second chances now shapes how he gives others theirs.

The Advanced Computing Lab at ITE College West is nearly bare. Just a few pieces of AI-generated artwork are displayed in a cabinet at the entrance, and bright green tables glow under fluorescent lights.

This minimalistic room is where Mr Max Chua, who teaches at the School of Electronics & Info-Comm Technology, reimagines how students learn AI. “As part of our curriculum and pedagogy development, I created the AI Classroom to personalise learning at scale – essentially giving every student the experience of a class size of one,” he explains.

In his classes, students self-explore key concepts using GenAI tools, supported by prompt engineering guides and scaffolding questions. With GenAI, students can enjoy personalised advice to their questions. Then, during lessons, Mr Chua guides the class to apply these concepts to solve real-world problems.

The results are promising. “Students who went through the AI Classroom scored around 20 per cent better than those in normal classroom groups. Many also shared that AI helped them better understand coding and gave them the motivation to explore further.”

Learning without barriers

Making technology accessible is a constant theme in Mr Chua’s work. He specialises in AI, High Performance Computing (HPC), and Electronics Engineering, and has created modules that allow students to build real-world AI applications, even if they have never written a line of code.

“Not everyone comes in knowing how to code. My job is to scaffold learning: to deconstruct concepts so students can build their foundation from the ground up,” he says, as a leader of ITE’s Generative AI HPC teams.

His curriculum work features partnerships with Amazon Web Services, Google, and the National Supercomputing Centre. He also leads Train-the-Trainer sessions and develops general electives that support fellow educators. His workshops on AI and HPC have benefitted over 100 fellow educators. “I myself cannot teach the whole world. I need to multiply this effect,” Mr Chua elaborates.

Beyond his work at ITE, Mr Chua contributes to the community to build up AI competencies in Singapore. He is part of digital community The Gen-C, a collaboration between the National Library Board and AWS that upskills the public in AI skills like prompt engineering, working with Large Language Models (LLMs), and fine-tuning models."

She weaves a passion for nature into language lessons (5 September 2025)

"Ms Debbie Wong, who teaches English Language and Literature at North Vista Secondary School, shows that when students connect authentically with Singapore’s natural heritage, they don’t just learn about conservation – they become its champions.

A text message arrives, accompanied by a close-up of a spider. “This should be the green crab spider?” writes 15-year-old Alfonse Lee, who moments earlier had walked straight into a web at a park and immediately pulled out his phone to document the encounter.

Ms Debbie Wong’s face lights up as she remembers this: It’s not just the spider encounter that excites her – it’s what the encounter represents. Here’s a student who once walked through the world focused inward but now looks out and up, stopping to examine creatures most people would ignore, curious enough to reach out to his teacher to learn more.

An English Language and Literature teacher who is also the School Staff Developer, Ms Wong has spent the past two years weaving environmental consciousness into language learning. Her dedication has not gone unnoticed: She was nominated for the Inspiring Teacher of English Award in 2024 and received NParks’ Community in Nature, Teacher of the Year Award the same year.

From aircon to advocacy

The irony isn’t lost on Ms Wong that she was once everything her current self is not. “I was a creature of comfort,” she admits with a laugh. “Air-conditioning over outdoor adventures, every time.”

The shift came through heartbreak of the most personal kind. When both her daughters were diagnosed with dyslexia , “I was very crushed,” Ms Wong says. “I felt that they wouldn’t be able to appreciate the written word the way that I would as an English Language and Literature teacher. It was heartbreaking.”

Desperate for alternatives, she began taking them outdoors. The moment of clarity came after a walk at Changi Beach with her older daughter. Suddenly animated and confident, the little girl delivered a presentation about intertidal marine life to her Kindergarten 2 classmates. “She was brimming with joy,” Ms Wong recalls. “You could hear the pride and wonder in her voice.”

TWhen Ms Wong shared this story with her Secondary 3 class, their immediate response was, “Ms Wong, we want to do that for our Values-in-Action project too!”

He turns classrooms into creative spaces and safe havens (5 September 2025)

"To his students, he’s not judgy – that’s high praise coming from teens. Mr Abdul Hadi Bin Abdul Wahab, who is a Senior Teacher (Art) at Holy Innocents’ High School, welcomes adventurers who wish to dabble in all kinds of artistic media, or in inter-disciplinary learning. And when students need an open heart or a listening ear along the way, he’s there for them too.

Step into the art room at Holy Innocents’ High School (HIHS) and it is immediately clear that this is no ordinary class in progress. Students gather over sketchbooks, digital tablets, or film footage. Not because they have to, but because they want to. Whether they are using photography, animation, or installation, they are encouraged to work in the medium that lets their message speak.

This is Mr Abdul Hadi Bin Abdul Wahab’s domain, where students are trusted to think, create, and speak through their work. “I always ask my students: Are you doing this for the grade or for yourself?” says the 35-year-old Senior Teacher (Art). “Because how you answer shapes everything you produce.”

Mr Hadi took to teaching from young – starting with always finding ways as the eldest child to amuse his brothers. “I liked to design experiences or games for them, and they seemed to enjoy themselves,” says Mr Hadi, smiling at the memory. The first signs he would wind up as an art teacher came from his youthful passions for art and filmmaking.

His inaugural posting was to a junior college, where he met students who had creative chops but dropped Art after secondary school anyway. “They were creating for grades, not for themselves. When they failed, they assumed they were not creative or skillful enough,” he says. Six years in, he was convinced he should make the switch to teaching at secondary school. “I wanted to be where the foundations were being laid.”

What does it mean to make art that matters?

These days, he focuses on building those foundations, designing a curriculum that gives students room to experiment, fail, and return to their ideas with deeper insight. Drawing and painting are just the beginning. Students in his classes explore augmented reality (AR), 3D tools, film, photography… he rarely denies their choice of media. “Art should be comforting, meaningful, and speak to their hearts,” he explains.

He uses the Art Inquiry-based Learning Model to guide this process, helping students tackle real-world themes that matter to them. And when the themes are honest, so is the work. Some projects they have made include AR trails about cultural memory, fashion pieces tied to personal identity, and other projects that ask not just what looks good, but what holds meaning. When that process happens, the learning comes naturally.

One student was feeling disconnected with the art diet of portraits and still life. When she joined Mr Hadi’s class in Secondary 4, he saw that “those things did not resonate with her”. He suggested, “Why not do something for yourself?” This was followed by yet another profound question: What would you create if this were your last artwork?

This set her on a wholly unfamiliar journey, but she was inspired. She chose to make it personal: a photo installation in tribute to her mother. It was thoughtfully composed, emotionally honest, and deeply moving, says Mr Hadi, who turned it into an exhibition piece at school."

She builds confidence in ways that get students talking (5 September 2025)

"Science teacher Germain Kang could be mistaken for a life coach – that’s how passionate she feels about enhancing student wellbeing. The Year Head (Upper Sec) at Fuhua Secondary School devises strategies to build self-esteem and peer support for every student.

Ms Germain Kang keeps a folder on her phone called “Encouragement”. It is filled with messages from students thanking her for changing their lives.

What is remarkable is not that she has it – it is that she needs it. Because teaching, she learned, is equal parts giving and taking, building up and being worn down, creating hope while fighting your own moments of doubt.

The folder gets its heaviest use on days like the one she is recalling now. It was the day she missed meeting a student who regularly skipped school – for months, he made good on their arrangement to meet each morning, grinning when she treated him to some candy. “All the work was undone,” Ms Kang recounts. “It was only one day that I missed, but he didn’t come back to school.”

Making sure everyone gets a fair shot

Ms Kang is the Year Head (Upper Secondary) and Chair of the Student Development Council and Student Wellbeing Committee at Fuhua Secondary School.

One reason she feels prepared for these roles is how she has personally experienced the peaks and troughs of school life, from failing exams to being crowned secondary school valedictorian. Key to her progress, she admits, was not wanting to disappoint her parents. But what sustained her progress was the growing confidence in herself.

Enter Project FRESH, a schoolwide start-of-year programme she created with her team to help students build social confidence. They play games and use resources like conversation cards as icebreakers – all for a chance to build friendships from day one.

When gamifying quizzes in her Science classes, she creates individual as well as team modes, so “everybody gets a chance to shine and also work together to raise the bar for the whole class to win”.

And when she gives affirmation, it is for results as well as for effort. After every weighted assessment, for instance, her announcement slides list not just top scorers but also those who made the most improvement.

This has echoes of her own trajectory. “I want them to know that where you begin does not define where you can go.”

His teaching subjects? Accounting, integrity, vulnerability (5 September 2025)

"When teaching the balancing of books, Mr Simon Sng is also shaping young lives. The Year Head (Lower Secondary) at Bedok South Secondary School has a systematic approach to build relationships with students, parents, and teachers – echoing the discipline of an auditor.

Three years into his career as an auditor, Mr Simon Sng was grabbing lunch at a mall when he spotted two students struggling with their accounting homework. Without hesitation, he approached them.

“I just tapped one of them on the shoulder and asked, ‘Are you alright? Do you need help with your accounting homework?’” he recalls. That started an impromptu tutoring session, and the students opened up about what was bothering them. Then came their question that changed everything: “Are you sure you are not a teacher?”

“It was like a trigger point,” Mr Sng says. “I realised teachers impact lives.”

Soon, he would make the leap from auditing into teaching.

More than numbers, it is about integrity

Currently the Year Head (Lower Secondary) at Bedok South Secondary School, Mr Sng was once written off as an at-risk student. “I was not a good student,” he reveals. Behind his skipping of classes and disengagement during lessons, he was shouldering adult responsibilities, working as a private tutor, to help support his family when his mother was ill.

But he had teachers who supported and acknowledged his every progress, showing him that underneath all the missteps was a lot of potential. “I want to be a teacher who can be there for students like they were there for me,” he explains.

His corporate years taught him invaluable lessons about integrity and moral courage. In auditing, he had to surface discrepancies regardless of client pressure. This commitment to do what is right, even in uncomfortable situations, became deeply ingrained in his character.

Now, that same principle is threaded through all he does in education. “It is about teaching students about integrity,” he says, “having the moral courage to stand up for what is right, not just in accounting, but standing up for people who need help.”

She ensures that students with different needs have opportunities to shine (5 September 2025)

"Mdm Usha d/o Krishnasamy crafts learning moments that blend structure with heart. With calmness and consistency, coupled with innovative methods, she makes learning accessible to different learners. The Lead Teacher for Learning Needs (Special Educational Needs) at North View Primary School also guides teachers on inclusive strategies with a steady and practised hand.

“Teacher, I spoke in Tamil. You haven’t given me points.” It’s a small request from a young student. Eager, proud, beaming. But Mdm Usha d/o Krishnasamy takes it seriously. “Mother Tongue learning is about having a positive experience,” she says. “It is about providing a safe space for them to practise and explore the language.”

After 23 years in the classroom, Mdm Usha, whose students call her Mrs Theva, remains energised by these moments. Not because they are dramatic or showy, but because they signal quiet change — the kind that takes root when students feel seen and supported.

Mdm Usha is the Lead Teacher for Learning Needs (Special Educational Needs or SEN) at North View Primary School. She teaches Tamil Language and Character and Citizenship Education (CCE), and uses inclusive practices to support learning and behavioural needs both within the classroom and other school activities. She also mentors teachers of students with SEN, by guiding them on their use of inclusive practices.

A mantra she adopted, “Essential for some, useful for all”, reflects how she approaches inclusion with intention and practicality. Structured routines and simple, clear instructions form the backbone of her classes. “When I say ‘Position 3’, students know exactly the sitting posture to assume – upright, arms folded on a table clear of clutter, to be ready to learn. These cues help all my students, not just those with SEN.”

She uses multimodal and multisensory techniques — songs, chunking, visual aids, text-to-speech software — to support reading and oral communication. In her Tamil lessons, she incorporates tech platforms like Nearpod and Kahoot to spark excitement, and creates her own instructional videos to make the experience more personal.

“When students hear my voice in the videos, they recognise it immediately and tell me so! That connection makes them pay attention.” She adds, “Rapport is very important. If a teacher does not connect with the students, the same tools will not have the same effect.”

These personalised touches, Mdm Usha believes, create a sense of safety and familiarity. She reassures her students that mistakes are part of learning. “You don’t have to be perfect,” she tells them calmly. “Just try.”

She finds ways to lift her students’ ‘invisible burdens’ (5 September 2025)

"At Fuhua Primary School, Mdm Nurul Huda Bte Juma’at turns emotional touchpoints into teachable, trackable moments. The HOD (CCE) also develops schoolwide programmes that embed values into daily routines, customise care, and equip teachers to manage tough conversations.

The primary school student was clutching an unopened umbrella, catching up to his little sister to shelter her in the downpour. When their father approached, he took the girl’s hand and walked off without acknowledging the boy, leaving him standing there, drenched, his shoulders slumped in resignation.

“I just broke down,” Mdm Nurul Huda Bte Juma’at recalls of witnessing this scene involving her student from afar. “Children may be carrying invisible burdens.”

Difficult situations like this underpin her dedication to be empathetic and understanding towards every student’s needs. Currently the Head of Department for Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) of Fuhua Primary School, Mdm Huda develops comprehensive frameworks that guide in the implementation of pastoral care and weave character-building into every corner of school life.

Building systems that inculcate good values

In short, Mdm Huda doesn’t leave the inculcating of good values and outcomes to chance.

“We need to be intentional in our values education,” she says. “We need to ask ourselves — what are the learning outcomes in each particular lesson?”

Her comprehensive values chart anchors every term to one school core value, that is reinforced through multiple platforms. Each morning, student leaders share the day’s character focus during assembly with the school population. It might go like this: “The character trait of the day is care. We need to listen more, and exercise empathy for others.”

Teachers receive updates through calendar invites highlighting the core value for the week, along with curated lesson resources for reinforcement with students.

The message is then threaded through the Sixer Programme, Fuhua’s peer support programme supported by the House System that takes all the students through values-based games and activities.

To produce the chart, Mdm Huda also collaborated with the HOD PE and Aesthetics, Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) Coordinator and CCA teachers to map CCE developmental milestones into their weekly activities, ensuring classroom, CCA, and Sixer experiences reinforce one another.

The process of mapping was more intricate than it sounds: she took reference from the MOE CCE developmental milestones and repackaged them into bite-sized statements that teachers could relate to and apply in their lessons.

For instance, she created simple, adaptable statements like ‘demonstrate a positive outlook in life’ that teachers could easily incorporate across different subjects. Teachers could use this to recognise students who maintain an optimistic attitude when tackling challenging questions.

When Mdm Huda shared this milestone map with her colleagues, she was delighted that teachers appreciated its clarity and readily used the statements in their lessons."

Watch: How these educators make the ordinary, extraordinary (11 September 2025)

"These happy faces belong to the eight recipients of 2025’s President’s Award for Teachers. How exactly do they bring out the full potential of their students and colleagues?

To many of us, the teachers who leave the deepest imprint are the ones who turn the everyday rhythms of school into moments that matter.

This year’s recipients of the President’s Award for Teachers are eight such outstanding educators. At first glance, their classroom may look like any other. But so much else happens: the planning, learning, trialling, collaborating and facilitating. Not to mention the countless conversations and acts of care that all add up. And this is just for their students.

What about the work they do to shore up their profession and build up their colleagues and peers?

The effort that our eight recipients put in every day is not always obvious, but its impact stays with their students and colleagues long after."

Start of 2025 Direct School Admission Exercises & ITE and Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (6 May 2025)

"The Direct School Admission (DSA) Exercise for admission to secondary schools and junior colleges (JCs) in 2026 will open for application from 7 May 2025. Separately, applications for early admission to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnics based on course-specific aptitude and interests will start from 20 May and 2 June 2025 respectively."

2025 Primary One Registration Exercise to Start from 1 July 2025 (14 May 2025)

"New and Relocating Primary Schools to Meet Shifting Demand

The registration period for children's admission to Primary One (P1) in 2026 will be from 1 July 2025 to 31 October 2025."

Student Dancers Reimagine "Growth" Through Chinese Street Dance Competition 成长 -- 2025年第六届爱上华文街舞比赛 (17 May 2025)

"Over 200 students from 19 schools participated in the sixth edition of the Chinese Street Dance Competition. Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL) and local media content company MCC, the competition aims to promote the learning of Chinese language and culture through music and dance. The Finals and Awards Ceremony were held at Our Tampines Hub's Festive Plaza today."

180 Students Take Part in Chinese Riddle Competition that Showcases their Language and Problem-Solving Skills (17 May 2025)

"180 students from 24 secondary schools participated in the fourth National Chinese Riddle Competition (全国中学生灯谜比赛) on Saturday, 17 May 2025, 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 engage students in the art of solving Chinese riddles and foster their appreciation of Chinese language and culture."

Singapore Students Clinch Record 11 Awards at International Science and Engineering Competition (29 May 2025)

"The Singapore student delegation clinched eleven awards at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2025 – the highest number of awards won since Singapore's first participation in ISEF in 2001. The delegation of eight students competed against more than 1,700 students from over 60 countries, regions, and territories. In total, four individual projects and two team projects were submitted to ISEF, which was held in Columbus, Ohio, USA, from 10 to 16 May 2025."

More than 650 Students Showcase News Reporting and Language Skills at Annual Competition (30 May 2025)

"This year, 652 students from 60 secondary schools participated in the fourth 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, 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."

MOE Teachers' Conference and ExCEL Fest 2025 (3 June 2025)

"The Teachers' Conference and ExCEL Fest (TCEF) is organised biennially by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for teachers to learn together as a fraternity. Held from 3 to 5 June 2025, TCEF2025 will welcome over 18,000 participants and presenters, including teachers from Special Education schools who will be sharing their insights and practices for the first time at TCEF."

Pre-University Seminar 2025 – Re-imagiNATION (5 June 2025)

"552 student participants from 30 pre-university institutions participated in the Pre-University Seminar 2025 Closing Ceremony held at Nanyang Technological University. Into its 56th edition, the annual seminar, which was co-organised by the Ministry of Education and Tampines Meridian Junior College this year, was themed 'Re-imagiNATION' to encourage students, as stewards of the future, to explore innovative and improved solutions to various challenges facing the nation. Through rich discussions and interactions with people of diverse backgrounds, students explored the future of Singapore across three sub-themes, "Thrive, Connect, Grow", and were given insights into a range of issues, policies, and perspectives to build a stronger Singapore."

Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary to Visit Malaysia for ASEAN Education Roundtables on 19 June 2025 (18 June 2025)

"Senior Minister of State for Education, Dr Janil Puthucheary, will attend the ASEAN Ministers of Education and Higher Education Roundtables in Langkawi, Malaysia, on 19 June 2025."

Minister for Education Desmond Lee to Attend the 53rd Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) Council Conference (30 June 2025)

"Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee, will attend the 53rd Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) Council Conference in Brunei Darussalam, from 1 to 2 July 2025."

2025 School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans (1 July 2025)

"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."

Disbursement of Child LifeSG Credits and Top-Ups to Edusave Account or Post-Secondary Education Account in July 2025 (3 July 2025)

"In July 2025, families with eligible children will receive a one-off disbursement of the Child LifeSG Credits (CLC) and/or a one-off top-up of $500 to their children's Edusave Account or Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA). These are part of the suite of household support measures to support families with children in managing their child-raising costs, which were announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Budget 2025."

Record Student Participation as Chinese Radio Drama Scriptwriting Competition Opens to Primary Schools (4 July 2025)

"A record number of more than 850 students across 69 educational institutions participated in this year's "Script it Right" Chinese Radio Drama Competition ("与声剧来"中文广播剧创作比赛). 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 competition's award ceremony, which recognised student winners for their strong creative writing skills, storytelling abilities and Chinese language proficiency. The competition was jointly organised by CPCLL, UFM100.3 and Holy Innocents' High School to foster students' passion for Chinese language and storytelling."

Seven Young Educators Receive National Award for Dedication in Nurturing Students (9 July 2025)

"In recognition of their unwavering dedication and impact in nurturing their students, seven 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 held on Wednesday, 9 July 2025."

Racial Harmony Day 2025: Our People, Our Tapestry (18 July 2025)

"Racial Harmony Day (RHD), which falls on 21 July, is commemorated annually by schools to enable students to gain a deeper appreciation of racial harmony and social cohesion. The theme 'Our People, Our Tapestry' reflects how Singapore's diverse cultures interweave to form our unique social fabric, through mutual understanding and respect of our ethnic and religious communities."

Annual Chinese Text Recital Competition Draws Record 2,500 Students (26 July 2025)

"A record number of 2,525 students from 272 primary and secondary schools, junior colleges, and Millennia Institute submitted more than 1,400 video entries for the 8th National Text Recital Competition. 107 students emerged winners and were recognised for their vocal articulation, fluency and stage presence at the award ceremony today. 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."

196 Students Awarded Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS) (29 July 2025)

"196 students received the Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS) at the 2025 SgIS Award Ceremony. Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee, gave out the scholarships at the ceremony."

School Terms and Holidays for 2026 (30 July 2025)

"The school year for 2026 for all MOE primary schools (including MOE Kindergartens) and secondary schools will start on Friday, 2 January 2026 and end on Friday, 20 November 2026."

Opening Address by Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee, at the MOE Scholarship Ceremony (1 August 2025)

"SMS David Neo

Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman of the Public Service Commission

Colleagues, Friends

Scholarship and Award Recipients and family members

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good afternoon. Let me begin today's event by congratulating all our scholarship and award recipients and your invited guests.

This is the first MOE Scholarship Ceremony where we bring together recipients of the MOE Teaching Scholarships, the MOE Teaching Award and the Singapore Teaching and Academic Research Talent Scheme (or START) Scholarships and Awards."

167 Individuals Awarded Teaching Scholarships and Grants at MOE Scholarship Ceremony (1 August 2025)

"167 individuals received scholarships and grants from Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee at the Ministry of Education (MOE) Scholarship Ceremony held at Sands Expo & Convention Centre today. For the first time, the Scholarship ceremony brought together recipients of the MOE Teaching Scholarships, MOE Teaching Award, and the Singapore Teaching and Academic Research Talent Scheme (START) Awards."

Students Showcase Vocal and Composition Skills at Annual Xinyao Singing and Songwriting Competition (2 August 2025)

"42 students were recognised for their vocal and composition skills at this year's "Xin Kong Xia" 《新空下》Xinyao Singing and Songwriting Competition Grand Finals. A record number of close to 100 students from 23 schools participated in the Singing (Group) Category, which continues to garner interests from inter-school team participation, with the team from Nan Hua High School and Tanjong Katong Girls' School emerging as finalists to compete for the top three prizes at the grand finals. Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), Ms Jasmin Lau, graced the event and delivered an opening speech."

Students Showcase Creativity and Vocal Skills in Inaugural Malay Choral Recitation Competition (11 August 2025)

"More than 190 primary and secondary students advanced to the finals of Katapella 2025, Singapore's first national-level Malay choral recitation competition, where students showcased their linguistic talents and creative expressions in the Malay language."

More Than 180 Students Showcase Public Speaking and Critical Thinking Skills at Inaugural National Debate Competition (16 August 2025)

"185 students from 28 secondary schools and pre-university institutions participated in the inaugural National Schools Chinese Debate Competition, and 24 finalists were recognised at the awards ceremony held today. Guest-of-Honour Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), delivered a pre-recorded speech at the event."

Preschool Teachers Recognised for Nurturing Love for Chinese Language Through Storytelling (16 August 2025)

"28 preschool teachers emerged winners at this year's Storytelling Aids Competition for Preschool Chinese Language Teachers (2025年学前华文教师故事教具制作比赛). With over 270 entries, this year's competition saw one of the highest participations in the past three years. The annual competition aims to inspire preschool Chinese Language teachers to engage children and nurture their interest in learning Chinese Language through creative storytelling."

Opera Estate Primary School and Yusof Ishak Secondary School Emerge as Champions of Katapella 2025 (22 August 2025)

"Opera Estate Primary School and Yusof Ishak Secondary School have emerged as the champions of Katapella 2025, Singapore's first national-level Malay choral recitation competition, in the primary school and secondary school categories respectively. Each winning team received a trophy and book vouchers worth $3,200."

Inaugural National Chinese Reading Competition Draws Over 2,500 Student Participants (23 August 2025)

"A total of 2,541 students from 239 primary and secondary schools participated in the inaugural National Chinese Reading Competition. Among them, 135 students across the primary and secondary school categories advanced to the competition finals today. 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 50 student winners at the award ceremony."

Relocation of Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre to 1 Victoria Lane from January 2027 (23 August 2025)

"New Campus Will Provide UPTLC with Larger Learning Spaces and Upgraded Facilities to Support Teaching and Learning

The Ministry of Education (MOE) will be relocating the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre (UPTLC), currently located at 2 Beatty Road, to the former Stamford Primary School Site at 1 Victoria Lane with effect from January 2027, following the expiry of its tenancy at 2 Beatty Road in December 2026."

195 Students Recognised for Diverse Achievements at Annual Special Awards Ceremony (26 August 2025)

"This year, 206 Special Awards were given out to 195 students from 91 educational institutions to recognise their diverse achievements in both academic and non-academic domains. Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee presented the awards at the Special Awards Presentation Ceremony on 26 August 2025 at the National University of Singapore's University Cultural Centre."

Singapore Students Win 18 Gold Medals, 17 Silver Medals, 3 Bronze Medals and 1 Team Championship in this Year's International Olympiads and International Young Physicists' Tournament (27 August 2025)

"The Ministry of Education (MOE) congratulates all students for their outstanding performance in the International Olympiads for Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, Nuclear Science, Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Informatics, and the International Young Physicists' Tournament, which were held overseas from June to August 2025. Outside of the competitions, our students gained valuable experience through interactions with like-minded peers from all around the world."

Four Teachers Recognised at Most Inspiring Tamil Teachers' Award Ceremony 2025 (30 August 2025)

"Four teachers received the Most Inspiring Tamil Teachers' (MITT) Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions in the teaching and learning of the Tamil Language. In addition to the MITT Award, one teacher was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award while another received the Best National Institute of Education (NIE) Tamil Trainee Teacher Award."

Eight Teachers Receive Top Honours for Dedication and Excellence in Education (4 September 2025)

"Eight outstanding educators received this year's President's Award for Teachers from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the annual Teachers' Day Reception on 4 September 2025."

NUS researchers tried to influence AI-generated peer reviews by hiding prompt in paper (10 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A team of National University of Singapore (NUS) researchers attempted to sway peer reviews generated by artificial intelligence by hiding a prompt in a paper they submitted.

The research paper has since been withdrawn from peer review and the online version, published on academic research platform Arxiv, has been corrected, said NUS in a statement on Thursday (Jul 10).

Arxiv is hosted by Cornell University. The paper, titled Meta-Reasoner: Dynamic Guidance for Optimized Inference-time Reasoning in Large Language Models, was written by six researchers, five of them based at NUS and one at Yale University."

Career fairs, upskilling workshops: Government considers more support to boost fresh grads' employability (10 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Ms Nur Farisya Fahrurazi has been on the hunt for a marketing job since graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic two months ago.

The business studies diploma holder said she applied for 20 positions but only received two job offers.

“A lot of them required me to have a degree or at least three years of experience, which I currently do not have. (I don't even have) a portfolio,” said the 20-year-old, who has since settled for an administrative job."

Nuclear safety research in Singapore boosted with S$66 million grant, new radiation-proof facility in NUS (11 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A key institute on nuclear energy research was boosted with a S$66 million (US$52 million) grant as it unveiled its new premises at the National University of Singapore (NUS) on Friday (Jul 11).

With the grant, the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute (SNRSI) will expand its research into nuclear safety, NUS and the National Environment Agency NEA) said in a joint media release.

The institute now has a 12,900 sqm building located at 16 Prince George's Park, which is part of NUS' campus."

Parent or pal: Why you should not try so hard to be your child’s 'friend' (11 July 2025)

"I have always been fascinated by how my aunt has a remarkably close relationship with her son.

Even when my cousin was overseas, she would call him almost every day. Across oceans, they shared updates on how life was going, celebrated milestones such as birthdays and even sent each other personalised care packages.

When I asked how she built this bond, her advice was: "Be like a friend."

'Drained all my savings': Some master's degree graduates wonder if sacrifice pays off (11 July 2025)

"A master's degree has long been seen as a significant qualification to help employees open doors to better job opportunities, higher pay or even a career change.

However, the reality can be less straightforward, given Singapore's sluggish job market of recent years, with some recent master's degree graduates reporting that they have not necessarily achieved the employment edge that they were hoping to get.

The return on investment on the cost of such a degree, as well as the opportunity cost of taking time out to complete it, were the other concerns raised."

From Singapore to Silicon Valley, this young woman now shapes ChatGPT's future (12 July 2025)

"TikTok's Chew Shou Zi is not the only Singaporean driving global technology.

You may not have heard of Ms Jerene Yang, but chances are, you have probably used the technology she is helping to develop.

The 35-year-old is head of OpenAI's Runtime, the massive computing engine behind ChatGPT. Ms Yang's team of 35 artificial intelligence (AI) engineers and experts help to enable new ChatGPT models to be trained and rolled out for use."

They look like regular vapes, but drug-laced 'Kpods' are more lethal and pernicious (12 July 2025)

"When David (not his real name) first tried an e-vaporiser offered by friends in January last year, he had no idea that the liquid inside it contained more than just nicotine.

It was only when he felt lightheaded after taking a few puffs that the teenager, now aged 20, suspected it was not a regular vape, which in itself is illegal in Singapore.

After he confronted them, they revealed it was a "Kpod" – a drug-laced vape that typically contains chemicals such as etomidate, a fast-acting anaesthetic used in medical procedures. However, he still continued using it."

'The more internships, the better': Why some secondary school students are starting the hustle early (15 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: While many teenagers spent their March school holidays catching up with friends, Secondary 4 student Aloysius Lim had a different plan.

Instead of hitting the badminton courts with his friends, the 16-year-old was busy interning – his first experience in the working world.

The Temasek Secondary School student, an ex-student council president and former captain of the school's softball team, spent two months interning at social enterprise Make the Change."

'The more internships, the better': Why some secondary school students are starting the hustle early (15 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: While many teenagers spent their March school holidays catching up with friends, Secondary 4 student Aloysius Lim had a different plan.

Instead of hitting the badminton courts with his friends, the 16-year-old was busy interning – his first experience in the working world.

The Temasek Secondary School student, an ex-student council president and former captain of the school's softball team, spent two months interning at social enterprise Make the Change."

MOE not investigating SJI International over student's death on Maldives trip (15 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Eight months after a student of St Joseph's Institution International (SJII) died during a school trip to the Maldives, the school said that its internal investigation is still ongoing, as the Maldivian authorities have yet to share their findings.

Separately, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Tuesday (Jul 15) it would not be investigating the school's management as it was satisfied that the safety processes were adhered to.

The student, 15-year-old Singaporean Jenna Chan, died during a National Youth Achievement Award overseas expedition in the Maldives, Dr Michael Johnston, the school's CEO, previously told CNA."

41 schools oversubscribed in Phase 2A of P1 registration exercise (16 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A total of 41 schools were oversubscribed in Phase 2A of the Primary 1 registration exercise this year, an increase from last year, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Wednesday (Jul 16).

The most oversubscribed school in Phase 2A was Gongshang Primary School in Tampines, with 203 applicants for 67 spaces.

Applications under Phase 2A started at 9am on Jul 10 and concluded at 4.30pm the next day."

'There's no moving on': 8 months on, parents of teen who died in Maldives still searching for answers (17 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Eight months after their daughter's death on a school trip to the Maldives, the parents of 15-year-old Jenna Chan say they are still waiting for answers.

Jenna, a student at St Joseph's Institution International (SJII), died during a National Youth Achievement Award expedition on Nov 8. According to Maldivian news outlet the Edition, she was fatally struck by the propeller of a reversing boat while snorkelling near Dhigurah Island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll.

Her parents said they have heard little from either the Maldivian authorities or SJII. The school, however, maintained that it has made extensive efforts to piece together a full account of what happened."

Commentary: Lecturers need to give students clearer instructions about AI use (17 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Imagine you are a lecturer grading students’ essays about their research methods for the term project. You notice that three students mentioned using artificial intelligence in different ways.

Jane used an AI tool to help format citations in APA style. Don discussed topic ideas with ChatGPT to help narrow down his research focus. Beatrice ran her draft through an AI writing assistant to catch grammatical errors before final submission.

You realise that you did not explicitly address AI use in your course syllabus, and your university's policy broadly states that students must not use such tools without permission from the instructor.

The three students made good-faith attempts at disclosure, but you are uncertain whether their uses violate the spirit of academic integrity. How do you proceed?"

NTU upholds zero mark for student initially accused of using AI (18 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has upheld the zero mark awarded to a student who was accused of using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in her work.

The case emerged after the student posted on Reddit on Jun 19 about being penalised for using AI in a final essay for a module because she made citation errors and used a reference organiser.

After that, NTU convened a panel with AI experts to assess her appeal. She was one of three university students penalised for using the technology."

Staff at Red SchoolHouse’s Toh Tuck branch left unpaid after preschool’s sudden closure (18 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Several employees at a private preschool in the Bukit Timah area have made police reports against their former employer, alleging unpaid salaries after it went bust about two months ago.

Red SchoolHouse @ Toh Tuck closed with just two weeks’ notice in May, leaving dozens of students, parents and staff in limbo.

This follows a spate of abrupt private preschool closures, with at least six reported to have shuttered at short notice in the past two years."

Filipino women jailed for submitting forged university certificates to MOM for employment passes (18 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Two Filipino women who used forged university certificates in their applications for employment passes were jailed on Thursday (Jul 17).

Conol Almira Joy Torres, 29, was given six weeks' jail, Torres Alyssa Riva Fernan, 29, was jailed for four weeks.

Almira had two more charges than Alyssa, for declaring an inflated salary and submitting a forged certificate for a previous job."

Books Kinokuniya opens new Raffles City outlet ahead of previously announced date (18 July 2025)

"Good news for folks who were eagerly awaiting Books Kinokuniya's third outlet: The Japanese bookstore chain opened its new Raffles City outlet on Friday (Jul 18), ahead of schedule by weeks.

Books Kinokuniya previously announced that the outlet would open in August. Its Raffles City store joins Books Kinokuniya's flagship store at Takashimaya, which was reconfigured and "right-sized" early this year, and its other store at Bugis Junction as the remaining Books Kinokuniya outlets in Singapore.

According to Books Kinokuniya, the change in the opening date was because "renovations and preparations progressed ahead of schedule"."

314 suicides reported in Singapore in 2024; largest increase observed in 30-39 age group (19 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A total of 314 suicides were reported in Singapore in 2024, the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) said on Saturday (Jul 19).

According to provisional data from the suicide prevention centre, the largest increase in suicides was observed among adults aged between 30 and 39, SOS said in a media release.

SOS said that individuals in this age group experience a range of complex pressures linked to "family issues, job stability and mental health challenges". These concerns have been highlighted by those who have sought help through SOS' 24-hour hotline and text services."

Commentary: Teachers do more than teach – reducing their workload isn’t simple (21 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The need to recruit and retain good teachers is a constant in Singapore. The Ministry of Education (MOE) said it plans to hire more than 1,000 teachers annually, up from 700, to strengthen the teaching workforce in anticipation of more retirements.

In a similar vein, the National Institute of Education (NIE) will shorten its postgraduate programme for teachers-in-training from 16 months to 12 months. It will give them more flexibility to take elective courses based on their interests, and upon graduation, more support for professional learning in classrooms.

This is part of an ongoing review to meet the needs of a diverse teaching force and attract individuals with the right values and motivations to become teachers. But how successful will such efforts be when overwork is a chronic issue in the profession?"

Teenager charged with selling vapes on WhatsApp (22 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A teenager has been charged with selling vaporisers on WhatsApp and possessing vapes of her own.

Albee Chai Buo Yin, 19, was given three charges on Tuesday (Jul 22) under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act for advertising electronic cigarettes, selling vapes and possessing vapes.

According to charge sheets, the Singaporean sold three disposable vapes to a person named only as Javier via WhatsApp on Aug 3, 2024."

Commentary: Even with government support, SingLit is still a tough sell (22 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: As an author, one question I always get when I give talks at secondary schools is: How much does an author earn?

I usually smile and say, “It can vary widely for different authors and well, most of us are not James Patterson or Stephen King.”

Authors earn royalties, which means we get a small percentage from every book sold. In Singapore and globally, royalties typically fall between 5 to 15 per cent of the book's selling price. That price could be based on the gross retail price or a net figure after costs."

Former preschool teacher pleads guilty to kicking 4-year-old girl, leaving bruise (23 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A former preschool teacher pleaded guilty on Tuesday (Jul 22) to kicking a four-year-old girl as she felt that the child, who was seated, had nearly caused her to trip.

The child felt pain on her shin, which became bruised.

Alamelu Paramaguru, a 57-year-old Singaporean, admitted to one charge of ill-treating a child under the Children and Young Persons Act."

SJI International student’s death being investigated as ‘negligent death’: Maldives police (23 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The death of a 15-year-old student during an overseas school trip in the Maldives more than eight months ago is currently being investigated as a “case of negligent death”, said the Maldivian police on Tuesday (Jul 22).

Jenna Chan’s family have been kept informed of the investigation process through email, but no official documents related to the investigation have been shared with them, added the police in an email response to CNA's queries.

Jenna, a student at St Joseph's Institution International (SJII), died during a National Youth Achievement Award expedition on Nov 8. According to Maldivian news outlet the Edition, she was fatally struck by the propeller of a reversing boat while snorkelling near Dhigurah Island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll."

SOTA parent portal taken down in response to systems vulnerability targeted by global cyberattacks (23 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The School of the Arts (SOTA) has taken down its parent portal to address a vulnerability that it said is the target of a global cyberattack campaign.

In a message to parents on Wednesday (Jul 23) morning, SOTA said the cyberattacks started around Jul 18 and are specifically targeted at school-managed systems.

"To safeguard our systems and data against this critical threat, we are initiating an immediate and mandatory patching process for all school-managed servers that support our parent portal," said SOTA in its message."

Schools told to update systems to guard against potential vulnerabilities; MOE says no cyberattacks found (23 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Wednesday (Jul 23) that it had advised schools to update their Microsoft SharePoint servers with the latest security patch to guard against potential vulnerabilities, but it added that no cyberattacks had been detected so far.

MOE's statement came in response to CNA queries, when it emerged that the School of the Arts (SOTA) had taken down its parents portal as a part of a cybersecurity measure.

The school said it had identified a vulnerability in the third-party server infrastructure supporting the portal and that the third-party service provider had acknowledged such reports from their server customers."

From standalone sites to mall tenants: Is this the future of Singapore's libraries? (24 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: On a weekday morning at the Ang Mo Kio library, seats in the two-storey building are half-filled. Elderly patrons scroll on their phones, young adults work on laptops and others read quietly or nap in the cool air-conditioning.

Despite the whir of nearby construction outside, calm prevails in the library.

“Here is very quiet, the ambience is very good,” said retiree Seak Teik Song, 72, who visits the library to borrow books, read e-newspapers or use the computer."

Court orders 15-year-old caught repeatedly with vapes to be placed in boys' home (24 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A 15-year-old boy who was caught with electronic vaporisers on five occasions has been ordered by a court to be placed in a boys' home.

The boy, who cannot be named as he is under 18, will be placed at the Singapore Boys' Home for two years.

According to a statement from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Thursday (Jul 24), he was given five charges for each occasion he was found in possession of a vape device."

Primary 1 registration: 33 schools oversubscribed in Phase 2B (24 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A total of 33 primary schools are oversubscribed in Phase 2B of the 2025 Primary 1 registration exercise, up from 30 last year, latest data from the Ministry of Education (MOE) showed on Thursday (Jul 24).

Twenty spaces in each school are reserved for Phase 2B each year – the last phase where children with links to a school can apply to enter.

Of the 33 oversubscribed primary schools, 29 will go to the ballot."

Two teenagers charged over threatening boy with a knife (24 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Two teenagers have been charged after a boy was filmed being threatened with a knife.

In a video that was posted on Facebook on Wednesday (Jul 23) and widely circulated online, a teenager can be seen holding a knife to the throat of another boy, before slapping him.

The victim is heard being given two choices – to be hit or strip naked. The boy took off his t-shirt before the video ended."

'A distinct edge': University finance clubs set high entry bar but they can aid finance sector job hunt (25 July 2025)

"Entry-level positions in banking and other finance industry firms are proving harder than ever to secure as applicant numbers rise and openings dwindle.

That's why a growing number of undergraduates are turning to university finance clubs as a coveted stepping stone to their dream job in the sector.

But getting accepted into these student-led clubs, which can offer vital inside knowledge and know-how, is no walk in the park. Some clubs accept fewer than one in 10 applicants."

The NUS graduate who loves her 'really, really cool' job as an aerial performer in a Macau circus (26 July 2025)

"In 2014, 13-year-old Megan Lau sat wide-eyed in the audience of The House of Dancing Water, a water-based circus show in Macau. That evening, she climbed into the hotel bathtub and told her mum that she wanted to be a water princess.

A decade on, she's living that dream – as a performer in the very same show.

Nine times a week, she is suspended mid-air in a shimmering 15kg skirt and Swarovski-studded headpiece, hoisted above the audience like a human chandelier and across a stage pool holding about 15 million litres of water."

I'm trying to be a 'gentle parent', but it's a lot tougher than I thought (26 July 2025)

"I was brought up with rather strict parenting – the kind where most discussions ended with "because I said so" and questioning authority would earn you a lengthy, often heated lecture.

Many of my friends had a similar upbringing. Our parents largely subscribed to the proverbial wisdom of "spare the rod, spoil the child". They genuinely believed that a strict, fear-based approach would turn us into well-behaved, successful adults.

With that, we as children learnt to bottle things up, blow up or, worse, shut down completely when our feelings became too overwhelming. We became people-pleasers, emotional avoiders or masters of silent rage-cleaning (this last one is me, honing in on cleaning things while feeling angry or frustrated)."

Jail for preschool teacher who deliberately tripped toddler four times (28 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A former preschool teacher who repeatedly tripped a toddler at a childcare centre was sentenced to nine months and two weeks' jail on Monday (Jul 28).

Saiidah Kamarudin, 34, earlier pleaded guilty to one of two counts of ill-treating the girl, who suffered bruises to her face and bled from her nose. The other charge was taken into consideration for her sentencing.

The victim and the childcare centre cannot be named to protect the girl's identity."

As Singapore grows in popularity with Chinese students, universities roll out Mandarin-taught programmes (29 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: After nearly a decade in the workforce, Ms Jin Qi decided in 2020 that it was time to pursue a master’s degree to advance her career.

But with a full-time job, preparing for English-language tests required by many foreign universities proved difficult. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed her plans further.

But when the Chinese native resumed her search after the pandemic, she discovered that some Singapore universities offer postgraduate programmes taught in Mandarin."

MOM investigating company, employer for hiring women with forged university certificates (29 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The Manpower Ministry (MOM) is in the latter stages of investigating a company and an employer for hiring two Filipino women who used forged university certificates in their Employment Pass (EP) applications, it said on Tuesday (Jul 29).

"MOM is completing its investigations into the company and employer and will decide on the enforcement action to take against them," a spokesperson for the ministry said.

The two women – Conol Almira Joy Torres and Torres Alyssa Riva Fernan, both 29 – were handed jail sentences on Jul 17."

National Museum of Singapore to launch first exhibition as part of revamp (31 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Following a 10-month closure, the National Museum of Singapore will be opening the first of its revamped permanent galleries on Aug 8.

The newly-named Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda will exhibit a multi-sensorial experience titled Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time, said the museum on Thursday (Jul 31).

Presented through animation and interactive elements, the installation highlights major milestones in Singapore's 700 years of history. It replaces the Story of the Forest exhibition, which centred on the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings."

Uniformed group instructor in 'romantic relationship' with 15-year-old student jailed for sexual offences (31 July 2025)

"SINGAPORE: An instructor of a co-curricular activity (CCA) involving a uniformed group got into a "romantic relationship" with a 15-year-old student.

Another student who learnt of the inappropriate relationship reported it to the school's teacher in charge of the uniformed group, leading to a police report.

The 33-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to two-and-a-half years' jail on Thursday (Jul 31)."

Ex-MP Louis Ng takes up teaching role at NUS College after retirement from politics (1 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Former Nee Soon Member of Parliament Louis Ng has joined the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) NUS College (NUSC) as an Associate Professor, and will be in a teaching role.

In an email from NUSC seen by CNA, it was announced that Mr Ng will be teaching elective courses at the college, and could also be assisting students in a project that seeks to benefit communities in Laos.

NUSC has confirmed with CNA Mr Ng's appointment."

She started a pottery brand that feeds street kids in Vietnam – all because of a hotel cup she used on holiday (4 August 2025)

"It started with a wild goose chase. In 2016, when working in Hanoi, Vietnam, as an English teacher, Thushani Lovatt was enchanted by exquisite cups in a cafe. She was told they were made by female artisans at a woman-run pottery studio – said to be the first of its kind in Vietnam.

Three years later, the Londoner moved to Singapore and worked in a non-profit international school, United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) with her husband Tim.

The couple returned to Vietnam in 2023 for a beach holiday in Hoi An, with their two toddlers in tow. Yet again, she was smitten by handcrafted cups at her hotel and was told that they were made by a woman-run pottery studio.

Lovatt was intrigued. The cups from both her trips had to be from the same place."

Mountbatten Vocational School for special needs students to close by end of 2025 (4 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Mountbatten Vocational School (MVS), which serves students with special needs aged 14 to 21, will close its doors this December.

Hopes of establishing a new institute have also fallen through, despite a new site being secured with the government’s help.

Some parents - who were officially informed of the closure in June - told CNA they are concerned their children’s chance at a livelihood beyond the classroom is at stake.

The school, which was founded 50 years ago, equips youths with disabilities with the skills and confidence necessary for employment and independent living."

Meet the proud 'yo-yo boy' whose childhood hobby is taking him to Europe to represent Singapore (6 August 2025)

"To his classmates at university, Xavier Ng seems like any other first-year student, juggling a business degree with freelance marketing gigs on the side.

But when the school holidays came around in May 2025 and other students went on vacation, the 22-year-old headed to Australia and spent eight weeks holed up in a house with his childhood companion: The yo-yo.

"We would start at 10am in the morning and end at 6pm or 7pm at night. We just stay in this cold training room, practising and eating lunch in the same spot every day,” said Ng."

Dear Singapore, your girls playing football want more than applause — they want momentum (8 August 2025)

"Dear Singapore,

Yesterday, I saw a girl playing football at a park near my house. It was late, the kind of hour when dinner plates are cleared and day turns to night.

She was alone under floodlights, just her and a football, with her bicycle parked neatly by the park. She wasn’t doing anything fancy — just touches, turns, juggling. Focused. Steady. No phone, no coach, no noise. The quiet rhythm of practice.

I stood there for a while, not to intrude, but because she reminded me of someone I used to know. Me."

No coding skills? No problem: More Singaporeans learning how to build custom AI bots (8 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: From hospitals to homes, Singaporeans with little to no coding experience are increasingly building powerful artificial intelligence tools that automate tasks, support learning and reshape their daily routines.

These users range from frontline healthcare staff who developed a patient service assistant, to parents who have designed bots to help their children with homework.

Enrolments for some custom AI courses have soared nearly 400 per cent since 2023, with experts telling CNA that these customised bots – which they say are quick and easy to build – are becoming the norm.

With Singapore’s national AI programme promising it can be “as easy as making a PowerPoint,” schools and training providers are racing to meet the demand."

How this sign language teacher helped make NDP 2025 more inclusive for the deaf (9 August 2025)

"Every year, Shalini Gidwani excitedly watches the National Day Parade (NDP) on television. Like most viewers, she loves watching the performances, singing along, and taking in the fireworks.

Because she is deaf, however, she often has to guess what’s happening from what she sees onscreen or rely on the subtitles.

A high fever when she was four years old caused permanent hearing loss. Her main mode of communication is sign language, although she lip-reads and can hear some speech with a hearing aid. She also has a slight speech impediment.

In 2024, after years of watching the parade at home with her family, Gidwani got to be part of it and described her participation as “an experience of a lifetime”.

She was the sign language performer for the pledge and anthem, and also appeared in the picture-in-picture box on the live broadcast of the two segments.

She worked with a sign language interpreter to present the anthem and pledge."

Her son's autism sparked a mission to help other parents feel less alone (10 August 2025)

"Nurul Dhamirah Adam never wanted children. In fact, when she married her husband Muhammad Fazli in September 2017, she had even asked him if it was a dealbreaker.

But he accepted her decision and the two started building a life together without the expectation of parenthood.

Five months into their marriage, however, Dhamirah, 31, found herself staring at a positive pregnancy test. She was two months pregnant. It was not what she had planned, but her initial shock gave way to quiet excitement and she began to embrace the unexpected journey into motherhood.

She gave birth to her son Adam Rizq in 2018.

In 2020, when Adam was 18 months old, Dhamirah and Fazli had a second child, a daughter. During her confinement, Dhamirah noticed something different about Adam, and a creeping worry started to form.

“I saw other kids around Adam’s age talking. And I thought, why are the other kids talking? He is already 18 months old and he is not even talking at all.”

Commentary: The human advantage in the age of AI (12 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Last month, artificial intelligence (AI) chalked up yet another win as an advanced version of Google’s Gemini AI model correctly solved five out of six questions in the International Mathematics Olympiad - a gold medal result in the world’s premier mathematics contest for pre-university students. This was an improvement over its silver medal showing in 2024, underscoring just how quickly AI is improving.

Humankind was nonetheless offered a rare reprieve in the contest between man and machine as Polish programmer Przemyslaw “Psycho” Debiak beat an OpenAI model in a 10-hour marathon coding contest in Tokyo.

Even so, it is only a matter of time before such contests swing in AI’s favour, as technology advances relentlessly. This poses the question: Are there any domains where human beings will always have an enduring advantage over AI, and where human relevance is beyond doubt?

Related to this issue is how schools and tertiary institutions ought to prepare the next generation for the age of AI."

MOE briefing students on dangers of Kpods; teachers warned they can be sacked if caught vaping (13 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has instructed all public schools to brief students on the harms and penalties of using Kpods, amid rising concerns over youngsters using such drug-laced vapes.

These mass briefings – to be conducted at primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute – are part of the ministry’s education efforts against vaping that will complement ongoing preventive measures, an MOE spokesperson told CNA.

“Students will also be reminded to be vigilant about vape peddling activities near schools,” the spokesperson added.

This comes after a Primary 4 student from Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) was allegedly approached to buy vapes outside his school last month."

Children at 2 preschools in Toa Payoh, East Coast to be screened after staff member diagnosed with tuberculosis (13 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Children from two preschools will be screened for tuberculosis after a staff member was found to be infected with active tuberculosis disease, a spokesperson from the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Wednesday (Aug 13).

Children at MindChamps Preschool at East Coast will be screened on Wednesday, while those from MapleBear Toa Payoh will be screened on Friday.

CDA, which said it was notified of the diagnosis on Jul 15, did not specify the number of children who would undergo screening but told CNA that anyone who had "close and prolonged contact" with the diagnosed individual would be screened.

Contact tracing was initiated after laboratory tests confirmed the tuberculosis diagnosis. CDA also conducted a site visit to assess the setting and identify the classes, staff and groups who would require screening."

Long hunts, few replies: Singapore university graduates finding it tough in job market, CNA poll shows (13 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: When Ms Renee Kuek started her job search upon graduating from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) this year, she knew it would be tough.

But the reality proved harder than expected, said the psychology, linguistics and multilingual studies graduate, who has yet to hear back from most companies.

“It's just been a bit demoralising, the whole process,” she told CNA. “There's definitely a lot of pressure and very little response.”

Guardrails for the digital generation: How nations are racing to keep kids and youths safe online (15 August 2025)

"At over 30 years old, the World Wide Web has grown into a highly complicated creature – one that is not only more intricate but also much harder to control.

Starting life as a mostly static network of information, it has evolved into a fast-moving, highly interactive space where people watch, post, comment, share and shape what others see, all at their fingertips.

Governments worldwide have been trying to keep pace with the rapid online developments, putting in place new safeguards to protect users, especially children and teens, from harmful material and online risks."

'If nobody is going to plan for them, then we have to': Parents step in as vocational options shrink (16 August 2025)

"A part-time job at a local café has done far more than give Ms Corinne Poon's 23-year-old autistic son a regular pay cheque.

The 48-year-old who works in the finance industry said it has not only kept her son, JW, thoroughly engaged but also built up his confidence and self-esteem.

Her son got the job after spending nearly seven years in a vocational track after Primary Six, a decision she is "very glad" the family ever made. Ms Poon had decided to opt out of the mainstream track once her son had completed his Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

"I'm most grateful that at least he's given the opportunity to learn something, such as new life skills, and be able to contribute to society," she said."

Three Sengkang Green Primary 3 students suspended after threatening to kill classmate and her family (17 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Sengkang Green Primary School has suspended three Primary 3 students after they sent death threats to a classmate's mother who reported them for allegedly bullying her daughter.

In a post on Thursday (Aug 14), a Facebook user named Ni Yin claimed to be the victim's mother and detailed the alleged bullying that led to the threats against her and her family.

She also uploaded an audio clip she received.

In the clip, a person said: “I might dissect her. I might dissect her into pieces like you. So which one do you want me to do? Dissect her? Or end her life in school? Choose one. Either don’t want one, I will kill you instead and your husband.”

NDR 2025: New government-funded traineeship scheme for graduates to tackle job concerns (17 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Singapore will launch a government-funded traineeship programme for graduates concerned about their job prospects amid economic uncertainty.

It will provide training opportunities for graduates from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnics and universities, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 17).

The scheme will kick off with a "more focused rollout" and will be scaled up if the economy worsens, Mr Wong told an audience at the ITE headquarters in Ang Mo Kio."

NDR 2025: New Islamic college to be located next to SUSS in Rochor, feature shared facilities (17 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) will be located next to the new Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) campus in Rochor, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Sunday (Aug 17).

Students at the college will be able to take SUSS courses as part of their studies, and both institutions will also share facilities, he said in his Malay National Day Rally speech at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College headquarters in Ang Mo Kio.

“This way, students from both institutions can better interact with one another, enriching their campus lives,” he added."

NDR 2025: Singapore to treat vaping as a ‘drug issue’ and step up enforcement (17 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Singapore will treat vaping as a “drug issue” and step up enforcement, toughening its stance on the electronic cigarettes that are illegal but increasingly rampant among youths in the country.

“So far we’ve treated vaping like tobacco – at most we impose a fine. But that’s no longer enough,” said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Sunday (Aug 17).

In his National Day Rally speech, held at the Institute of Technical Education College headquarters in Ang Mo Kio, Mr Wong added that authorities will hence impose “much stiffer” penalties, including jail sentences and more severe punishments for those who sell vapes with harmful substances."

This preschool educator pairs sound pedagogy with open parent dialogue (18 August 2025)

"When five-year-old Diana joined Ms Guo Jing’s K2 class, the experienced educator was already familiar with her - she had first taught Diana back in 2022. Ms Guo had also taught Diana’s older sister, Barbara, in earlier years and was familiar with the family’s warm and supportive involvement.

Diana, who is of mixed Indian and Mexican heritage, has a gentle nature and quiet determination. “Chinese is not her first language, so she was a bit more reserved during Chinese lessons,” Ms Guo shared.

As a senior Chinese teacher and curriculum trainer cum-coordinator at Kinderland Preschool @ Woodlands Mart, Ms Guo is skilled in adapting her teaching to suit each child’s pace and personality. She recognised that Diana needed a nurturing, pressure-free environment to help her build confidence in the language.

“I gently encouraged her parents to let Diana learn at her own pace and style,” Ms Guo shared. “By giving her space to explore the language in her own time, Diana began to show greater interest and enjoyment during Chinese class.”

This preschool vice-principal says trust between parents and educators builds confident learners (19 August 2025)

"Even though it’s been five years since 11-year-old Kayvier Soh graduated from preschool, his mother, Ms Tanny Tay, still has fond memories of the care and compassion her child received from Ms Quek Dai Tong, vice-principal of PCF Sparkletots @ Sengkang East Blk 103.

“When Kayvier was younger, he had speech difficulties and we enrolled him into a speech therapy programme based on Ms Quek’s recommendation,” Ms Tay shared. “I trusted Ms Quek to make the right professional decisions based on her understanding of Kayvier’s needs.”

“With full support from Ms Quek and the school, Kayvier made remarkable progress,” Ms Tay added. “Today, he can speak confidently and clearly. This was only possible because of the close collaboration between the school, teacher, therapist and parents.”

Building a culture of trust is something that Ms Quek strongly advocates for – especially as it gives parents peace of mind while empowering teachers to make their own decisions. “This reassures parents that educators are committed to creating a safe, nurturing environment, and that we continuously reflect and fine-tune our practices to better support each child’s development,” she said."

Eviction from halls, suspension and even expulsion: How universities, polytechnics are cracking down on vaping (19 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: From S$300 (US$230) fines to suspension and even expulsion, universities and polytechnics are getting tougher on those caught vaping on campus.

Some are increasing security patrols, and many are offering support for those who want to kick the habit.

The moves by institutes of higher learning (IHLs) come amid a national push to clamp down on vaping, which saw Prime Minister Lawrence Wong mentioning the issue during his National Day Rally speech.

“So far we’ve treated vaping like tobacco – at most we impose a fine. But that’s no longer enough,” he said.

Moving forward, Singapore will treat vaping as a “drug issue” and step up enforcement."

Former preschool teacher who kicked 4-year-old girl sentenced to 4 days' jail (19 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A former preschool teacher who kicked a four-year-old girl in a kindergarten classroom was sentenced to four days' jail on Tuesday (Aug 19).

Alamelu Paramaguru got angry because she felt that the girl, who was sitting on the floor, had nearly tripped her.

The 57-year-old Singaporean earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of ill-treating a child under the Children and Young Persons Act.

Both the kindergarten and the victim cannot be named to protect the child's identity."

‘A remarkable educator’: Former principal of Anglican High, Yusof Ishak Secondary principal dies (19 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The former principal of Yusof Ishak Secondary School, who led the school in its move from Bukit Batok to Punggol, died on Monday (Aug 18).

Madam Maureen Lee, 59, was the school’s principal from 2018 to 2024. Before that, she was the principal of Anglican High School from 2010 to 2017.

Both schools posted tributes to her online on Tuesday. No details are known about her job position this year or the cause of her death."

This NUS lecturer and PhD holder left academia to open restaurant that sells one handmade pasta dish daily (19 August 2025)

"With his wire-rimmed glasses and scholarly demeanour, Lim Zhi Han probably looks more suited buried in a book than rolling out fresh dough. For nearly two decades, that was true. The 45-year-old lectured at the National University of Singapore after earning his PhD in physics there.

Last November, Lim left academia to open 42 Pasta Is The Answer, a 20-seat Italian restaurant at Thomson Plaza. He runs it almost entirely on his own, with help from a part-timer, and occasional weekend pasta-making assistance from his wife Hwee Yee, who has a full-time job."

Together with his parents, this preschool teacher helped her student overcome developmental hurdles (20 August 2025)

"Shortly after meeting Guan Yu in her new class, preschool educator Nurul Asyiqin Hasim from E-Bridge Pre-School Upper Serangoon noticed that the four-year-old needed a little extra support.

A sweet and affectionate boy who enjoys helping others, Guan Yu had trouble with certain everyday tasks such as putting on his shoes, buttoning his shirt and drawing. He also occasionally needed support when interacting with peers, but it never stopped him from trying to join in and play with them.

Based on her training and with over four years of experience working as an early childhood educator, Ms Asyiqin knew it would take more than solid pedagogy and savvy classroom management skills to address Guan Yu's developmental challenges. It would require a close partnership with his parents to ensure he received timely interventions and consistent support both at home and in school."

About 100 young Chinese community leaders to be identified, nurtured over next 5 years through new programme (20 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Amid worries about succession in Chinese community organisations, these groups will work with the government to identify and nurture the next generation of community leaders.

Over the next five years, the new Chinese Community Leadership Course will aim to identify and develop about 100 young leaders in their 30s and 40s, the government's Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG) said on Wednesday (Aug 20).

The programme will be developed by the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) and Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) with the support of the government, which will fund it."

Commentary: NDR 2025 – how traineeships can translate into jobs for fresh graduates (20 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The global economy in 2025 is expected to see sluggish growth, with some forecasts warning of the weakest expansion since the COVID-19 pandemic.

While some regions might experience moderate growth, others could face significant headwinds, particularly due to factors like trade tensions, geopolitical risks and technological disruptions.

Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong struck a candid but forward-looking tone in his National Day Rally speech. He acknowledged the uncertainties but also emphasised that Singapore’s workforce and businesses must stay nimble and seize new opportunities.

One of the most significant measures unveiled was a government-funded traineeship programme for Institute of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnic and university graduates. It aims to offer fresh graduates more training opportunities, allowing them a foothold in the working world."

TB screening shows no evidence of transmission within two preschools in Toa Payoh and East Coast (20 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: One staff member who worked at MindChamps PreSchool at East Coast has tested positive for active tuberculosis, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Wednesday (Aug 20).

She is a household contact of an earlier case which prompted testing across two preschools, and the agency said early results showed no evidence of TB transmission within both childcare centres.

None of the children at MindChamps PreSchool at East Coast and MapleBear Toa Payoh have tested positive to date."

Sengkang Green Primary bullying case: MOE details timeline, says parents no longer want transfer after meeting (20 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) on Wednesday (Aug 20) released a timeline of events after three Sengkang Green Primary School students were suspended over death threats made to a classmate and her mother.

The school told CNA last Friday in response to queries that three Primary 3 students had been immediately suspended over the incidents, before the affected student's mother Ni Yin took to Facebook to detail the bullying that led to the threats.

The school also said last Friday that in the course of its investigations, it found that the girl had also engaged in "hurtful behaviours". Her mother had called for tougher action on the bullies and a school transfer for her daughter."

She lost her husband to cancer at 45 and now leads a widow support group for grieving women and their children (21 August 2025)

"They fell in love when they were barely 16. The year was 1988 – a time when phones had cords, not cameras.

“In my time, during your O-Level year, you’d write autographs for your friends and attach photographs taken with traditional film cameras,” 53-year-old Cynthia Tay recalled.

“We didn’t have Wefies then. So my friends and I were looking for someone to take group photographs for us. Three guys we met at Raffles City Shopping Centre volunteered, and took photographs with our camera and their camera,” she reminisced."

Up to 800 government-funded traineeships for fresh graduates to be offered from October (22 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Up to 800 traineeships will be offered by private firms and the public sector from October amid concerns from fresh graduates about a tepid job market.

Under the Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) scheme, trainee allowance will range from S$1,800 (US$1,400) to S$2,400 per month depending on the scope of each traineeship, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Workforce Singapore (WSG) and the Public Service Division (PSD) said in a factsheet on Friday (Aug 22).

The government will fund 70 per cent of the monthly allowance for trainees, and the host organisation will fund the remaining 30 per cent, said the agencies. Each traineeship will last between three to six months."

Commentary: How Singapore can protect children while helping them navigate social media (22 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: At this year’s National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong highlighted the growing concern of excessive screen time for children.

Mr Wong emphasised the need to strike a balance between protecting youth and empowering them to leverage technology, noting that Singapore is observing the experience of countries that have restricted children’s access to social media platforms."

'We are punishing ourselves': The mounting toll of teen Kpod addiction on desperate parents (22 August 2025)

"Ms Tang hasn't slept properly in close to eight months. Once, she stayed up for nearly 36 hours straight, keeping vigil over her 18-year-old son.

She was too afraid that the moment she closed her eyes, he would slip out of the house to chase another hit from Kpods.

Most nights, when the young man heads out to hunt for these e-vaporisers laced with the fast-acting anaesthetic etomidate, he leaves the front gate wide open. These expeditions also set off a blitz of motion alerts on Ms Tang's phone, from the closed-circuit television cameras around their home.

Ms Tang, who declined to give her full name, started noticing her son was acting "a bit weird" last Christmas Eve. It wasn't until a few months later, just shy of Chinese New Year, that she caught him red-handed with Kpods."

MOE warns of scam targeting students with fake tuition payment emails (22 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) on Friday (Aug 22) warned of scam emails targeting students at institutes of higher learning (IHL), prompting them to make payments for supposedly outstanding tuition fees.

"A police report has been made, and investigations are ongoing. The IHLs have alerted students and parents to warn them about this scam."

MOE also sent a message to all parents and guardians on Friday morning via Parents Gateway, a platform that supports parents and schools on key administrative matters.

The ministry said it had been made aware of fraudulent emails targeting parents and asking for the payment of fees."

Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre to relocate to Jalan Besar in 2027 (23 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre will relocate to Jalan Besar from January 2027 after its current tenancy at 2 Beatty Road in Bendemeer expires.

The centre's new home will be at 1 Victoria Lane, the site of the former Stamford Primary School, said the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Saturday (Aug 23)."

MSF to raise fostering allowance in bid to attract more couples to foster teenagers; removes income, education criteria (23 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Foster parents caring for teenagers will begin receiving higher monthly allowances in November, as part of new measures to encourage more families to foster older children, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced on Saturday (Aug 23).

In addition, the minimum household income and educational requirements for fostering applicants have also been scrapped, the ministry said in a statement. This took effect in July last year.

Speaking at the annual Fostering Open House held at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming said the expanded eligibility criteria are aimed at encouraging more couples “to step forward and make a lasting difference”."

New SG Culture Pass credits can be used on over 400 arts and heritage programmes (25 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Singaporeans can choose from more than 400 arts and heritage programmes to spend their S$100 (US$78) SG Culture Pass credits, starting next Monday (Sep 1).

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said more than 100 partners have come on board so far.

It will continue to accept programme applications from the sector to ensure a "regularly updated and vibrant selection", the ministry said in a factsheet."

Govt to discuss age-appropriate content with platforms; social media cannot be a 'free-for-all’: Josephine Teo (25 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The government is seeking “meaningful ways of intervening” with social media platforms to keep the digital space safe for younger users, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said on a podcast episode released on Monday (Aug 25).

One approach that is being studied is for platforms to adopt age assurance measures so that content is matched appropriately to the users' ages, said Mrs Teo in an episode of CNA’s Deep Dive podcast with host Steve Chia and mother-of-two Jane Foo.

“There will always be unregulated spaces that children could wade into. But having said that, I think it cannot mean that everything on social media is free-for-all,” Mrs Teo said."

Former teacher gets jail for filming male victims in changing rooms (26 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A teacher who had been filming male victims in locker or changing rooms was caught by a member of the public taking videos in the men's toilet at MacRitchie Reservoir.

The witness called the police, believing that the teacher was recording his students in the toilet. However, the victims did not include the students.

Checks by the police later revealed that Woo Weng Chuan, 51, had taken illicit videos of other men in changing rooms."

Commentary: To tackle Kpods and vaping, young people need facts, not fear (26 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: At this year’s National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a major shift: Singapore will no longer treat vaping like a tobacco issue but as a drug problem, with stiffer penalties and stronger enforcement nationwide.

From Sep 1, the government will classify etomidate – an anaesthetic found in Kpods – as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act: Dealers face jail sentences and potentially caning, while users will have to undergo supervision and rehabilitation, with repeat offenders risking jail.

The goal is clear: to close the loophole that has left Kpods in a grey zone – with etomidate not classified as a controlled drug and vapes carrying lighter penalties under tobacco laws – and to curb circulation."

AI-powered SG60 Heart&Soul Experience launched at Orchard Central (26 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A flagship exhibition marking Singapore's 60th year of independence opened on Tuesday (Aug 26) at Orchard Central, using generative artificial intelligence and immersive storytelling to reimagine the country's past and future.

Called the SG60 Heart&Soul Experience, the showcase creates a personalised journey for visitors through interactive installations and digital narratives. It encourages the public to imagine life beyond SG60, said the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and the National Library Board (NLB), which jointly organised the event.

The free exhibition is produced by the team behind the 2019 Singapore Bicentennial and the SG50 Future of Us showcase."

Teens behaving badly? What literally goes on in their brains when they drink, skip meals or sleep less (26 August 2025)

"Every generation has something to say about the one before. If you're talking about teenagers, well, there's plenty for fodder in the news. From extreme bullying to thoughtless antics such as flipping a signboard, and putting a drunk juice bottle back on a supermarket shelf during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's enough for you to exclaim: Just what were these kids thinking?

Probably not much because when it comes to the teenage brain, it isn’t quite fully developed yet – and it won’t be until age 25 or so. Because of that, good judgment isn’t something teens can excel in at the moment, according to Stanford Medicine.

While adults like yourself respond to situations using your prefrontal cortex (the brain’s CEO or rational part), the teenager tends to use his amygdala (the emotional part) instead."

‘Not a dying trade’: Plumbing, construction sectors see more interest from degree and diploma holders (27 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Blue-collar trade associations in plumbing and construction say they are seeing more university graduates and diploma holders join their ranks.

Among reasons cited are that these jobs are less vulnerable to disruptions and offer salaries that stack up against entry-level office roles."

Science Centre Singapore's largest-ever dinosaur showcase to open in October, will feature 33 rare fossils and 60 full-scale models (27 August 2025)

"Dinosaur fans in Singapore, mark your calendars for Oct 11, as Science Centre Singapore will be launching its Dinosaurs | Extinctions | Us showcase – letting visitors come face-to-face with some of the biggest dinos that ever lived.

The experience will feature 33 rare fossils and 60 full-scale models across 3,000 square metres and is set to be Science Centre Singapore's largest-ever dinosaur showcase.

A collaboration between Science Centre Singapore and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum of the National University of Singapore, Dinosaurs | Extinctions | Us will bring together two exhibitions unfolding across three interactive zones."

Schools to get stronger anti-bullying policies, review of discipline framework: Desmond Lee (27 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) will strengthen school policies on bullying and harmful behaviour in the next phase of its internal review, Minister for Education Desmond Lee said on Wednesday (Aug 27).

The Comprehensive Action Review against Bullying, which began in early 2025, aims to improve existing structures and processes to better tackle bullying in schools, he said.

Mr Lee was speaking at a dialogue with about 20 educators, parents and members of COMPASS (COMmunity and Parents in Support of Schools) at the MOE headquarters. The dialogue session was not open to the media for reporting."

24 students, 2 staff members develop gastroenteritis symptoms at PCF Sparkletots in Mountbatten (27 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Authorities are investigating suspected cases of gastroenteritis reported at PCF Sparkletots Preschool at Mountbatten Block 92.

As of Monday (Aug 25), 24 students and two staff members were reported to have developed gastroenteritis symptoms since Saturday, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

None were hospitalised and all affected students and staff members have recovered and returned to the preschool on Tuesday, they said."

Singapore footballer dropped from U-17 national squad after row over studies and training camp (27 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Footballer Mika Baihakki has been dropped from the national under-17 squad after the teen opted to skip an overseas training camp and remain in Singapore to prepare for his examinations.

Mika is the son of former Singapore international Baihakki Khaizan. On Tuesday (Aug 26), Mika’s mother Norfasarie Mohd Yahya raised the issue in posts on Facebook and Instagram.

Ms Norfasarie said that her son was "upfront with the management" about his desire to remain in Singapore during the September school holidays to attend extra lessons and prepare for his N-Levels, rather than attend a training camp in Bahrain."

Schools get nicotine test kits as student vaping cases surge to 3,100 yearly (28 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Schools across Singapore, from primary to junior colleges, have been issued nicotine test kits amid a sharp rise in vaping among students.

The number of students caught vaping has jumped to an average of 3,100 a year between 2022 and 2024, according to new figures from the Ministry of Education (MOE). In the institutes of higher learning, about 800 students were caught a year during the same period.

In contrast, fewer than 50 cases from schools and institutes of higher learning were referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) before 2020.

The nicotine test kits have been issued to around 260 schools since March, following requests from schools, MOE said on Thursday (Aug 28)."

Commentary: Your kids are already using AI. Are you ready to guide them? (28 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: By now, it is clear that artificial intelligence (AI) is not going anywhere. In fact, judging from Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s recent National Day Rally speech, it will only become more entrenched in how Singapore works, learns and lives.

While he acknowledged concerns that have been raised over the use of AI by students, such as over-reliance, loss of critical thinking skills and the temptation to take shortcuts, Mr Wong also urged educators and parents to remain open to its potential.

The challenge, he noted, is to strike the right balance: empowering young people to fully exploit the benefits of technology while protecting them from potential harms.

But what does that look like in practice, especially for parents?"

With teacher and parent support, this preschooler grew from rarely speaking to communicating confidently (29 August 2025)

"When Emily first joined the N1 class at M.Y World @ Tampines GreenView, she was quiet and reserved, speaking very little during class. Although she followed instructions well, Emily’s teachers noticed that she rarely initiated conversation with her peers or adults.

“We shared these observations with her parents and learned that she communicated minimally at home as well, often preferring solitary play,” said Ms Amelia Tan, principal at M.Y World @ Tampines GreenView.

To support Emily’s language development, her teachers collaborated with her parents to come up with a plan. In school, the teacher introduced more small-group activities, offering Emily gentle encouragement to express herself in a low-pressure environment. At home, her parents used picture books for storytelling, prompting her to describe the illustrations. They also made a conscious effort to engage her in conversation during weekend outings by discussing the places they visited.

“Over time, we saw steady progress in her verbal participation,” Ms Tan said. “By the end of the term, Emily was confidently engaging with her peers and expressing her needs more openly.”

Students repeatedly caught vaping will face up to 14 days' suspension, 3 strokes of the cane: Desmond Lee (29 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Students caught vaping at schools and institutes of higher learning (IHLs) will face stricter disciplinary measures from next Monday (Sep 1), Minister for Education Desmond Lee said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

First-time offenders in schools will face one to three days of detention and/or suspension, in addition to a conduct grade adjustment. Boys will also face one stroke of the cane.

Repeat offenders face five to 14 days of detention and/or suspension, and a conduct grade adjustment to “poor”. Boys will be given up to three strokes of the cane."

Commentary: When a child reports bullying, the response must come fast and clear (29 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: At a dialogue session on Wednesday (Aug 27) night, Education Minister Desmond Lee laid out broad plans aimed at improving how school bullying is handled.

Disciplinary frameworks will be reviewed, bullying reporting channels will be made more accessible to students, and peer support in schools strengthened.

The goal, it seems, is in part to rebuild trust with parents.

That trust has taken a hit in recent months. The case at Sengkang Green Primary School – in which three Primary 3 boys were suspended after threatening to kill their classmate and her family - shocked many parents. An audio clip containing a death threat was recorded and sent directly to the girl’s mother after she had reported bullying. For a child to hear her peers speak in such a chilling manner must be terrifying. For parents, it is unthinkable.

Just months earlier, a video emerged showing a Secondary 1 boy from Montfort Secondary School being kicked and tripped repeatedly as he tried to walk away. The school disciplined the boys involved and offered counselling.

Both episodes raised hard questions about safety in schools, and whether victims feel protected soon enough."

Singapore's vape clampdown unlikely to lead to more youths smoking, says Ong Ye Kung (30 August 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Singapore's intensified crackdown on vaping is unlikely to result in more youths choosing to smoke cigarettes instead, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung said on Saturday (Aug 30).

Asked if that might happen, he pointed to falling smoking rates: The latest National Population Health Survey showed that the prevalence of daily smoking in Singapore decreased from 9.2 per cent in 2022 to 8.8 per cent in 2023.

Of those who smoke, most are older adults who already do so out of habit, said Mr Ong. "I'm very sure without vaping, young people wouldn't be smoking. It's just not cool."

Quantum computing may sound like science fiction but here's why we need to take it seriously (30 August 2025)

"In a highly secure lab in the United States, at technology company IBM's research facility just outside of New York City, a cryogenic refrigerator hums away, keeping temperatures ultra-cold – icier than the depths of outer space.

Also known as a dilution refrigerator, it keeps temperatures plunged near absolute zero (-273.15°C). The tangle of cylindrical vessels and wires safeguards other complex parts that make up an extremely temperature-sensitive piece of technology at its heart.

A growing number of scientists believe these components may well represent the future of computing, technology more broadly, and even society itself."

This preschooler’s frequent meltdowns eased through joint support from parents and teachers (1 September 2025)

"Parents of children with developmental needs may often hear more about what their child cannot do than what they can but Ms Chou Li Hong, a preschool teacher from Skool4Kidz Campus @ Sengkang Riverside Park, is working to change that narrative.

In her daily interactions with parents, Ms Chou focuses on the child’s abilities rather than their limitations. She also pays careful attention to each child’s interests to better engage them. For example, when a child tends to leave their seat and wander, she turns that restlessness into a movement activity for the class – transforming a potential disruption into a moment of shared engagement.

This approach reflects her commitment to nurturing a compassionate, inclusive environment where every child feels accepted, regardless of their unique abilities and challenges. Ms Chou – who currently teaches an N1 class – also uses play-based learning and sensory activities to encourage exploration and independence in children who may need extra guidance."

Commentary: Why it's hard to have empathy during bullying incidents (1 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: When news broke online of a Primary 3 student sending a death threat to his classmate’s mother, it wasn’t the words that gripped my attention – it was the voice.

“I might dissect her … I will kill you and your husband.” These chilling words were delivered with the singsong lilt of a 9-year-old boy.

Such a brazen attitude to violence is not born overnight. It is learnt and normalised, perhaps through repeated exposure to the digital world."

Singapore parents, students taken aback by tough vaping rules in schools, say teens may find ways around them (1 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The government's crackdown on vaping in schools has taken both parents and students by surprise, with many expressing concern over how harsh the new measures feel – and whether they will actually work.

“My initial reaction to the news of nicotine test kits and metal detectors in schools was one of shock and sadness," said father-of-two Aylwin Lam. "It’s disheartening that the vaping epidemic has reached a point where such drastic measures are deemed necessary."

The 48-year-old regional sales director added: "It feels like we are treating our schools like high-security zones rather than places of learning, which is a sad reflection of the current situation."

Last Thursday (Aug 28), the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced that about 260 schools have been issued nicotine test kits since March. Some schools are also using metal detectors and encouraging a “peer vigilance culture”, where students are urged to report classmates who vape."

School camp instructor sent photo of private parts to 15-year-old girl, gets jail (1 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: An external camp instructor kept in contact with a 15-year-old student on social media after running a three-day school camp for her secondary school class, despite knowing his company did not allow this.

Ilyas Mohd Yusoff, now 24, began sending sexual messages to the girl and asked her to have sex with him, before sending a photo of his private parts to her on social media app Snapchat.

The girl reported the matter to her school, and the police got involved.

Ilyas was sentenced on Monday (Sep 1) to eight weeks' jail. He pleaded guilty to one count of intentionally causing a minor to observe a sexual image, with another charge taken into consideration during sentencing."

17 students, one staff member hit by gastroenteritis symptoms at Punggol preschool (2 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Authorities said on Tuesday (Sep 2) that they are investigating suspected cases of gastroenteritis reported at Mulberry Learning, a preschool in Punggol.

As of Friday (Aug 29), 17 students and one staff member were reported to have developed gastroenteritis symptoms since Wednesday, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a joint statement.

Of those, two students were hospitalised – one of whom has been discharged, they said.

“All are recovering well,” the authorities added."

17-year-old boy charged with possessing vape containing cannabis-related substance (3 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A 17-year-old boy was charged in court on Wednesday (Sep 3) with possessing a vape device containing a cannabis-related substance in February.

The boy is also accused of trafficking methamphetamine, cannabis, ketamine and other drugs alongside another male teenager, who was also 17 at the time. The second boy is now 18 years old.

The boys, who are both Singaporeans, cannot be named. Those allegedly involved in offences before they turn 18 are protected under the Children and Young Persons Act."

Giant board games and more at Asian Civilisations Museum's 'playable' exhibit on Asian games (3 September 2025)

"Did you know mahjong started with cards? Or that chess began in India as a war game? A new exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) looks at the origins of some familiar games across Asia – and you can even have fun exploring these at a "playable" exhibition.

Let’s Play! The Art And Design Of Asian Games opens on Sep 5 and features more than 150 works ranging from historical artefacts to newly commissioned pieces by contemporary designers. Other games featured include chess, chaupar, weiqi, xiangqi, shogi and carrom.

Aside from looking at their history, the show also shows how they've been reinvented for modern audiences. There are also communal play spaces where visitors can enjoy classic board games and locally designed titles, alongside digital interactives."

From peer pressure to social media, what's behind the rise in youth shoplifting in Singapore? (4 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The student went to a store near his school, and when no one was looking, helped himself to some bottles of drinks. He left without paying.

The drinks weren't meant for him - they were for friends, or rather friends he was hoping to make. And the student later said he had every intention to return to the store to pay for what he took.

This case, shared by a psychologist, illustrates how the desire to fit in a social circle is among factors pushing youths in Singapore - some as young as 10 years old - to commit theft."

Commentary: Teenagers know vaping is harmful. That doesn’t mean they’ll stop (5 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: My 15-year-old son recently came home from a student leader workshop and told me he’d spent the afternoon with former drug offenders.

The men he met spoke about choices they had made in their youth that slowly led to other risks and ultimately derailed their lives. Their stories included cigarettes, vapes, and increasingly, Kpods - vape pods laced with dangerous anaesthetics. Many said it started with curiosity, peer pressure, or "just trying it once".

My son said their stories didn’t feel like a lecture. They didn’t use scare tactics. They just straight up told their stories, plainly and honestly.

As a parent, I was struck by how formative the workshop was for my son.

Teenagers are often told what not to do. Don’t smoke. Don’t vape. Don’t take drugs. But if you really think about it, how often are they given the space to understand why, or to contribute to the conversations?"

Enhanced internship, higher starting pay among recommendations to draw architectural, engineering talent (5 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A task force for architectural and engineering consultants has proposed enhanced internships with higher starting salaries and dedicated mentors, among a list of 11 recommendations to drive talent to the built environment consultancy sector.

It comes as Singapore's long-term infrastructure plans, such as the Long Island, Greater Southern Waterfront and Changi Airport's Terminal 5 looms on the horizon.

“To turn these complex developments into reality, we need capable and passionate BE (built environment) professionals,” said Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for National Development."

I used to think my mum had no dreams of her own. Now I see that she set them aside for me (5 September 2025)

"My mother has never complained about being a stay-at-home wife and mum – not openly at least.

She shows her love every day in countless quiet acts: never cooking the same meals two days in a row so we don't get bored with eating at home, folding and putting away laundry in our closets, tidying up our rooms for us whenever they get messy.

Growing up, I thought it was all just "mum stuff". This was just how things were: Mothers are meant to be at home and daughters would eventually take up the same roles and responsibilities."

Being a first-time PSLE mum has made me rethink what success really means (6 September 2025)

"Watching my oldest child hunched over a timed practice paper at the dining table, I remembered his very first spelling test in kindergarten.

That was the first of several little milestones that have brought us to this point today: In a few short weeks, he will sit his first national examination, the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

Nothing has prepared me for this. And yet, everything has, in a way."

Six in 10 youths want wider definitions of success in Singapore: Poll (6 September 2025)

"Six in 10 youths in Singapore hope society can celebrate wider definitions of success, as well as encourage risk-taking and learning from failure. Organisers of the SG Youth Plan gathered more than 200,000 responses from young people and stakeholders from last November to July. The insights into youths' hopes and aspirations will build on existing initiatives to help them reach their full potential, and inform a five-year plan by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth as well as the National Youth Council."

'Nobel Prize for students': Singapore startup wins US$1 million in seed funding after clinching top award (8 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A Singapore startup was named the winner of the 2025 Hult Prize last Friday (Sep 5), earning US$1 million (S$1.28 million) in seed funding.

Stick 'Em is an education technology company co-founded in 2021 by Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) alumnus Adam Huh Dam, Singapore Polytechnic graduate Chong Ing Kai and National University of Singapore (NUS) student Tew Jing An.

The start-up provides affordable Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) kits, paired with an online learning platform that enables teachers to conduct their own classes."

Singapore picks up first case of incel radicalised by mixing far-right, far-left and ISIS ideologies (9 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A 14-year-old was issued a restriction order under the Internal Security Act (ISA) earlier in September, in Singapore’s first case of self-radicalisation by a mix of different extremist ideologies.

Influenced by what is known as a "salad bar" of extremist ideologies, the boy staunchly supported the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), subscribed to anti-Semitic beliefs espoused in far-right extremist ideologies, and also identified as an incel, the Internal Security Department said on Tuesday (Sep 9).

Incel is short for "involuntary celibate" and refers to a subculture of individuals – mostly men – who identify as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one.

The boy first came across far-right extremist content in the middle of 2024 and by April this year, he had pledged allegiance to ISIS online."

NLB giving away 60,000 pre-loved books for free this weekend, visitors can bring home 10 books per person (9 September 2025)

"Calling all bookworms to keep this weekend (Sep 13 and 14) free. The National Library Board (NLB) will hold the 10th edition of its Big Book Giveaway, which sees its pre-loved books given away for free. This year's event will have 60,000 books up for grabs – the highest number to date.

Happening at the Plaza of the National Library Building, this year's Big Book Giveaway will have books of various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mystery and adult non-fiction. There will also be a dedicated section for books about and from Singapore.

Each visitor can bring home up to 10 books per person, with books available on a first-come-first-served basis."

Parents with 3 or more young children to get S$1,000 LifeSG credits from Sep 10 (10 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Parents with three or more young children will receive S$1,000 (US$778) in LifeSG credits from Wednesday (Sep 10), as part of Singapore's efforts to support large families.

The LifeSG credits are for each third and subsequent Singaporean child, aged one to six this year.

Each eligible child will receive S$1,000 each year until he or she turns six years old."

Woman who worked at kindergarten charged with abusing three children aged 5 (11 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: A 34-year-old woman was charged on Thursday (Sep 11) with ill-treating three five-year-old children at a kindergarten.

The woman, whose name was redacted in court documents due to a gag order protecting the identities of the victims, was handed three charges under the Children and Young Persons Act for inflicting unnecessary physical pain and suffering to the children.

The alleged incidents occurred on the same day on Jul 25, 2024, according to charge sheets."

Only 37% of parents in Singapore confident in guiding child's digital habits: MDDI survey (12 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: Only 37 per cent of parents in Singapore felt confident in their ability to guide their child’s digital habits, according to survey findings released by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) on Friday (Sep 12).

The remaining 63 per cent felt little or no confidence in their ability to do so.

"For parents who expressed little or no confidence, the main challenges cited were limited time due to work or other commitments, the child’s reluctance to follow rules, the child’s ability to bypass parental controls, and parents’ limited knowledge of parental controls or monitoring tools," said MDDI in a press release."

Why 'AI slop' is taking over the internet, and what it's doing to our brains (13 September 2025)

"A set of triplet babies are using brooms to clean up the mess they made in a supermarket. A kitten is being eaten from the inside out by a swarm of ants. A toddler with an orange for a head is being saved by an orca and a Labubu doll after jumping off a cruise ship.

If all of this sounds like a nonsensical mash of random visuals, that is the point.

Welcome to the latest type of content proliferating on social media platforms, streaming sites, video games and the internet as a whole: artificial intelligence (AI) slop."

What’s with the morbid jokes among youth? How to tell when laughter isn’t the best medicine (13 September 2025)

"Late at night, as I was scrolling through social media as usual, I came across a video. In it, a man is standing at a window of a high-rise block and says, "What if I just – ", before cutting himself off, feinting a jumping motion out the window and then laughing to the camera.

I chuckled at first, then caught myself.

Why did I find that funny? And why did so many others in the comments say something like, "Same … except I'm not joking. Or am I?"

17 students, 2 staff members develop gastroenteritis symptoms at E-Bridge Pre-School in MacPherson (15 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: The authorities are investigating suspected cases of gastroenteritis reported at the E-Bridge Pre-School branch at Circuit Road.

As of last Friday (Sep 12), 17 students and two staff members from the preschool in MacPherson were reported to have developed gastroenteritis symptoms since Sep 9, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a joint response on Monday.

No one was hospitalised, CDA, ECDA and SFA told CNA."

‘Harder than I thought to find a job’: Can traineeships help new graduates? (15 September 2025)

"SINGAPORE: After applying to more than 150 jobs, AN, a 24-year-old computer science graduate, found herself in a dilemma familiar to many fresh graduates – hold out for a stable job, or consider an internship that pays less but promises a few months of industry experience.

With no offers in hand despite months of effort, she took on a part-time data role paying S$1,000 (US$780) a month while continuing to apply. After half a year of searching, she landed a full-time software developer job in September.

Nevertheless, the lengthy hunt for employment was a demoralising experience, said Ms N, who wanted to be identified by her initials only."

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