$15m care fund to be launched on Feb 1 for protection workers after Megan Khung abuse case (24 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Social workers, care staff and other practitioners who handle domestic violence cases will benefit from mental health support and other well-being initiatives, including wellness leave, through a new $15 million care fund.
The Protection Practitioners Care Fund will be launched on Feb 1 and is expected to benefit more than 1,000 such professionals, said the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS).
Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming gave this update at the Strong Families, Safe Homes: Casa Raudha Domestic Violence Awareness Roadshow, held at Our Tampines Hub on Jan 24."
Singapore to invest $1 billion over 5 years to boost AI public research (24 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Singapore is setting aside $1 billion over a period of five years from 2025 to 2030 to boost its public research capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI).
Announced by Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo at a gala dinner during the Singapore AI Research Week on Jan 24, the funding is drawn from both the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 and 2030 plans.
This is the second tranche of government funding for public research and development in AI, after the first investment of over $500 million from 2019 to 2023 under RIE2020 and 2025."
‘Hello, polis’: Jared Poon’s City Of Others unlocks hidden dimensions in Singapore urban fantasy (24 January 2026)
"Imagine if walking around a FairPrice supermarket in a certain pattern unlocked a door to a hidden pocket dimension.
In Singaporean author Jared Poon's novel City Of Others, tracing a sigil with your steps through the aisles of any FairPrice outlet will open a door to the Pasar Bayang, a secret shadowy market that exists outside of time, space and governmental oversight.
Such hidden spaces fill Poon's delightful debut, which makes visible the magic in the mundane and presents Singapore's urban fantasy as a force to be reckoned with."
‘I just wanted to stay home and play’: Gaming took over teen’s life until he found muay thai (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE - When Muhammad Darzley Abil received his first cellphone at the age of 11 in Primary 5, he did not know the grip that this small device would exert on his life, in ways he could never imagine.
His mother, Madam Norjuadeniwati Jumat, 43, who works in e-commerce, gave it to him as a way to contact him while he was travelling alone to and from school. Darzley however, found a different use for his phone.
The first app he downloaded was Mobile Legends: Bang Bang – a popular online multi-player game. Each match takes between 10 and 20 minutes, with players aiming to improve in rankings over time.
His mother did not think she needed to set parental controls on his device.
“I knew my son would not get into things like porn, or anything illegal, so I was not worried about his screen time,” she said.
Darzley was excited to have unlimited access to this game, and a couple of hours a day soon spiralled into gaming for most of the day."
Excessive device use often a coping mechanism for deeper issues, say experts (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Something is not right with the way our children are growing up with screens, and the hold the gadgets have over them.
Until the end of 2025, recess periods in many Singapore schools looked worryingly familiar.
Students stream out of classrooms, their eyes glued to the cellphones clasped in their hands. As they make their way to the canteen, they masterfully tackle going down the stairs without lifting their gaze from their devices.
Conversation is sparse at the canteen tables. Most have their cutlery in one hand, and a mobile phone in the other."
Play in, screens out, and building a healthy relationship with our devices (25 January 2026)
"Many of my clearest memories as a child start from the singular feeling of being bored.
Growing up often meant accepting that boredom and finding ways to get over it. It led to trouble many times, and creativity on other occasions.
Unbeknown to me, it was about self-regulation, self-discovery and the real world. It involved seeking out experiences, sometimes with an equally bored friend who was willing to discover what there was beyond the doors to our homes.
Things are no doubt different today. The real world for our children is as much on a mobile screen as it is outside."
Mobile phone gift at 13 led to porn addiction and conviction for voyeurism (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – John (not his real name) was a freelance photographer when he was caught taking upskirt videos of a model with his mobile phone.
“My body just went into autopilot, like there was a desire to take the videos and my brain just wanted to fulfil that desire despite the consequences,” said the 24-year-old.
On Jan 7, 2025, he admitted in court to having taken two upskirt videos of the victim, a woman in her 30s, in her home some time in August 2024.
“I was in a place where I was just so desensitised to my urges on the day that I actually committed the offence,” said John, who was sentenced to a week’s jail after pleading guilty to one count of voyeurism."
‘I feel lonely in real life’: Teenage girl finds solace in online friends on Roblox (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Years of concern over Mary’s (not her real name) phone use came to a head in June 2025, when her parents discovered she had an online boyfriend.
Now 16, she has had two such relationships since she was 15, meeting both boys through Roblox, an online game platform hugely popular among the young.
Mary, a Secondary 4 student, told The Straits Times that she had been cautious, screening these individuals – who are not in Singapore – through video calls to ensure they were around her age before getting into a relationship. She had never met them in person.
But her parents, alarmed and upset, made her cut off contact."
Ready for a break from screens? Turn to ST’s new monthly activity page in Sunday Life (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Screens are everywhere – in our pockets, our homes and, increasingly, in our children’s lives.
For many families in Singapore, navigating this increasingly digital world has become a daily balancing act, filled with concerns and questions about childhood, play and connection.
A new series by The Straits Times, starting on Jan 25, will journey with families and explore these everyday struggles – from setting boundaries to reclaiming play – while spotlighting schools and communities that are finding ways to support healthier relationships with devices."
Embracing mother tongue, one book at a time: Reading clubs seek connection to culture (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – On a Sunday evening at Woodlands Regional Library, Ms Rama Suresh gathered with about 20 others to discuss The Goddess In The Living Room, a Tamil book by well-known local writer K. Kanagalatha highlighting the experiences of Singaporean Tamil women.
Beyond the usual conversation on the book’s themes, the highlight of the two-hour book club session was the chance to share her views directly with Ms Latha.
The Tamil-language reading club is among a small but persistent group of book clubs here with outsized dreams of encouraging bilingualism and deeper ties to local culture through the mother tongue languages."
Answers to 2026 American Math Competition test leaked and sold on e-commerce sites (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The answers to a test of a prestigious mathematics competition have been leaked, and listed for sale on e-commerce and social media platforms.
Answers to the American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 8 test was found to be leaked on several Chinese e-commerce sites, and at least one social media platform, reported Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao.
The listing for the answers to the test, being held from Jan 22 to Jan 30 in the US, was priced at 100 yuan (S$18.80) on one of the e-commerce platforms, according to a screengrab provided to Lianhe Zaobao."
Free horse-themed hongbao, maths fun for lower primary kids, The Gruffalo’s Child show (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Make family time all the more special with these ideas and activities.
Free Year of the Horse-themed hongbao
It is time to go museum-hopping again and collect free special-edition red packets. The National Heritage Board’s (NHB) popular annual Museum Roundtable Hongbao Campaign has returned, offering free Year of the Horse-themed red packets until Feb 15.
Redeem a set of six hongbao from any of the 49 participating museums, heritage institutions and galleries, while stocks last."
Is travelling with kids and parents still a holiday? (25 January 2026)
"Sometimes, I believe there are two versions of myself. BC and AC – “Before Child” and “After Child”. This becomes especially clear when it comes to travel.
A typical free-and-easy itinerary may include cafe hopping, unhurried walks to various tourist spots, standing in line for famous restaurants and late-night supper sessions or massages. That was “BC” me – exploring without a timeline in mind, joining queues on a whim and figuring things out as I go."
Four wishes for my daughters for the next decade of their lives (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Another milestone passed when my youngest child collected her O-level results two weeks ago.
With her expected admission to a polytechnic in a few months and my middle daughter’s graduation from poly this year, my husband and I will be increasingly hands-off in their educational and work decisions."
Sneaking fun into PSLE English preparation (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Mountains of assessment books. Heaps of past-year exam papers. A child, hunched over and grudgingly filling in cloze passages and churning out compositions.
It is a familiar scene for many parents. Yet, revising for the PSLE English exam does not have to be all drill and kill, says Mr Tarek Amara, an English teacher at British Council Singapore.
With a new PSLE year under way, Mr Amara, 35, shares with The Straits Times a blueprint for exam readiness that swops out the usual mugging with fun exercises that hone language skills."
MSF alerted by adoption agent in 2024 about suspicious baby ‘supply’ from Indonesia to S’pore (25 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE/JAKARTA - One year before an Indonesian baby trafficking ring was uncovered in 2025, an adoption agent in Singapore reported an alarming phone call she had received to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
In that April 2024 call, a woman had told Ms Alice Kaveree, the managing director of Lotus Child Adoption Agency, that she was an agent from Pontianak and offered to supply babies for adoption – with falsified DNA and birth certificates.
The woman claimed she had already handed four Indonesian babies to an adoption agency in Singapore and was working with a few others. Ms Kaveree rejected her offer and e-mailed MSF on the same day.
In response to The Straits Times’ queries, an MSF spokesperson confirmed on Jan 24 that it had received Ms Kaveree’s e-mail, and had reviewed the adoption cases that matched the general descriptions provided."
Learn, serve and earn a diploma: ITE graduates can join the Police Force with full salary while attending poly (26 January 2026)
"When the lecturers at Temasek Polytechnic ask for examples of criminal cases, some of the students do not have to ponder for long. These part-time learners have already handled real cases on the ground in their full-time jobs as Police Sergeants.
Chew Rui Ming, 25, is one of them. He is part of the pioneer batch in the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) Policing-Study Diploma Programme, which allows Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates to work full-time while earning their polytechnic diploma over two and a half years. Participants work four days a week and attend classes once a week while drawing a full-time salary."
NUS team launches AI headset to help people with vision loss to commute and shop (26 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Madam Teresa Ng, who has been partially blind since her teenage years, often relies on the kindness of other commuters to help her look out for her bus number.
“My challenge is (that) sometimes people cannot tell that I’m blind. So they will look at me and think: ‘What’s wrong with her?’” said Madam Ng, recounting how some people have rejected her requests for help.
She also sometimes needs assistance when shopping, relying on others to read labels or locate items.
Such occurrences, however, will soon be a thing of the past for Madam Ng, who is in her 50s.
She will be relishing her newfound independence with a complimentary unit of AiSee, an assistive headset equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, a camera and speakers to help her “see” her surroundings.
Developed by a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS), the device is underpinned by large language models – such as OpenAI’s GPT and Google’s Gemini – that allow users to get answers immediately by asking questions in natural language."
9 months’ jail for mother who abused 7-year-old son by kicking and slapping him (26 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A mother who abused her son when he was seven by slapping his face, stepping on his leg and kicking his body was sentenced to nine months’ jail on Jan 26.
The 31-year-old had earlier pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one charge of ill-treating her son. The woman cannot be named due to a gag order to protect her son’s identity.
She has indicated that she will be appealing against the sentence."
Ed tech is profitable. It is also mostly useless (26 January 2026)
"McPherson Middle School in Kansas had been burned before by education technology, but in 2022, school leaders were ready to try again. They selected a digital programme called IXL from a statewide recommendation list. It promised instruction tailored to each student’s level, igniting quick gains. The school used it to assign most in-class independent maths work. “We thought it was going to be really magical,” says Ms Inge Esping, the principal.
It wasn’t. It “didn’t really move the needle”, Ms Esping says. Students found the programme repetitive, rigid and boring – and distraction proved irresistible once they were on their school-issued laptops. The school tried blocking YouTube and Spotify, then student-to-student e-mail. But children found workarounds and teachers resented their new surveillance duties."
Over 8,000 internships, industry attachments created to support fast-growing data centre capabilities (26 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE - More than 8,000 internships, training opportunities and industry attachment openings have been developed in the data centre sector, as part of a national push to build artificial intelligence-ready capabilities.
Over the next five years, data centre provider ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) will provide internship placements across the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore Polytechnic (SP), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and National University of Singapore (NUS).
Through this initiative, young entrants will benefit from hands-on experience in data centre operations and corporate functions such as information technology, sustainability, finance and marketing."
Xiao Ming, many students’ favourite Chinese composition character, comes to life in award-winning film (27 January 2026)
"Singapore – It was a fine and sunny morning. A boy named Xiao Ming was on his way to school when he came across an elderly woman who needed help. He helped her and was late for school.
Many Singapore students have written at least one Chinese composition that started on a fine morning with great weather (“yi ge feng he ri li de zao shang”) and starred a boy named Xiao Ming.
But few, if any, of them would have imagined that Xiao Ming could become self-aware and realise that he has been forced to live out the same scenario over and over again, like in Jim Carrey’s 1998 Oscar-nominated movie The Truman Show.
This postmodern version of Xiao Ming’s story has won its 17-year-old film-maker Canden Chen the Most Promising Award at the Singapore Youth Film Festival (SYFF) 2026."
Singapore to recognise medical degrees from 8 more overseas schools from Feb 1 (27 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – From Feb 1, aspiring doctors can study in another eight overseas institutions that will be added to the list of recognised universities for medicine in Singapore.
In a joint statement on Jan 27, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Singapore Medical Council (SMC) said the newly approved schools will help Singapore better meet the growing demand for doctors amid an ageing population.
The latest additions bring the total number of recognised overseas medical schools in Singapore from 112 to 120."
Demand for AI-related skills in Singapore more than doubled from 2022 to 2025: SkillsFuture analysis (27 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Demand for skills related to artificial intelligence (AI) more than doubled across sectors in Singapore from 2022 to 2025, driven by fastest growth in demand for generative AI skills.
These are among the findings of SkillsFuture Singapore’s (SSG) latest job skills analysis, said Senior Minister of State for Education David Neo on Jan 27.
Another SSG study of 2,000 job roles found that AI tools can now automate almost a quarter of work tasks, he said, emphasising the need to help all workers learn to use AI, and learn beyond AI."
Stricter SkillsFuture course funding guidelines for 9,500 courses across 500 training providers (27 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Training providers seeking approval for course funding need to adhere to stricter guidelines by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), so that they develop their training programmes in line with industry needs.
The agency gave updates on Jan 27 about its moves to tighten course funding guidelines to maintain course quality. These requirements came into effect from Dec 31, 2025, and apply to 500 training providers which offer 9,500 courses, it said.
The changes cover courses that develop in-demand skills for a person’s current job or profession. Some of these skills include food safety and hygiene, workplace safety and health, service excellence, and threat intelligence and detection.
Courses that cater to emerging skills, or that seek to equip a person to take on a substantially different job, such as courses under the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme, are not affected by the change."
New NTU master’s in psychology offers specialisation in study of death and bereavement (27 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE - As part of efforts to strengthen Singapore’s mental healthcare capacity, a new programme at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will be the first in Asia to offer a master’s-level specialisation in thanatology – the study of dying, death and bereavement.
The specialisation will allow Master of Science in Psychology students to learn how to provide bereavement support and grief intervention to individuals, families and communities facing mortality and loss.
They will also be trained in providing psychological, social and spiritual care."
Is the focus on performance killing students’ curiosity? (27 January 2026)
"As children move through the new school year, they will become fluent in the routines of school. This is often seen as a good thing – it signals confidence, competence and academic readiness. But it also marks a turning point.
The way children learn may begin to change. Questions are asked more selectively. Fewer risks are taken. Many children begin to pause, to weigh the cost of being wrong."
Upcoming Islamic college appoints steering committee, board of governors (27 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – To stay effective in a changing world, Singapore’s Islamic education system must look at new ways to equip future asatizah, or religious teachers, with not only religious knowledge but also the skills to engage with contemporary issues.
This approach will build a Malay/Muslim community that can practise Islam confidently while contributing positively to society, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim on Jan 27.
Towards this end, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) is establishing the upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) to develop religious leaders who have the capability to serve the local Muslim community within the Republic’s multicultural context, said Associate Professor Faishal."
Parents rally to save beloved Serangoon pre-school from closing (27 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – On a quiet stretch off Li Hwan Drive, a pre-school is fighting to stay open.
Founded by Ms Loy Wee Mee in 2008, Pre-School By-The-Park @ Li Hwan has seen enrolment falling. In November 2025, it announced that it would shut its doors for good.
To stay open, the privately run centre needs to enrol 40 new pupils by April 2026."
Badminton teacher-coach’s hands-on approach a smash hit at Xingnan Primary School (27 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Just as her student-athletes have improved and progressed on the badminton court, Denise Yap has made leaps and bounds in her journey as a teacher-coach at Xingnan Primary School.
When the physical education teacher first took charge of the co-curricular activity (CCA) in 2021, it had over 80 pupils playing the sport.
While it was a popular recreational programme, the school did not have a competitive team.
To build on the strong enthusiasm for badminton, Yap was tasked with developing the students.
At the time, Yap’s only experience in the sport was a year spent playing in her primary school’s CCA. But she was determined to improve to ensure she was well-equipped to guide her charges."
Childhood dream in motion: 17-year-old student to perform for first time in Chingay 2026 (28 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – When she was in primary school, Sarah Marsh watched a Chingay parade with her family, captivated by the lights, floats and costumes.
“It was so magical to me,” said Sarah, whose father is Eurasian and mother is Chinese. “I still remember quite clearly at that point in time, my mum did say maybe one day I can be like one of those Eurasian dancers.”
Now, her mother’s words are coming true.
The 17-year-old first-year student at Singapore Polytechnic will take part for the first time in the Chingay Parade on Feb 27 and 28. She is part of a group of about 60 performers from the Eurasian Association (EA) who are participating in Chingay 2026.
This year’s event, with the theme “Wish”, will involve about 3,000 performers in eight acts, four of which are inspired by Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas. The EA performers will appear in the act inspired by Christmas."
Teacher accused of acting on loan shark’s behalf gets 14 more charges for similar offences (28 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A teacher accused of acting on behalf of an unlicensed moneylender has been handed 14 more charges for similar offences.
On Jan 28, Geraldine Quek Yi Ling, 42, was also charged with one count of destroying evidence, and two counts of knowingly helping another person carry out a moneylending business.
She now faces 19 charges, all of which are said to be linked to an unlicensed moneylender identified in court only as “Travis Heng”."
S’porean boy, 14, who simulated ISIS terror attacks on Roblox issued ISA restriction order (28 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE - A 14-year-old Singaporean boy who aspired to travel overseas to conduct armed violence and die a martyr has been issued a restriction order (RO) under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The Secondary 3 student is the third 14-year-old to be dealt with under the ISA over the past two years for terrorism-related activities, said the Internal Security Department (ISD), which urged the public to seek help from the authorities early if they suspect someone close to them may be radicalised."
For students to feel seen, class size matters (28 January 2026)
"In her best-selling memoir Totto-chan, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi tells the story of how she was expelled from school as a first-grader for her disruptive behaviour, but eventually flourished at Tomoe Gakuen, an alternative school.
Whereas she was distracted and disengaged in her old classroom, her new school gave each student the flexibility to begin the day with whatever learning activity most appealed to them. Totto-chan formed lifelong friendships at Tomoe, and even made a promise to her headmaster that she will return to teach there as an adult."
SG Culture Pass should open new windows – don’t narrow its potential (28 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A recent discussion with a Dutch journalist made me realise how lucky Singapore is when it comes to the rollout of the SG Culture Pass scheme.
Receiving tax-payer dollars to spend on arts and heritage is indicative of the state valuing the “softer” and not always electable platform of culture, he said. It made for a more curious people and a first-principle open-mindedness that is especially rare at a time of nationalistic backlash and insularity in Europe."
Singapore butoh dancer uses traditional art form to warn about the dangers of technology (29 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Traditional art meets high technology on Jan 30 and 31 at *SCAPE when butoh dancer Elden Zachery performs Morningstar, playing the character of a techno-cult leader in order to highlight his worries about people’s growing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI).
“There’s a lot of fear that AI is an inevitable and uncontrollable thing, and that it’s going to make us all jobless and homeless,” said the 23-year-old.
“I want people to realise that we have the tools to rein it back in if we don’t want that to be our future. A line in the sand needs to be drawn somewhere.”
Humans must learn to collaborate with artificial intelligence: Josephine Teo (29 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Singapore wants to shape a future for its people where humans can do better and work hand in hand with artificial intelligence (AI), instead of pitting themselves against the technology.
Speaking at NTUC LearningHub Human+ Symposium 2026 held at Andaz Singapore on Jan 29, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said the focus has moved away from individuals using AI to boost productivity to groups of AI agents performing a range of tasks on humans’ behalf."
Exam difficulty, use of PSLE results being studied by MOE to lower exam stakes: Desmond Lee (29 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – In reviewing how to reduce the stakes of exams, the Ministry of Education (MOE) is considering changes including adjusting the difficulty of exams and studying how PSLE results are used in secondary school admission.
Education Minister Desmond Lee said these are issues that the ministry is looking at to curb the education “arms race”, along with other aspects like direct school admission (DSA) and co-curricular activities (CCAs), which have become increasingly competitive.
The MOE wants to hear views on the ground before implementing changes, and will soon start a series of conversations with Singaporeans, said Mr Lee on Jan 26 in his first interview with the media since taking over the portfolio in May 2025."
P1 registration system being reviewed to improve social mixing in primary schools: Minister (29 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The Primary 1 registration system is being reviewed to widen access to schools for children of different backgrounds and encourage social mixing, said Education Minister Desmond Lee.
He said the Ministry of Education (MOE) is looking at how to increase the diversity of children in primary schools, and acknowledged that giving priority through affiliation can result in a concentration of certain profiles of pupils.
While priority admission via proximity is practical for young children, it can also have an impact on pupil diversity, he said on Jan 26 in his first sit-down interview with the media since he became education minister in May 2025."
MOE to share recommendations from its review on bullying in schools in Q2 2026 (29 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The Ministry of Education (MOE) is on track to release in the second quarter of 2026 recommendations from its review on bullying, after having engaged more than 2,000 parents, students, educators and other members of the public on the issue.
Minister for Education Desmond Lee, in an interview with the media on Jan 26, gave this update, alongside other ongoing work his ministry is doing to deepen the holistic development, resilience and adaptability of Singapore’s students.
The issue of bullying sparked national conversations in 2025 after several bullying incidents surfaced online, including one case when three Primary 3 pupils sent death threats to a classmate’s mother.The three pupils were suspended, and one of them was caned.
MOE’s review to better address bullying in schools began in early 2025, and covers four areas: strengthening school culture and processes; focusing more on values education for students; supporting educators; and improving schools’ partnerships with parents."
Teacher recruitment, more special education places among focus areas for MOE (29 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The Ministry of Education (MOE) is reviewing how to reduce the high stakes of exams here, which could include adjusting their difficulty as well as how PSLE results are used in secondary school admissions.
At his first interview with the media since taking on the education portfolio, Minister for Education Desmond Lee said on Jan 26 that his ministry is also relooking the Primary 1 registration framework to better support social mixing and improve access to primary schools for pupils from different backgrounds.
Here are four other areas that MOE is working on.
1. Supporting teachers
The ministry is ramping up its recruitment of teachers, said Mr Lee. In 2025, it recruited more than 1,300 teachers, up from 950 in 2024. Nearly one-third of those hired in 2025 were mid-career professionals.
To better support professionals from diverse backgrounds joining the teaching fraternity, MOE is reviewing its 16-month Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme together with the National Institute of Education.
While all incoming teachers will continue to take core courses for effective teaching, they will be able to choose elective courses that further support their professional development.
By accommodating the learning needs of both fresh graduates and mid-career entrants, MOE said the enhancements aim to ensure that all new teachers are well prepared for their roles."
11 polytechnic and ITE lecturers appointed Straits Times News Literacy Champions for 2026 (29 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – From in-class debates about national service to discussions about Taylor Swift’s exclusive stop in Singapore, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) lecturer James Chan found himself better able to engage students in his National Education module using news articles in 2025.
Mr Chan, a senior lecturer at NYP’s Centre for Innovation and Life Skills, said: “Using suitable and relevant content in our classrooms allows us to make our students more interested.”
He was one of 14 lecturers from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnics who took part in The Straits Times News Literacy Champion programme in 2025. He and other lecturers shared with peers about how they integrated current affairs in their lessons in an event kicking off the 2026 edition of the programme."
Fun Chinese New Year family outings at Sentosa with Disney sparkle and immersive curations (30 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Sentosa is ringing in the Year of the Fire Horse with a touch of Disney magic. From Jan 30 to March 3, its 350m-long linkway, known as Sensoryscape, unveils a free treat for visitors titled Gallop Into Spring.
For the first time for Chinese New Year, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has collaborated with the Walt Disney Company to feature Mickey and Minnie Mouse amid light installations, lanterns and larger-than-life horses inspired by ancient Chinese legends.
Instead of just being part of a generic seasonal display, the collaboration with Disney was specially tailored for Sentosa’s sunny outdoor public spaces.
While the scale of the installations is striking, the focus remains on how storytelling, sensory design and familiar characters come together to create an immersive CNY experience."
Tun Tan Cheng Lock Trust donates $1.4m to Peranakan Museum for curatorial role (30 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The Tun Tan Cheng Lock Trust has donated $1.4 million to create a named curatorial role for the Peranakan Museum. This is the first time a curatorial position has been sponsored by a private donor for a public museum.
Curator Naomi Wang has been appointed as the inaugural Tun Tan Cheng Lock Curator of Peranakan Art, the museum announced in a statement on Jan 30. The role is for a five-year term with an option to renew. The senior curator (Southeast Asia) at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) and Peranakan Museum joined the museum in 2015.
The 37-year-old thanked the trust and said: “The named curatorship supports the kind of long-term research that shapes how stories are told in the galleries. It strengthens our ability to connect objects to wider regional histories, offering audiences a richer and more layered understanding of Peranakan art.”
Singapore’s youngest buskers: School’s in, but show goes on for these 10-year-old boys (30 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE – For most primary school pupils, the weekend is the perfect opportunity for some much-needed rest and relaxation. But the end of a school week signals something far more exciting for 10-year-old Shayne Ko.
Every weekend, the Primary 5 pupil from West View Primary School can be found outside MRT stations and malls, entertaining passers-by with his live performances.
Of the more than 400 buskers under the National Arts Council’s Busking Scheme aged between 10 and 89, Shayne is among the youngest.
He alternates between a smart guitar and keyboard, powering through sets that run anywhere from two to four hours."
Rachel Tey’s debut Finding Chopin a bland narrative experiment (31 January 2026)
"Rachel Tey’s debut novel Finding Chopin attempts to capture a slice of time: a rare meeting of minds between a mother and son who go on a memory journey together just before he is off to national service."
Our Schools, Our Stories 2025 (25 September 2025)
"Our Schools, Our Stories is an annual photo and video contest organised by the Ministry of Education that celebrates the unique stories of everyday school life, as seen through the eyes of students, staff, and the wider school community.
Discover the winning entries of this year’s contest. More than just photographs or videos, these are stories that celebrate the relationships, experiences, and opportunities that make school a place of growth and inspiration."
Our School Community: Junior Category (25 September 2025)
"School is more than just a place of learning — it is where the extended school family grow, support, and inspire one another. Witness shared moments and meaningful collaborations, where everyone plays a part in making a difference.
BEST PHOTO STORY
School Life in a Snap
By Hsu Audrianna Ii-Zanne, Lyha Medina Binte Kamzaruddin and Kieran Tan Ze Xu
Fuhua Primary School
Teacher Facilitator: Ms Najuma Banu
We love capturing the fun and exciting moments that happen across the different CCAs in our school.
From friends dancing, training on the field, and playing the guzheng, to learning how to start a fire with dried leaves, every moment is a memory worth snapping.
In our Infocomm CCA, we learn how to take clear and creative photos, using techniques like framing, lighting, and timing. Sometimes we capture action, other times we focus on happy faces and teamwork.
Each photo tells its own story. We’re proud to be behind the lens, turning everyday school life into lasting memories."
Our School Community: Youth Category (25 September 2025)
"School is more than just a place of learning — it is where the extended school family grow, support, and inspire one another. Witness shared moments and meaningful collaborations, where everyone plays a part in making a difference.
BEST PHOTO STORY
More Than a Teacher: A Mentor , A Friend , An Inspiration
By Png Yi Qi, Tay Xin Ying, Rachael and Zhang Haoran
Yio Chu Kang Secondary School
Teacher Facilitator: Mr Yip Seng Yiam Gerald
My Chinese teacher, Madam Chi King Kiok, has devoted over 50 years to education.
She’s now in her 80s. After retiring in 2008, she continued as a flexi-adjunct teacher, finding joy and meaning in guiding the next generation.
With patience and empathy, she formed close bonds with us and became someone we could trust. Embracing the spirit of lifelong learning, she overcame challenges in adapting to new technology, learning from her younger colleagues and students along the way.Her advice to the younger generation is to manage time well, use mobile devices wisely, and always stay in control of emotions. Her unwavering dedication continues to inspire many."
Our School Community: MOE Staff Category (25 September 2025)
"School is more than just a place of learning — it is where the extended school family grow, support, and inspire one another. Witness shared moments and meaningful collaborations, where everyone plays a part in making a difference.
BEST PHOTO STORY
A Journey of Kindness: K1 Children Touch Hearts in the Neighbourhood
By Mr Prakash Ezekiel
MOE Kindergarten @ Bendemeer Primary School
Our K1 children embarked on a learning journey to appreciate the unsung heroes in our neighbourhood.
From packing care packs to making heartfelt crafts, they personally thanked shopkeepers, construction workers, and MRT staff for their hard work.
Through these simple acts, our young learners discovered empathy and gratitude, interacting with confidence and kindness.
This outreach built awareness, self-confidence, and a deeper sense of community — a reminder that even young hearts can uplift and inspire."
World of Possibilities: Junior Category (25 September 2025)
"Discover how school opens up a world of possibilities for both students and staff, whether through innovative learning, new experiences, or opportunities that inspire growth and discovery.
BEST PHOTO STORY
Ready to Dream, Ready to Try
By Lionell Ho Yao Zu and Danise Jacob
Woodlands Ring Primary School
Teacher Facilitator: Mr Muhammad Bin Amir Said Alkatiri
School is where we discover endless possibilities. Whether it is leaping for the sky, scoring a basket, kicking a ball, or walking with friends, every moment sparks adventure.
Here, we are encouraged to explore, challenge ourselves, and grow in confidence. School is not just lessons, but where we find talents, push limits, and believe anything is possible. And through it all, we live our motto — We Do Our Best. With effort and courage, the possibilities are endless."
World of Possibilities: Youth Category (25 September 2025)
"Discover how school opens up a world of possibilities for both students and staff, whether through innovative learning, new experiences, or opportunities that inspire growth and discovery.
BEST PHOTO STORY
Different Pathways, Endless Possibilities
By Ngui Shisi, Joie Nio Yu Tong and Goh Zi Riz Tiffanys
Nanyang Junior College
Teacher Facilitator: Mr Chan Guang Hui
Our school offers many co-curricular activities, from drama to dance, giving students chances to shine. These experiences deliver a newfound and refreshed meaning to school life, as they open doors beyond academics.
Whether on stage or on the sports court, every movement is a brushstroke in each student’s book. It is more than a moment; it is a door to endless possibilities and pathways yet to be discovered."
World of Possibilities: MOE Staff Category (25 September 2025)
"Discover how school opens up a world of possibilities for both students and staff, whether through innovative learning, new experiences, or opportunities that inspire growth and discovery.
BEST PHOTO STORY
Chasing Curiosity in China
By Ms Chua Zheng Yi Jane
Kheng Cheng School
These photos show how my students stepped out of their classrooms and into a world of wonder.
In Shanghai and Suzhou, every street, museum and garden became a place to learn. From observing koi in a garden pond in Suzhou’s Museum to posing under lanterns in an alley, each snapshot reflects their growth and joy.
Whether laughing at new discoveries or learning to navigate cultural differences, they show how learning comes live in unexpected ways. This was more than a trip; it was a journey of hearts, minds and friendships."
Priceless Moments: Junior Category (25 September 2025)
"What makes your school experience memorable? What moments make you smile, learn, or grow? See the special moments in school that we cherish.
BEST PHOTO STORY
Hi! I’m Sheldon!
By Ridwan Bin Razali
Fernvale Primary School
Teacher Facilitator: Ms Siti Erliasari Binte Haroon
I want to share my priceless journey since transferring to Fernvale Primary School. On my first day, I met Calvin, who became my first friend. He’s very kind, and introduced me to classmates who would shape my school experience.
My love for soccer helped me bond with them. I’ll never forget the moment they cheered for me and celebrated with me during our PE lesson. They made me feel truly accepted.
Exploring Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden opened my eyes to new adventures, but my most treasured moment was building a LEGO model of our school stage with my friends. As we clicked the pieces together, I knew I had found my place here."
Priceless Moments: Youth Category (25 September 2025)
"What makes your school experience memorable? What moments make you smile, learn, or grow? See the special moments in school that we cherish.
BEST PHOTO STORY
In The Spaces We Shared
By Yee Yi Hui and Edelia Binte Muhamad Nizam
Nanyang Junior College
Teacher Facilitator: Mr Chan Guang Hui
The most priceless moments aren’t always the big events or loud celebrations. It’s the little moments, the quiet laughs and simple joys, that stay with us forever — snapshots of joy, friendship, and togetherness that we hold close.
We chose moments that reflect our journey: the thrill of learning something new together, the burst of colour and collaboration in creating a shared canvas, and the gentle exchange of ideas when guidance becomes inspiration. Each moment reveals the bonds we’ve forged, the creativity we’ve sparked and the memories that bring warmth to our hearts.
These are the moments that unite us."
Priceless Moments: MOE Staff Category (25 September 2025)
"What makes your school experience memorable? What moments make you smile, learn, or grow? See the special moments in school that we cherish.
BEST PHOTO STORY
A Teacher’s Campsite Reflection
By Mr Ng Chin Yong Ivan
South View Primary School
Watching my students at the P5 camp is one of the most rewarding moments of the year. I saw them overcome fears — scaling rock walls, abseiling with trembling hands — and many succeeded. Their faces beamed, flushed with excitement at what they’ve managed to accomplish.
Through team challenges, they learned to communicate, to listen, and to encourage. The raucous cheers, the happy chatter, and the tired groans after a long hot day all reminded me of the bonds they were building.
What touched me most was witnessing the quieter students shine — going further than most, gamely trying new experiences while others hesitated, surprising even their friends.
Camp isn’t just about adventure, it’s about growth. As their teacher, it fills me with pride to see how they’ve grown, not just as students, but as young individuals finding their footing."
What I Go To School For (25 September 2025)
"What makes school so meaningful? Explore these winning video entries by students, teachers, and school staff from the Our Schools, Our Stories Photo & Video Contest 2025. Here, they show us the moments, people, and passions that shape school life.
BEST VIDEO: JUNIOR
The Heartbeat of Our School
By Tai Cen Qian Adelle, Lau Ying Xi and Yeo Ling
Commonwealth Secondary School
Teacher Facilitator: Mr Christopher Sim
HONOURABLE MENTION: JUNIOR
Hey Wait!
By Zoya Gulam Moinuddin Rehman
First Toa Payoh Primary School
Teacher Facilitator: Ms Ho Chi Chia Brenda
Why I Go to School – Magical Moments
By Muhammad Zufayri Bin Mohd Faridon, Chia Yuan Kai Zac and Teow Kai Jie Jay
Pathlight School
Teacher Facilitator: Mr Benedict Song Jin Huey"
The Concert Hall Classroom (26 September 2025)
"A core learning experience in the lower-secondary Music curriculum, the Performing Arts-Based Learning (PABL) curates bespoke live music performances to connect classroom to stage, celebrate local talent, and deepen musical appreciation.
Mention live music performances and it’s understandable that concerts by international acts such as Taylor Swift and Coldplay come to mind. But beyond these large-scale, buzzy events, Singapore has no shortage of homegrown talents and music events in our own professional arts scene.
To spark students’ interest in these local acts, and forge in them a deeper sense of identity, community, and connection with Singapore’s arts and cultural heritage, MOE and the National Arts Council (NAC) initiated the Performing Arts-Based Learning (PABL) experience to bring bespoke live music performances to them. In its inception year in 2024, more than 12,000 students from 48 schools attended such specially curated music performance as part of PABL. This year, the numbers have almost doubled, with over 23,000 students from 85 schools participating in the programme.
“MOE and NAC work closely with local cultural institutions and performing arts groups to put together each PABL programme, which takes place at Singapore’s professional arts venues. We also strive to feature Singaporean artists, arts groups and local works in each programme, including those by Cultural Medallion and Young Artist Award recipients, to help students develop an appreciation for them,” elaborates MOE’s Arts Education Branch (AEB). For instance, Metropolitan Festival Orchestra (MFO) engaged 2023 Young Artist Award recipient Julian Wong to specially curate and rearrange Our Singapore Songbook’s programme since last year.
Making meaningful connections between classroom learning and the local professional arts scene
Unity Secondary School is one of the schools which participated in the PABL for the first time this year. Its Secondary 1 students attended Songsmith: Singapore Songs and Songwriting, presented by The Esplanade Co. Ltd. and Inch Chua with Metronome Collective. During the programme, students were invited to create songs with the performers.
“We simply suggested words to the singers on stage, and they turned them into a full song right there and then! I was honestly stunned by their talent. It was so cool how they could come up with melodies and lyrics so quickly. It made the performance feel super interactive and fun, and I’ll definitely remember that moment for a long time,” says Roselin Manoj, a Secondary 1 student from Unity Secondary School.
For Ms Christine Tang, Senior Teacher (Music) at Unity Secondary School, having her students on the PABL programme is a great way to include learning experiences outside the classroom, with live performances in a professional setting. “They are enriching and bring to life students’ music learning, such as the musical elements of texture, dynamics, and more,” she adds."
Four ways to improve our child’s Executive Functioning skills (26 September 2025)
"What are these skills which help with everyday tasks and challenges and how can we cultivate them? Here are some tips from MK@Punggol Cove educator Ms Khoo Lin Xiu.
Let’s learn A B C … E F! That’s EF for Executive Functioning skills. They’re important for getting through the day, even for adults. Here are 4 ways to strengthen EF skills in our preschool kids.
What are Executive Functioning skills?
EF skills include:
• paying attention
• remembering and following rules
• regulating emotions
• taking turns
• self-control
• flexible thinking"
PE teachers turn writers for SG60 e-book (24 October 2025)
"Dive into 60 stories celebrating sporting excellence, inspiring teachers and lifelong lessons in the e-book by MOE’s Physical Education and Sports Teacher Academy.
For People and Country. Majulah!
That’s the tile of an e-book released in September by MOE’s Physical Education and Sports Teacher Academy (Pesta) as Singapore marks 60 years of independence.
Fittingly, the book is made up of 60 stories contributed by 60 teachers from across the PE fraternity.
“They are all unique and inspirational,” says Mr Hanif Abdul Rahman, Principal Master Teacher at Pesta and editor of the book on how he would describe the stories within.
If he had to choose his favourite stories, which would they be?
“If I really have to zoom in on something, it has to be the stories where the authors fondly talk about the influence of their own PE teachers or sports coaches when they were students, or the influence of their colleagues on them when they are now PE teachers.”
Read the e-book here: https://pesta.moe.edu.sg/pesta-sg60-book-for-people-and-country-majulah/"
How this English teacher went from noob to AI champ (3 November 2025)
"Mr Ghazali bin Abdul Wahab was afraid his students would be left behind if he didn’t up his tech game. How did the Lead Teacher at Canberra Secondary School springboard to the front of the class in the latest tools, and how has it changed the way he teaches?
Mr Ghazali bin Abdul Wahab stands before a room of teachers, demonstrating AI tools with emissarial zeal.
The Lead Teacher of English Language and Literature at Canberra Secondary School deploys AI to customise his lessons, mark papers and – most importantly to him – to keep students excited and engaged.
It’s quite a transformation for the educator of over 25 years who, just a few years ago, was struggling with basic digital tools during the shift to online learning.
“Suddenly, we were thrust into online learning,” he recounts of the Covid-19 lockdown period in 2020.
“I watched my colleagues who were tech-savvy adapt quickly while I struggled.”
If AI is as useful and powerful as it sounds, how helpful and relevant will teachers be in time to come? Schoolbag puts this and other tough questions to Mr Ghazali, who takes them on gamely – with no help from his AI friends."
This JC subject opens doors to the world stage (6 November 2025)
"Curious about what students learn in China Studies in English? Two students and an alumnus talk about their love for the subject and how a deeper understanding of China spills over to their appreciation of the Humanities and beyond.
For students at selected junior colleges in Singapore, the subject China Studies in English (CSE) offers a unique gateway to explore one of the world’s most influential countries whilst developing critical thinking skills that extend beyond the classroom.
“The idea of learning about another country appealed to me,” explains JC2 student Acacia Tan Hui Wen from Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC), on why she picked CSE as one of her A-Level subjects.
Her initial curiosity has blossomed into deeper contemplation about global issues. She draws “similarities between social issues faced in China and Singapore, but how they’re tackled in different ways”; to support their ageing population, for example, China tends to focus on financial assistance while Singapore emphasises community-building, she says.
“CSE also reminded me of Social Studies in secondary school because both subjects involve critical thinking skills and comparison of different perspectives. It’s interesting to see the parallels between those two subjects.”
Cuts across various disciplines
In general, students of CSE find that the subject offers more than they expected. The curriculum is multi-disciplinary. Students explore a range of issues from economic policies and political stability, to social changes and foreign policy. Students could analyse China’s Belt and Road Initiative from multiple lenses by examining its economic and geopolitical implications.
Nicholas Wan, a JC2 student from Yishun Innova Junior College, is also drawn to how the subject makes connections across the humanities and social sciences. “It has allowed me to explore and get a taste of university subjects that interest me, such as History, Political Science, Sociology, Public Policy and Global Affairs,” he explains.
“Given that China wields significant global influence, understanding its political structure, economic development, societal construct and international relations gives me a strategic advantage in comprehending China,” he says. “CSE has allowed me to understand better how China has risen on the global stage, in areas such as climate change. It also helps me connect the dots between China’s growing economic influence and US’ responses, and how these manifest in economic competition.”
What a change in my child! Families share how working closely with teachers made a difference (7 November 2025)
"Children develop best when parents and teachers work together to have consistent strategies at home and in school. As these three families show, better partnerships between home and their children’s special education schools can help them to speak, eat, or simply feel braver in the world.
They gained independence at home and in public
At APSN Katong School, which serves students with mild intellectual disability or ASD with intellectual impairment, 12-year-old twin brothers Sim Kai Hang and Sim Kai Xiang, who have autism, have each found their own path to independence.
For Kai Hang (pictured above), a fear of public toilets restricted his daily activities and routines. Due to this, the family’s activities and routines were also affected. His teacher, Ms Sindhu Bramya D/O Kumar, worked with his mother to uncover the root of the fear, discovering that he disliked the sound of hand dryers. Together, they designed a reward system: each attempt to use a public toilet earned him stars, which could be exchanged for balloons.
This proved to be the right motivator for Kai Hang. Ms Sindhu adapted the reward chart for home use, while also providing visual communication cards.
What began as simple gestures evolved into verbal requests. Kai Hang now confidently asks, “I want to go to the toilet, please.” This breakthrough in communication has transformed not only his independence but also his family’s daily life. With his mother no longer worrying about communication challenges, the family can now venture out to shopping centres and public spaces. They can enjoy activities they previously avoided, creating new opportunities for family bonding through shared experiences and community participation.
Meanwhile, his twin Kai Xiang thrived in movement and hands-on tasks. His teacher, Mr Alex Teo Poh Seng, tapped into his love for cooking to strengthen both motor and cognitive skills.
“When working on counting and motor skills, we use meal preparation activities that he enjoys,” he explains. To ensure consistency at home, Mr Teo recorded short demonstration videos and suggested simple recipes that Ms Lin Chau Yin, the twins’ mother, could try with her sons.
Cooking soon became a family routine. Kai Xiang took pride in measuring ingredients, stirring pots, and proudly presenting their home-cooked meals. Each session boosted his confidence and sparked conversations. “I want to make pancakes! Or fry eggs or noodles,” he often said, eager for the time he could prepare a meal with his mum.
For Ms Lin, these moments were more than practice – they were signs of her son growing in both skill and voice."
Spaces of Support - Mental Wellness (10 November 2025)
"A cute crochet monster in the school field. A colourful mailbox in the canteen. Fun comic strips in classrooms. And even exciting arcade games in designated hangout spaces.
These are just some of the unexpected touchpoints in our schools that cocoon our students and help support their well-being at different levels.
Come along on this interactive journey to discover all of them, as well as the teachers and peer supporters who are helping to uplift everyone’s spirits."
A student-led idea that got Singapore talking at the Istana (13 November 2025)
"An original card game designed by Nan Hua High School students gets generations talking, proving that heritage isn’t just something to preserve, but something to live and share.
By Sabrina Lee
More than 70 Nan Hua High School students introduced “Heritage Hearts”, a deck of conversation cards, to an estimated 30,000 visitors at the Istana Open House – a one-day event celebrating Singapore’s 60th birthday.
The cards were designed by the students to encourage visitors to swop stories of food, family and kampong life. Each card featured illustrations of local food, kampong scenes, or familiar landmarks, paired with questions like “What was your favourite childhood game?” or “What family recipe reminds you of home?”
The idea began with ten Secondary 1 and 3 student leaders who had noticed that many peers felt shy approaching strangers during Values in Action (VIA) activities. “We wanted a simple activity to break the ice,” explained Lorraine Fong, Secondary 3, one of the project leaders.
The students secured seed funding from Young ChangeMakers (YCM), a programme that supports youth in applying grands from the government for passion projects, and the National Heritage Board (NHB).
After submitting their applications online, shortlisted teams pitch their ideas to NHB’s evaluation panel at an “Open Mic” session as part of the grant application process. Nan Hua High School became the youngest team ever shortlisted, and one of the panel members – a representative from the Prime Minister’s Office – was so impressed that he invited the students to showcase their project at the Istana Open House event."
What to consider when advising youths on choosing their university course (17 November 2025)
"A junior college teacher offers ideas that worked for her, with insights gleaned from her conversations with students as an Education and Career Guidance (ECG) coordinator.
By He Jia Wen
Having taught in a junior college (JC) for 16 years and spending half that time as the Education and Career Guidance (ECG) coordinator, I have had countless conversations with graduating students on higher education and career options.
What struck me about such talks were the anxiety and stress that students faced having to make a choice on their next steps. Many of them believed the endpoint of JC is to figure out the one right path for their future, and that the decision they make now will affect them for the rest of their lives.
And often, inspirational maxims fuel the distress. Find your passion. Do what you love, and you do not have a work a single day in your life. But what if the student did not have a singular passion, or their interests did not precisely map to a course or career?
In these cases, how can they decide where to go or what to do? Here are three ideas I find to be helpful for parents and teachers to keep in mind when speaking to young people who are at the higher-ed crossroads:
1. Look in first, then look out
Most students I spoke with try to determine their path by collecting information. They think about their parents’ expectations, talk to their friends, take personality tests, read a flood of information ranging from official websites to informal forums. And the more they analyse, the more they feel paralysed. Psychologist Barry Schwartz called this the paradox of choice – while having some choice is good, having too many options tends to make choosing one more difficult and leads to less satisfaction with the final decision.
In a situation of info-overload, the maxim “know thyself” is useful. Before considering what’s out there, students can start by first “looking in”. A lot happens in the short two years at JC that can shed light on their preferences. What subjects interest them or put them off? Do they do well in large lecture settings or in small groups? Is learning easier when watching videos or discussing ideas? What is it about their CCA that they enjoy? What type of CCA work excites them or drains their energy?
When students embark on a self-searching conversation, I try to serve as a mirror to them. This means reflecting back some observations you made about them – it could be about their strengths, their interests, what they tend to spend time on, what they find meaningful. This helps them see themselves, and what is suitable (or not) for them, more clearly. With this knowledge, they will be able to consider their options with a sharper lens."
Am I prepping my preschooler … or over-prepping? (19 November 2025)
"Wondering if you’re doing just fine or too much when getting your little one ready for Primary 1? Our social media series titled Pace, Not Pressure answers the queries on parents’ minds when easing their child’s transition to primary school.
1. Numeracy
Must my child know addition and multiplication before Primary 1? Do they need to recite numbers at least up to 100?"
A community that enables growth and builds confidence (26 November 2025)
"It takes a village to raise a child. But to raise one who is confident, independent, kind, helpful, and more, you’ll need a whole community of supportive parents, teachers, and school staff, as these North Spring Primary School graduates prove.
Schoolbag checks in with three North Spring Primary School graduates and ask them what they’re looking forward to as they receive their PSLE results, and what are their best memories of primary school.
For Charvi Raghu, becoming a prefect helped her grow exponentially
“I was timid and shy in Primary 1, but I gained a lot of confidence after becoming a prefect in Primary 2. I’ve even had the chance to organise events, such as a mini Purple Parade in school,” says Charvi.
Mr Raghu Ram, Charvi’s father, agrees. “We saw the transformation in Charvi after she took on the responsibility of a prefect.” He remembers distinctly a time when Charvi was in P5, when her teacher told him that she was very helpful to one of her classmates who fell down in school. “I hope that she will continue to be kind and helpful in future.”
“With the support of the teachers, Charvi has really grown in confidence,” says Mdm Aghila Raghu. “She started speaking up and has also learnt to be more responsible. But for Charvi’s mother, the most memorable part of her daughter’s primary school days will be the day they performed on stage together, when she received the long-service award as part of the parent support group.
Charvi says her best memory of primary school is the school camp she attended when she was in Primary 4. “I will always remember how the entire cohort gathered around the campfire and danced and played games,” she says.
As Charvi moves on to the next stage of her education journey, she thinks that her biggest challenge in secondary school will probably be making new friends. “But I think the presentations and public speaking I’ve had to do as a prefect will come in handy.”
Primary 1, here we come! (8 December 2025)
"Schoolbag crashes the K2 Celebrates event at MOE Kindergarten @ First Toa Payoh, where these four K2 children are excited about their school years ahead. Here’s why they and their parents say they’ll be doing just fine at Primary 1.
By Gerbelle Eng
Looking at six-year-old Henry Ling hosting confidently on stage, his proud mother recalls how he was once too shy to come to school.
“He cried for three months,” says Ms Jenniffey Ling. “Now he’s the first to go and make friends!”
She was among the many parents attending year-end festivities in October at MOE Kindergarten @ First Toa Payoh (MK@First Toa Payoh). The event titled K2 Celebrates marks an important milestone for MK’s K2 children, showcasing what they’ve learnt in their two kindy years.
At MK@First Toa Payoh, the celebrations featured multilingual performances on Singapore’s history and culture that commemorate our nation’s 60th year of independence this year.
Children plan the programme, even the dance steps
“We encourage the children to plan and design what they want to do,” shares Ms Nurul’Ain Farhanah Abdul Halim, one of the MK teachers involved with the day’s events. “They recalled what they had learnt about our country and planned the stage performances together – even designing their own dance steps for the songs.”
By taking ownership of their performance, children develop confidence, creativity, and independence, she adds. Quieter children learn to express themselves, collaborate with their peers, and present in front of an audience – these will be important skills they’ll carry into Primary 1."
Does your preschooler really need to write and spell words perfectly to get ready for Primary 1? (8 December 2025)
"Handwriting drills and spelling tests seem like reasonable assignments to set your preschoolers to prepare for Primary 1. But do they do more harm than good? We ask an early childhood expert to break it down.
By Eveline Gan
When Ms Marie Angelie noticed that her student, a little boy fascinated with dinosaurs, had spelled T-rex (short for Tyrannosaurus rex) as “T-rks”, she did not see a spelling mistake. What she saw instead, was a budding writer taking his first brave steps towards mastering language.
Recalling the preschooler’s beaming face after proudly labelling his drawing of the apex predator, Ms Marie, a lead lecturer at the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC), says, “He spelled it as ‘t-rks’ because that was how the word sounded to him. I didn’t correct his spelling immediately but celebrated his effort for labelling his dinosaur drawing.”
Later, she read a story about dinosaurs to the class, and the boy discovered the conventional spelling. “His growth came not from drill and practice, but from genuine interest and a safe space to experiment with spelling and writing,” Ms Marie elaborates.
The myth of writing and spelling perfectly in preschool
A common concern of parents of preschoolers is whether their child’s spelling and penmanship skills are “good enough” for Primary 1. However, Ms Marie stresses that imperfections in writing and spelling are not only normal in young children, but they are also a key part of literacy development.
“One major misconception is that preschool children must master correct spelling and have perfectly neat handwriting that follow the lines printed on worksheets. Many parents equate these with Primary 1 readiness, so this often leads to children copying letters repeatedly, which destroys their love for writing,” Ms Marie explains.
Being overly zealous in correcting mistakes can also backfire, when it demotivates the child or fuels anxiety. “I’ve seen children who freeze every time they attempt writing or spelling words because they are told repeatedly that they are wrong. Over time, they lose their motivation and interest,” she adds.
At a preschool where she previously worked, Ms Marie observed a troubling trend where some children often reported feeling unwell or arrived late on Fridays – the day when spelling tests were held, requested by parents. “The stress they felt over the tests did more harm than good to their learning.”
Been there, scrolled that! This mum battled her teen’s device use and found what really works (19 December 2025)
"When Mrs Drishti Bhatia started getting worried about her daughter’s increasing screen time, she knew that confiscating her phone wasn’t the answer. Here’s how the AI Associate Trainer helped her teen build healthier digital habits while maintaining trust and connection.
By Eveline Gan
It started innocently enough, a simple way to make her 13-year-old daughter’s long commutes to and from school more bearable. Mrs Drishti Bhatia had relented and allowed her daughter Kaavya to listen to YouTube Music and watch pre-downloaded Netflix videos on her mobile phone.
Soon, Mrs Bhatia recalls how her daughter would sometimes continue watching videos even after reaching home, choosing screen time over her outdoor time or homework. “Over time, I became concerned about her screen use,” she says.
As an AI Associate Trainer who teaches AI fundamentals to students, she understands how digital platforms are designed to hook users. That’s why she grew increasingly uneasy. Even so, the tech-savvy mother knew that protecting her daughter wasn’t about banning devices.
“I don’t believe in confiscating her phone,” says Mrs Bhatia, an associate Trainer at AI Learning Lab. “For teenagers, the phone is a very important communication tool with family and friends – especially with all the major changes in Secondary 1. Taking away her device would cut her off from that social support.”
Instead, she found five ways that worked for her family and helped her teen learn to manage her own screen habits.
Tip #1: Set limits, but keep them realistic
To help her teen curb her increasing screen use, Mrs Bhatia took a balanced, collaborative approach. First, she started by setting a daily screen time limit of one and a half hours for her teen – the duration of her commute.
“I explained that I had no problem with her using her phone for entertainment, but to keep it to her travel time. That worked well, and after I noticed she was managing okay, I removed the restrictions,” Mrs Bhatia says.
Screen time limits can be set through parental control features on most mobile devices. These features also typically allow parents to approve additional screen time if say, their child needs extra time for schoolwork."
When you’re in secondary school, it’s very important that you… (19 December 2025)
"We asked three N-level graduates from Yio Chu Kang Secondary School to complete the sentence, and here’s what they said.
“Set your purpose and priorities, focus on what’s important to you, and ignore what other people think.”
Siti Syahana Elysha didn’t get into the secondary school she wanted to go to, but instead of moping, she set her mind on doing better. In Secondary 3, when choosing her subject combination, her friends advised her to drop Nutrition and Food Science because she didn’t do great in the subject. “But I like baking and cooking and decided to persevere. I managed to bump up my grades by a lot and did all my assignments on time,” she says.
This insistence on pursuing what she likes has made Siti a more independent learner and left her with zero regrets. Working towards her goal, she even managed to teach her family how to eat more healthily."
This is what happens when heart work is weaved into everything you learn in school (19 December 2025)
"From building “smart” walking aids for seniors to creating games to ease their younger peers into school, students at Park View Primary School are discovering that true success comes from using their strengths to uplift others.
By Eveline Gan
After countless tweaks and adjustments, Primary 5 student Mikhail Zheng Xi and his teammates finally heard what they had been hoping for. A sharp beep let out by the sensor on their walking stick prototype, about three meters away from a table. Around the classroom, cheers erupted.
For the Park View Primary School (PVPS) students, what began as a semester-long Applied Learning Programme (ALP), “One Love, Many Lives”, had become a lesson in empathy, teamwork and perseverance.
Their initial task, as part of their ALP, was simple: identify a real-world problem and create a tech-based solution. Then, a chat with an elderly cleaner in school had sparked their motivation to develop a solution to make life easier for seniors.
“We found out that some elderly people are visually impaired, and require a walking stick to move around. The uncle we spoke to also said it was sometimes difficult for him to move around, especially when going up the stairs,” Mikhail recalled. “That’s when my group got the idea to build a sensor stick that could help detect and alert the user of obstacles.”
Over several weeks, the students worked tirelessly to refine their Microbit sensor stick for its intended use. When their prototype finally worked, Mikhail said they felt really proud. “It was nice to see someone benefit from what we made. It helped us understand the struggles that elderly people go through.”
Fun everyday activities that can build stronger Maths skills than worksheets (30 December 2025)
"Sitting your child down to do Maths worksheets and recite the times table is one way to teach numeracy, but Ms Samantha See, an early childhood expert from the National Institute of Early Childhood Development, says there are other methods that promote better mastery of Maths concepts.
By Eveline Gan
In the race to give our children a head start in Primary 1 Maths, it is all too tempting to reach for worksheets, make them recite repetitively the multiplication tables, and practise counting way beyond 10. But what if the key to building a solid foundation in numeracy can be found in everyday routines and conversations, in the kitchen and even when doing laundry?
Ms Samantha See Xueyi, a lecturer specialising in early numeracy at the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC), says overpreparing kids by making them do worksheets and memorise multiplication table is not early numeracy. “What we should be doing is to help them develop a deeper understanding of the concepts and skills in a developmentally appropriate manner,” she clarifies.
What are pre-number concepts
Recognising relationships through matching, sorting, comparing, ordering and patterning, as well as understanding basic shapes and spatial concepts, are known as pre-number concepts. These help children build the foundational logical thinking to support more complex mathematical thinking in Primary school, explains Ms See.
For example, a child learns to match two coloured objects. Then, they use their understanding of matching to pair a numeral card to a corresponding quantity of items when they are developmentally ready.
Subsequently, they will go beyond these pre-number concepts as preschool teachers introduce number relationships, exploring ideas like “more than” or “fewer than”when comparing quantities.
“There is also an important concept – part-whole relationships – which helps children see the relationship between the whole and its parts. For example, understanding that 10 can be represented as eight and two helps prepare children for future addition and subtraction sums,” explains Ms See. “Many people don’t realise that the ability to make 10 very quickly mentally helps later on when they work with bigger numbers.”
Looking back: Past issues of Contact magazine (31 December 2025)
"Looking for insightful stories about teachers and their experiences? While “Contact: The Teachers’ Digest” is no longer being published, you can still explore a rich collection of articles in its archived editions here, which highlight the voices and journeys of educators."
The first day of primary school: What parents hope for most (13 January 2026)
"The first day of Primary One isn’t just about lessons and routines. For many parents, it’s about trust, reassurance, and the small moments that matter.
By Sabrina Lee
The first day of Primary One is a milestone that brings excitement, nerves, and hope for what lies ahead. At Sembawang Primary School, we spoke to three parents about what went through their mind, seeing their children enter a new environment. We also asked a teacher how the school staff help students settle in and reassures parents on the first day.
Mum celebrates small steps to independence
“As Vihaan starts Primary One, my hope is for him to learn to adapt, enjoy learning, and grow in confidence as he finds his way.
Today really brought those hopes to life. I stood next to him during recess as he carefully put his plate away after eating. It was a small thing, but it meant a lot to me. I could see that he was nervous and unsure, so I told him it was okay and gave him a bit of encouragement. Watching him find the courage to do it on his own was both comforting and emotional.
What’s been reassuring, from the school briefings and today’s experience, is seeing the school’s focus on students’ well-being and character, alongside learning. The nurturing environment, clear support, and attention to social and emotional growth give me confidence that Vihaan will be well supported as he settles in, becomes more independent, and finds his footing at this important stage of his life.”
Leading with heart: How three principals shape lives with care and clarity (14 January 2026)
"Good leadership keeps the heart of our schools beating strongly every day. Three principals — Mr Michael de Silva, Mr Kevin Pang and Mdm Goh Meei Yunn — share how they draw the best from various leadership approaches to create sustainable excellence in schools.
Innovation that comes through trust and collaboration
Among educators, it is common lingo to say that teaching and running schools take a lot of hard work AND heart work.
Everything that happens to their students – from grazed knees and friendship hurts, to academic strides, family relationships, and triumphs big and small – are all in a day’s work for principals and their staff. This can also make schools more complex to lead than the average organisation.
In his nearly 40 years of service at the Ministry of Education, Mr Michael de Silva had taken on various leadership positions at HQ and schools, the latest being Principal of Yishun Innova Junior College before his retirement last year.
School principals are appointed through discerning selection and advancement processes, and well-trained and mentored for the task, he says. Added to that is how well the teaching fraternity looks after its own.
“It is simply practical,” he says. “If we want good outcomes for students, the people doing the work – our teachers – need to be supported, respected, and well.”
As care and trust is established, innovation and collaboration come more easily.
“I try to bring out the best in my staff by creating sustainable systems, structures, and a culture that allow them to do their best work.” When forming teams, for example, he creates what he calls “collaborative leadership” where educators support one another’s growth while serving students more effectively."
7 leadership tips from the Principal’s Office: On forging culture (14 January 2026)
"School culture acts like an invisible force that brings teachers and students together, and shapes good values and habits. Schoolbag speaks to Mr Kevin Pang, who takes over as Principal of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) this year, on how he forges a strong culture – starting with how it’s defined.
How does one build a culture where people feel they truly belong? How does one lead culture change without losing trust? How do we turn shared values from wall posters into daily practice? These are enduring questions for both new and seasoned leaders.
Mr Kevin Pang successfully guided Yuhua Secondary School through its post-merger transition towards a renewed culture and identity. He has also led across a wide spectrum of school settings, from junior college, to special needs institution, and now ACS (Independent), a specialised independent school with a long and storied heritage.
He offers strategies to forge a stronger culture that resonates.
1. Define culture as lived experience, not stated aspiration.
“To me, school culture is the daily lived expression of what we believe, value, and practise together,” says Mr Pang. “It is reflected not just in policies but in the ‘soft culture’ of everyday interactions between students, staff and stakeholders — how decisions are made, how we treat one another, and most tellingly, how we respond to difficulties.”
At Yuhua Secondary, the mission “Care, Connect, Contribute” shaped decisions large and small – from looking after every student and staff’s well-being (caring), why Town Halls with students and dialogues sessions with staff mattered (connecting), to making courageous actions to transform school programmes and infrastructure (contributing).
When the culture is strong, he says, “people sense alignment, belonging and meaning — they know why what we do matters and how they can contribute to it”.
Leaders need to translate aspirations and purpose into lived practices. Vision and mission statements must come alive and be lived out as identity.
“Each school should have something proud and distinctive that defines itself,” says Mr Pang. That identity becomes the invisible force that guides behaviour even when no one is watching."
7 leadership tips from the Principals’ Office: On navigating change (14 January 2026)
"With change as a constant, the steady hand of leadership keeps schools running and students learning every day. Schoolbag asks Mdm Goh Meei Yunn, a seasoned principal who takes over the reins of School of the Arts (SOTA) this year, how she steers staff, students and parents through various education phases and tough situations too.
How do we lead when the ground beneath us is shifting? How do we stay true to our values while adapting to new realities? How do we guide our team through change when we’re still grappling with it myself?
These are some questions that leaders grapple with especially in an era where unpredictability is promised and social media is there to amplify every misstep.
Mdm Goh Meei Yunn has navigated schools through different phases of Singapore’s education landscape for the past 25 years.
Before SOTA, she assumed leadership appointments including Principalship at two primary schools and stints at the MOE Schools Division’s former Educational Leadership Development Centre. Mdm Goh, who has a degree in Music, started her career as a teacher in the Music Elective Programme at Dunman High School.
She shares some practical strategies from her experience that’s useful for navigating change in any group or organisation.
1. Work on the personal impact before leading others through change
When dealing with change, Mdm Goh typically doesn’t start with strategy or policy. She starts with herself.
When Singapore’s education system was evolving in the 2000s towards more holistic education and a reduced emphasis on grades, she felt unsettled.
“I grew up in the older system,” she explains. “So as a beginning teacher in the 1980s and 90s, I prided myself on improving on my students’ academic performance every year. But as our education philosophy shifted away from celebrating straight As, I was caught between two worlds.”
Then a young parent of two, it was doubly hard for Mdm Goh to imbibe the shift in approach to teaching and learning – she could understand why parents would continue to prioritise good grades or preferred schools for their children, as that was the benchmark they were brought up on; “I believe all parents of my generation went through that,” she says.
After working on her inner conflicts, she found it easier to lead empathetic conversations with her colleagues and students’ parents facing similar struggles. As a parent herself, she found it easier to connect with other parents, as she was able to articulate their inner parenting insecurities."
7 leadership tips from the Principal’s Office: On people management (14 January 2026)
"Strong leadership can bring out the best in us – what more in schools where our students are being nurtured and cared for every day? Schoolbag speaks to Mr Michael de Silva, a veteran educator who led schools and shaped leaders across nearly four decades. He talks about how to build sustainable teams, navigate complexity, and keep care and performance working hand in hand.
How do I manage a diverse team of colleagues? How can I get consensus rather than compliance? What makes teams and performance sustainable? These are questions even experienced leaders revisit from time to time.
People management is about developing individuals into their best selves at work or in school — something Mr Michael de Silva practised with commitment and distinction across almost four decades as an educator and leader.
Beyond his roles at MOE HQ as a cluster superintendent and head of the Educational Leadership Development Centre, he served as Principal of Innova Junior College from 2013 until its merger with Yishun Junior College. He then helmed the newly formed Yishun Innova Junior College from 2019 until his retirement last year.
“In schools, many of us spend more time with our colleagues than with our own families. Because so much of our lives is lived in the workplace, people management isn’t a separate leadership function — it is the work. As we teach and support students, we also grow as individuals, and we grow the people around us.”
Drawing on decades of leadership while delivering measurable outcomes for students, he offers field-tested practices that strengthen teams in schools and workplaces alike.
1. Care is the work
On balancing leading with care and with efficiency, Mr de Silva makes a simple assertion: the two are not separate. “They are actually the same work,” he says. If we want good outcomes for students, the people doing the work — our teachers — must be supported, respected, and well. This is not a soft idea. It is simply practical.
“Even if someone takes a very instrumental view and sees teachers as a means to an end, the conclusion is the same: if you rely on a tool to get good results, you make sure that tool is in good condition and sharpened. People are obviously not tools, but the principle still applies.” When teachers feel valued and supported, they do better work. Care is not a distraction from performance; it is what makes performance sustainable.
Leading with heart begins with acknowledging what is already felt. At the start of a new term, he might tell his staff that he, too, wished the holidays were longer — “you know what’s in their hearts, because that’s in your heart too,” he explains. Such small acts of honesty build connection, trust, and emotional safety.
Care does not mean lowering expectations. “In practice, I try to understand the real pressures teachers face and give support or clarity where needed, while still holding clear expectations and timelines.”
Pro-tech-ting kids in the age of AI (16 January 2026)
"Artificial intelligence is taking the world by storm, and parents must start thinking about what it means to raise children in an era of humanlike chatbots and capable image generators. A parent working in tech shares her take on this.
By Rafidah A Razak
AI. LLMs. These acronyms are so commonplace one would have to be living under a rock to not know what they stand for: artificial intelligence and Large Language Models. They are also touted to be technologies we need to learn and use to thrive in future. So, it would make sense for parents to expose their kids to these tech tools as soon as possible, right?
Ms T, who prefers to stay anonymous, begs to differ. The mum of two boys aged five and seven wants to teach them the art of slow living – a mindset that focuses on doing things mindfully and with intention. And it includes life without AI and generative AI (GenAI) in their early years.
As an AI consultant and UX (user experience) designer, Ms T’s day-to-day job is to recognise and keep up with worldwide technological developments, such as how China’s Cyberspace Administration has recently released regulations around the use of AI. These directives are intended to protect their children and elderly as the government has recognised how quickly human-like AI technologies are being integrated into society.
“AI and technology are going to be everywhere around them as they grow up. Learning how to use AI is so easy, because the outputs are just there for them to consume,” she says. The hard part, she reckons, will be teaching children how to be more human. How to think critically, be creative and authentic, and understand the invisible processes that underlie the fast outputs that we have come to expect from technology."
In pictures: First day of school moments (19 January 2026)
"Being back at school is giving fresh-start energy − new things to learn, new friends to meet, and moments that will shape the year ahead.
By Sabrina Lee
Every first day looks a little different − in MOE Kindergarten @ Sembawang, to Sembawang Primary, and in Bukit Batok Secondary. As a new school year begins, students step into new classrooms, make new friends, and experience many firsts, supported by their parents, teachers and school staff.
Why the teaching profession cannot be a revolving door (21 January 2026)
"Its strength lies in experienced teachers who bring maturity, insight and confidence built over years.
By Liew Wei Li
Mr Ahmad Arif Bin Ibrahim did Singapore proud recently, bagging a bronze medal together with his Duathlon Mixed Relay team at the 2025 SEA Games. Away from the track, he is also a maestro at Maha Bodhi School where he teaches Physical Education.
He masterfully engages students, and knows how to adapt lessons on the fly. These are not skills learnt overnight.
This raises an important question: Will he still be teaching in 2035?
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has said that it will actively hire more new educators from 2026 to strengthen our teaching workforce. But recruitment alone is not enough. Teaching must remain an attractive long-term career, and not a revolving door.
After over 20 years in education, I have witnessed teachers transform from “sages on stages” to something far more sophisticated. Experienced teachers are like concert maestros: instinctive, precise and deeply attuned to their students.
Why the experience matters
Take a disengaged student who shows little interest in the concepts taught.
An experienced teacher like Mr Arif knows how to draw him in with simple personalised applications of real-world learning, the psychological safety of established classroom routines, or interesting and appropriately challenging tasks to spark the joy of learning.
The same instinct shows up when a student is underperforming academically.
An expert educator like Mdm Usha d/o Krishnasamy, a 23-year veteran and Lead Teacher at North View Primary School will scan the class, assess their needs, and provide inclusive, yet differentiated instruction to her learners, including those with Special Educational Needs. She knows how to pitch appropriate challenges to them for confidence building, and give timely feedback so they can improve.
What students gain from experienced teachers is precious. Research tells us that they are more likely to attend school, engage constructively, and learn more."
Students on the teachers who shaped their secondary school journey (22 January 2026)
"Four Evergreen Secondary School students share the small moments – from words of encouragement to questions that made them think – that will stay with them long after they graduate.
By Sabrina Lee
“Mr Anan pointed out my strengths before I could see them myself.” – Garrett Lim
When Garrett was nominated to take on the role of Discipline Head of the prefectorial board in Secondary 3, it felt daunting. “I honestly didn’t think I had the guts for it,” he says.
But Mr Anan, who leads the Student Leadership Development Committee, reassured Garrett. Mr Anan pointed out moments he had observed from as early as Secondary 1, such as when Garrett stepped up to make announcements to classmates about proper attire or haircuts.
“To me, it was very basic actions., I didn’t even think of it as ‘leadership’ at that time,” Garrett says. But that conversation with Mr Anan helped Garrett reframe his thinking and boosted his confidence.
“Mr Anan is someone I feel comfortable turning to for guidance. He’s firm when needed, but always encouraging. He’ll tell me, ‘You’ve got this.’”
What performing arts CCAs really teach students (26 January 2026)
"How do performing arts develop resilience and transform students into confident performers who dream bigger? Schoolbag gets them to tell us.
By Sabrina Lee
Performing arts CCAs place students in situations that ask more of them: to listen closely, respond to feedback and keep going when practice gets demanding. For Ashley Tham and Graeden Dispo, dance and music became avenues to test themselves, steady their focus and discover what effort over time can achieve.
Ashley Tham learns to move with confidence
When Ashley steps onto the stage, her movements are steady and assured. That assurance did not come overnight – it was shaped through practice and a deep commitment to dance.
Ashley first joined Fusionz Dance at APSN Tanglin School in Secondary 1 to explore a CCA she already felt drawn to. She had begun dancing earlier, starting in Primary 2 at Chaoyang School. “Dance makes me feel happy and strong,” she shares. While she was comfortable being on stage, remembering choreography, staying in sync with others and staying attentive through long rehearsals were challenging at first. There were moments of fatigue, but she kept showing up.
What helped her persist was a supportive CCA environment. Her teachers focused on building up her self-confidence. “We checked in with Ashley regularly and set small, achievable goals,” says co-teacher-in-charge Ms Syafiqah Binte Mohamed Salleh. “Celebrating small wins helped her keep going.”
Rehearsals became a space where Ashley learnt to respond to feedback, adapt when routines were demanding, and stay committed even when progress felt slow. By participating in numerous in-school and public performances, she learnt to stay composed under pressure.
“Dance teaches students how to manage pressure and perform with clarity,” says Ashley’s dance instructor, Mr Mohammad Ridzwan Bin Rashid, known to students as Mr Ewan.
Those skills carried into her sporting pursuits as well. A competitive swimmer, Ashley recently represented Team Singapore at the 2025 Dubai Asian Youth Para Games, winning two silver and two bronze medals."
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."
Addendum to the President's Address (17 September 2025)
"MR DESMOND LEE
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
The Ministry of Education (MOE) will continue to enhance our education system so that Singaporeans can flourish at every stage of their lives and reach their fullest potential, regardless of starting point. We will equip and empower Singaporeans to learn for life and thrive in an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-transformed future."
Close to 10,000 Student Athletes Recognised for Sporting Achievements at Colours Award 2025 (26 September 2025)
"This year, a total of 9,963 student athletes received recognition for their sporting achievements and display of good sporting character through the Singapore Schools Sports Council (SSSC) Colours Award. The Award is presented to students from secondary schools, junior colleges, and Millennia Institute."
Singapore Teachers Embrace Digital Technologies and Benefit from Strong Professional Development: OECD TALIS 2024 Study (7 October 2025)
"Based on the findings of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2024, Singapore teachers have been quick to adopt digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to teach their students more effectively. They have benefited from strong pre-service teacher preparation and continual professional development throughout their careers. Our teachers also felt valued by society, and view teaching as an attractive first-choice career option."
41 Schools to Welcome New Principals in 2026 (8 October 2025)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) will appoint 41 Principals at the annual Appointment and Appreciation Ceremony for Principals on 30 December 2025. Of these, 25 are newly appointed Principals."
MOE Financial Assistance Schemes to Benefit an Additional 31,000 Students (16 October 2025)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) will revise the income eligibility criteria and raise the quanta of several of its financial assistance schemes for Singaporean students in schools and Post-Secondary Education Institutions (PSEIs).
These enhancements can benefit 31,000 more students from lower- and middle-income households, by helping them cope with education-related costs and access school and post-secondary programmes. This brings the total number of students who would benefit from MOE's financial assistance schemes annually to about 133,000."
Open for Nominations: President's Award for Teachers and Outstanding Youth in Education Award (21 October 2025)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) invites members of the public to nominate educators who have made outstanding contributions in moulding the future of our nation. Nominations for the national awards below are now open.
President's Award for Teachers 2026
The President's Award for Teachers (PAT) recognises experienced educators who are role models for the teaching profession. These educators adopt innovative approaches in their lessons, are lifelong learners and are mentors to their peers. They embody deep passion for teaching, and inspire their students and peers through their words and deeds.
The award is open to teachers from primary schools, secondary schools, Junior Colleges (JC) / Millennia Institute (MI), as well as educators from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnics and the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC). Since 1998, PAT has recognised over 140 educators for their teaching excellence, dedication and hard work."
Close to 400 Students Explore Singapore's Multicultural Heritage Through 8th Cultural Heritage Walk 2025年 "走出校园，走进文化" (25 October 2025)
"398 students from 16 secondary schools embarked on an immersive journey through Singapore's historic Bukit Pasoh and Chinatown districts on 25 October 2025, as part of the annual Cultural Heritage Walk. Students explored culturally significant landmarks such as the Kong Chow Wui Koon, Masjid Jamae, and Sri Mariamman Temple, as well as two newly-added sites, the Chinatown Heritage Centre and Harmony in Diversity Gallery."
Three Teachers Lauded for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching and Learning of Malay Language (1 November 2025)
"Three Malay Language teachers were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the teaching and learning of the Malay Language at this year's Arif Budiman Malay Language Teacher Award Ceremony on Saturday, 1 November 2025. Guest-of-Honour Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development, presented the awards to the recipients."
Singapore Student Athletes Gear Up for ASEAN Schools Games 2025 in Brunei Darussalam (14 November 2025)
"This year, 130 student-athletes from 39 schools will be representing Singapore at the 14th ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) in Brunei Darussalam from 20 to 29 November. The Singapore School Sports Team (SSST) contingent will compete in seven sports, namely Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Sepaktakraw, Swimming and Wushu."
Release of 2025 PSLE Results and Secondary 1 Posting Exercise (18 November 2025)
"The Results of the 2025 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) Will Be Released on 25 November 2025 at 11.00am. Arrangements Have Been Made for School Candidates to Receive Their Results from Their Respective Primary Schools."
Release of 2025 PSLE Results (25 November 2025)
"Students who sat for the 2025 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) received their results today. Arrangements were made for students to receive their results in their respective primary schools.
Performance of 2025 Primary 6 Cohort
Eligibility for Secondary School
A total of 37,926 Primary 6 students sat for the PSLE this year, of which 98.5% are assessed suitable for secondary school."
Closing of the 14th Asean Schools Games: Singapore Student-Athletes Showcased Grit and Sportsmanship (29 November 2025)
"At the 14th ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) in Brunei Darussalam, the Singapore Schools Sports Team (SSST) contingent showcased resilience, tenacity and sportsmanship, and bagged a total of 33 medals comprising 8 Golds, 13 Silvers, and 12 Bronzes across Athletics, Netball, Swimming, and Wushu."
MOE to Introduce Enhanced Measures to Promote Healthier Screen Use in Students (30 November 2025)
"As part of Grow Well SG launched in January 2025, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will introduce enhanced measures in secondary schools to help students cultivate healthier screen use habits and better support student well-being in the digital age.
Tightened Guidelines for Use of Smartphones/smartwatches in Secondary Schools
Screen use among students has been shown to displace important activities such as sleep, physical activity and social interactions with friends and family, and is linked to poorer holistic well-being. Earlier this year, MOE had provided guidelines on managing students' use of smartphones and smartwatches in primary and secondary schools, with school rules tailored according to school profile, context and curriculum needs.
Under current guidelines, secondary school students should not use smartphones/smartwatches during lesson time. As part of the enhanced measures starting from January 2026, these guidelines will be broadened to include non-lesson time. This means that the use of smartphones/smartwatches will not be allowed during school hours, including recess, co-curricular activities, supplementary/enrichment/remedial lessons, etc. The students' devices will be kept in designated storage areas (e.g. lockers) or school bags during school hours. Where necessary, schools may allow students to use smartphones by exception."
Release of 2025 Singapore-Cambridge GCE N(A)- & N(T)-Level Examination Results on 18 December 2025 (11 December 2025)
"The results of the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Normal (Academic)-[N(A)] and Normal (Technical)-[N(T)] Level Examinations will be released on 18 December 2025, 2pm."
2025 Secondary 1 Posting Results (12 December 2025)
"The Secondary 1 (S1) Posting results will be released on 19 December 2025, at 9am."
Release of 2025 Singapore-Cambridge GCE N(A)- & N(T)-Level Examination Results (30 December 2025)
"Candidates who sat for the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education (GCE) Normal (Academic) [N(A)] and Normal (Technical) [N(T)] Level examinations received their results today.
8,987 candidates from the Secondary 4 N(A) course and 4,479 candidates from the Secondary 4 N(T) course sat for the examinations. 8,934 (or 99.4%) candidates from the N(A) course have achieved Grade 5 or better in at least one N(A) subject, while 4,375 (or 97.7%) candidates from the N(T) course have achieved Grade D or better in at least one N(T) subject.
This year, 56.3% of the school candidates from the N(A) course sat for subjects in the GCE Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level) examinations. Schools will take their combined GCE N(A)-Level and school-based GCE O-Level preliminary examination results into consideration when determining their eligibility for progression to Secondary 5 N(A) or post-secondary pathways."
Supporting Teachers' Well-Being and Recalibrating Their Work (5 January 2026)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) values our teachers and the unique nature of their work in stewarding young lives. We recognise the demands placed on our teachers and are taking a multi-pronged approach to strengthen the profession, support their well-being and manage their workload. This includes recalibrating what teachers do and rethinking how teachers work."
Release of 2025 Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level Examination Results and 2026 Joint Admissions Exercise (7 January 2026)
"The results of the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level) examination will be released on 14 January 2026, 2.00pm."
Release of 2025 Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level Examination Results (14 January 2026)
"Candidates who sat for the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level) Examination collected their results from their secondary schools today.
A total of 22,468 candidates sat for the 2025 GCE O-Level Examination. 22,430 (99.8%) of these candidates have achieved Grade C6 or better in at least one O-Level subject2. 21,740 (96.8%) and 19,522 (86.9%) of the candidates have achieved Grade C6 or better in at least 3 or more, and 5 or more O-Level subjects respectively. This is comparable to the performance of candidates for the GCE O-Level Examination in previous years."
Catholic Junior College to Be Relocated to Punggol Under Junior College Rejuvenation Programme (16 January 2026)
"Catholic Junior College (CJC) will be relocating to a new campus near Punggol Digital District. CJC's move, which is part of Phase 2 of the Junior College (JC) Rejuvenation Programme, will facilitate collaborative and interactive learning to support future educational needs and allow for greater synergies with neighbouring institutions."
Grow Well SG Health Plan Expanded to More Children (21 January 2026)
"As part of the Grow Well SG national health promotion strategy, the Ministry of Health (MOH), together with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), has expanded the Health Plan initiative to more children. The expansion will further strengthen the development of healthy habits from an early age by covering all Kindergarten 1 (K1) and Kindergarten 2 (K2) preschoolers as well as Primary 4 to 5 students from January 2026. Primary 6 students will continue to be supported through the school curriculum, enabling them to learn about lifestyle choices to sustain healthy habits."
2026 Joint Admissions Exercise Posting Results (27 January 2026)
"The posting results for the 2026 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) will be released on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, 9am."
Around 69,000 Student-Athletes to Participate at National School Games 2026 (27 January 2026)
"The National School Games (NSG) 2026 will see its highest participation to date, with around 69,000 student-athletes from more than 300 schools competing across 29 sports. Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee officiated the NSG Opening Ceremony at The Kallang OCBC Arena today."
Two Singapore primary schoolers invent robot to help kids keep a safe distance from screens (19 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: Two primary school students have designed a robot that encourages healthier screen habits, and their creation will soon compete on the global stage.
Nine-year-old Elon Chan from New Town Primary School and 11-year-old Skylar Chua from Nanyang Primary School will be representing Singapore at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) finals, held here from Nov 26 to 28.
Their project, entered under the Future Innovators (Elementary) category, is one of three Singapore teams among more than 500 competing globally."
Gen Z school canteen vendor who went viral is closing his stall (19 November 2025)
"Rayner Tan, 27, who runs a vegetarian food stall at Mee Toh School, took to Instagram on Tuesday (Nov 18) to share some bittersweet news – he’ll be closing his stall at the end of the year.
The young hawker, known online as @veg.eng, has been running the stall for nearly half a year and is beloved for his wholesome online content documenting his daily life as a canteen vendor. His videos often show his friendly and funny interactions with students – clips that have earned him a loyal following for his down-to-earth charm.
Tan also appeared on the YouTube series Gen Z Crash Course, where he spoke candidly about the challenges of running a school canteen stall – including low profit margins and the lack of income during school holidays. Still, his love for cooking and eagerness to gain hands-on experience in F&B kept him going.
Unfortunately, it looks like his time at the school has come to an end."
Viral Gen Z school canteen vendor who closed stall sells matcha from HDB bedroom window (20 November 2025)
"We first discovered 27-year-old Rayner Tan several months ago on TikTok, where clips of him toasting prata and plating vegetarian meals at Hearty Green, a vegetarian canteen stall in Mee Toh School in Punggol, caught our eye. Before long, we dove down a rabbit hole of comforting videos showing different parts of his life.
One moment, he’s cycling to school before dawn; the next, he’s chatting with students who recognise him from social media. And in another, he’s highlighting his home-based business hustle after wrapping up a day at the canteen.
More recently, a now-deleted clip of him "educating" primary school kids (their faces are always blurred for privacy) on basic manners became viral online. On the final day (Nov 18) of school before the holidays, Tan revealed that he would not be renewing his contract with the school.
Seeing a Gen Z vendor behind the canteen counter is rare and refreshing."
Preschool teacher charged with abusing 3 babies including force-feeding child until she vomited (20 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: A preschool teacher allegedly ill-treated three babies in her care, including force-feeding a child until she vomited and stuffing a bib into a baby's mouth.
The 36-year-old Singaporean woman, whose name was redacted from charge sheets, was on Thursday (Nov 20) handed three counts of ill-treating children under her care.
A gag order was issued to protect the identities of the victims. It covers the incident location as the accused is a preschool teacher, court records state."
Yvonne Lim considering taking acting break next year to support son for PSLE (21 November 2025)
"The PSLE can be stressful for students and maybe even more so for their parents.
Although her son AJ is only in Primary 5, Yvonne Lim is already thinking ahead to how she can best support him when he sits for his Primary School Leaving Examination next year.
During a recent set visit for her upcoming Mediacorp drama No Other Way, the 49-year-old actress told Chinese media 8world vibes that she has even considered taking a break from work next year to help AJ “gear up for” his biggest exam yet."
185 people hit by gastroenteritis symptoms at 6 E-Bridge preschools (21 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: Authorities are investigating 185 reported cases of gastroenteritis following an outbreak at six E-Bridge preschools.
The incidents occurred at the following E-Bridge locations: Bukit Panjang, Canberra, Montreal, Woodlands Drive, 471B Yishun and 504 Yishun, said the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) in a joint statement on Friday (Nov 21).
A total of 173 students and 12 staff members fell sick after consuming food supplied by Middleton International School."
Woman accused of abusing 3 babies barred from working in preschools, action taken against staff: ECDA (21 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has barred a woman accused of abusing three babies from working in any preschool, as well as taken action against the preschool's principal and two other staff members.
The alleged abuser, a 36-year-old Singaporean, was charged on Thursday with three counts of ill-treating babies aged between eight and 12 months at the time.
The former preschool teacher is accused of force-feeding a 12-month-old girl until she vomited, stuffing a bib in an eight-month-old child's mouth and putting a blanket over the child's face, as well as dropping a bumper chair that a 10-month-old child was sitting in.
A gag order, which also covers the incident location, was issued by the court to protect the identities of the victims."
No link between E-Bridge preschool gastroenteritis cases and central kitchen so far, says meal provider (24 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: Investigations into a gastroenteritis outbreak at six E-Bridge preschools have found no link between the central kitchen and the reported cases so far, said the meal provider on Monday (Nov 24).
Authorities said last Friday that they were investigating 185 reported cases of gastroenteritis at the preschools located at Bukit Panjang, Canberra, Montreal, Woodlands Drive, 471B Yishun and 504 Yishun.
A total of 173 students and 12 staff members had became ill after consuming food supplied by Middleton International School's food business operations, said the Communicable Diseases Agency, Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Early Childhood Development Agency in a joint statement.
"We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they conduct detailed checks to ascertain the cause of the cases. No conclusions have been made at this point," said the central kitchen in a statement attributed to its executive chef on Monday."
PSLE results: 98.5% of students can progress to secondary school (25 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results released at 11am on Tuesday (Nov 25) showed that 98.5 per cent of Primary 6 students who sat for it made it to secondary school.
A total of 37,926 Primary 6 students sat for the PSLE this year, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) said in a joint press release on Tuesday.
Under Full Subject-Based Banding, students who are eligible for Posting Groups 1 and 2 may take the English language, mother tongue languages, mathematics, and science subjects at a more demanding level from Secondary 1 based on their Achievement Level (AL) scores for the respective subject.
Students who scored AL 5 or better for a PSLE Standard subject can take the subject at G3 or G2.
Those who scored AL 6 for a PSLE Standard subject or AL A for a PSLE Foundation subject can take the subject at G2.
About 65 per cent of the 2025 Primary 6 cohort eligible for Posting Groups 1 and 2 can take at least one subject at a more demanding level."
Commentary: Killer PSLE questions can haunt students long after primary school (25 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: Thousands of anxious Primary 6 students will be collecting their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results on Tuesday (Nov 25). While waiting, some students may be wondering whether the killer questions that stumped them affected their scores.
The Ministry of Education has stated that about 15 per cent of PSLE questions are intentionally challenging so that higher-ability students can be assessed correctly. On paper, that may seem modest. In practice, these questions can shape a child’s entire emotional experience of PSLE and of examinations in general.
As a psychiatrist, I’ve seen clients who’ve been affected by the long tail of PSLE stress. An undergraduate I spoke with could vividly recount a single question on the PSLE Mathematics paper. “I still remember Jess and the ribbons,” she said, referencing the 2017 “ribbon” question where Jess needed 200 ribbons of 110cm each, and the rolls came in 25m tapes."
Probation, reformative training reports called for teen who walked onto MRT tracks, scaled HDB block roof (25 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: A teenager who trespassed onto the train tracks between Simei MRT station and Tanah Merah MRT station earlier this year had climbed up scaffolding structures to access the prohibited area.
The teen, who cannot be named as his identity is protected under the Children and Young Persons Act, loitered at the train tracks for up to 10 minutes and later uploaded a video of a passing train on social media.
The youth, now aged 17, pleaded guilty on Tuesday (Nov 25) to one count under the Rapid Transit Systems Act of wilfully endangering safety, and one count of trespass."
Meet the 16-year-old gymnast who made sporting history for Singapore while taking her O-Levels (28 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: For most 16-year-olds, sitting for one of the biggest examinations of their lives would be stressful enough.
But Amanda Yap was juggling two life-defining moments at once: her O-Levels and the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, she found balance in the chaos itself.
"Having two things at once – my major exams and the competition – was quite beneficial because I didn't have to focus on one thing," she told CNA. "I wouldn't stress so much on one thing because I had other things to think about as well."
Her strategy worked. In Jakarta last month, Amanda made history as the first Singaporean gymnast to qualify for a world championships final, eventually placing sixth in the balance beam event."
The Singapore gymnast who competed in a world final while taking her O-Levels (28 November 2025)
"16-year-old Amanda Yap became the first Singaporean gymnast to qualify for a World Championships final — all while flying back and forth to sit for her O-Level exams.
Between flights to Jakarta for the competition, exam papers and a world-stage performance on the balance beam, Amanda pushed through exhaustion, pressure and self-doubt to make sporting history for Singapore at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships."
‘An unprecedented close-up’: New exhibition on Singapore’s independence to feature declassified documents (28 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: “Now I am going to let you into what has been a state secret up to now. This is a file which I call Albatross.”
Printed in black against a stark white wall, these are the words that will greet visitors at a new exhibition set to open from Dec 8 at the National Library Building.
Spoken by Dr Goh Keng Swee, one of Singapore’s founding fathers, in a 1996 interview, it is an apt introduction to what lies ahead."
I joined academia to stop chasing achievements. It took me 7 years to realise that I'd never stopped (28 November 2025)
"On Jan 21, 2025, student feedback from my July 2024 graduating cohort arrived by email.
I opened it routinely and scanned its contents with a perfunctory eye. Halfway down, one anonymous line stopped me:
"I have a request please. Do retain Mr Ben Chester. His dedication and effort are second to none, especially in his comments and the energy and time he spent for us to achieve our best."
From rental flats to community leaders: Meet the tweens on patrol and the youths playing sepak takraw and performing 'getai' (28 November 2025)
"It is 2.30pm after school on a Monday, and 11-year-old Rafieq Sahin Rafizal is busy briefing a gaggle of primary schoolers – not for a neighbourhood game of tag or futsal, but for their daily patrol.
Rafieq is the commander of the "emergency response team", a patrol group he started with friends in his Lengkok Bahru neighbourhood. The members, aged 10 to 13, all live in one- and two-room public rental flats in the area.
Seven days a week, the children meet up to don green hats and matching vests before fanning out across six blocks in pairs. They patrol the blocks from top to bottom, inspecting void decks and corridors.
"We look out for (things like) personal mobility devices blocking the corridors, fire hazards and sharp objects," said Rafieq. Any potential hazards are reported to each other via walkie talkies clipped to their vests."
Why many parents still obsess over popular primary schools (29 November 2025)
"Ask any Singaporean adult about their primary school experience and they would probably have some fond reminiscences about recess games, their first best friends or favourite canteen snacks.
But for 35-year-old Nanyang Primary School alumnus Jovin Loh, when asked what his primary school life was like, his immediate answer was: "Life-changing."
He said that before he entered primary school, he mostly hung out with neighbourhood friends near his home in Choa Chu Kang, and few of them dreamt big. Some did not have aims of furthering their education to university level.
His parents, who did not go to university, did not place any expectations on him to further his studies too.
But his older brother was transferred to Nanyang Primary School after qualifying for the Gifted Education Programme, which meant that he, too, could enrol there when it was his turn to start primary school.
And that was when his world suddenly expanded."
My wife and I nearly passed our PSLE trauma on to our kids. Here's how we realised something had to change (29 November 2025)
"I've experienced a lot of firsts as a parent of three. This week gave me yet another: my first Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results day.
On Tuesday (Nov 25), we gathered in our eldest child's school hall along with hundreds of other concerned parents. From behind a plastic barricade, dads and mums craned their necks to catch a glimpse of kids in their clusters, eager to catch any and all reactions.
My wife was already gripping my hand tight, gritting her teeth in anticipation. The tension in the air was so thick, you could have cut it with a knife – or do as our two younger children did and ignore it completely in favour of arguing over whose turn it was on the mobile phone."
Singapore secondary schools to forbid smartphone use during recess, CCA hours (30 November 2025)
"SINGAPORE: From 2026, secondary school students will not be allowed to use smartphones or smartwatches during school hours, including outside of lesson time.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on Sunday (Nov 30) enhanced measures to cultivate healthier screen use habits among students.
Under the current guidelines, secondary school students should not use smartphones or smartwatches during lesson time.
From January 2026, this will be broadened to include non-lesson time – recess, co-curricular activities, as well as supplementary, enrichment or remedial lessons, MOE said in a press release."
PhD student who attempted to rape ex-housemate gets jail and caning (1 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: A PhD student who attempted to rape his former housemate after his repeated advances were rejected was sentenced to jail and caning on Monday (Dec 1).
Gao Xiong, a 31-year-old Chinese national, will be imprisoned for six years, six months and six weeks, and receive three strokes of the cane.
He pleaded guilty to four charges which include attempted rape and criminal trespass, with another three charges taken into consideration."
Exchange student who trespassed into F1 Singapore VIP areas gets jail (1 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: An exchange student who wanted to attend the F1 Singapore Grand Prix found tickets too pricey and decided to gain unauthorised access instead.
He snuck in without a ticket, broke into the Paddock Club where F1 drivers were present and entered the highly restricted pit lane area.
Swedish national Alkallas Karam, 23, was sentenced to four weeks' jail on Monday (Dec 1) after pleading guilty to two counts of criminal trespass, with a third charge taken into consideration."
Singapore must develop robotics, AI talent pipeline to stay competitive: National Robotics Programme (1 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: Singapore must cultivate a new generation of robotics and artificial intelligence talent to stay ahead in an increasingly automated world, said National Robotics Programme (NRP) executive director Tung Meng Fai.
This push comes as the country positions itself to secure a share of the global robotics landscape, where engineers, researchers and creators will play critical roles.
“There's a strong demand now for robotics expertise,” Mr Tung told CNA last Thursday (Nov 27)."
As secondary schools tighten smartphone use, parents say students can still outsmart the rules (3 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: When his younger daughter began showing signs of smartphone addiction, Mr Aylwin Lam, 48, spent months attempting to wean her off her device.
It was not easy – the Primary 5 student would sometimes fly into a rage when asked to put her phone away. Her school had already raised concerns to Mr Lam about her experiencing issues with her classmates and displaying other behavioural problems.
But with persistent effort from Mr Lam and his wife, their daughter gradually reduced her smartphone usage, cutting her daily YouTube sessions from two to three hours down to just 15 minutes.
“It was quite scary because you don’t realise it until it’s too late … Since I personally experienced it, I hope that all parents should really ban handphone usage for their kids,” said Mr Lam, who also has a daughter in Secondary 1."
HDB to design playgrounds under new framework to support children’s ‘holistic development’ (3 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: From next year, new playgrounds built by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will follow a new framework to provide more engaging and diverse play experiences for children.
"New HDB playgrounds will be specifically designed to encourage physical, social, and creative play, to actively support the holistic development of children across different age groups," said HDB in a media release on Wednesday (Dec 3).
The framework will be introduced from January 2026 for playgrounds in newly tendered Build-To-Order (BTO) developments and new HDB parks. It was piloted at Mount Pleasant Crest, a BTO project launched in October 2025."
Meet the 12-year-old Singapore sailor chasing big winds at the SEA Games (5 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: Anya Zahedi will make her Southeast Asian (SEA) Games debut in Thailand next week – but she stands out even among a sea of top athletes.
The 12-year-old Optimist class sailor is among the youngest athletes in Singapore's record 930-strong contingent.
"I feel nervous, but excited at the same time. Because it's my first (time) representing Singapore at a major Games,” the Primary 6 student told CNA.
“I really want to do well, but I know that the competition is really tough.”
Singapore's founding leaders could not be intimidated into compromising its interests, successors have not forgotten lesson: SM Lee (7 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: Singapore’s founding fathers won the right to govern the nation because Singaporeans were convinced that founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his team could not be intimidated into compromising Singapore’s interests.
This was one important lesson from Singapore’s merger and eventual separation from Malaysia, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the launch of the Albatross File exhibition and publication on Sunday (Dec 7) at the National Library.
He noted that Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his team could not be cowed or suppressed by federal leaders, especially by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) radicals, also known as the "ultras".
"(Singaporeans) realised that he was prepared to risk all, including his life, to secure their future. It was through this experience of merger followed by separation that Mr Lee (Kuan Yew) and the PAP (People’s Action Party) solidified their support among our pioneer generation," said Mr Lee Hsien Loong.
He added that Mr Lee Kuan Yew's successors have not forgotten this lesson and that no Singapore prime minister "has ever allowed any force or power, whether foreign or domestic, to intimidate us into compromising our national interest or sovereignty"."
Commentary: The story of how Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1965 is one of many intriguing ifs (8 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: If at any one of at least half a dozen turning points during the tumultuous year leading to the breakup a different path had been chosen, the course of history might have changed forever.
That the fate of 8.6 million people including 1.8 million in Singapore hung so finely in the balance depending on the actions of a handful is both fascinating and sobering.
This was what struck me most after reading 488 pages of the book, The Albatross File: Separation Declassified, launched on Sunday (Dec 7), which contains documents in a secret file kept by Singapore’s then Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee and oral history interviews by the key players involved in the separation."
Myanmar teen first foreigner to lose Singapore long-term immigration pass for possessing Kpod (8 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: A 15-year-old girl from Myanmar is the first foreigner to have their Singapore long-term immigration status revoked for possessing an e-vaporiser pod containing etomidate, or a Kpod.
A vape pod containing the drug was found in her possession during a routine check by police officers on Nov 14, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a joint press release on Monday (Dec 8).
She has been issued a Special Pass to allow her to remain in Singapore to assist with investigations by the police for other offences.
"Following the conclusion of her case with the police, she will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore," the authorities said."
‘Rich human dimension’: How the Albatross File sheds further light on Singapore’s separation from Malaysia (9 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: The public may be familiar with how Singapore gained independence 60 years ago, but newly declassified documents and handwritten notes by Dr Goh Keng Swee provide a firsthand view of how an “unexpected outcome” was reached.
“There are no dramatic new revelations … (Singapore’s founding prime minister) Mr Lee (Kuan Yew) told most of the story in his own memoirs,” said Mr Janadas Devan, senior adviser to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.
“But what you have here is the rich human dimension … their passion, their emotions and their disagreements,” added Singapore’s former chief of government communications."
Meet a Singaporean teen who runs a pickleball paddle business – that started as a homeschool project (9 December 2025)
"While most 13-year-olds are busy with homework or hanging out with friends, one Singaporean teen is juggling website updates, inventory checks and orders – all for her side hustle.
Meet Eleora Liang, the pint-sized boss of A Little Ripple, an online store for pickleball paddles that she runs out of her family’s home in Ipoh, Malaysia, where she’s homeschooled.
“Sometimes I use work as an excuse to skip homework,” Liang, who used to attend South View Primary School, admitted with a laugh.
“I’ll tell my mum, ‘I need to update the website.’ She usually says okay.”
Expanded study awards, tuition sponsorship to grow and develop social service workforce (9 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: New measures to grow Singapore's social service workforce were announced on Tuesday (Dec 9), including an expanded study award scheme and higher tuition sponsorship.
These come as Singapore gears up to tackle a rapidly ageing population, as well as evolving challenges such as mental health issues, social isolation and families with complex needs.
"These shifts will likely result in increasingly complex demands placed on the limited manpower in our sector," said Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli as he announced the support measures.
From April 2026, the criteria for the Social Service Tribe Study Award will be expanded to cover people pursuing associate-level qualifications in universities, polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education (ITE).
This includes those pursuing an honours degree in psychology, diploma studies for social work at polytechnics and Higher Nitec CCSS at ITE."
High-risk child abuse cases rise by 14.5% to 2,303 in 2024: MSF report (10 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: The number of new high-risk child abuse cases in 2024 rose by 14.5 per cent from the year before, according to a report by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) published on Wednesday (Dec 10).
There were 2,303 new cases last year, compared with 2,011 cases reported in 2023.
A total of 3,292 low- to moderate-risk child abuse cases were reported in 2024, an 18 per cent increase from the 2,787 cases recorded the previous year. This was the biggest annual increase since 2022."
Tharman wins MIT prize for global financial leadership, warns over high debt levels in advanced economies (10 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has been awarded the prestigious Miriam Pozen Prize in recognition of his leadership in international financial policy.
The prize, awarded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Golub Center for Finance and Policy (GCFP), is given out every two years.
It is named for the late mother of a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management. The same award was previously given to the late American and Israeli economist Stanley Fischer in 2021 and former prime minister of Italy Mario Draghi in 2023."
N-Level results to be released on Dec 18 (11 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: The results of the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge N-Level examinations will be released on Dec 18, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Singapore Examination and Assessment Board (SEAB) said in a joint press release on Thursday (Dec 11).
Candidates can receive their results from their secondary schools from 2pm on Dec 18. Details on the collection arrangements will be shared by their respective schools.
“School candidates who are unable to collect their results in person can appoint a proxy to collect a physical copy of their results from the school,” said MOE and SEAB."
Secondary 1 posting results to be released on Dec 19 (12 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: The results for the 2025 Secondary 1 posting exercise will be released on Dec 19 at 9am, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a press release on Friday (Dec 12)."
Myanmar teen who lost immigration pass over Kpod offence being investigated for possessing weapons (12 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: A Myanmar teenager, who was the first foreigner to have their Singapore long-term immigration status revoked for possessing a Kpod, is also being investigated for various other criminal offences.
Kpods, or e-vaporiser pods containing etomidate, were classified as a Class C controlled drug on Sep 1.
In response to queries from CNA, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Friday (Dec 12) that the 15-year-old girl was issued a Special Pass to remain in Singapore to assist with investigations for the possession of scheduled and offensive weapons, affray and voluntarily causing hurt.
"Police investigations are ongoing. Following the conclusion of her case with the police, she will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore," MHA said."
Father admits to abusing two sons, reported himself to police for excessive force in discipline (16 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: A 47-year-old man pleaded guilty on Tuesday (Dec 16) to ill-treating his two sons, the older of whom has special needs.
He had lodged a police report against himself for use of excessive force when disciplining his older son, and his then-wife followed suit a few months later, saying her husband had committed family violence against her two boys for the five years prior with increasing intensity.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the identities of his sons, admitted to three counts of ill-treating a child under the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA). Another five charges will be considered in sentencing."
'The stable path is no longer stable': How job uncertainty is nudging some fresh graduates to start businesses (16 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: After months of job applications that led nowhere, Mr Jeremy Lim, 27, became discouraged by the constant rejections and the notion that he needed an employer to give him “permission to work”.
With impending wedding bills and mortgage payments for an incoming Build-to-Order flat, the marketing and journalism graduate decided that it was time to act on a business idea that he had kept in mind for years.
He recalled a job interview in January in which a recruiter told him his past work experiences were merely internships and low-balled him with a S$1,900 monthly pay instead of the S$3,200 advertised salary.
That was the last straw for Mr Lim, who now runs Thirteen Employment Agency, which helps families hire domestic helpers."
4 in 10 lower-income families on ComLink+ lack regular jobs; more face family violence concerns: MSF report (16 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: Almost 40 per cent of lower-income families on ComLink+ did not have any family members earning a regular wage at the end of 2024, according to a report by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) published on Tuesday (Dec 16).
Last year, 4,025 families on ComLink+ had no family member in stable employment with regular income. This rose from 3,563 in 2023, data from the ministry showed.
Stable employment refers to being in employment for six consecutive months or more in a year. The data does not capture income from platform work before 2025, hence it may underestimate the number of families with members employed, said MSF."
Getting there is the hardest part: The perennial issue of preschool absenteeism among lower-income families (17 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: Madam Sri glanced at her watch, which was set 15 minutes fast, as she hustled through her morning routine with her children in tow.
It was a school holiday, so the older primary school-aged kids were with her while she got her errands done.
Despite the frenetic rush, she called it a “good day” because her preschoolers made it in on time. Most days, just getting out the door of her rented Housing and Development Board flat is a test of endurance.
The 38-year-old unemployed mother suffers from a herniated disc and bone spurs. The pain can be so intense that even the 10-minute walk to school feels impossible.
“Every day I wake up in pain,” she told CNA. “Every day I ask myself — can I really send them to school today?”
IN FOCUS: Should social media be banned for teens in Singapore? (17 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: At first, it appeared to be an innocent livestream of someone chatting to viewers while eating.
But the scene quickly turned into one of horror when 13-year-old Shrihaan Thakar realised that the livestreamer he was watching had begun hitting his cat.
“I found it very disturbing and cruel,” said the Secondary 1 student, who immediately reported the video."
The Albatross File: Inside the secrecy behind the Singapore-Malaysia separation (17 December 2025)
"The road to Singapore’s separation from Malaysia was fraught with tension and emotions.
Step inside The Albatross File, where newly declassified documents and audio reveal what went through the minds of key protagonists - Malaysia leaders Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Razak as well as Singapore founding fathers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Keng Swee - in the tense days leading up to Separation, when Singapore’s fate hung in the balance.
It also includes rare oral history from Mr Lee’s wife, Madam Kwa Geok Choo."
Were their degrees ‘wasted’? From graduates to fishmonger, livestreamer, tyre mechanic (18 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: When Tsuri Xie first began posting videos of her car-wrapping work on TikTok, she met with a stream of comments from drivers insisting that they would “never let a girl touch (their) car”.
It is a familiar refrain in an industry that has long had a masculine image.
Yet, this is where the 36-year-old is determined to stake her claim as a vinyl car wrapper. “How I manage a muscle ache (is to) just grind and work through it,” she said.
“If we accidentally poke ourselves with the penknife or scald ourselves with the heat gun, it’s just another day. … Spray some alcohol on it and then just get back to work.”
Former preschool teacher jailed for ill-treating 2-year-old girl (18 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: A 32-year-old former preschool teacher was sentenced to 10 months' jail on Thursday (Dec 18) for ill-treating a two-year-old girl in 2022.
Wu Jiaying had forcefully placed the girl down onto the floor and a chair, lifted her by the arm and pulled her across the classroom, and shaken her violently in the span of about an hour on May 11, 2022.
Wu fought the allegations in a trial but was convicted in October of one charge under the Children and Young Persons Act for causing "unnecessary physical pain and suffering" to the child.
The school where she worked cannot be named due to a gag order protecting the victim's identity."
Former members of preschool senior management admit to covering up offences of cook who molested toddlers (19 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: Three former members of a preschool's senior management admitted on Friday (Dec 19) to covering up the offences of a cook who molested toddlers at the preschool where they all worked.
The cook, 61-year-old Teo Guan Huat, had molested three toddlers during naptime over seven months in 2023. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to more than nine years' jail last month.
The three members of senior management were the 59-year-old executive director, 61-year-old principal and 49-year-old vice-principal of the preschool.
All three failed to report Teo's acts and conspired to reformat a closed-circuit television camera that contained incriminating footage. The executive director and vice-principal also conspired to delete video evidence of the acts.
Their names and the name of the preschool where they worked cannot be published due to a gag order protecting the identities of the victims, who were between one and two years old at the time of the offences."
Two years on, my father's death has taught me that grief doesn't just take – it also gives (19 December 2025)
"There was a full moon on the night we sent our late father off for the last time.
That night in June 2023, after wrapping up and concluding the funeral, my siblings and I returned home, physically and emotionally drained. We had a quick debrief – not just going through logistics and our to-do lists for the next few weeks, but also to process the weight of the three-day funeral together.
Even as grief lingered, there was a quiet comfort in the space we shared together.
Heading to my car that night in preparation to drive home, I looked towards the sky. The moon was extra shiny, bright and round, impossible to miss against the pitch-black night sky.
I took a picture of it and sent it to the chat group I share with my siblings.
"It's a full moon night tonight," I wrote. "Seems to be comforting us that everything has come full circle, and that Dad's life has completed beautifully."
The reply from my brother caught me off guard.
He wrote: "Dad didn't leave us, instead (he) lives with us, in our hearts and memories that no one can take away. We must take good care of ourselves, our bodies, our health and this sibling unity given by both Dad and Mummy."
Am I giving my kids too much? Here's how I try to treat them without spoiling them (20 December 2025)
"The question came to me: "Mummy, can we take business class next time?"
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I've made it a point to travel as much as I can with my kids during the school holidays.
In the beginning, they were simply happy to pack their luggage and hop on a plane, even if it was just an economy flight to nearby cities such as Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Bangkok in Thailand.
Each time, we would walk past the business-class cabin on our way to our seats farther down the aisle.
Back then, they barely noticed the welcome drinks, the wider seats or the bigger screens that greeted those privileged enough to sit in front. To them, to travel at all was thrilling enough.
However, somewhere along the way, that changed. My kids started noticing what they didn't have, instead of what they did.
And soon, they started asking for more."
About 230 high-risk child abuse cases in 2024 reported by members of public (22 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: About 230 high-risk child abuse cases in 2024 were reported by members of the public, such as neighbours, family members and bystanders, as authorities urged people to look out for signs of child abuse during the school holidays.
This amounted to about 10 per cent of the 2,303 such cases reported last year, with another 30 per cent reported by the education sector, namely schools, preschools and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
The latest Domestic Violence Trends report released on Dec 10 showed that the number of high-risk child abuse cases – known as tier 2 cases – has increased by 14.5 per cent. About half of the cases were physical abuse cases."
SkillsFuture course sign-ups surge as Singaporeans rush to use expiring S$500 credit (23 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: SkillsFuture course sign-ups have surged over the past few months as Singaporeans race to use their one-off S$500 (US$390) SkillsFuture credit top-up before it expires on Dec 31.
Training providers say demand has jumped sharply – in some cases by as much as seven times – as learners rush to enrol in courses ranging from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to dog grooming and drone piloting.
Many providers are also seeing a rise in repeat learners, with some already booking classes well into next year."
Commentary: No, you can’t tell when something was written by AI (26 December 2025)
"LONDON: It’s easy to spot when something was written by artificial intelligence, isn’t it? The text is so generically bland. Even if it seems superficially impressive it lacks edge. Plus there are the obvious tells – the em dashes, the “rule of three” examples and the constant use of words like “delve” and “underscore”. The writing, as one machine learning researcher put it, is “mid”.
Yet every single one of these apparently obvious giveaways can be applied to human writing.
Three consecutive examples are a common formulation in storytelling. Words like “underscore” are used in professional settings to add emphasis. Journalists really love em dashes. None of it is unique to AI.
Read the “how to spot undisclosed AI” guides from the likes of Wikipedia and you’ll receive a lot of contradictory advice. Both repetition and variation are supposed to be indicators.
Even AI detection tool providers acknowledge that, because AI models are evolving and “human writing varies widely”, they cannot guarantee accuracy. Not that this has stopped a cottage industry of online “experts” declaring that they can just tell when something apparently written by a person was really generated by AI."
Man jailed 12 weeks after refusing to return S$9,000 mistakenly transferred by NTU (26 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: A man who refused to return more than S$9,000 (US$7,010) that was mistakenly transferred to him by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was sentenced to 12 weeks' jail on Friday (Dec 26).
Mohamed Basheer Hanif Mohamed, 27, instead spent the money on a hotel staycation and daily expenses.
Basheer pleaded guilty to one charge of dishonest misappropriation.
According to court documents, an NTU finance officer said the university had mistakenly transferred S$9,087.04 to Basheer on Nov 10, 2023.
On the same day, Basheer noticed the sum in his POSB bank account, which previously had no money. He began withdrawing the money for his own use.
The finance officer and POSB attempted to contact Basheer numerous times but were unsuccessful. On Nov 21, 2023, the finance officer emailed Basheer about the erroneous transfer. Basheer replied that he was unaware of the money as he had stopped using the bank account."
I lost a sense of purpose when I became a stay-at-home dad. This is how I found it again (26 December 2025)
"In late 2017, my wife and I learnt that the younger of our two sons has autism.
We needed more support at home. So in 2018, I went from being a full-time polytechnic lecturer to part-time, and became a stay-at-home husband and dad.
Since that transformative year, my day-to-day routine has pivoted to mostly household chores, parenting and some teaching. It's a somewhat slower pace of life, one that can look leisurely.
Still, after some time, it can also feel purposeless.
Perhaps this isn't surprising, given that for so many of us, our identities are often pegged to our careers and other economic pursuits – promotions, profits and more.
At the same time, this tension is extra complicated for many fathers, who are still often expected to be the main breadwinners of the household rather than the main caregivers.
While I had more time to smell the proverbial roses than most of my overworked, nose-to-the-grindstone peers, I often struggled with loneliness. I didn't just lose economic status and a regular pay cheque – I lost an innate sense of purpose and meaning."
Singapore dance prodigy, 18, puts prestigious UK ballet plans on pause for National Service (29 December 2025)
"At just 18, Leo Cheng has been dancing for nearly his entire life. He began ballet at the age of three, following in the footsteps of his parents – former dancers with the Singapore Dance Theatre and founders of Bukit Timah-based Cheng Ballet Academy.
In the latest episode of 8world’s Real Talk No Filter, Cheng and his parents open up about his ballet journey and what lies ahead for the young dancer."
More Singapore teens take on part-time work during year-end holidays (30 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: More teenagers in Singapore are taking on part-time work, especially during the year-end holiday period, as they look to earn extra income and gain workplace experience.
One job portal said applications from those under 20 years old rose by nearly 40 per cent compared with the same period last year, driven largely by demand in retail, food and beverage and logistics roles."
Infant screen exposure linked to slower decision-making, teen anxiety: Singapore study (30 December 2025)
"A study has shown that young children exposed to screen time before the age of two showed changes in brain development linked later to slower decision-making and anxiety. This, according to new research by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the National University of Singapore.
The report tracked about 170 children over more than a decade, with brain imaging done at different points. For those exposed to screen time too early, it was found that areas for visual processing and cognition developed faster than usual, before other parts of the brain responsible for complex thinking could catch up."
SkillsFuture portal fully operational again after disruption as S$500 credits near expiry (31 December 2025)
"SINGAPORE: The SkillsFuture portal resumed full operations on Wednesday (Dec 31), a day after experiencing disruption as a one-off S$500 credit top-up was set to expire.
SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) said its SkillsFuture Credit system - where individuals submit SkillsFuture Credit claims for courses - experienced a technical issue at about 5pm on Tuesday.
"This disruption mainly affected the submissions of SkillsFuture Credit claims for online learning subscriptions from providers such as Coursera, edX, NTUC LearningHub Learning eXperience Platform, Gnowbe, and ZilLearn," said SSG in a statement.
It added that those providers were accepting sign-ups for subscriptions before Dec 31, and hence were eligible for the expiring SkillsFuture Credit top-up.
"During the system disruption, SSG worked with these training providers to assure affected individuals that they would be notified as soon as the system was back online," it said.
The technical issue was resolved on Wednesday at 7am, said SSG."
Commentary: Parents, don’t think about screen use for teenagers only in terms of limits (1 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Secondary school students will no longer be allowed to use smart devices during school hours, even outside of lesson time such as during recess or co-curricular activities. The Ministry of Education announced last year that these tighter guidelines take effect from January.
Parents trying their best to manage screen time at home may end up facing even more resistance from their teens.
Parents of younger children can still turn off the TV or take away shared devices. But many teens have their own phones, laptops and social media accounts.
The challenge shifts: It’s actually no longer about screen time, but about their teens' digital lives. It goes from imposing limits to learning to have better conversations."
Jail for father who ill-treated sons, reported himself to police for excessive force (2 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A father who reported himself to the police for using excessive force in child discipline was sentenced to 15 months' jail on Friday (Jan 2).
The 47-year-old earlier admitted to ill-treating his two sons. He cannot be named to protect the identity of the victims.
He had pleaded guilty to three counts under the Children and Young Persons Act. Another five charges were considered in sentencing."
Teachers, software developers among most in-demand jobs as Singapore’s AI push gathers pace (2 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Teachers and software developers remained among the most sought-after professionals in Singapore in 2025, driven by growth sectors such as information and communications, as well as financial and insurance services.
Data from the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) job vacancy and labour market surveys, released on Tuesday (Dec 30), showed that teaching and training professionals and software, web and multimedia developers topped the list of professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMET) vacancies in 2025.
Overall PMET demand remained high compared with a decade ago, accounting for more than half of all job vacancies.
As Singapore moves to further embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools, demand for specialised skill sets – including AI governance and machine learning – is expected to grow."
Early screen exposure linked to slower decision-making, higher anxiety in children: Study (5 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The side effects seen in children who were exposed to excessive screen time as infants can be reversed through measures like increased social and physical interactions, according to a recent study.
Early intervention and positive lifestyle changes can help rewire developing brains, said scientists who spearheaded the 10-year-long study that was released last week.
High screen exposure between birth and two years old is linked to slower decision-making and increased anxiety later in life, warned the researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS), KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
The researchers tracked about 170 children born in 2009 over more than a decade, beginning from birth."
'Don't think of it as counting money': Wang Laoshi on building her tuition business (5 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: At Wang Learning Centre, a Chinese proverb adorns the wall: it takes 10 years to grow a tree, but 100 years to cultivate people.
The saying, by ancient Chinese philosopher Guan Zhong, encapsulates founder Wang Jie's approach to education – that nurturing minds requires far more patience than growing a tree.
“It’s very important. One of my favourite sayings,” remarked Ms Wang Jie as she gestured to the poster during a tour of the centre.
It has taken her 18 years to grow Wang Learning Centre from a single 50 sqm outlet at the foot of a condominium to a 12-outlet chain attended by more than 10,000 preschool, primary and secondary school students today."
Boy fractures nose at Jewel walking net attraction; BCA and operator urge visitors to follow safety rules and supervise children (5 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: An outing during the year-end school holidays to Jewel Changi Airport ended in tears after a six-year-old boy at the Canopy Park’s Walking Net attraction fell and fractured his nose.
Responding to CNA’s queries on Monday (Jan 5), a Jewel Changi Airport spokesperson urged all visitors to adhere to safety guidelines while on the attraction.
“To ensure an enjoyable and safe experience, we urge all visitors to pay attention to and adhere to prescribed safety guidelines while using the attractions, and to assist to ensure their children do so as well,” said the spokesperson.
On Dec 10, 2025, the boy, who was accompanied by his mother Anna and his nine-year-old brother, had tripped after running on the net and ended up striking the wooden platform."
Teen who trespassed onto MRT tracks and climbed down HDB block gets probation (6 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A teenager who was nabbed by the police after engaging in dangerous behaviour when he trespassed onto MRT train tracks was ordered by a court on Tuesday (Jan 6) to undergo probation for 18 months./font>
He will also have to perform 80 hours of community service, attend all psychiatric or psychological assessments and treatment, and comply with medication as necessary.
His parents furnished a bond of S$5,000 (US$3,905) to ensure his good behaviour during the probation period."
Hwa Chong says viral meal photos do not reflect standards, but students say images are accurate (7 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Hwa Chong Institution has defended its new canteen programme after photos of student meals sparked an online backlash, saying the images do not accurately reflect the food standards.
However, students CNA spoke to outside the school on Wednesday morning (Jan 7) confirmed the images showed what was being served.
The controversy erupted when photos posted on social media platform Reddit on Jan 3 showed meals in turquoise trays containing rice, vegetables and protein. They drew sharp criticism from netizens who questioned whether the food met adequate nutritional and quality standards."
E-Bridge preschool food supplier allowed to resume operations after suspension due to gastroenteritis outbreak (7 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) lifted the suspension of Middleton International School’s food business operations at 2 Tampines Street 92 on Tuesday (Jan 6).
The agency said in a media release on Wednesday that the company can resume its operations as it has implemented the required measures, after it was suspended due to a gastroenteritis outbreak that left over 200 people ill.
Last year, the Communicable Diseases Agency and SFA were informed of 263 people developing gastroenteritis symptoms after eating food supplied by the company at several E-Bridge preschools.
The cases happened between Nov 19 and Dec 10, with four people hospitalised, said SFA."
2025 GCE O-Level results to be released on Jan 14 (7 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The results of the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level) examination will be released on Jan 14 at 2pm.
School candidates may receive their results from their secondary schools on that day, with details on collection arrangements to be shared by their respective schools, said the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) in a joint press release on Wednesday (Jan 7)."
'Sometimes I wonder how I did it': These Singapore Sports School students juggled IB exams and SEA Games (8 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: For most students, International Baccalaureate examinations are demanding enough. For three recently graduated Singapore Sports School (SSP) students, it came alongside the added pressure of preparing to compete at the SEA Games.
“Sometimes I also wonder how I did it,” said SSP student Reyes Loh, reflecting on a year that saw him juggling exam preparation and intense physical training."
Tech glitches, missing meals: Teething issues emerge as some schools shift to central kitchen model (8 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A new central kitchen model at some schools has encountered teething problems, with parents reporting technical glitches that left some children without meals and expressing concerns about the system's trade-offs.
The initiative, being rolled out from this month at 13 schools across Singapore, is an expansion of a 2022 pilot programme to address a growing shortage of canteen operators while keeping school meals affordable.
Three operators – Gourmetz, Chang Cheng Mee Wah and Wilmar Distribution – were selected by the Ministry of Education (MOE) based on factors including meal price competitiveness, menu variety and track record.
Gourmetz operates five of the 13 school canteens – Blangah Rise Primary, CHIJ Kellock, Radin Mas Primary, River Valley Primary and Outram Secondary at its York Hill campus. Chang Cheng Mee Wah runs canteens at Dazhong Primary, Kranji Primary, Pioneer Primary, Qifa Primary and West View Primary, while Wilmar Distribution manages four at Casuarina Primary, Chongzheng Primary, Northoaks Primary and Outram Secondary’s new Anchorvale Crescent campus."
Hwa Chong says it did not reprimand or penalise students who spoke about controversial canteen meals (9 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Hwa Chong Institution has said it did not reprimand or penalise students who spoke to the media about the school's new canteen programme, and that a teacher's message warning students not to participate in the controversy was sent "out of concern" for their well-being.
The school issued a statement on Thursday (Jan 8) night after rumours spread on social media and parents' WhatsApp groups that nine students were issued demerit points for speaking out about meal quality concerns.
The controversy erupted when photos posted on social media platform Reddit on Jan 3 showed meals in turquoise trays containing rice, vegetables and protein. They drew sharp criticism from netizens who questioned whether the food met adequate nutritional and quality standards."
Undergrad opens home-based cafe selling Pizza Hut-inspired curry rice and Basque burnt cheesecake (9 January 2026)
"It’s no secret that home-based cafes in Singapore are part of a growing trend. Over in Loyang Rise, tucked inside a quiet landed estate, sits one of them. Room Cafe is a cosy, dog-friendly spot run by 26-year-old Bryan Kuah, who’s juggling being a Mass Communications student at the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) while running a cafe from the porch of his parents’ terrace house.
Before Room Cafe, Kuah spent two years working as a floor manager at the now-defunct bar Stickies from 2022 to 2024. “After my experience working in nightlife, I realised I enjoy interacting with people. I did consider venturing into nightlife but it’s not a very sustainable industry right now, so the next best thing was a cafe,” Kuah shared.
Kuah opened Room Cafe in May 2025, fuelled by his love for cooking. “I like to cook for myself, especially Western food, and I usually cook for family and friends during Christmas, so that’s where my passion grew," he recalled."
Woman accused of abusing stepchildren by confining them in toilet for months set to plead guilty (9 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The stepmother of two children who were abused by their father until one of them died is set to plead guilty to charges of joining her then-spouse in ill-treating the children.
The 35-year-old Singaporean woman, who cannot be named to protect the identities of the victims including the surviving boy, was given the date of Mar 13 to plead guilty after a pre-trial conference on Friday (Jan 9).
She faces six charges pertaining to the abuse of the children and to lying to the police about being abused by her then-spouse. She had testified during the man's trial that they were in the midst of divorce proceedings.
The girl was five when she died and her brother was a year younger than her."
The 18-year-old ballet dancer who put his dream on hold for National Service (10 January 2026)
"At 18, Leo Cheng earned a coveted contract with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. But before that came National Service, and he chose to serve first.
The Singaporean ballet told CNA about his journey through elite dance schools, what it means to pause his career at a critical moment, and why he’s proud to serve his country while holding on to his dream of returning to the stage after NS."
Taking children to festive gatherings is exhausting, but skipping them would be worse (10 January 2026)
"Festive seasons have always been occasions I truly look forward to attending.
Christmas and Chinese New Year, in particular, usually meant endless gatherings with friends and family that stretched late into the night, with unrestrained conversations and genuine laughter. No one would be concerned about work or school the following day, and enjoyment was the only thing on the agenda.
Now that I've become a parent, such festive seasons give me mixed feelings instead.
Celebrating these occasions with kids in tow has made it impossible to be completely unadulterated in my enjoyment of the gatherings."
Teen given 21 months' probation after deceiving peer into performing degrading acts (12 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A teenager who made another teenager perform degrading acts, such as soaking his genitals in chilli oil and drinking his own urine, was given 21 months' probation on Monday (Jan 12).
The 18-year-old male pretended to be a female to deceive the male victim, also 18, into believing that they were in a romantic relationship.
Both the accused and the victim, who were around 16 at the time of the offences, cannot be named due to a gag order protecting their identities. The gag order also covers the nature of their relationship.
The teenager earlier pleaded guilty to a charge each of cheating and extortion, with two counts of a similar nature considered."
Indonesia baby trafficking ring: Singapore adoption agencies expected to do due diligence on origin of babies (14 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Adoption agencies in Singapore are expected to take the necessary steps and bring in children of "correct background and origin", Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming said on Wednesday (Jan 14).
He was responding to questions from Ms Sylvia Lim (WP-Aljunied) in parliament about a suspected Indonesian trafficking ring transferring babies to Singapore."
Esports, chess and bridge formally recognised as sports after Bill passed in parliament (14 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Esports, along with mind sports such as chess and bridge, will be formally recognised as sports after a Bill was passed in parliament on Wednesday (Jan 14).
These amendments to the Singapore Sports Council Act are part of a move to “support Singaporeans’ diverse sporting aspirations”, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo.
“The gameplay and disciplines of mind sports and esports will continue to evolve,” he said. “Therefore, the updated definition of sports in the Bill takes a balanced and future-ready approach to support newer and more varied forms of sporting participation and sporting excellence by Singaporeans.”
9 in 10 polytechnic graduates found work within 6 months of completing school or NS in 2025 (15 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Ninety per cent of polytechnic graduates in the labour force found employment within six months of completing school or National Service in 2025, according to the Polytechnic Graduate Employment Survey results released on Thursday (Jan 15).
This was a dip from the 90.4 per cent recorded in 2024 and 95.8 per cent recorded in 2023."
Hwa Chong Institution working with SATS to revise recipe, presentation of bento meals after feedback (15 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Hwa Chong Institution is working with food caterer SATS to revise recipes and the presentation of their meals after feedback about its new hybrid canteen model, principal Lee Peck Ping said on Thursday (Jan 15).
Mr Lee added that the school would introduce preordering options at live stalls from the next semester, and is establishing a kitchen on campus to produce bento meals.
“We want to address and identify some of the issues earlier, as well as to work together collaboratively to improve our canteen,” he said, adding that the school was “refining the menu”.
Mr Lee was speaking to reporters at the school, which invited members of the media to tour the new hybrid canteen and sample the bento meals."
Inside a central kitchen as some schools roll out new canteen model (16 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Hours before the first school bell rings, preparations for recess have already begun at an industrial building in Tuas.
Inside a kitchen as large as a football field, workers begin cooking the day’s dishes in industrial-sized vats. It is almost 5am and at least 1,000 meals must go out by 7am.
“Time is of the essence to keep the food fresh,” said Mr Ho Shau Foong, central kitchen director at Wilmar.
“Once the food is packed, it is sealed in an insulated container and sent to the dedicated truck, right to the school.”
Catholic Junior College to move to Punggol, operations tentatively targeted to start in 2034 (16 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Catholic Junior College (CJC) will move to a new campus near Punggol Digital District, with operations tentatively targeted to start in 2034, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on Friday (Jan 16).
The new campus is about 20km away from its current site at Whitley Road.
MOE said in a press release that the move would serve the wider community and "provide quality pre-university education in the northeast region of Singapore".
It added that the relocation will also place CJC in close proximity to digital firms and institutions in the Punggol Digital District, including the Singapore Institute of Technology."
60 River Valley Primary School students develop gastroenteritis symptoms (16 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Authorities are investigating 60 reported cases of gastroenteritis involving River Valley Primary School students.
In response to queries from CNA on Friday (Jan 16), the Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said in a joint statement that 60 students were reported to have had gastroenteritis symptoms since Wednesday.
"Most of the affected students were in school today, with the exception of four students who are still recovering at home," said the authorities, adding that none were hospitalised.
"The school has been in touch with affected students and their parents, and will continue to monitor the students’ well-being."
From secondhand books to curry puffs, can Singapore’s heritage businesses survive the next generation? (16 January 2026)
"You would be hard pressed to find a shop in Singapore that does not accept cashless payment or have an online presence, least of all in the upscale shopping belt that is Orchard Road.
Yet, in these respects and more, the 34-year-old ANA Book Store at Far East Plaza remains defiantly old school.
Its founder and owner, Mr Noorul Islam, even records all sales in a ledger book for accounting purposes.
"I'm a simple, old man," the 72-year-old said, when asked why he keeps it all analog."
After braving PSLEs and O-Levels with 2 kids, here's what I’m doing differently for my younger ones (16 January 2026)
"My first experience as a parent preparing a child for a major exam was in 2020, when my eldest sat for the dreaded Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
At the start of the year, my husband and I had planned to approach it as calm, supportive parents who would be unfazed by the pressure of this first, future-deciding exam for our son Truett.
Despite our best intentions, as the year wore on, the daily stress at home became more palpable. By the time we got to August, I started to worry that Truett would do poorly.
He wasn't putting in as much effort as we had hoped, and my motivational speeches seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Heartbreakingly, I could see my son growing increasingly stressed and sad as the days went by."
Teen arrested for driving under influence of drugs after police chase (18 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A teenager was arrested on Friday evening (Jan 16) for driving under the influence of drugs and dangerous driving.
The 17-year-old male car driver refused to comply with the traffic police's instructions for a routine check at about 10.50pm on Friday and sped off, police said on Sunday in response to CNA's query.
According to the police, traffic police officers were patrolling along Paya Lebar Road towards Upper Paya Lebar Road, near the slip road into PIE towards Changi Airport when they signalled for a car to stop for a routine check.
The officers gave chase after the car driver did not comply with instructions and sped off.
"During the pursuit, the car collided with four cars and a van," police said."
147 North View Primary School students affected by gastroenteritis symptoms since Jan 13; most have recovered (19 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Authorities are investigating 147 cases of gastroenteritis involving North View Primary School students.
The affected students across all levels were reported to have symptoms since Jan 13, with most having recovered as of Jan 18, said the school, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) in a joint statement responding to CNA queries on Monday (Jan 19).
One student was hospitalised on Jan 17 and was discharged the next day in stable condition, they added.
The school, which is located at 210 Yishun Ave 6, has been in touch with affected students and their parents, and will continue to monitor the students’ well-being.
North View Primary School is also working closely with SFA and CDA to investigate the incident. The school is not among the 13 schools that adopted the new central kitchen model earlier this month."
Former vice-principal, executive director who covered up molestation of toddlers by preschool cook get jail (19 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The former vice-principal and executive director at a preschool were jailed on Monday (Jan 19) for their involvement in the cover-up of molestation by a cook at the school.
In sentencing, the judge said the two women had profoundly betrayed the trust placed in them by their "wilful failure" to report child sexual abuse, describing their actions as "selfish".
The 59-year-old former executive director was given four months' jail, while the 49-year-old former vice-principal was given three months and two weeks' jail.
The cook, 61-year-old Teo Guan Huat, had been sentenced in November to more than nine years’ jail for molesting three toddlers during naptime over seven months in 2023."
Catholic JC alumni nostalgic about Whitley Road campus but understand need for Punggol move (19 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: With Catholic Junior College set to move from its long-time Whitley Road campus to Punggol, alumni said the announcement has stirred deep nostalgia, even as many acknowledged the need for the relocation.
The move was announced on Friday (Jan 16) by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and operations at the new campus, which will be near the Punggol Digital District, are tentatively targeted to start in 2034.
Mr Heng Theng Juay, who graduated in 2015, said the impending move is “bittersweet” for him, but added that he understands schools need to evolve."
The carrom comeback: How a game from Singapore's 'kampung days' is transcending generations (20 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: First introduced to carrom when he was six, life eventually got in the way for 23-year-old Syed Muhammad Ammar.
“My dad used to play carrom when he was younger. He decided to play carrom with us and that’s where I picked it up,” he recalled.
“I used to play almost all the time when I was younger, but when life progressed … it was an on-and-off thing.”
The spark was reignited during a hall freshmen welcome night at university."
The young Singaporeans keeping carrom alive (20 January 2026)
"Often dismissed as a slow, old-fashioned game, carrom is finding new life among young players in Singapore.
For them, the game is anything but simple - demanding patience, strategy and mental endurance over matches that can stretch for hours."
Singapore regulator engages X over Grok-generated non-consensual intimate images (20 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said on Tuesday (Jan 20) that it is engaging social media platform X over its in-built artificial intelligence chatbot Grok, which has been used to create and share sexualised online content.
In response to queries from CNA, IMDA said X is a designated Social Media Service under Singapore’s Code of Practice for Online Safety – Social Media Services, which requires platforms to curb the spread of harmful and inappropriate content and protect vulnerable users, including children.
"IMDA is engaging X on the issue of non-consensual intimate images being generated and distributed using Grok on X," the regulator said.
IMDA added that it noted X has taken measures to address the issue, including stopping Grok from producing such images, and said it would continue working with the platform to ensure that it is safe for Singapore users."
New mind sports federation to launch by March to prepare athletes, grow participation (20 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A new federation for mind sports in Singapore will be launched by March to boost participation and help players qualify for major multi-sport events in the region.
It will coordinate efforts among the chess, contract bridge, weiqi and xiangqi associations to grow their respective games and support athletes.
The move comes after a Bill was passed in parliament earlier this month to formally recognise mind sports, alongside esports, as sports."
Actor-radio DJ Dennis Chew admits he was late on first day at university: 'So embarrassing' (20 January 2026)
"We've all been students before and know how nerve-racking it is to be running late for school – especially when it's your very first day.
Jan 12 marked Singaporean actor-radio DJ Dennis Chew's first day at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). The Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduate is now enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies course at SUSS.
Taking to Instagram to document his first day of school, the 52-year-old Love 972 DJ shared that he was feeling "very nervous" yet "looking forward to where this journey would take [him]".
Chew, however, admitted that he didn't do such a great job managing his time that day.
"I'll only reach school at 7.15pm... My class starts at 7pm," he said sheepishly."
HelloRide makes police report after video of boy tossing bicycle in Yishun goes viral (21 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Bicycle-sharing company HelloRide has made a police report after a video of a boy allegedly throwing one of its bicycles around a hard court in Yishun went viral online.
A 46-second video, depicting a boy pushing and throwing a HelloRide bicycle into the walls of the court repeatedly, was posted by user @weifu_38 on video-sharing platform TikTok on Sunday (Jan 18) and it has since gotten more than 31,000 views.
Many viewers criticised the boy's behaviour and tagged the bicycle-sharing company's social media account.
In response to queries from CNA, Mr Hayden Choo, managing director of HelloRide Asia, said that the incident took place along Yishun Street 72 and the company has made a police report."
Some preschoolers, more primary school students to receive personalised health plans (21 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Some preschoolers and more primary school students will receive personalised health plans as part of an expanded initiative to encourage healthy habits in children.
Launched last year, the Health Plan initiative was first rolled out to Primary 1 to Primary 3 students.
Under the initiative, students receive personalised health plans that include lifestyle change recommendations, school health screening results, vaccination reports and referrals to public healthcare institutions when needed.
The initiative will now be expanded to all Kindergarten 1, Kindergarten 2, Primary 4 and Primary 5 students from January, said the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on Wednesday (Jan 21)."
MasterChef Singapore Season 2 winner who dropped out of NTU opens new hawker stall serving ayam goreng berempah (22 January 2026)
"Twenty-nine-year-old Derek Cheong has a lot on his plate. The winner of MasterChef Singapore Season 2 recently welcomed his first child with his wife. All while running a private diner from his HDB flat, being the boss of two Japanese rice bowl stalls in Singapore Polytechnic and strangely, a trading card game business (more on that later). Now, he has opened a new hawker stall in Beauty World Food Centre called Berempah Bros with business partner Ong Zhen Ning, 28, a fellow hawker-preneur.
“My son is apparently nocturnal and he doesn’t sleep at night,” Cheong laughed. “Being a father means I am on standby 24/7. Life has been hectic with managing all my various ventures,” he told 8days.sg.
Berempah Bros was launched just weeks after Cheong's son was born. The concept is inspired by ayam goreng berempah, a Malaysian-style fried chicken built around a spice paste with aromatics such as lemongrass and turmeric. The 'Bros' approach sits somewhere between the Malaysian chook (where spices are worked into the meat like those you find in The Coconut Club’s nasi lemak) and Indonesian ayam goreng rempah (where spiced battered crumbs are added on top). But there’s an added step at this stall – the meat and fish are dipped in seasoned batter before being deep-fried for a thicker, shaggier crust. Each dish is served with sinful coconut and chicken fat-infused rice.
Prior to joining MasterChef Singapore in 2021, Cheong was studying for a degree in material science and engineering in Nanyang Technological University. He told 8days.sg that he was “passionate about cooking”, and would cook regularly for others in his university hall back then. Word of his pantry dining services spread and he even had to create a Google Form to manage sign-ups, with students often placed on a waitlist for a chance to try what he whipped up in the pantry."
Teen arrested for allegedly dragging police officer with PMD in Punggol, causing facial cuts (23 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 17-year-old has been arrested over his suspected involvement in an incident in Punggol where a police officer was dragged by a personal mobility device (PMD).
Police said on Friday (Jan 23) that they were alerted at about 10.30pm on Thursday to a group of youths making excessive noise around Block 305A Punggol Road.
Members of the group began to scatter in various directions when officers arrived on the scene.
An officer stopped the suspect, who was seated on his PMD, by holding onto the device’s handlebar and his arm.
“Undeterred, the teenager abruptly accelerated the PMD, causing the officer to be dragged for a distance before falling off,” police said.
The suspect subsequently crashed his PMD into a nearby pillar and was arrested shortly after."
S$15 million care fund for protection workers to start on Feb 1 to provide psychological, mentoring support (24 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Social service agencies (SSAs) can tap a new S$15 million (US11.8 million) care fund for protection practitioners from Feb 1, 2026, to roll out well-being initiatives such as psychological support and mentoring.
It will be established by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) to help SSAs build more supportive work environments, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and NCSS said on Saturday (Jan 24)."
Singapore to invest more than S$1 billion in national AI research plan over 5 years (24 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Singapore is investing more than S$1 billion (US$786 million) in its National AI Research and Development Plan (NAIRD) to strengthen public artificial intelligence research capabilities over five years from 2025 to 2030, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) said on Saturday (Jan 24).
The plan, announced by Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo at the Singapore AI Research Week 2026 gala dinner, supports Singapore’s broader AI ambitions under its updated National AI Strategy (NAIS) 2.0.
It builds on ongoing AI research efforts in research, innovation and enterprise, MDDI said."
Why I want my kids to experience ordering food in their school canteens (24 January 2026)
"By now, a lot of fuss has been made about the new standardised meals being rolled out in schools across Singapore.
As a parent of two young children and a former young child myself, I offer this potentially controversial opinion: an overreliance on preset bento boxes has the ability to set back our kids' development."
This mother-of-two became a 'sports mum' to hundreds of Singaporean children and youth over the past 13 years (26 January 2026)
"It was a Saturday night – a time when most people might be out with friends. But Miruna Ranjan was in a brightly lit stadium in Jurong holding bunches of bananas – which she had just emptied a supermarket of, much to the astonishment of the cashier.
This was 2013. Miruna, then 28, was volunteering at a newly launched football programme by SportCares, a government-led sport-for-good initiative. Called Saturday Night Lights, this was where vulnerable youth, such as those from low-income families or at-risk backgrounds, came together to hone their football skills.
Around 60 youth participated, and some came with empty stomachs. Miruna’s job was to ensure that they ate and drank before practice so that they would not cramp up or faint while playing.
She did this every Saturday night for a year.
Today, Miruna is the assistant director and team lead at SportCares. However, she never stopped quietly supporting kids on the sidelines – be it at football, tennis or running – just like a sports mum.
“My family jokes that I had kids before I had kids,” laughed the 40-year-old, who has two daughters aged 11 and six."
Mother gets jail for slapping, stepping on and kicking 7-year-old son (26 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A mother was sentenced to nine months' jail on Monday (Jan 26) for slapping, stepping on and kicking her seven-year-old son.
The woman, now 31, cannot be named to protect the identities of her children, who live with her and remain under her care.
She pleaded guilty to one charge of ill-treating a child. Two other charges of voluntarily causing hurt were considered in sentencing.
She indicated that she will appeal against her jail term, after her lawyer argued unsuccessfully for probation or a high fine."
Demand for AI capabilities more than doubles, but core skills remain essential: SkillsFuture (27 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The demand for artificial intelligence capabilities more than doubled across sectors between 2022 and 2025, but critical core skills remain essential, said SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) on Tuesday (Jan 27).
Key areas such as AI principles and applications, model evaluation and responsible AI practices are expanding rapidly, reflecting a shift from traditional IT roles to AI-driven applications, said the statutory board in a press release.
Speaking at the 2026 Training and Adult Education Conference on Tuesday, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education David Neo said the question is no longer whether to use AI, but how best to integrate it to boost worker productivity.
“This rapid technological advancement also means the half-life of skills is getting shorter ... And all these changes are even before we discuss the disruptions in geopolitics and supply chain reorientations,” he added, noting that skills related to generative AI saw the fastest growth in demand."
SkillsFuture tightens approval and funding renewal requirements for about 9,500 courses (27 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) has tightened the guidelines for training providers seeking course approval and funding, the statutory board announced on Tuesday (Jan 27).
Since Dec 31 last year, new courses have been assessed under two approval routes, and stricter funding renewal requirements have been applied to existing ones.
These new guidelines apply only to courses that develop skills currently in demand for a person’s current job or profession. Courses focused on emerging skills or those that equip individuals for a “substantially different” job are not affected.
SSG said the changes aim to encourage training providers to work more closely with enterprises and develop training that is aligned with industry needs.
The new requirements will apply to about 9,500 courses across 500 training providers, said SSG."
Fann Wong and Christopher Lee’s son Zed is a semi-finalist in National Youth Orator Championships (27 January 2026)
"Zed Lee, the only child of Singapore celebrity couple Fann Wong and Christopher Lee, is a semi-finalist in the National Youth Orator Championships 2026 in the upper primary category.
In a video shared on organiser Master Speakers Academy's Instagram page on Sunday (Jan 25), the 11-year-old delivered a two-minute speech on the theme "The first thing I'd share about Singapore" that blended humour with national pride.
Adopting the tone of an enthusiastic tour guide, the young Lee took viewers through some of Singapore’s most recognisable landmarks, albeit with a "slightly unhinged" twist. These include the National Museum, Singapore’s “elegant grandma telling you stories of how we went from a sleepy fishing village to, well, this madness”, and Marina Bay Sands that looks like a “giant stone tabletop balanced on three candy bars”.
He also humorously described Singapore as a “city that the past, present, and future all built together after they had too much coffee”."
The Asian Civilisations Museum will soon have a tea-themed exhibition and Chagee pop-up store with exclusive merch (27 January 2026)
"If the thought – and taste – of tea gets you going, you'll want to set aside a day to visit the upcoming Garden Of Senses: A Tea Reverie exhibition. Held at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) from Wednesday (Jan 28) to Jun 7, the tea-themed showcase is a collaboration between ACM, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and beloved beverage chain Chagee, and spotlights the impact of tea through installations and interactive experiences.
Some of the activities that visitors can do include marveling at a sculptural paper installation, taking in various aroma profiles (from green and oolong to darker teas) and learning about the evolution of tea-making.
The space also houses a Chagee pop-up store – an extension of Garden Of Senses: A Tea Reverie – which will roll out in two phases and sell exclusive items."
Singaporean boy who recreated ISIS attacks, executions in Roblox and Gorebox gets restriction order (28 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 14-year-old Singaporean who was self-radicalised online by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) extremist ideologies was issued a restriction order under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in November.
The Secondary 3 student had aspired to travel overseas to fight for the group and die as a martyr, the Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Wednesday (Jan 28).
In preparation, he posted pro-ISIS content online, including footage from Roblox and Gorebox where he recreated ISIS attacks and executions.
Roblox is a user-driven gaming platform with millions of self-created games, while GoreBox is an online game that allows players to experiment with weapons and is known for its graphic depictions of violence.
While his family members and friends were aware of his extremist views and support for ISIS, none of them reported him to authorities, said ISD."
Mediacorp career fair to return with focus on real-world skills, workforce trends (29 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Mediacorp will host the third edition of Career Forward in March 2026, equipping participants with practical tools to support their professional growth.
The career fair will feature sessions focused on real-world skills, current workforce trends and common career roadblocks, said Mediacorp in a press release on Thursday (Jan 29).
The two-day event, which takes place at the Suntec Convention Centre on Mar 28 and Mar 29, is designed for first-time employees and mid-career professionals.
Fresh graduates and new workers can expect sessions focused on workplace readiness, resume and LinkedIn optimisation, interview preparation and human skills that remain critical in a digital-first workplace, said Mediacorp in a press release.
The sessions for mid-career professionals are designed for those considering a pivot, reset or their next steps."
'Not closed off to any ideas': Desmond Lee says MOE to study how to reduce exam stakes furthe (29 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) will study how to further reduce the stakes of examinations through discussions with students, parents, teachers and academics, said Minister for Education Desmond Lee.
The study could involve recalibrating the difficulty of exams and looking at how results are used, he added.
When asked what alternative assessment models will be studied and whether the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is likely to stay, Mr Lee said: “We’re not locked into any outcome … We do not want to prejudge, we do not want to circumscribe.
“It may or may not be a tweak, it could be quite major … There is no preconceived idea. We are clear about the outcome, but there is a broad outcome,” he added, noting that he did not want to prejudice the upcoming discussions."
Secondary school students interacting more after smartphone ban, but small minority flouts rules (30 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The smartphone ban in secondary schools appears to be effective so far, with more students interacting with one another, teachers and students told CNA.
"Before, a lot of people used to play video games on their phones, they didn’t really talk to each other," said Secondary 3 student Dyuthi Bhatt, whose school just implemented the enhanced measures this year.
"They used to sit around in the canteen and just huddle over their phones. There was no communication.
“But now, since the ban has been implemented, a lot more people have been talking to each other, the canteen is livelier and I don’t really see phones around.”
Since the start of the new school year, secondary school students have been forbidden from using their smartphones outside of class time, including recess and co-curricular activity hours."
Jobseekers using Careers & Skills Passport portal more likely to be shortlisted: SkillsFuture (30 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: More than 2.3 million job applications have been submitted using the Careers and Skills Passport (CSP) as of November last year, according to SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
The CSP is a platform that brings together a jobseeker’s skills, employment history, qualifications and certification records, allowing them to share verified credentials with potential employers.
Job applications made on participating online job portals JobStreet and FastJobs using the CSP were 1.5 times more likely to be shortlisted by employers, said SSG."
One month into my child's Primary 1 year, it's unfolding as a test for me as a parent (30 January 2026)
"Less than three weeks into the new school year, my Primary 1 son asked me a surprising question: "Can you give me S$3 (US$2.40) each day instead of S$2.50?"
Imagine asking your boss for a 20 per cent pay raise just 10 days into your job. Bold move.
But I understand his request. A small bowl of noodles in his school canteen costs S$2 and I could practically hear the wheels turning in his head as he calculated his options. He didn't have enough for a S$1 packet drink.
But a few days later, having managed to save some money, he proudly declared at our dinner table that he'd bought a pen at the school bookshop for his new classmate.
Clearly, the school bookshop still has generations of students in a firm chokehold."
No time to teen: These youths juggle school and work part-time to support their families (30 January 2026)
"When she was 15 years old, Sarah used to rush to a nearby fast-food restaurant the moment the school bell rang – not to hang out with friends, but to work.
Schoolmates whom she bumped into, as they ordered their burgers and fries, would tease her for working there.
"They were just having fun but it made me not want to work, a little bit," the now 18-year-old said.
It made her dread her after-school shifts at first, because that was when she would likely come across her schoolmates.
"Over time, I grew to realise, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm doing nothing wrong. I'm just working," she said."
Commentary: What's at stake as MOE mulls exam reforms? (31 January 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Singapore has for years been trying to reframe an education system often seen as an “arms race”. Further changes may be ahead, with the Ministry of Education (MOE) studying how to further reduce the stakes of examinations.
This could involve recalibrating examination difficulty levels and the way in which results are used, said Education Minister Desmond Lee on Jan 29, adding that the ministry will engage students, parents and teachers on these issues in a series of conversations.
When asked what alternative assessment models will be studied and whether the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is likely to stay, Mr Lee only said the government is “not locked into any outcome” and does “not want to prejudge”.
While the minister revealed few details, much attention is likely to be focused on the PSLE whose outsized influence on children, families and schools has long made it the most scrutinised national exam here."