Dear mothers, your children need you to be your own person too (9 May 2026)
"Shortly after my eldest son was born, I started a side hustle on top of my full-time job in a healthcare company. It was a home-based Chinese immersion programme for toddlers – a concept I really believed in, as a way of bringing early language learning into homes whose primary speaking language was not Mandarin.
The business grew quickly, especially as this was during the Covid-19 pandemic. But when my son was two years old, it emerged that he might have autism. I was also preparing for the birth of my twins.
There was no way I could give the business the attention it deserved. I chose to stop — not because the business lacked promise, but because at that stage, motherhood demanded more of me.
Mothers reading this will nod — sacrifices go with the territory. And much is said about how mothers give, endure, and show up every day for our children, often in small, unnoticed ways.
But what is spoken about less often is how easily, in the midst of loving our children, we begin to lose the edges of ourselves. My three boys are now aged six and four, and I’ve seen this happen not just to me, but also to those around me.
I’ve had times when a whole week could pass when it felt like every decision I made was shaped around my children’s needs.
Therapy appointments, enrichment classes, school hours — and simply trying to be sufficiently present for each child. In my limited free time, often after the house had gone quiet, I had to finish my work.
Life can begin to revolve so completely around children that it becomes difficult to tell where motherhood ends and the rest of one’s identity begins.
It can be so easy to lose ourselves to our children.
Anticipating Every Need
Growing up, my mother was especially good at anticipating my needs.
I rarely had to articulate what I needed - she seemed to sense it ahead of time. If I was going on a school excursion, she'd have a portable fan at the ready. If exams were coming, she'd ease off her usual reminders and give me the space I needed.
This shaped my experience when I became a mother myself.
I would think through small details before they surfaced - which child might struggle if plans changed, and who might need extra reasssurance. I often assumed that if I anticipated enough, I could keep the day running smoothly for everyone.
But parenting never follows a predictable script, especially with one child on the spectrum. Very little is ever entirely within my control, and no two days are quite the same.
A simple outing can go awry very easily - like the time I spent half an hour calming my eldest son outside a Korean barbecue restaurant when we were seated at a different table fron our usual one.
Being a mother often means you must be calm and present for your children, even when you feel stressed, tirerd or emotionally unfinished yourself.
It can mean feeling discouraged after a difficult session of home-based therapy with my eldest, but understanding that I cannot remain in that feeling for long. By evening, there is still family game night, younger siblings to be present for, and work that asks for clarity and positivity.
Our children need us to be steady for them, I discovered. This, I saw, was more important than successfully anticipating their every need."
Teaching undergraduates the art of survival in unsettled times (9 May 2026)
"At a recent job interview, a candidate was asked a question that would have been unthinkable not long ago: What can you do that ChatGPT cannot? It was posed half in jest, but only half. Elsewhere, we still hear the familiar complaint that students today are the “strawberry generation” – easily bruised, quick to wilt, reluctant to endure discomfort.
These two anxieties are usually treated separately. They should not be. If machines can now perform a growing number of routine cognitive tasks, and if the world our students are entering is more volatile than that faced by previous generations, then the qualities that matter most are no longer simply speed, polish or the ability to produce the correct answer on demand. They are judgment, resilience, empathy, adaptability and the confidence to act when there is no obvious script to follow.
Before we mock students for being anxious, we should be honest about the world we have handed them.
This is a generation whose formative years were shaped by Covid-19. They have watched a land war return to Europe with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They are inheriting a climate crisis that has moved from abstraction to lived reality. And now they are told that artificial intelligence may reorder entire professions before they have even entered them.
The situation is serious enough that labour chief Ng Chee Meng filed a parliamentary motion on May 5, calling for no “jobless growth” amid AI distruption. Among other things, he asked for reassurance that young people would be helped to manage a “less anxious transition” from school to work.
Add to this talk of tariffs, recession and geopolitical fragmentation, and it is hardly surprising that many young people feel less that they are climbing a ladder and more as if they are trying to clamber up an increasingly greasy pole.
Outdated Model
Yet much of our educational model still reflects an older world. It is built around achievement, optimisation and the avoidance of mistakes. In Singapore, that tendency is reinforced by the harsher edge of meritocracy. Meritocracy has real virtues - it opens doors through talent and effort rather than birth or patronage. But it also trains students to be acutely sensitive to evaluation. They learn, very quickly, that errors can be costly,. The result is not indolence but caution.
We tell students to be bold, entrepreneurial and innovative, while educating them to be strategic, careful and afraid of getting things wrong.
We need to be more honest with our students. The future they are entering will not reward only those who make the fewest mistakes. It will reward those who can recover from them, learn from them, and exercise judgment when rules run out.
Universities should therefore be places where students can test ideas, revise them, defend them, and sometimes abandon them. Not because standards do not matter, but because they do. In a world that keeps changing in ways we cannot predict, excellence cannot mean only flawless performance under controlled conditions."
Students’ names, IDs ‘may have been exposed’ in Canvas cyberattack but passwords, marks safe: NUS (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The National University of Singapore (NUS) has informed its students that while some information such as their names and e-mail addresses may have been exposed in a global data breach, their confidential information such as passwords has not been compromised.
NUS was one of many local and international institutions affected by the massive cyberattack on May 7. The attack, claimed by ShinyHunters, a cyberextortion group, saw access to the Canvas learning platform blocked, reported AFP.
In a May 8 e-mail to students about what it called the “data security incident” involving the Canvas “learning management system” seen by The Straits Times, NUS said it was working with Instructure to “thoroughly investigate and assess the situation”.
Instructure is the US-based vendor that owns and runs Canvas.
Attributing the information to Instructure, NUS added that the information “that may have been exposed is limited to: name, e-mail address, student ID”.
“We would like to assure you that your NUS log-in credentials such as passwords have not been compromised, and all student marks remain secure,” it added.
In a reply to queries from The Straits Times on May 9, NUS said: “Operational impact is assessed to be minimal as the current semester has concluded and all examinations have ended.
“We have in place back-up and business continuity processes to ensure downstream activities such as marking and grading proceed unaffected.”
The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) also told ST on May 9 that “access to Canvas has been restored and there has been no significant disruption to SUSS’ overall operations”.
As an additional precaution, both NUS and SUSS advised students to stay alert and vigilant."
More than 9 in 10 parents satisfied with standard of safety in pre-schools: ECDA survey (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE - Around 95 per cent of parents in Singapore are satisfied with pre-school safety standards, an issue that has received attention as there have been more reports of suspected abuse in recent years.
Almost 90 per cent of parents are also satisfied with the quality of pre-school education their children are receiving and the quality of partnerships between them and pre-school educators.
These findings were from the inaugural Preschool Experience Survey conducted by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) with close to 1,800 parents of pre-schoolers in November 2025.
The agency released the findings of the new survey at the Start Small Dream Big Walkathon on May 10 at Gardens by the Bay.
At the event, Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming said ECDA is working with pre-schools, educators and parents to develop a Parent-Preschool Partnership Guide to support the holistic development of children. More details on the guide will be available in the second half of 2026."
Mum advocates: They give voice to the silent struggles of mothers (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Motherhood is often painted as a universal experience, yet many mothers have felt, at one time or another, incredibly alone.
Are they the only ones feeling this way? Why does every other mum seem to have it together when they do not?
In a digitally hyper-connected world where algorithms shape perspective, this tension can leave mothers overwhelmed and feeling even more isolated.
Three mums, inspired by their own challenges, have started initiatives and businesses to support mothers and couples in various aspects of parenting.
Ms Teng Yi Ling, 41, went from working through her maternity leave as a corporate high-flier to helping new and expectant parents with postpartum babycare so they can unlock the joy of parenting.
Ms Nurulhuda Mohamd Rasid, 35, started a community called The Mum Collective SG, which brings mothers together for reflective Parkside Mum Circles, and also hosts a motherhood-themed podcast.
Pregnancy loss coach Vernessa Chuah, 41, draws on her personal experiences to help women process the trauma of losing a baby, sometimes even decades afterwards.
Through their work, they give voice to the silent struggles of mothers and women who want to be mothers.
Who try, every day, to be strong for others, but sometimes lose themselves in the process.
Who think they are alone, but need a gentle reminder that there is always a hand reaching out to help. Not just on Mother’s Day, but every day."
Mum advocates: She worked through maternity leave, now she helps parents find the joy of having kids (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – As founder of Baby Planner SG, Ms Teng Yi Ling helps couples who feel as lost as she did as a new parent, advising them on breastfeeding, babycare and what to expect during their hospital delivery.
But her journey from a corporate high-flier to entrepreneur was accidental, forged from the struggles of parenting in Singapore.
In 2013, the 28-year-old seemed to have it all.
The former Singapore Exchange scholar and associate director, who covered business development for the exchange’s South-east Asia market, had just had her first baby.
“It was a big struggle, but I managed it,” she says of raising her son while working full time.
When her daughter was born three years later in 2016, her best-laid plans to master motherhood the same way she approached work challenges were put to the test.
At work, she was living her dream of growing the market for the exchange.
At home, she worked through the first eight weeks of her 16-week maternity leave, answering e-mails and keeping her laptop open.
“The breast milk came from me, but other than that, I didn’t spend time with my daughter for almost the first two years of her life,” recalls Ms Teng, now 41. Her mother cared for her daughter during the day.
She and her 44-year-old husband, then a commodities trader, tried to prioritise their kids, but domestic life turned into a never-ending cycle of childcare, chores and chasing work targets.
They left the office on time to feed and shower their kids. Each parent put one child to bed before opening their laptops at 8.30pm, working until almost midnight. They worked on weekends, too, after spending time with the grandparents and taking the kids on outings.
“We were just roommates,” she says of the state of their marriage then.
Around that time, her son’s pre-school urged her to seek help as her then four-year-old had challenges socialising with other students.
“That was when I really questioned whether this was the life I wanted,” Ms Teng says."
Mum advocates: She created a community where mums can be vulnerable about their changing identities (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A group of eight women sit on picnic mats at East Coast Park on a Saturday morning in February, deep in conversation.
Today’s Parkside Mum Circle session by The Mum Collective SG is themed “Our Shared Page”, to remind participants they are never alone, even during the messiest moments of motherhood.
After grounding and icebreaker activities, the mothers read a short 2024 essay from Vogue magazine titled Why Don’t We Talk About The Joys Of Motherhood Anymore? Their chat is guided by questions such as whether they feel safer to bond with others over struggles rather than joys, and why.
Over light refreshments, they discuss another literary excerpt and listen to one mum’s advice on how to raise a reader.
Then, each woman picks one of nine reflection prompts to expand on. She might talk about an “unsung hero moment” during the week when she handled a difficult situation with grace, or one quality she sees in another mum in the circle that she would like to channel.
Meanwhile, their children are busy painting, playing with toys or listening to a storytelling session.
As the 2½-hour session comes to a close, the women write down what they want to release from their mental load that day. They end with affirmations such as “I give myself permission to find joy in the mundane and grace in the messy”.
“Most of the time, the mums don’t want to leave. We see them at the playground nearby chatting and making their own connections,” says Ms Nurulhuda Mohamd Rasid, 35, The Mum Collective SG’s founder, who goes by the name Huda Rasid.
The Singaporean mother of two came up with the idea of bringing mothers together in an intentional way after her daughter’s third birthday party in a park in 2025.
“That whole energy was just really nice. I thought to myself: ‘How do I replicate this without it having to be an occasion?’,” she says, adding that mums crave time with other mothers, but in a space where their children can be meaningfully engaged, since childcare arrangements on weekends may be tricky.
She hosted the first event in April 2025: a play date for eight mums across different peer circles. The in-person gatherings were later called Parkside Mum Circles to reflect their intentional focus on mothers.
“What was surprising was how everyone was happy to share, even though they were meeting some of these mums for the first time. It wasn’t like they were ranting. It was a very open conversation where they shared their hopes, dreams and challenges in an honest, vulnerable way,” says Ms Huda, who gave up her career as a public servant in 2022 to be a stay-at-home mother.
That supportive vibe inspired her to provide guided reflection prompts for the subsequent five circles, held every two to three months, usually in East Coast Park."
Mum advocates: Pregnancy loss coach helps ‘invisible mums’ who feel anxiety, guilt and shame (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Mother’s Day is meant to be a joyous occasion, but for women who have suffered pregnancy loss, it can trigger painful memories.
“Many of these women ask: ‘Can I call myself a mum? Will I ever get to celebrate this day?’,” says Ms Vernessa Chuah, 41, a pregnancy loss coach and certified grief recovery specialist.
“The connection they have is not visible, but it’s very deeply felt, like a part of them was lost together with the child. To these ‘invisible mums’, Mother’s Day is a reminder of what is missing.”
In an achievement-oriented society, the focus is always on what to do next, but grief does not always have a “next step”, she adds.
“Grief requires us to sit with the uncertainty, the ambiguity and be comfortable with those uncomfortable feelings. That’s something we are not taught,” she says.
Pregnancy loss can refer to unplanned events such as miscarriages, stillbirths, infant loss and loss related to in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), as well as planned ones such as terminations for medical reasons.
About one in four pregnancies end up in miscarriages, according to SingHealth’s HealthXchange website.
The Ministry of Health does not track pregnancy losses.
Ms Chuah started her work in pregnancy loss in 2021, having gone through the heartbreak of losing three babies at the ages of 18, 29 and 31.
While the first two were miscarriages, the last one was a medical termination because of a birth defect – an experience she described in a previous Straits Times interview as the hardest week of her life.
The Malaysian, who is a Singapore permanent resident, now has two children aged two and eight. She also runs an enrichment centre, Mindful Space, in the Central Business District.
While her husband, who declined to be identified, was concerned about the emotional toll of such a coaching practice, Ms Chuah says she felt it was a calling.
“I feel I can use my vulnerability as a strength for other women because I know how hard it is to go through this,” she says.
She has since chalked up more than 200 hours of coaching to clients in Singapore, as well as virtually to those in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Most are in their 30s and 40s, with a number from healthcare or social work backgrounds."
Teen arrested after scuffle with Amos Yee outside Suntec Singapore anime fest area (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A teenager was arrested after getting into a scuffle with child sex offender Amos Yee at an anime convention in Suntec Singapore on May 9.
The police said they were alerted to the incident in Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre at around 2.15pm.
Officers arrived at the scene and established that a 27-year-old man, who had minor injuries, was assaulted by an 18-year-old boy, said the police.
The 18-year-old was later arrested for causing public nuisance.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Home-grown anime convention Doujima, also known as Doujin Market, is being held at the convention centre’s halls 403 to 405 from May 9 to 10.
In videos circulating online on May 9, a person dressed in cosplay as Jujutsu Kaisen protagonist Yuji Itadori is seen punching, kicking and stomping on a man as passers-by look on.
The person then briefly walks off before returning and leaping onto the man, bringing him to the ground. He then proceeds to elbow the man, who is curled up on the ground, before being taken to one side by another person.
The man on the ground is seen holding his head before he stands up and walks off.
In a post on X by Yee at 2.26pm, he is seen with injuries on his bottom lip and finger. The accompanying text reads: “Just been attacked in the anime convention. Look at the bloodied up lip.”
PAP Women’s Wing to gather women’s views, submit recommendations to marriage, parenthood workgroup (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The PAP Women’s Wing will gather perspectives and lived experiences from women in Singapore to provide recommendations to the Government’s new inter-agency Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup.
It will gather feedback through listening sessions with the public from May to November. These sessions will cover four broad areas: navigating parenting pressures; fertility; the journey of finding a partner and getting married; and the decision to have children.
The first session was held on May 2, with about 130 participants discussing the issue of parenting.
Ms Sim Ann, who chairs the PAP Women’s Wing, said it welcomes a reset in Singapore’s approach towards supporting marriage and parenthood, and will play its part in distilling women’s lived experiences and perspectives for the Government’s consideration.
She made this announcement at a Mother’s Day celebration event on May 9 in Rochester Park, attended by about 250 PAP Women’s Wing activists.
The wing will also delve into additional areas beyond the four themes, said Ms Sim.
“Your voices and your lived experiences must form the backbone of our recommendations that we intend to submit to the workgroup and to the Government,” she told the audience.
The new inter-agency workgroup was announced during the Budget debate in February after Singapore’s total fertility rate fell to a historic low of 0.87 in 2025.
The group is chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who is also Second Minister for Finance and National Development.
Its members include Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Health Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash, and Minister of State for MDDI and Education Jasmin Lau.
The work group will release a full report in early 2027."
Taking your PSLE? Here’s some advice (10 May 2026)
"Dear Primary 6 students, in your PSLE year, everyone who cares about you will wish you the best and offer you well-meaning tips to help you get through the year. Who better than your school heads?
Five primary school principals share their advice for their students preparing for their PSLE in this article, published in the Ministry of Education's Schoolbag series on Sept 25, 2019.
Set Aside Time For Exercise And Play
“Take care of yourself by setting aside time to exercise and play games regularly. Continue to jog, swim or cycle as often as you can. If you enjoy sports, go and play soccer, badminton or basketball with your friends. These activities will keep you fresh and fit as you prepare for the PSLE.
Do your best and never give up!”
Mr Martin Tan
Principal of St Gabriel's Primary School
Time ‘Lost’ Is Time Gained
“Milestone examinations such as the PSLE will be a part of your education journey. While it is important to do your best, remember your well-being is just as important.
Your parents and teachers care very much for you and only wish the best for you. So find a good balance between studying and relaxation.
Time ‘lost’ is time gained. Some time set aside for rest and play will free up your mind to concentrate and learn better.
Wishing you your best, and that is all that matters!”
Do your best and never give up!”
Mr K. Govindan
Principal of Peiying Primary School
Parents, before talking to your kids’ teachers, talk to your kids first (10 May 2026)
"Two former teachers share seven questions parents can ask at parent-teacher meetings. But first, parents should try and understand how their children feel about school, so they can identify points to discuss with the teachers. This is an edited version of an article published in The Straits Times’ askST series on May 22, 2022.
If you have school-going children from primary to junior college years, chances are you will meet their teachers soon.
Parent-teacher meetings or conferences are usually held twice a year, ahead of the June and year-end school holidays.
To better support their children's learning, how can mums and dads make the most of these sessions? What are the important questions to ask the teachers?
Former teachers Tan Aik Ling and Wong Hwei Ming, who are now at the Institute of National Education (NIE) , say it is important to have regular conversations with your children, especially so with teenagers who are at the phase where they talk less to their family members. Coax them into sharing what they think about their schools, their likes, dislikes and concerns.
Dr Wong, who used to teach English and Maths at Singapore Chinese Girls' School (Primary), says it is not uncommon to encounter parents at such meetings who look “blank”, as if wondering, “Is that my child you're talking about?”
When you understand your kids, it helps to identify points that you can discuss with the teachers, adds Dr Wong, a senior education research scientist at NIE's Office of Education Research. She is also a part-time pro bono counsellor at a primary school.
Children are usually encouraged to join the parent-teacher meetings, to give them a chance to speak as well.
But be mindful not to shame your kids in front of the teachers, says Associate Professor Tan, who used to teach Biology and lower secondary general science at River Valley High School."
May is a good time to identify areas of weakness and analyse errors (10 May 2026)
"The mid-year assessment results are in, and it is a good time to take stock of what needs to be done for each subject, say teachers. This will help provide a structure for revision in June. This edited version of the article published in The Straits Times on May 14, 2023, details how a child can revise for each subject.
Pupils who are weak in Chinese language tell Ms Teo Xiwen that they feel overwhelmed when preparing for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) because they struggle with all components of the exam.
Ms Teo, head of mother tongue languages at Ahmad Ibrahim Primary School, advises them to take small steps to improve instead of dwelling on what they do not know.
For example, they could revise and remember a few Chinese words each day to improve their vocabulary, and try to use one good phrase or sentence in their compositions each week.
“No matter how little time they think they have left for preparation, I assure my students that every minute makes a difference,” she says.
She has found that helping her pupils set achievable targets and celebrating every little success can boost their morale.
“When they feel encouraged, they will become energised and motivated to transform thoughts into actions,” she says.
With less than five months to the PSLE, experienced primary school teachers and tutors share tips on how parents can guide their child to get the most out of their revision in the next few months.
What is next after mid-year assessments?
The test results are in and it is a good time to take stock of what needs to be done for each subject, say teachers.
For example, The Learning Lab's science subject head for Tampines and Seletar, Ms Choo Xin Ying, says May is a good time to identify areas of weakness and analyse errors.
Mistakes could have been made because of the lack of content knowledge or technique. For example, they did not know how to eliminate ambiguous multiple-choice options or narrow down question requirements accurately, she says."
‘Every day, I see injured children from road traffic accidents’: KKH emergency doctor (10 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – When a boy just hit by a bus arrived at the hospital in 2024 with head injuries, medical staff quickly reduced the pressure in his brain before operating on him.
The 12-year-old had been cycling and was not wearing a helmet. He suffered a skull fracture and a brain haemorrhage.
He arrived at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s (KKH) emergency department, where staff stopped the bleeding.
Worryingly, a KKH emergency doctor who treated the boy says she sees injured children from road traffic accidents every day.
Traffic deaths hit a 10-year high in 2025, with 149 people killed, compared with 141 in 2016. There were 142 deaths in 2024. The number of people injured has also risen – from 9,342 in 2024 to 9,955 in 2025.
Given the dire situation on Singapore’s roads, The Straits Times has been running a series of stories calling on all road users to be more careful.
Data from the National Trauma Registry shows that only 9.9 per cent of child cyclists and 28.1 per cent of adult cyclists were wearing helmets when road traffic accidents occurred.
The mortality rate for cyclists with helmets is 1.9 per cent, compared with 5.3 per cent for those without helmets."
Why Singapore’s first inclusive pre-school slashed its fees by 50% despite losses (10 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – In an inflationary economy, a pre-school in Lengkok Bahru has instead slashed its fees by 50 per cent to draw more pupils.
Monthly fees at Kindle Garden – Singapore’s first inclusive pre-school – used to be up to $1,800 before subsidies. Since March, fees have been capped at $900.
At the pre-school, which started in 2016, children with special needs such as autism and cerebral palsy play side by side with neurotypical peers.
In an April interview with The Straits Times, Mr J.R. Karthikeyan, chief executive of AWWA, the social service agency which runs Kindle Garden, said candidly that yearly enrolment has dropped from about 70 to 50 children.
Though the pre-school operated at a deficit in the 2024/2025 financial year, according to AWWA’s annual report, it is not the bottom line that he is concerned about.
Kindle Garden maintains a 70:30 ratio of typically developing children to those with special needs. Fewer enrolments overall mean fewer places available for children with disabilities, even as the pre-school gets inquiries for over 100 such children annually.
Mr Karthikeyan hopes lower fees will attract more typically developing children so the pre-school can admit more of those with disabilities – even if it means a dent in profits.
“It’s a public service, it’s not business,” said the 47-year-old.
The declining enrolment is mainly due to the Redhill neighbourhood’s demographics, with an ageing population and fewer children, he said."
Celebrating Mum on Mother’s Day (10 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – In the run-up to Mother’s Day on May 10, I finally read something that has been on my to-read list for a while. The 2021 local book Letter To My Mother: Words Of Love And Perspectives On Growing Up From Sons And Daughters is a collection of 20 essays by contributors sharing their thoughts and feelings about their mothers.
Many of the writers expressed love and admiration for their mothers. They wrote of how their parents inspired and influenced them, and how much their mothers or both parents had given to them. How blessed they were. How grateful.
One talked about her mother's dedication and care when she was struggling with the effects of kidney disease.
Shared another: “I would not be where I am, were it not for the moments I watched and learnt from you.”
Not all the accounts were cosy and comfortable. Not all families were intact or supportive. One writer spoke of “hurt, hate and resentment,” but also said: “I miss you, you know?”
Regret surfaced often.
“I have never told you this, but when I was living in New York, I looked forward to your phone call every day.”
Why do we never say enough to our loved ones when they are around?
Author and poet Felix Cheong, who edited the collection, wrote in the foreword: “I never got round to a last conversation with Mum in her final days. Discharged from Changi General Hospital on Christmas Eve, 20219, she was living on borrowed time, with only one lung doing the work of two.”
After her death, he recalled: “Over the next few weeks, I would be haunted by what I did not manage to say to Mum. All the thanks I could have offered; all the memories I could have told her that I cherish; all the things she had taught me; all the sacrifices she had made to bring us up - and I said nothing.”
Guilty of Silence
I'm as guilty of silence as much as anyone else. I started writing in this space when my mum was still alive. She faithfully cut out and filed my columns every month. No one does that, not your siblings, not your children, only parents.
But I never wrote a piece especially for her while she was alive.
There were many Mother's Days when I didn't do anything for or with her aside from a quick peck on the cheek and a “Happy Mother's Day, Mum”.
She probably said, “No need to do anything special”, and I took her at her word. I might not, if it were now."
How AI tools can help level up your child’s PSLE English oral performance (10 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A soothing voice with the calm cadence of an expert narrator to benchmark against, a curated bank of annotated passages for reading practice, and comprehensive scorecards with personalised feedback to help students improve.
These are the key features offered by cher.ai, one of several AI platforms that have emerged to help pupils prepare for the PSLE English oral exam, now worth 20 per cent of the overall grade, up from 15 per cent in 2025.
Built by Mr Moses Soh, 33, deputy chief executive and head of academic innovation at Mind Stretcher, cher.ai allows students to practise independently and receive detailed feedback as part of the education group's suite of PSLE preparation tools.
Mr Soh, who studied artificial intelligence at Stanford University, believes technology opens up new possibilities and helps level the playing field.
He last worked at Open Government Products, where he led the development of Pair, the Government's secure AI platform for public servants.
Levelling The Playing Field
Mr Soh says: “Even in the best schools, students might get only two to four oral practice sessions a year and the feedback might not be very detailed. Private one-on-one tutoring for oral practice is expensive. Technology offers solutions that were not possible in my generation.”
On cher.ai, students can begin their practice by listening to a model audio recording of a selected passage or by reviewing reading tips.
For instance, before reading a passage about preparing food for Hari Raya, students are encouraged to adopt a light, animated tone for the casual in-text kitchen chatter before shifting to a thoughtful, reflective cadence as the passage concludes with a short discussion on family and tradition.
Once students are ready, they record themselves and the system analyses the clip and delivers a graded report: perhaps an 8/15 or band 3 for a rushed, flat delivery, or a 12/15 or Band 4 for a clearer, more confident read. Mr Soh says that the grading system in place has been calibrated by Mind Stretcher's pool of experience teachers."
PSLE Companion subscribers can try out cher.ai for free (10 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Parents can sign up for a free trial of cher.ai to help their children prepare for the PSLE English oral exam. In June, PSLE Companion subscribers who want to continue using the tools will receive a special discount.
The free trial gives them access to three reading exercises and a parent coaching kit (www.cher.ai/sbc-kit), which comprises a bank of 60 conversation topics with varying levels of difficulty. The trial comes with a free composition exercise.
Once logged in, students can pick a topic and begin the practice session by listening to an audio model recording or by reviewing tips on how to best read their selected passage aloud.
For a passage titled “Exploring Pulau Ubin”, students are provided tips on how to manage the text.
First, they are encouraged to capture a sense of wonder in their tone to draw the listener into a world filled with nature and wildlife.
Next, they are instructed to slow down when narrating descriptions of the island to create an immersive and nostalgic effect on listeners.
Lastly, they are nudged to take time to express excitement at highlight moments in the passage, such as when the writer describes encountering a large monitor lizard.
Once students are ready, they record themselves and the system analyses the clip and delivers a graded report with different bandings based on examination criteria."
Canvas cyberattack: NUS, SIM ask users to reset passwords as added precaution (10 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) have asked their staff and students to reset their passwords as an added precaution following a global data breach.
In an e-mail sent on May 10 seen by The Straits Times, NUS said staff and students who had previously logged in to Canvas should reset their NUS passwords.
Affected users will be prompted to do so when they next access NUS IT services, including their e-mails, VPN or other systems requiring NUS authorisation.
As it continues to monitor the situation, NUS said Canvas has been placed under controlled access, adding that only selected users who require Canvas for critical academic or operational purposes will be granted access.
The measure will be in effect from May 11 to 14. NUS added that it will review the situation on May 14 to see if an extension is necessary.
“These steps are intended to mitigate the risk of unauthorised access during this period of increased vigilance,” said NUS.
Separately, SIM sent out an e-mail to its alumni on May 9 advising them to change their passwords on SIM platforms.
It added that they should also change it on all other accounts where the same password is used.
They should also check the login page before entering their credentials and look out for unusual signs, including unexpected messages, pop-ups or prompts for unfamiliar information, SIM said.
“Be alert to phishing. Expect scam e-mails or messages referencing Canvas, your SIM e-mail or your student ID. Do not click links in suspicious messages,” the e-mail read.
SIM also advised its alumni to avoid logging in from public or shared devices.
NUS and SIM were among many local and international institutions affected by a massive cyberattack on May 7. The attack, claimed by cyberextortion group ShinyHunters, resulted in access to the Canvas learning platform being blocked."
Unlocking the vault: NYP trio uses AI to ‘immortalise’ part of Singapore history (10 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – On the 10th day of the fourth lunar month in 1906, a group of Singapore’s pioneers gathered for a general meeting. On their agenda: Responding to a British government investigation into shipping interests, establishing regional schools, and setting fund-raising rules that awarded donors of 1,000 yuan a portrait in a central hall.
These historical details, including thousands of pages of meeting minutes dating back to 1906 and countless black-and-white photographs of faces, were meticulously recorded in handwritten traditional Chinese by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI). But they remained largely unseen by the public for over a century.
While the archives were never at risk of being lost, the information within them was effectively locked away in archaic scripts that few modern Singaporeans could read.
This changed in May 2025 when a trio of students from Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) – Mr Prakhar Trivedi, 20, Mr Joon Jun Han, 20, and Ms Toh Zheng Yu, 23 – took up the challenge of digitising these artefacts, using artificial intelligence to make these “hidden” records more readable and accessible to the public.
They were asked to help digitise up to 2,000 artefacts from the SCCCI for ease of storage, organisation and public showcase, and the team rose to the challenge.
They co-founded ArchAIve, an AI-powered tool that digitises handwritten Chinese documents and calligraphy, helping to preserve Chinese cultural heritage in Singapore.
It uses optical character recognition technology to process images of old scripts, and leverages Alibaba’s “Qwen” visual language models.
Unlike standard tools that struggle with the irregular spacing of ancient calligraphy, this system is optimised to recognise four major styles: clerical, standard, semi-cursive and seal scripts.
It is able to translate handwritten traditional characters into modern simplified Chinese and English, detect historical figures using facial recognition, and provide concise summaries.
Mr Trivedi said all he needs is an image of the document. “You scan the meeting minutes and you have an image, and you just feed it into the AI,” he added.
The system automatically detects the document type and engages relevant models to perform the transcription, navigating the “backward” reading order of historical Chinese and handling faded or stained backgrounds with an accuracy rate of up to 95 per cent."
Muslim couples to get early support for parenthood journey as pilot programme is made permanent (10 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A pilot programme that prepares Muslim couples for parenthood and family life will become a permanent fixture in a broader programme that supports such couples from before their marriage to two years after their solemnisation.
Called Achieving Resilient and Inspiring Families (ARIF), the programme focuses on issues relating to pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, parenting and early childhood, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim at an ARIF event in Yusof Ishak Mosque on May 10.
The ARIF programme, which begins in June, was started as a pilot in September 2020, and it will now come under Bersamamu (Malay for “With You”), an initiative under the Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) that was launched in 2019.
Bersamamu supports Muslim couples through their marriage journey and early years of family life.
The pilot phase was known as Project ARIF – a collaboration between Temasek Foundation, the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
Associate Professor Faishal said that by bringing ARIF under Bersamamu, couples will get support earlier, and also be able to access resources more easily.
“The aim is simple: to better prepare parents, and give every child the strongest possible start in life,” he said.
Prof Faishal also said that AMP Singapore – otherwise known as the Association of Muslim Professionals – will be appointed to lead the ARIF programme from June 2026.
He said AMP Singapore brings deep expertise in strengthening families and providing community-based support, and will work with other partners – including MUIS, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, ROMM, mosques and KKH – to deliver the programme."
What children wish adults understood about school bullying (11 May 2026)
"When a child is bullied, the immediate adult instinct is to try to “fix” the situation, usually involving a focus on consequences for the bully.
The Ministry of Education has taken a much-needed step in reviewing schools’ approach to bullying and rolling out a set of nine recommendations after eight months. Much media attention and the public discourse since then have, unfortunately, disproportionately focused on the standardisation of disciplinary measures across schools, including caning, suspension and conduct grade adjustment.
In the recent parliamentary sitting on May 6, Education Minister Desmond Lee addressed a range of questions pertaining to his ministry’s recommendations.
However, more details on the type of aftercare support provided to affected children and what restorative actions would look like could have been provided.
In our rush to restore order, we often overlook the very person at the heart of these instances — the children who are bullied, who feel a sense of helplessness, a loss of control and a yearning to be heard. Truly addressing the scourge of bullying, however, requires moving beyond the focus on punishment to place children’s voices at the centre of the solution.
We say this based on our experience over the last three years, during which our Tinkle Friend helplines for primary school-aged children received over a hundred calls and chats each year related to bullying. These children speak of their emotional distress, poor self-esteem, a loss of well-being, including their ability to function normally.
Punitive measures send a clear signal of disapproval, but they are blunt instruments that rarely address the full range of anxieties and concerns that a child who experienced bullying may have.
Additionally, students who misbehave persistently or exhibit behavioural issues may come from backgrounds with family dysfunction and mental health distress and have complex relational needs.
For these children, a default to disciplinary measures might temporarily work as an external deterrent to ensure compliance. However, they do not necessarily improve a child's self-regulation or help them develop an awareness of how their actions were harmful. In fact, studies conducted in North America show purely punitive interventions can be counter-productive, further alienating students from their school environments and potentialy worsening antisocial behaviour in the long run.
Why Children Stay Silent
If our current systems were working perfectly, children would feel safe coming forward, but many don't. Instead, Tinkle Friend data shows that a child's willingness to report bullying is shaped by their perception of how adults might react and that conflict may be escalated instead of resolved.
Their fears are specific and relational. Will they be protected from retaliation? Will their experiences be shared with the whole school, causing embarrassment? Will friendships, lost due to bullying incidents, be mended? Will their busy parents see their troubles as a burden? When the reporting process is unclear or if adults had been dismissive in the past, children see actions to seek help as risky and are discouraged from doing so.
A positive help-seeking experience requires us to be sensitive to the fact that children navigate a delicate terrain in school. It will hence require us to affirm their agency and safety, via trusting relationships with adults and clear support pathways."
SIT-designed AI, VR tools used to assess workers’ skills and address gaps (11 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Artificial intelligence and virtual reality (VR) have transformed the traditional methods used to evaluate the skills of volunteers for social service agency Loving Heart.
The organisation needed a more efficient way to gauge how effectively its volunteers could spot hazards in the homes of its elderly clients, show empathy, communicate and make decisions about how best to engage with the seniors.
Traditionally, this evaluation was carried out during on-the-job training. However, this approach required assessing each volunteer individually, making trips to the homes of the elderly, and observing their interactions first-hand.
The new AI- and VR-powered test reduces the time and manpower needed for such evaluation, said Ms Elaine Ho, 47, a nurse clinician and head of community health at Loving Heart.
The social service agency worked with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to design the test, which is taken online.
Rolled out in January, it comprises authentic scenarios and tasks related to working with the elderly. Around 50 candidates in roles such as befrienders and medical escorts have since taken the test."
Teen charged after he allegedly assaulted Amos Yee at anime convention in Suntec (11 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A teenager accused of raining blows on influencer Amos Yee at an anime convention in Suntec Singapore has been charged with one count each of assault and being a public nuisance.
Bosco Chun Ho Wang, 18, who appeared in court via video-link from Central Police Division on May 11, is said to have committed the offences at around 2pm on May 9.
According to court documents, he allegedly punched and kicked Yee, 27, a child sex offender who was earlier dealt with in the US. Court documents did not state why Chun allegedly attacked Yee.
Chun is said to have been a public nuisance by shouting, as well as punching and kicking Yee.
Chun was offered bail of $5,000 and his case will be mentioned again in court on June 2.
Home-grown anime convention Doujima, also known as Doujin Market, was held in the convention centre’s halls 403 to 405 on May 9 and 10.
In videos circulating online on May 9, a person dressed for cosplay as manga series Jujutsu Kaisen protagonist Yuji Itadori is seen punching, kicking and stomping on a man as bystanders look on.
The person then briefly walks off before returning and leaping onto the man, bringing him to the ground.
He then proceeds to elbow the man, who is curled up on the floor, before being taken to one side by another person.
The man on the floor is seen holding his head before he stands up and walks off."
Beyond social media bans: Building a safer digital world for children (12 May 2026)
"Many countries have banned or announced plans to ban social media for children.
What is Singapore’s approach?
At this stage, we are keeping our options open.
A ban sends a strong and simple signal: society does not accept the way social media has taken over the lives of many children.
Even if some find their way around the rules, the message is clear — there are better ways for children to be spending their time.
But if we accept that the digital experience is an integral part of children’s lives, bans alone may not bring about real changes in how children interact with social media or develop healthier habits online.
More research is needed to pinpoint exactly which aspects of social media needs fixing to be childsafe. In the meantime, there is growing evidence that certain features of social media can cause harm.
We know repeated exposure to excessive violence normalises aggression. We are troubled that padedophiles can abuse online anonymity to gain trust and groom our children. If adults struggle to resist the lure of algorithmic feeds and the temptation to watch one more video, what more our children?
Different Offerings For Different Ages
For children under 13, our position is more straightforward. Young children should not be on social media platforms designed for older users.
In fact, the social media platforms' terms of service already prohibit this, but they have little incentive to properly verify if a user is underaged. Governments must therefore step in to hold platforms accountable for implementing robust age assurance measures. This is an important first step we will require of designated social media services to keep users under 13 off their platforms.
For older children past a certain age, most parents recognise that it is neither realistic nor practical to keep them away from social media altogether, any more than we can curb their curiosity about popular music, celebrities or relationships. What parents want is for their children to have age-appropriate experiences on social media, like how children may watch a variety of films that are suitable for their ages, but not films with mature themes.
This is why some are asking whether banning older children from social media makes the environment safer, ot whether it leaves them less prepared to navigate it later on. Could better outcomes be achieved through feature-based regulations that ensure age-appropriate experiences for all children?"
New parents are a category by themselves. Treat them as such (12 May 2026)
"Even though it’s been almost 10 years now, I still remember four exact words in an e-mail sent to me on a Friday evening by a well-meaning senior colleague: “Have a productive weekend.” If I allow myself to dwell on it, I can still taste the unease and guilt I felt at that moment because my plans for that weekend did not look very productive.
The message was clear: You must always be working. That is how you get ahead.
For parents who are primary caregivers to young children, always working is not an option. Instead, for us, the alternative message is: the perfect balance between work and life still exists out there. You just have to manage time wisely and, with luck, find a sympathetic supervisor.
The alternative message can work for some. A newly promoted colleague shared that when her children were the same age as mine, she was able to manage her workload by turning down work engagements after office hours.
But even this more optimistic testimony failed to fully clear my doubts as a mother of young children. The tension still exists. Assessed against a non-parent benchmark, the odds would generally be against me.
That’s because being on the “parenthood track” is not just about having less time due to the steady stream of medical appointments and school announcements. More than that, I feel that I've lost some of the energy that used to fuel agility at the workplace, which means sometimes missing out on time-sensitive opportunities.
As long as we treat parenting as a deviation from the default standard rather than a different path with its own logic, the consensus will remain that “parenting = sacrifice”. To challenge this, we must reshape the parenthood track in life and at work.
Reshaping The Parenthood Track
More than inspirational narratives and uplifting stories, parents need the real thing from society - an acknowledgement that life is fundamentally different when a child, a new human being, is added to the equation, and therefore, that qualification for support in life and markers of achievement at the workplace should be different.
Without this acknowledgement, parents will continue to count the cost. Flexible work arrangements can help, but cannot fully close the gap because the time demands of parenthood are simply much larger than commute time. Ultimately, parents still have to somehow do as much as non-parents in a narrower window of time. When parents are measured against those without such responsibilities as the default, they will always fall short in comparison.
What does a reshaped parenthood track look like? Consider Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Just like anyone else, would-be parents desire a reasonable standard of living. Beyond just the conditions of their living environment, they also care about emotional ties, social esteem and a sense of living up to their full potential."
Mums’ health struggles inspire NYP grads to design pastry-related game, pursue social work (12 May 2026)
"It all started with a dismal PSLE result – Ms Sherine Yeoh had scored 148 for the national examinations and was disappointed with herself.
“It felt like a wake‑up call,” recalled the now 22-year-old, a recent Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) graduate. “I had always been a happy‑go‑lucky student, but being placed in the Normal (Technical) stream forced me to face reality.
“Seeing my parents, especially my mother, disappointed, definitely added to my guilt.”
But her mother was supportive and patient.
Determined to pick herself up, Ms Yeoh went to ITE, where she discovered a passion for games, art and design. This led her to pursue a diploma in animation, games and visual effects at NYP through the Early Admissions Exercise.
In 2025, Ms Yeoh’s mother developed a health complication, which required her to stay in hospital for a week before being discharged.
“I was so distraught. And during that point in time, I couldn’t see her as I was in Finland doing my internship,” Ms Yeoh said.
“We called every week, and I would just get teary-eyed whenever I saw her on the call, as she looked so sick, and I wanted to be there with her.”
Her mother is still recovering.
Ms Yeoh’s appreciation for her mother inspired her to design a game titled Dear Mum: Letters From Home in 2026 as part of her school’s graduation requirement. She decided to design a pastry-related game as her mother is a pastry chef.
Dear Mum: Letters from Home draws inspiration from Cookie Run, a series of online mobile games developed by Devsisters.
In Ms Yeoh’s game, the main character, Jo, enjoys baking, but has lost all her memories. As players bake recipes from her cookbook, Jo unlocks letters from it, and her memories slowly return.
The recipes in Dear Mum: Letters from Home include some of Ms Yeoh’s mother’s favourite desserts, such as Guinness chocolate cake and burnt cheesecake."
Beyond loss and gain: Reframing parenthood to tackle Singapore’s fertility crisis (12 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE - For years, Singapore’s efforts to raise fertility have centred on policy levers – from cash incentives such as the Baby Bonus to structural support like parental leave, housing priority schemes and subsidised childcare.
Yet, the Republic’s total fertility rate has fallen to a record low of 0.87 in 2025.
The newly formed inter-agency Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup tackling this existential challenge has signalled a shift in approach. Policy reviews remain necessary but insufficient. It is targeting mindset shifts as well.
For this effort to succeed, the workgroup must first grapple with how Singaporeans weigh the trade-offs of parenthood in their lives, and rebalance what is lost and gained.
The need for such a shift is evident in how Singaporeans think about parenthood.
In February, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who chairs this workgroup, noted that among Singaporeans engaged by the Government, those who were hesitant about having children tended to view parenthood through what they stood to lose – career progression, other life goals, and personal freedom.
In contrast, those who were already parents, or intending to become one, often described it in terms of what they gained: the joy of family life, and the fulfilment and personal growth that come with raising children.
The reality is that many Singaporeans are socialised from a young age to define success in competitive, linear terms.
From academic streaming and school admissions to co-curricular portfolios, internships and leadership roles, some young people learn early to optimise for measurable outcomes.
By adulthood, this mindset often translates into a sense that one must make the most of their prime years. Pursuing higher pay, faster career progression and personal aspirations such as travel are often prioritised before taking on family responsibilities. Parenthood appears less like a natural progression and more like a disruption to an upward trajectory.
If what weighs most heavily is the perceived opportunity cost of having children, then financial incentives alone will never fully address these concerns.
This is particularly acute for women, especially if caregiving continues to be seen primarily as their responsibility.
Reframing ‘loss’ and ‘gain’
There is a need to recalibrate parenting so that it becomes more of a “gain” than “loss”.
Reframing this balance between “loss” and “gain” requires change across several fronts — from workplaces and schools to the broader lived environment."
Current affairs get competitive: 16 schools enter semi-finals of ST’s What’s The News? quiz (12 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – After an intense preliminary round involving more than 6,000 students from over 70 schools, The Straits Times’ current affairs competition What’s The News? has entered the semi-final stage.
Launched in 2025, What’s The News? is an interactive competition that aims to build students’ interest in the news and encourage them to be more discerning in consuming media.
The competition is supported by the Ministry of Education, and the Central Narcotics Bureau is a partner.
The semi-final teams in 2026 span a wide range of students, with secondary schools such as Marsiling Secondary School competing alongside tertiary institutions like ITE College Central and National Junior College.
In the preliminary round, participants answered current affairs questions about Singapore and the rest of the world.
Teams from 16 schools qualified for the semi-finals, where they will compete for a spot in the finals. The winning team will take home a $4,000 cash prize, while the teams in second, third and fourth places will win $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.
Participants will not only need to answer questions, but also apply their knowledge in a series of arena-style games.
“The semi-finals of What’s The News? was such a hit last year among students. We expect the energy this year to match that,” ST editor Jaime Ho said.
“The students from last year said they couldn’t imagine that the so-called ‘boring’ news could be re-imagined into a competitive arena. We’ve upped the ante again this year with new games, and I can’t wait to see what they think of them,” he added.
“Ultimately, we want to excite our young people into seeing the news in a different light – that it is quirky, connects people and has a place in everyone’s lives.”
The semi-finals will be held on May 14 at Our Tampines Hub. The top four teams will proceed to the finals on May 26 at the SPH Auditorium."
Lack of social capital a barrier for Malay community despite signs of rising educational mobility: Study (12 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Structural and social barriers continue to hinder the upward mobility of the Malay community, a study has found, even amid strong education and occupational progress among some families.
The report, titled Intergenerational Mobility Within The Malay Community In Singapore, found that 79 per cent of respondents have surpassed the educational levels of their parents.
Some 73.4 per cent of respondents also reported feeling financially better off than their parents were at the same age.
About 90 per cent of those surveyed were employed in professional, manager, executive and technician – or PMET – roles, compared with 37.8 per cent in their grandparents’ generation.
However, the study, conducted by the Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA), suggests that while some in the community have attained higher academic qualifications, “social capital deficit” remains.
Social capital refers to the resources and advantages one draws from their social relationships, including access to information, trust and recognition.
The study said: “Those with stronger social capital, such as access to mentors, professional family members or industry networks, were better able to navigate educational and career pathways, while others relied primarily on formal qualifications and personal effort.”
The findings, released on May 12, are based on a survey and interviews conducted between October 2024 and January 2025.
Researchers looked at the trajectories of three generations – grandparents, parents and respondents – through a survey of 267 respondents, more than half of whom were below the age of 40. The study also included in-depth interviews with 33 respondents, with two-thirds aged below 40.
The researchers noted that the study was conducted primarily among participants from the networks and events of RIMA and its parent organisation, AMP. As such, the findings may reflect more the perspectives of Malays with higher educational attainment within these specific networks than the broader community."
11-year-old among three fined for vaping, one arrested for suspected etomidate use in Punggol (13 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE - An 11-year-old was among three people fined for vaping, and a 17-year-old was arrested for a suspected etomidate offence, during an anti-vape enforcement operation in Punggol on April 30.
Two males and one female, aged between 11 and 29, were caught and fined on the spot for vaping, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on May 13.
Separately, a 17-year-old boy was arrested for a suspected repeat etomidate offence, with his urine testing positive for the drug, said HSA.
Four vapes and related components, including one pod suspected to contain the anaesthetic agent etomidate, were seized in the enforcement operation carried out by the HSA and police. The suspected drug-laced device has been sent for testing.
New anti-vaping laws that impose stricter penalties in Singapore came into effect on May 1.
Those found vaping can be fined up to $10,000, up from a maximum fine of $2,000 previously. Those caught vaping etomidate can be fined up to $20,000, jailed for up to 10 years, or both.
In the last four months of 2025, a total of 3,534 people were caught and fined for owning and using vapes. Of these, 3,168 were vape offenders, and 366 were Kpod abusers.
Kpods are vape devices laced with etomidate."
Raffles Institution honours late throws coach Choo Chee Kiong, who built a gym and a generation (13 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Throws coach Choo Chee Kiong was the first person who came to Raffles Institution (RI) athletics master Vincent Quek’s mind on April 17, when the school celebrated a historic achievement with a first-ever C Division boys’ championship trophy in track and field.
Nearly sixteen years ago, Choo had come out of retirement to help the RI team, but sadly the veteran coach did not get to witness the winning moment – he died in July 2025 at the age of 77 from a cardiac arrest.
On May 13, at the RI track and field dinner held in the school’s canteen – organised by parents annually to honour the teachers, coaches, athletes and families – over 200 members of the fraternity gathered to pay a special tribute to the late coach who helped shape generations of athletes.
As a respectful silence descended on the canteen, the audience watched a tribute video dedicated to him. Quek also presented the coaches with specially commissioned medals to recognise their hard work and commitment.
Choo’s goddaughter, Ong Siang Ling, received the medal on his behalf, along with a specially made plaque that Quek had intended to present to him ahead of his planned departure in 2027.
In 2010, when the school was searching for a coach for its throws programme, the then 62-year-old Choo returned to coaching and devoted the next 15 years to the team.
Under his guidance, RI throwers amassed an impressive haul of medals across the B and C Division throwing events at the National School Games – they won three B Division titles in 2018, 2023 and 2024. During his tenure, their athletes also broke six National School Games records in discus, shot put and javelin, alongside several national age-group marks.
Many of the athletes he mentored went on to represent Singapore on the regional stage in the Asian Youth Games, Asian City Championships, Asean School Games, and South-east Asia Youth Championships, among others.
Despite the programme’s success, those closest to him said Choo had one unfulfilled dream: Winning the school a C Division boys’ title. After his death in 2025, the student-athletes, teachers and coaches were determined to win it in his honour.
Admitting that the victory on April 17 was deeply emotional for him, the 52-year-old Quek said: “He had been a motivation factor. I felt this urge to win it for him. When we actually won the title, (the first thing on my mind) was, ‘Okay, Mr Choo, we’ve done it. We got it at last.’”
Charities collaborate to offer subsidised programmes for children with special educational needs (14 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – When Madam Fun Ying Jiet realised her three-year-old son was using gestures instead of words to express his needs, she thought he just needed more time before he could speak.
It was only after the 37-year-old financial adviser discovered developmental screening that she took her son, Joe (not his real name), to be assessed at a polyclinic.
Joe, who is now eight years old, was found to have speech delay and was referred to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital for further examination.
He now attends weekly hour-long classes under Epworth Community Services’ literacy and behaviour intervention programme at one of the charity’s premises in Bukit Batok Central.
Joe is among the estimated 200 children expected to benefit from subsidised services offered at Epworth, with funding from the Mainly I Love Kids (MILK) Fund.
The collaboration between the two charities will support children aged five to 12, from middle- to lower-income families, who have emerging or mild-to-moderate special educational needs and study in mainstream schools.
The subsidies, which will start on May 14 and run until 2029, will benefit current beneficiaries, such as Joe, and future attendees at Epworth."
Temasek Poly student graduates with perfect GPA despite cancer diagnosis (14 May 2026)
"Mr Joash Tan Zhe Xian was thriving academically in his first year at Temasek Polytechnic (TP) as a computer engineering student.
As a child, he had become interested in engineering while watching his grandfather tinker with gadgets.
He would go on to graduate top of his course with a perfect GPA of 4, bagging the school’s Lee Kuan Yew Award for top technology or computer science graduates.
But before that, he had to battle cancer.
He was in training as part of TP’s badminton team in August 2023 when his world was turned upside down.
“I experienced a sharp pain (at my glutes) and I couldn’t move,” he said.
Following MRIs, he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the bones or surrounding soft tissues.
“Upon diagnosis, I started to have a lot of questions about my health and my future. Everything that once felt very stable was just fragile,” Mr Tan said.
Due to the severity of the condition, he had to defer his studies immediately to focus on treatment. The tumour at his gluteal area pressed onto his sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the human body.
“Simple actions such as walking and lying on the bed were a struggle because there was too much pain,” he recalled.
He had to undergo several treatments spanning one year, including a seven-hour operation to remove the tumour, 14 cycles of chemotherapy and 28 cycles of proton therapy.
After the treatments, Mr Tan had to learn to walk again. Initially, doctors told him that he would need at least a month to even sit up in bed. However, he managed to get back on his feet in a week, and took one to two months to walk normally without any support.
On May 6, the 21-year-old was among nearly 5,400 students from 39 full-time and 47 part-time diploma courses to graduate from TP."
Illness is no limit: Student with severe genetic conditions emerges as a top Temasek Poly graduate (14 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Born with critical genetic illnesses, Ms Gwyn Lim Qi Zheng’s mobility is limited to her fingers.
The only thing she can do independently is to use her smartphone for schoolwork. Prolonged periods of sitting are excruciating, and chronic fatigue is a norm.
Yet the 19-year-old diploma in business graduate was one of the recipients of Temasek Polytechnic’s (TP) Ngee Ann Kongsi Most Outstanding Overcomer Award on May 8. She was among nearly 5,400 students from 39 full-time and 47 part-time diploma courses who graduated from TP."
Reformative training for girl who slashed 2 school staff members with penknife (14 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A teenage girl who hurt herself with a penknife at a secondary school before slashing two staff members was ordered on May 14 to undergo reformative training for at least six months.
During reformative training, young offenders are detained in a centre to undergo a strict regimen that can include foot drills and counselling.
The 17-year-old girl had pleaded guilty in January to one count of voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon.
A second similar charge was considered during her sentencing.
She cannot be named as those below 18 are protected under the Children and Young Persons Act.
In earlier proceedings, the court heard that she was late for school on April 28, 2025.
The school’s operations manager then confiscated her mobile phone before sending her to class.
During a break between lessons at 12.20pm, the girl looked for him outside the general office to ask if she could have her phone back.
When he refused, she pulled out a penknife, hurt herself with it and slashed his left arm.
He called for the discipline master, who confronted her, but she also slashed his arm."
Will caning bullies change their behaviour? (14 May 2026)
"By 2027, every school will have to follow standard disciplinary measures such as detention and conduct grade adjustment for different types of misbehaviour.
But the measure that divided parents, teachers and parliamentarians was that bullies can get up to three strokes of the cane.
Caning in schools is not new, so why were so many people upset that school bullies will be caned?
In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak with ST education correspondent and former secondary school teacher Elisha Tushara, and chief executive officer of the Singapore Children’s Society Ang Boon Min, about what caused the scrutiny over caning for bullies.
At a time when bullying cases are increasing - albeit by a small number - will caning change behaviour among recalcitrant students? Also, if parents step in to take on their child’s bullies, will it make things worse?"
12-year-olds in therapy - the silent rise in youth porn addiction (14 May 2026)
"Asia holds the highest rate of problematic pornography use in the world at nearly one in five people, according to a study which researchers term ‘Asian Paradox’. While casual viewing can be healthy for adults in some instances, this taboo weaponises the dopamine hit for tech-savvy youths.
In this episode, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with Dr Peter Chew, Associate Professor of Psychology at James Cook University Singapore, to unpack this silent epidemic. They explore the neuroscience behind the digital dopamine trap, why a teenager’s developing brain is vulnerable, and why symbolic website bans are failing.
Dr Chew also dismantles common misconceptions, explaining the crucial difference between clinical addiction and religious guilt; how sex education should change; and why abstinence-only programmers cause higher unwanted pregnancies."
Futuristic pop-up library brings sci-fi books and art to Parkway Parade (14 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Lined with chrome walls and neon-lit, futuristic arches, a new pop-up library dedicated to science fiction has opened at Parkway Parade, bringing together more than 4,000 books, graphic novels, comics and paraphernalia under one roof.
Conceived by the National Library Board (NLB), the Sci-Fi Pop-up Library also showcases original paintings used on the covers of titles such as Timothy Zahn’s The Icarus Twin and J.G. Ballard’s The Drowned World, and mini figurines from classics like Star Trek.
The exhibition, curated with support from science fiction and fantasy heritage organisation The Imaginariad, also features artwork inspired by books in the collection, spanning sub-genres such as space opera, dystopian worlds and cyberpunk.
Digital artworks imagining Singapore in 2126, created by The Imaginariad in collaboration with artist Kristal Melson, are displayed on the walls of the spaceship-like library that spans a corridor on Level 4 of the mall.
The space also features a local sci-fi collection by authors such as Judith Huang and Vivian Teo, and an interactive generative AI station where visitors can create their own sci-fi stories.
An eRead screen lets visitors browse and borrow e-books of titles available at the pop-up, by scanning a QR code with their NLB Mobile app.
“It’s more than just reading. It’s about making this space relatable to young families, students and everyone else. It’s a space where they can just chill out,” said NLB planning and development manager Lavania Krishnamurthy.
The pop-up will run until April 11, 2027, and its collection is expected to expand over time.
Open daily from 10am to 10pm, the self-service space can be accessed by scanning a library-compliant ID card such as an NRIC or student concession card, using an NLB eCard, or scanning a QR code at the entrance for a day pass."
SST and St. Gabriel’s among four schools advancing to ST’s What’s The News? finals (15 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – The Our Tampines Hub auditorium was transformed on May 14 as students from across Singapore filled the bleachers while 16 teams got ready to show their prowess in current affairs in a colourful setting.
This was the semi-finals of The Straits Times’ quiz competition, What’s The News? Awaiting the teams, each comprising six students aged 15 to 19, were four places in the finals and the chance to win cash prizes.
The inter-school competition, which focuses on current affairs, is supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The Central Narcotics Bureau is a partner (CNB).
The semi-finals followed a sports day-style format, where teams faced off in a sequence of telematch games that test both knowledge and strategic thinking. Mr Sun Kyong, 18, a spectator from ITE College Central, described it as an eye-opening experience.
“Prior to this, I thought it was going to just be answering questions, but they make it very interesting,” he said.
After the semi-finals ended, tension was high as the teams waited for the announcement of the finalists – St. Gabriel’s Secondary, Victoria School, Presbyterian High and the School of Science and Technology (SST). This is Presbyterian High’s second finals, after 2025’s inaugural competition.
The four teams will compete for the top prize of $4,000 in the finals on May 26. The second-, third- and fourth-placed teams will receive $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000, respectively."
Beyond the nuclear family: Families for Life chair urges wider support networks for children (15 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE - An expanded definition of family – one that includes grandparents, aunts and uncles – and encouraging families to help those beyond their kin are among the shifts that Mr Keith Magnus hopes to see in time.
Shrinking family sizes make it increasingly important to widen support networks around children, said Mr Magnus, who was appointed in January as council chairman of Families for Life (FFL).
Calling Singapore’s record low total fertility rate (TFR) an existential issue, Mr Magnus said movements like FFL can play a role in highlighting the joy of parenthood to shift mindsets and complement broader efforts such as the new inter-agency workgroup.
The Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, was formed after Singapore’s TFR fell to a historic low of 0.87 in 2025. The work group will release a full report in early 2027.
Speaking to the media about helming his first National Family Festival (NFF) – a month-long series of events and activities in June across Singapore – in his leadership term, Mr Magnus said he hopes for the movement to include a larger family archetype.
The NFF is part of the FFL movement, run by the Ministry of Social and Family Development. FFL was first formed in 2006 under the name National Family Council to promote resilient families.
Mr Magnus, who has been married since 2002, said: “The truth is, (neither) the Government (nor any) Act of Parliament is going to be able to legislate to say that you have to be a good husband or father, for example. How do you enforce it? There is no checklist.”
So, FFL is meant to raise suggestions and communicate what a strong family might look like, said the father of three. He has two daughters aged 16 and 21, and a 19-year-old son.
He also hopes that families will turn outwards and help others around them to encourage social cohesion."
Reformative training for woman caught with Kpods twice in 1½ months at same club (15 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE - A young woman who was caught twice at the same nightspot with etomidate-laced vaporisers, also known as Kpods, was ordered on May 15 to undergo reformative training for at least a year.
Tan Xin Yi, 21, will be detained in a centre to undergo a strict regimen that can include foot drills and counselling.
In January, Tan pleaded guilty to being in possession of a Kpod on two separate occasions, after she committed the offences on Aug 16 and Sept 28, 2025.
On both occasions, enforcement officers from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) caught her in a club at Excelsior Shopping Centre in Coleman Street.
Tan’s bail has been set at $10,000, and she is expected to begin serving her sentence on June 3.
When vaped, etomidate enters the lungs directly and may trigger spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis.
Under enhanced laws on vaping that were effective from Sept 1, 2025, first-time etomidate abusers will face an increased fine of $700 for those 18 and above, or $500 for those below 18.
They will also be required to attend rehabilitation sessions for up to six months."
Tutor allegedly assaulted pupil, 8, causing forearm fracture (15 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – A tutor allegedly assaulted an eight-year-old boy who was his pupil, causing injuries including a fracture to the child’s left forearm.
Tan Kwan Hong, 37, was charged on May 13 with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to the boy.
Details about the child cannot be disclosed owing to a gag order to protect his identity.
Tan was in a Thomson Road property at around 7pm on Jan 30 when he allegedly shoved the child, who sustained the fracture and an abrasion to his lower lip.
Tan is also an owner of a company called Strawberry Holdings that deals with event management, education and strategy consulting, according to Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority records.
His case will be mentioned again in court on June 9."
Additional funding support for school bus operators in May, June: MOE (15 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – School bus operators will receive additional funding in May and June, covering 20 per cent of transport fare revenue. They will also be given the flexibility to increase fares to a certain point if fuel prices remain elevated in July, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said.
In a reply to media queries, MOE said on May 15 that it had earlier provided temporary support to such operators from April, due to an increase in operating costs as a result of higher fuel prices.
At that point, this funding covered 13 per cent of transport fare revenue.
If fuel prices remain high even after June, MOE said it will allow bus operators to offset their operating costs through a “time-bound fuel surcharge”.
The maximum amount will be set by the ministry, and operators can increase fares up to that amount.
MOE said that it will inform operators on the cap in June, before disseminating information about the new school bus fares to parents.
In doing so, parents “can plan their transport arrangements after the June school holidays, if needed”, the ministry said, adding that it will continue to review fuel prices, and either adjust or remove the surcharge as necessary."
No coding skills, no problem: New father builds baby tracker with AI tool (16 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE- Mr Frank Chester Tan started his tech exploits when he became a dad in October 2025.
Like many parents, he and his wife Estee Cheng, both 32, would log their infant’s daily feeding, sleep and diaper change patterns to compare against national developmental milestones.
It soon overwhelmed them.
After five months of struggling with the task using pen and paper, Mr Tan decided to build an app for this purpose using Claude Code, a low-code tool designed for those without technical background, on the advice of his boss.
The content strategist for Australian technology multinational Appen, who had no coding experience, was intimidated at first.
This is because Claude Code is launched on Mac Terminal, a text-based interface typically used by developers to run commands.
“It was daunting...Terminal looked like the Matrix,” said Mr Tan, referring to the cascading lines of code on a black screen that resembled the film’s visuals.
The tool, which comes with a premium Claude Pro subscription, costs $30 a month.
But Mr Tan did not need to input coding language.
Instead, he used natural language prompts – good old English words and sentences.
Next, he created a four-page document of prompts specifying detailed features such as a private dashboard for both parents to share data in real time, and one-tap fields to input milk feeds and diaper changes.
Claude Code provided him with step-by-step instructions to build the app."
How you can ride the AI wave (16 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE - Fear it or love it, we are living in an era of artificial intelligence.
Rapid AI development over the past four years has triggered unparalleled breakthroughs.
Radiologists use AI to analyse a high volume of imaging data in real time, so life-threatening conditions like brain bleeds, strokes or pulmonary embolisms can be flagged without delays.
Educators use AI tools to create teaching materials and self-practice tests for students, saving hours of manual content creation. AI also helps teachers detect plagiarism in students’ writing.
Hirers employ AI to screen large volumes of applications for candidates who meet specific job criteria and to craft replies to those shortlisted to arrange in-person interviews.
AI tools also power self-paced learning platforms on company culture, tools, and processes for new hires.
But the same developments in AI have also threatened to upend jobs. White-collar work, once considered largely immune to automation, is now among the most vulnerable.
The most severe warning came from Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei. In 2025, he predicted that AI would destroy up to half of all white-collar jobs within five years.
In 2026, he warned again that humans would be unable to adapt to the rapid pace of AI development, and that this would trigger an “unusually painful” short-term shock in the labour market.
The AI chief, whose firm has attracted heavy-hitting investors including Singapore’s GIC, Amazon and Google, wrote on his blog: “The pace of progress in AI is much faster than for previous technological revolutions...
“It is hard for people to adapt to this pace of change, both to the changes in how a given job works and in the need to switch to new jobs.”
From big tech to braids: How a S’pore father went from working for Meta to full-time girl dad (16 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE - Mr Jeggan Rajendram once held highly coveted jobs, working for tech giants Google and Meta.
But since January, his life has taken a markedly different turn. Meetings and work calls with clients have given way to school drop-offs and rollerblading sessions with his daughters.
Now a full-time stay-at-home dad to his girls, aged two and four, his days begin with getting them ready for school, followed by drop-offs and pick-ups, shower time and preparing light snacks for them.
Mr Rajendram, 41, is among a growing number of fathers taking up the primary caregiving role in their families.
Data from the Ministry of Manpower’s annual Labour Force in Singapore reports show that men now make up 7.4 per cent of residents outside the labour force for childcare in 2025, up from 3.5 per cent in 2022.
The Transition From Tech To Braids
“I was good at my job, but it got to a point where I was questioning what I was doing it for,” said Mr Rajendram. “While it paid me well, it took up most of my time and my headspace. During this time, my kids are growing up. I felt like I was missing (out).”
Even on weekends, which were for family, he found it hard to switch off, sometimes turning back to his laptop even when it was not required.
“I felt like I needed to be more intentional about how I was spending my time and get off autopilot.”
The decision to step away from his career was not taken lightly.
His wife, Ms Sumyutha Sivamani, said the couple spent eight months thinking about it.
“I don’t want to paint a very unrealistic picture of (how) there were zero concerns...I was very supportive but we talked a lot about the pros and cons,” said the 37-year-old lawyer. “Having gone through that entire exercise, I felt like it was the right thing for him to do as well.”
Aside from giving up an income, Mr Rajendram also grappled with letting go of a key part of his identity.
“If you’ve been working for so long in some pretty good companies, it becomes who you are. So then if you’re not there, who you are sort of becomes a question,” he said, adding that he is still adjusting to the change.
But the thought of missing out on the golden time period in his young children’s lives cemented his decision to quit."
Fatherhood, full-time: Why more Singapore men are staying home to care for their children (16 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE - More fathers are stepping out of full-time work to look after their children amid a gradual rise in paternal involvement at home.
The number of stay-at-home dads outside the labour force has risen from about 1,900 in 2022 to 3,000 in 2025, based on data from the Ministry of Manpower’s annual Labour Force in Singapore reports.
They now make up 7.4 per cent of residents outside the labour force for childcare in 2025, up from 3.5 per cent in 2022.
Over the same period, the number of stay-at-home mums fell from about 51,600 to 37,300.
While these figures exclude stay-at-home parents who combine part-time work with caregiving, experts say they reflect a broader rise in hands-on fatherhood in Singapore, driven partly by the normalisation of flexible and hybrid work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
But they cautioned against overstating the shift, noting that workplace norms remain less supportive of fathers taking up larger caregiving roles, and that mothers are still the primary caregivers in most families.
More fundamental changes are needed to move towards a more egalitarian society, they said, with research showing the benefits of higher paternal involvement.
Besides those who leave work for full-time caregiving, stay-at-home dads also include those who continue working in different capacities, said Centre for Fathering’s chief executive Xander Ong.
While the non-profit organisation does not track the number of fathers who stay home, it has observed that more are opting for work arrangements that allow them to be more present for their families, he said.
They include those on part-time, freelance, or flexible arrangements, as well as a growing number running home-based businesses."
Singapore youth aware of falling fertility rate, study finds, but 40% in no rush to marry (16 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – Youth in Singapore know that total fertility rate (TFR) is falling, but 40 per cent of them are in no hurry to marry, a new survey on youth perceptions found.
A quarter remain undecided, according to the poll of 1,114 respondents aged between 14 and 35, by youth non-profit Heartware Network.
The findings, released on May 16, show that of those aged 26 to 35, 23.53 per cent are eager to marry and start a family, while 22.06 per cent entirely rule out starting a family.
This comes amid hurdles in forming social connections, with 57.72 per cent of respondents saying it is not easy to form meaningful relationships today – a problem that intensifies with age.
While 41.9 per cent of those under 16 find social connection “somewhat easy”, that figure halves to 20.6 per cent for those aged 26 to 35.
These issues were discussed during a dialogue on May 16 between 70 young people, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Goh Hanyan, held at *SCAPE.
Singapore’s resident TFR fell to a historic low of 0.87 in 2025. This has triggered public conversations and the formation of the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup chaired by Ms Indranee.
The TFR was 0.97 in 2024.
Ms Indranee had previously said that if this trajectory were to continue, it would have serious consequences for Singapore.
During the hour-long session, participants from tertiary institutions and adults up to 35 years old raised concerns about the psychological, social and physical trade-offs of family planning in a competitive city-state."
No sensitive data leaked in global Canvas learning platform breach: MOE (16 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE – No sensitive information has been leaked so far in the recent global data breach of the Canvas learning platform, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said on May 16.
In response to queries, MOE said there have been no confirmed reports of data leaks as at May 14.
The ministry added that it is in touch with the government-supported institutes of higher learning affected by the breach and will “provide support where possible”.
It also said that private education institutions are expected to comply with the law and data protection regulations.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) were among a number of local institutions allegedly hit by a global data breach on May 7.
NUS on May 8 had informed students that some information such as their names and e-mail addresses may have been exposed, but confidential information such as passwords had not been compromised.
Thousands of international institutions, including Harvard University and Stanford University, were also affected.
In Singapore, the Singapore College of Insurance (SCI), the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), NTUC LearningHub, The Learning Lab, KLC International Institute and The Learning Space SG were also named in a list of organisations that were targeted seen online on May 8.
The attack, which blocked access to the Canvas learning platform, was claimed by ShinyHunters, a well-known cyberextortion group active since at least 2019."
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."
Discovering the joy of serving together (5 February 2026)
"These Parent Support Groups are inspiring parents and children to step out and lend a hand to those in need, proving that volunteering as a family doesn’t have to be complicated.
By Ai Lei
Parent Support Groups (PSGs) in schools are showing that giving back can be a family affair. Through school-led initiatives, both parents and children are involved in serving others – from distributing food to families in need to bringing help and joy to seniors. Find out how PSGs from these four schools provide opportunities for parents and children to bond through volunteering.
Punggol Green Primary School: Partnering parents to inculcate values
Punggol Green Primary School’s collaboration with Food from the Heartbegan as a Values-in-Action project led by its Primary 5 students. These students rallied their peers to contribute non-perishable food items for families in need. These food items were also displayed on shelves for beneficiaries to redeem at Food from the Heart’s Community Shop @ Punggol.
Now in its fifth year, the initiative has expanded, with participation from the school’s PSG. Parents saw the shared acts of service as a meaningful way to give back while strengthening bonds with their children. Together, they went door-to-door to distribute food packs to 50 households in Punggol and Hougang.
Ms Norhidayana Jabar, Lead Teacher/Malay Language, reflects, “This initiative shows how learning goes beyond the classroom, as students learn to be kind, caring and responsible members of the community.”
For the community, the effort provided not just essential groceries but also a sense of warmth and connection. In particular, a resident had shared how the food packs helped ease her family’s worries when they were going through a difficult month.
The students experienced the joy of service firsthand, with many taking the initiative to prepare personalized greetings to introduce themselves to the residents. Parents too were deeply moved. PSG chairperson Ms Claire Zhang shares, “The smiles you see from the residents and from your own children are truly priceless.” Creating these shared experiences allowed parents to actively participate in their child’s holistic development, reinforcing the values taught in school."
What students learn when they perform together (13 February 2026)
"From school rehearsals to public performances, students reflect on how performing arts CCAs teach them to pay attention to others and work together.
By Sabrina Lee
Across a guitar ensemble and an angklung group, four students share how performing arts CCAs shape the way they listen, adapt, and pull their own weight during performances.
Zi Ling and Maya learn it takes a team to carry a melody on the angklung
When St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School’s Angklung Ensemble plays, no one carries the melody alone.
“Everybody only controls one note,” says Secondary 4 student Hiew Zi Ling. “So, to play a song, we must listen to each other, watch the conductor, and shake our instruments at the right moment.”
As a student leader, Zi Ling looks out for juniors who are still adjusting. “Everyone has their own way of learning,” she says. “And I’ve learnt to be patient and to encourage them.”
For Zi Ling, the Angklung Ensemble stood out when she was in Secondary 1 because she and a close friend did not share classes and wanted to join a CCA that gave them time to bond. “I stumbled across an angklung performance during the Singapore Youth Festival,” she says. “The bamboo instrument looked so unique, and I found it fascinating how such a simple instrument could make such clear, resonant sounds.”
With little to no musical background, she thought the angklung would be easy to learn at first. “Playing the angklung in an ensemble means keeping time, working as a team, and paying close attention to everyone else’s cues,” she says."
Empowering everyone during Total Defence Day (13 February 2026)
"Through fun and educational activities, White Sands Primary School and Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School come together every year to let their students learn about how everyone has a role to play when it comes to Total Defence.
Learning how to perform CPR on a CPR dummy from a St. John Brigade cadet. Colouring scenes of playground interactions while National Police Cadet Corp cadets explain how Social Defence is built over time. Identifying signs and emergency numbers that will be useful during an emergency from a group of Girl Guides.
These are just some of the activities that White Sands Primary School (WSPS) students engaged in during their recess, facilitated by 51 students from uniformed groups from Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School (PRCSS). The initiative, which arose from a partnership between the two schools, is part of Total Defence Day commemoration.
“We were already partnering with WSPS in Values in Action, so it was a natural step to take when we were looking to extend our outreach and advocacy initiatives,” says Ms Candice Soh, Subject Head of Student Involvement and Agency at PRCSS. “It is a meaningful event that also empowers our students, as they impart their knowledge of Total Defence to younger students.”
Now in its fourth year, these Total Defence Day recess activities have become something that the WSPS students look forward to annually."
Where Play Sparks Growth - How MOE Kindergartens are developing our preschoolers (26 February 2026)
"School today is no longer just about worksheets and tests.
At MOE Kindergartens (MK), “purposeful play” is an important part of its curriculum. Sneak a peek into what this looks like in the different learning spaces at MK@Casuarina!"
Hot take: How these 3 parent influencers keep their kids off their devices (26 February 2026)
"Influencers are all about attracting eyeballs to their accounts. So we posed three parent influencers this tough question: How do you limit screen use for your own kids? They share what methods work for them and what don’t.
Fifteen hours. That’s Runner Kao’s daily screen time report. The social worker turned content creator admits that the number is staggering – it’s nearly all of his waking hours! But it’s hard to bring it down when his livelihood depends on it.
Parent influencers face a daunting task: Limit their kids’ screen time while building careers online. Mummy influencer Fizah Nizam often works on the go, with device stuck to her hand. When she tells her daughter to put her iPad down, she gets this reply: “You tell me, ‘don’t use the iPad’, but then why are you on the iPad?”
For influencer Tommy Wong, it’s also about reconciling his online career with values he wants to instil.
All three parents’ homes have become living labs for digital parenting, testing grounds for strategies every modern parent needs in the fight against extended screen times. The result? Hard-won wisdom from the front lines.
What failed: Don’t try this at home
1. Loose warnings and flexi boundaries
Like many well-meaning parents, Ms Fizah tried to set boundaries around screen use. But she was fuzzy about the number of hours she would allow, and she might also let devices babysit her kids when she was busy.
Tight deadlines characterise the content creator and film producer’s life. “I admit there were days when I was weak, and I’d tell the kids, ‘Sorry, I really need to get this done. Take the iPad,” says Ms Fizah.
She might throw in words of caution like “don’t play for too long”, which were ineffective. When she stepped in depended on her resolve for the day, which depended on her work schedule. Ms Fizah’s daughter, aged 10, would get “lost in her own world for hours” on the screen. And even when the device was switched off, Ms Fizah noticed her girl perpetually zoning out. “It was like she was floating in water. The after-effects linger.”
The wake-up call came – literally – from her daughter’s school. “I think Sahara has some issues with her eyesight,” the teacher said. After the school health screening a few weeks later, their fears were confirmed. “It shocked me. Her degree was really high!” Ms Fizah exclaims."
How do teachers learn? By creating (27 February 2026)
"Our art teachers don’t just teach art – they make it too. Here, four of them reflect on how creating and exhibiting their own work shapes the way they guide students.
By Sabrina Lee
Art teachers guide students through creative work where uncertainty is part of the process. They know that feeling firsthand as artists themselves. But it is not often that we see their work being showcased and get a rare glimpse into their own creative processes.
So, Schoolbag popped by the 13th Biennial Art Teachers’ Exhibition, to speak to four teacher-artists whose works are being exhibited. This edition of the event required participating teachers, for the first time, to create new works in response to a theme instead of submitting existing pieces. This meant starting from scratch – testing ideas, experimenting with materials, and deciding what to keep, change or discard as the work developed. They reflect on what it means to sit with that uncertainty, and how the experience shapes the way they guide their students.
“Making art keeps me grounded as a teacher.”
Mdm Jessica Lai, Art Teacher, Peirce Secondary School
“My artwork is a watercolour piece made up of an accordion-style book that loops into a circle, with collaged mushrooms placed at the centre. It draws on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, especially the moment when Alice is asked, ‘Who are you?’ and must decide whether to take a bite of the mushroom. That in-between state – questioning identity and deciding whether to act – stayed with me. Working through that sense of being ‘in between’ made me more aware of how often students sit in that same space when they are learning.”
“When I make art for myself, the process feels intuitive. I move easily from one idea to the next.
Taking part in this exhibition made me slow down and look more closely at my own thinking. Starting a new artwork meant breaking ideas into smaller parts and paying attention to each decision as it unfolded.
Sitting with that uncertainty reminded me what learning feels like, and why it’s important for students to see that thinking doesn’t always come neatly or quickly – even if that means learning alongside my students.
When students understand that feeling unsure is part of learning, they become more willing to try, trust their ideas, and find their own way forward.”
Here’s what MOE announced at Committee of Supply 2026 (4 March 2026)
"At the 2026 Committee of Supply Debate, MOE announced initiatives to enable Singaporeans to learn together and be equipped for an AI-transformed future. What can our learners look forward to?"
More than just design: Inside the Da Vinci Programme (5 March 2026)
"At West View Primary School, selected academically strong students attend after-school activities that develop 21st Century Competencies like empathy, teamwork and communication skills.
By Arielene Wee
On the day that Primary 6 students Daisy Ma and Aarnik Mahajan were supposed to present their group’s prototype to a panel of judges, the prototype broke.
The students from West View Primary School had spent weeks interviewing friends and family members to understand the challenges they face in growing plants, brainstormed for sustainable solutions, and designed a prototype of an auto-watering device to help water plants.
With the help of their teachers from the Design Thinking Capstone Project, Daisy and Aarnik’s group quickly rebuilt their prototype from scratch, and even improved on the original design.
“We were very sad when our first prototype failed, but then we tried again,” says Daisy. “We even came up with a new idea of placing a camera on the device to check when the plant is dry and needs more water.”
Aarnik adds, “At the end of the presentation, we were really proud of what we made. I learnt to see things differently and not give up, even when we face challenges that seem difficult to overcome.”
That act of failing, then trying again and succeeding, is exactly what the Design Thinking Capstone Project aims to instil in students.
Learning to solve problems with empathy
Working on capstone projects around sustainability is one of three components of the Da Vinci Programme at West View Primary, a two-year programme for Primary 4 and 5 students who are selected based on academic strengths and teacher recommendations. The other components are the Brain programme, which focuses on developing communication and presentation skills, and Excellence 2000 (E2K) Mathematics, which develops mathematical reasoning.
In 2024, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his National Day Rally speech, that the Gifted Education Programme (GEP), in its current form, would be discontinued. Instead, students with strengths and talents in the academic domain would be stretched through a different approach.
Under the current GEP, students transfer to one of nine designated primary schools that host the programme in Primary 4. With the revised approach, these students would remain in their schools, which are all equipped with school-based provisions to develop them in English, Maths and Science – beyond the normal curriculum.
Students who are assessed to benefit from even further stretch can choose to attend centre-based advanced modules after school at designated schools nearby. The modules will start running from 2027 for Primary 4 students.
At West View Primary School, students with strengths and talents in the academic domain attend the Da Vinci Programme, which is held after school. What distinguishes it from other school-based programmes is its strong emphasis on design thinking, which Principal Mr Eugene Lee introduced when he joined the school in 2024."
More than just numbers: Inside the Mathematics Expert @ Work programme (5 March 2026)
"At Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, the programme helps students strong in Mathematics to discover how it connects to real-world problems. They get better at problem-solving too.
By Arielene Wee
As part of the Mathematics Expert @ Work (MEW) programme at Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, students get to build popcorn containers to learn about volume, and calculate optimal lift travel times to learn about rates and speed.
Mrs Sharon Wang, MEW teacher at Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary, shares that such activities are designed to “stretch them beyond what is taught in the classroom”.
In 2024, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his National Day Rally speech, that the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) would discontinue in its current form. Instead, students with strengths and talents in the academic domain would be stretched through a different approach.
Under the current GEP, students transfer to one of nine designated primary schools that host the programme in Primary 4. With the revised approach, these students would remain in their schools, which are all equipped with school-based provisions to develop them in English, Maths and Science – beyond the normal curriculum.
Students who are assessed to benefit from even further stretch are invited to attend centre-based advanced modules after school at designated schools nearby. The modules will start running from 2027 for Primary 4 students.
For students with strengths and talent in Mathematics, primary schools can offer school-based provisions that are supported by MOE’s Gifted Education Branch and the Academy of Singapore Teachers. These are the MEW programme, Excellence 2000 (E2K) Mathematics Programme, and Primary Mathematics Project Competition.
At Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, all three provisions are offered to Primary 4 and 5 students, who are selected based on their academic strengths in Mathematics and teacher recommendations.
Beyond structured steps and fast answers
MEW lessons are designed to make connections between abstract mathematical concepts and their practical applications. Additionally, students are trained to clearly articulate their reasoning and decision-making process.
“Unlike normal Mathematics lessons, where students solve equations and present calculations in a systematic manner, MEW involves a deeper conceptual understanding. Students have to explain the steps they take, and justify their reasoning,” says Mrs Wang.
The result of this is that students are less answer-driven and more process-focused, she observes. When one method fails, they try another. When they encounter difficulty, they persevere. Sometimes, they think out of the box too.
“As humans, we always want to solve things in the quickest way. But we teach our students to explore different ways to solve problems. In life, we never have just one method to solve things,” she adds.
“It doesn’t matter which way you take, as long as you get to the answer. The attempt to try, and then bounce back when you fail, is what we want to see.”
More than a love of books: Inside the Reading Circles programme (5 March 2026)
"At Seng Kang Primary School, students strong in the English language take part in activities that help them enjoy the books they read, while developing a greater understanding of the world around them.
By Arielene Wee
“I used to take a whole month to finish reading a Percy Jackson book, but now I can finish it in one and a half weeks,” says Jayden Wong, a Primary 6 student at Seng Kang Primary School.
For fellow Primary 6 student Syuhada Puteri Muhammad Iskandar, reading sometimes felt like a chore. Today, she says proudly that she reads every single day.
Both students credit this shift in their reading habits to the school’s Reading Circles programme.
“Reading Circles has allowed me to discover different books and genres, and I’ve realised that reading is not always boring,” Syuhada says.
Beyond reading more frequently, Jayden and Syuhada are also reading differently than before. Through Reading Circles, they have learnt to see from different characters’ perspectives, and draw connections between the stories they read to the world around them.
Fostering students’ love for the English language
In 2024, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his National Day Rally speech, that the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) would discontinue in its current form. Instead, students with strengths and talents in the academic domain would be stretched through a different approach.
Under the current GEP, students transfer to one of nine designated primary schools that host the programme in Primary 4. With the revised approach, these students would remain in their schools, which offer school-based provisions to develop them in English, Maths and Science – beyond the normal curriculum.
Students who are assessed to benefit from even further stretch are invited to attend centre-based advanced modules after school at designated schools nearby. The modules will start running from 2027 for Primary 4 students.
For students with strengths and talent in the English Language, three school-based programmes are offered by primary schools, supported by MOE’s Gifted Education Branch. These are the Reading Circles, Creative Writing programme, and Wits & Words debate programme.
At Seng Kang Primary, Reading Circles is an after-school programme for selected Primary 4 and 5 students, i.e., those who display strong interest in reading and demonstrate critical thinking and creative responses in class. It is conducted over eight sessions in the school year."
Junior College gave them opportunities they never expected (6 March 2026)
"The Junior College years aren’t just about studying for the A Levels – it’s also a time to discover new interests and pathways. We caught up with three recent graduates from St Andrew’s Junior College to hear about their experience at school.
By Arielene Wee
“I didn’t expect to go for work attachments, given the rigorous JC curriculum. But the school provided me with such opportunities, which were stepping stones for me to explore my interests.” - Cherianne Cheng
While Cherianne had always been interested in the Sciences, she wasn’t sure of what she wanted to pursue as a career when she first stepped foot in JC.
Through the school, Cherianne found out about work shadowing opportunities at St Hilda’s Community Services and St Andrew’s Community Hospital. She participated in them and saw firsthand what it was like to look after elderly patients in healthcare settings.
Cherianne also joined the “Saints Advocate” CCA in school, which focuses on community service. She planned befriending services for the elderly with the Lions Befrienders and Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital.
“I’m now very clear that I want to pursue a career in healthcare, because of all these opportunities I had in JC,” she says. “It’s a field that allows me to combine both my passions in Biology and in serving the community.”
Does your child seem stressed? Let’s chat...in the kitchen (9 March 2026)
"How do we help our children cope with everything from friendship troubles to social media pressures? Psychiatrist Dr Jared Ng offers 7 practical strategies and the importance of open communication – anytime, anywhere.
In today’s digital age, children have many more ways to spend their time, but they also face more pressures that extend far beyond the classroom. From friendship woes to social media comparisons, young people are navigating complex emotional landscapes and sources of stress that require more parental support than before, not less.
Dr Jared Ng, a father to three teens and a psychiatrist in private practice who previously worked with children in hospitals, explains that understanding stress begins with recognising its dual nature.
Is it eustress or distress?
“Stress is really any event or situation that puts a strain on somebody’s coping resources,” he says. When it comes in the form of “good” stress, it is called eustress, “for example, an exam, a sports competition, or even coming onto a podcast, right? It makes someone want to do better”.
However, when stress becomes chronic and overwhelming, it transforms from eustress to distress, says Dr Ng – the harmful type that “wears the person down” and leads to physical, emotional, and psychological problems.
What can parents do?
1. Watch for symptoms of distress and academic struggles.
Telltale signs include persistent headaches and abdominal discomfort with no medical cause, or difficulty falling asleep or frequent nightmares. There are also emotional indicators such as increased crying, irritability, and social withdrawal from activities, family gatherings, or friends.
Then there are kids who “are really trying very hard in class, but they just can’t seem to focus or concentrate”, Dr Ng observes. “And despite trying, they start to do worse and worse in school.” What may compound the stress is when this gives rise to even more scrutiny from their parents and educators, so a lighter touch may be needed when investigating the problem."
Taking a whole-of-school approach to Project Work (13 March 2026)
"When Project Work became a pass/fail subject in 2024, Mr Benzie Dio, Head of Department of English & Project Work at National Junior College, seized the opportunity to rethink how it was taught. Getting the whole school on board, he made it the driver of the 21st Century Competencies.
Anyone who has done group work can attest to this: when roles are assigned based on your teammates’ strengths and interests, the group is halfway to achieving its goals.
Now, imagine scaling it to the school level, where each subject department is tapped on to contribute their teachers’ expertise to Project Work (PW), an interdisciplinary subject. Then, pair PW groups and teachers with similar interests.
While this sounds like a scenario where dream teams are created, putting it into practice when you have 500 students and 40 teachers can turn it into a logistical nightmare. Yet, Mr Benzie Dio, Head of Department of English and PW at National Junior College (NJC), who came up with the idea, didn’t flinch at the mountainous task. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity to better drive home the 21st Century Competencies that PW aims to develop in students.
A change that came about due to the 2024 Project Work syllabus revision
The trigger to develop this whole-of-school approach to teaching PW came about when MOE refreshed the syllabus and made it a pass/fail subject in 2024.
“I looked at the objectives, the disposition and values that we want to see in our students with this revised syllabus,” says Mr Dio, who has been teaching for more than 30 years and saw the introduction of PW as a subject back in 2003.
From the learning outcomes of the revised syllabus, he picked up keywords and terms such as:
• Interdisciplinary
• Collaboration
• Focus on real-world issues; and
• Effective communication
There was also a lot of focus on Emerging 21st Century Competencies (E21CC) – namely critical, adaptive, and inventive thinking, and collaboration and communication skills. So, Mr Dio thought it will be a good opportunity to rethink the school’s approach to teaching PW, to get it to be the driver of these competencies."
A teacher who overcomes hurdles by taking charge (13 March 2026)
"Creating your own opportunities for learning and growing isn’t always the easiest. But Mr Kassidy’s can-do attitude has not only helped him steer his career, but also created a more inclusive environment for his students to grow more holistically.
When Mr Kassidy began his teaching journey at NIE in 1999, he was trained to teach English, Mathematics and Social Studies. But a few years into his career as an educator he felt that he could make a greater impact on his students by pivoting to teaching physical education (PE).
“I’ve always been quite outdoorsy, and I enjoy seeing children grow not just in skill, but in character,” sharesd Mr Kassidy, who is now the Head of Department (HOD) for PE and Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) at Rosyth School.
There was just one big hurdle standing in Mr Kassidy’s way then: the low enrolment number for NIE’s PE in-service diploma, which he had to take to make the switch to becoming a PE teacher. So, he and a group of like-minded friends started gathering other teachers with similar inclinations. Eventually, they got a group of 30 teachers together, so classes could commence.
Nearly two decades after his move, Mr Kassidy faced a similar challenge when he joined Rosyth School in January 2025. “We have a lot of students in each CCA, but not everybody can take part in competitions at the national level. I can sense the students’ disappointment when they’re unable to,” he said. So, he wanted to expand the N1 Cluster Invitational Games, which schools in his area had been hosting until it was put on pause due to the pandemic.
Reopening and expanding the games
Launched in 2017 for primary and secondary school students in the N1 Cluster, the games gave students who did not take part in the National School Games (NSG) – either because they were not selected or the numbers were too small to form a team for the NSG – a chance to compete. However, post-Covid, only the primary school basketball and football girls competitions were revived and organised by Rosyth School due to resource and manpower constraints.
Mr Kassidy thought about bringing the games back because he has seen firsthand how sports and CCAs build resilience, and knows competitions offer students the character-building experience of failing and bouncing back. “Whether it’s the NSG or cluster games, we want the kids to have the experience of competing; to learn about being humble in victory and gracious in defeat,” he elaborated.
With a fresh pair of eyes, since he was new to the school, he started asking: why not let more students join the games by expanding it to include both boys and girls from the basketball, football, and badminton CCAs?"
These teachers are trying, learning, and teaching AI to their students (13 March 2026)
"At one junior college, educators are proving that artificial intelligence doesn’t have to be scary if you’re trying it out with friends.
By Lee Qing Ping
English teachers everywhere know this experience: You want to give your students meaningful feedback on their essays, but a lot of time is spent correcting typical grammar errors. You have the usual suspects: “Fewer” books, not “less”. “Better”, not “more better”. Ms Shermin Chee, a Language Arts teacher, knows this well.
But with a little encouragement from colleagues to try using tech in her teaching, she found a way forward. What if AI could help pinpoint these commonly made mistakes instead, and free her up to work on higher-order feedback?
She discovered she could use optical character recognition tools to turn her students’ handwriting into typed text (but not if it’s too messy, so write neatly, kids).
Then, with AI’s support, she tweaks and tailors feedback to her students. Her students later make corrections themselves, writing their edits in green ink so she can see they’d actually engaged with the suggestions.
“Now, they’re more careful not to make the same mistakes,” she says. “And I can use the time to teach higher-order thinking, like strengthening their essay arguments.”
Ms Chee’s transformation is part of a growing movement happening at Temasek Junior College (TJC), where teachers are on to something: How to use AI to transform classrooms for the better.
Beyond the hype: What teachers are actually using AI for
The reality of AI in TJC’s classrooms is practical: thoughtful solutions to everyday challenges that have plagued educators for decades.
Mr Tan Seng Kwang, Senior Teacher of Physics in the school, has been leading the way in this.
“If there’s a better way to do work, we should try it, and share it,” says Mr Tan.
When his students roll virtual dice on their tablets, watching atoms “decay” with each roll of the die that shows six, they’re experiencing concepts that would typically rely on their imagination. Mr Tan taught himself to code these simulations using AI, describing what he wants in plain English and letting the technology build it.
“I used to spend hours writing JavaScript,” he explains, scrolling through interactive experiments. “Now I just tell the AI what I need, and it creates the simulation. Then I share the prompts with other teachers so they can make their own.”
This way, educators can focus on what humans do best: Inspiring curiosity, facilitating meaningful discussions, and building genuine connections with students."
Open House for Primary Schools 2026 (23 March 2026)
"What do you need to know before visiting open houses with your child? Read on for more details on how you can support your child in choosing primary schools!
Getting a peek into the school grounds, meeting the teachers and students, experiencing each school’s culture – open houses provide opportunities for you and your child to choose a primary school most suitable for them. Here are some points to keep in mind as your child embarks on this exciting new chapter.
While attending the virtual/physical open houses for primary schools, consider the following:
1. Your child’s strengths and interests
Talk to your child about what they enjoy doing, be it playing sports, making music, creating art, or gaming. Have conversations about their kindergarten experiences to understand which subjects and activities they like or dislike. In preparation for new learning opportunities in primary school years, ask them what else they would like to learn and try. Then, find out more about the primary schools that can potentially nurture their strengths and interests or offer new areas of interest.
2. Distance between home and school
The daily journey to and from school is an important consideration. Consider the means of transport your child will be using. Regardless of the mode of transport, be it by car, school bus, or public transport, what is the fastest and safest way for them to commute to and from school? A long commute can affect your child’s energy level and readiness to learn and participate in school activities, which can impact their overall school experience."
Open House for Secondary Schools 2026 (23 March 2026)
"What do you need to know before visiting open houses with your child? Read on for more details on how you can support your child in choosing secondary schools!
Getting a peek into the school grounds, meeting the teachers and students, experiencing each school’s culture – open houses provide opportunities for you and your child to choose a secondary school most suitable for him/her. Here are some points to keep in mind as your child embarks on this exciting new chapter.
1. Have a conversation with your child about their strengths and interests
Talk to your child about what they look forward to in secondary school and what worries them most about secondary school life. Have them share their favourite lessons and activities in primary school and what they think their strengths and interests are.
In your conversations with them, you can also have them rank what they enjoy about their school experiences. This can range from the learning environment to academic programmes to CCAs and even socialisation spaces in school! Their insights will give you a better understanding of what matters to them and identify schools that align with their strengths and interests.
2. Think of different aspects of the school experience
When discussing secondary school options with your child, consider the school’s distinctive electives and programmes, culture and ethos, subjects and CCAs offered, as well as the distance from home. These will all impact your child’s school experience."
4 strategies to help your child navigate bullying situations (6 April 2026)
"Hurtful behaviours and bullying often occur when teachers and parents are not watching. So, children benefit from having strategies they can use when they face such situations. Here are four approaches schools teach students that parents can reinforce at home, and tips on how to initiate discussions.
#1: Stay calm.
“Staying calm in the face of students who engaged in hurtful behaviour is important. Bullies often thrive on the emotional reactions of the targeted students. Giving neutral and steady responses will diminish their intended effort and extinguish their excitement and motivation to continue with the hurtful behaviour,” says Bendemeer Secondary School’s (BDMS) Senior School Counsellor Ms Nicole Choong.
The lesson here is to be in control and remain calm. Choose to ignore the comments and not take them personally. Report immediately to a trusted adult like a parent or teacher.
Tip: Staying calm is sometimes easier said than done. Role play this with your children. Practise taking deep breaths, counting slowly to five, and responding in a measured manner.
#2: Be assertive. Then walk away.
In Punggol Green Primary School (PGPS), students are guided on how to express their feelings clearly. Mdm Cai Aimei, Head of Department of Character and Citizenship Education, says, “We teach our students to say, ‘Stop, I feel (emotion) when you (action)’. in a polite and assertive tone, then walk away and seek help from a trusted adult.”
By learning how to recognise hurtful behaviours and respond appropriately during the Form Teacher Guidance Period and assembly talks, students are better equipped to handle difficult situations confidently.
The school also prepares students for similar situations that happen outside school grounds. “We want our students to know where to go for safety, whether it is safer to return to school, go home, or seek immediate help from a nearby adult,” says Mdm Cai.
Tip: Give your children the vocabulary to say “stop”. Try out the different tones of voice and phrases together so they are confident of saying them. Also discuss with your children where are the different places they can safely walk away to based on the locations they are usually at, such as if they encounter these situations in school, at the playground, or at the bus stop."
From fixed to fluid: Mobile workbenches spark fresh energy in Science labs (6 April 2026)
"Some shape-shifting has been taking place in Unity Secondary School, which is piloting redesigned workbenches with mobile segments. The segments on heavy-duty castors can be configured to accommodate different experiment set-ups and learning activities.
There has been a burst of fresh energy coming from the Science labs in Unity Secondary School lately.
The catalyst? Redesigned mobile workbenches with mobile segments that expand the possibilities of how lab layouts could be configured.
Since their implementation in January 2026, the Science Department has experienced greater flexibility in how it designs the learning environment, to better support practical investigations, collaboration, and varied teaching approaches.
Will it be a U, a T, or L shape today?
During a demonstration on the use the mobile workbench segments, Ms Sumitha Poonia Murthy, Level Head for Science, showed how the mobile segments could be rearranged to provide extended worktops for larger experimental setups.
By joining two mobile segments lengthwise, for example, she can now use a longer frictionless board to conduct experiment on measurement of distance, speed and force of a moving object. The longer board allowed students to roll objects over a longer distance, thus allowing her students to collect more data points, which improves the accuracy of the experiments.
Ms Sumitha also demonstrated how the mobile workbench segments can be configured into a U-shape configuration. This configuration allows her to better monitor and guide her students when using microscopes and making biology sketches.
For wet experiments involving liquids, chemicals or biological materials, L-shape configuration can be adopted to separate practical apparatus from learning materials, thus keeping laptops and worksheets away from wet area.
“This clear zoning enhances safety and space organisation, enabling students to be task focus and move seamlessly between the design, construction, and testing phases of the activity,” she explains.
Watch as Ms Sumitha claps her way to different workbench configurations in this reel:
How parents and schools bring the working world to students (10 April 2026)
"From giving engaging presentations in school to offering job shadowing opportunities, Parent Support Groups and their professional networks have been key to the success of career guidance programmes in these three schools.
By Ng Mei Yan
For most students, career guidance begins long before they ever set foot in their first job interview. Events like Careers Day, learning journeys and job shadowing have allowed students (even those in primary school) to be exposed to a wide range of jobs and the many skills needed to thrive in them.
These initiatives are the result of a strong partnership between schools and Parent Support Groups (PSGs). Working together, they have been instrumental to the growth and success of Education and Career Guidance (ECG) programmes for students.
Find out how three schools and their PSGs are collaborating to give students their first look into the working world, inspiring them to dream big for the future.
At Hougang Secondary School, Careers Day plays out like a mini convention
At Hougang Secondary School, the annual Careers Day plays out like an industry symposium. Students attend small-group sessions to engage with professionals across various fields ranging from media and human resources to technology and design.
The approach is a hit with students, but it also actively involves parents from the PSG, along with alumni and other partners, who step in to help in any way.
“Our PSG members have not only participated directly but also used their professional networks to bring in more speakers,” says Mrs Tan Wei Jing, Subject Head of Partnership & Outreach.
More than simply filling up speaking slots and creating authentic learning moments, parental involvement goes a long way towards inspiring young minds. “Parents are primary influencers in their children's career decisions and possess valuable real-world insights that can bridge the gap between academic learning and industry realities,” Mrs Tan shares.
Beyond school-based sharing, PSG members also joined students in a customised learning journey to Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) School of Engineering to better understand the courses offered and different career pathways in engineering. Since 2024, some 140 students from the school have benefitted from the tour.
PSG member Goh Yu Ling who accompanied her son on one such learning journey in 2024 shares, “I wanted to support my child’s’ post-secondary education and career exploration by learning with him,” she says.
The experience was transformative for Yu Ling’s son, who has always been fascinated by automobiles. The tour broadened his understanding of engineering applications, and led to deeper career discussions between the pair. “He’s now working hard towards pursuing engineering studies,” she adds.
The impact made on Yu Ling’s family is exactly what Mrs Tan and her colleagues hope to achieve with the ECG programme. Says Mrs Tan, “When parents are informed about career options and pathways, they can better support their children’s exploration and decisions, creating a stronger support system at home.”
Designed for well-being: How staff collaboration shaped a better workplace (10 April 2026)
"Staff satisfaction levels are up at Hillgrove Secondary School, where a comprehensive renovation of staff spaces has created brighter, more flexible environments that better support educator well-being and collaboration.
These days, Ms Valerie Wong doesn’t take her lunch at her workstation. She prefers to step away to the sunlit pantry for her meal. If her colleagues are there, she lingers for a breather and bit of chitchat.
"I don't even bring my phone there,” says Ms Wong, Lead Teacher, Mathematics at Hillgrove Secondary School.
Renovations to staff facilities at the school have created spaces that feature abundant natural lighting, higher ceilings, better spatial flow, and areas that encourage collaborative work done in comfort.
A room with a view – and much more
A key highlight is the new staff lounge and pantry, strategically positioned to offer a 270-degree view of the greenery outside.
It replaces the area where the Mother Tongue Language department used to sit. Mr Lim Joon Ling, Senior Teacher, Chinese Language, recalls how he and his colleagues worked amid tall cubicle partitions and teaching materials. They happily gave the space up for the greater good during design consultations, to move towards the centre of the staff room.
Mr Chiang Hock Yee, Vice-Principal (Admin), explained that during the co-creation and design-thinking process with MOE’s Infrastructure & Facility Services Division (IFSD), votes were cast by teachers to decide on the best use for this prime location.
This increased buy-in and ultimately ensured its popularity and success. Now, all can enjoy the brightness and the greenery, he says.
Staff are protective of the intended use of the inviting new lounge area. Everyone consciously avoids using the space for meetings, preferring to reserve it for chilling, notes Ms Wong. Administrative Executive Nurul Batrisyia describes the new environment as “more relaxed and calming”, with an “openness” that wasn't there before.
To Mr Lim, the most gratifying part of the upgrade was how users were being consulted for their views. It spoke to the school’s collaborative spirit, which the upgrade further fosters.
Mr Chiang concurs. “We could see that the collaborative spaces encourage more sharing and bonding among staff. The more conducive physical working environment also enhances staff well-being.”
Real mums from Lion Mums get tips in this parenting vodcast (14 April 2026)
"You’ve seen them on screen, now hear what parenting in real life is like for actresses Nurul Aini and Lina Ng. They speak with experts, educators, and fellow parents for perspectives in four new episodes of MOE’s vodcast series, Canteen Chats with Lion Mums.
If you’re a parent, take a moment to acknowledge how much you’re doing.
Parenting today comes with challenges that previous generations never faced – whether it’s navigating school issues, understanding AI’s impact on learning, or keeping up with growing expectations.
MOE’s vodcast series Canteen Chats with Lion Mums explores these realities in four new episodes. Lina Ng and Nurul Aini, from the drama series Lion Mums, continue their conversations with educators, experts, and fellow parents. Together, they discuss parenting issues ranging from dealing with conflicts at home to mismatched expectations between parents and children. Most importantly, these episodes serve as a reminder that you’re not facing these challenges alone.
Here’s what each episode covers, and why you should add them to your watchlist.
Episode 5: Is AI helping or hurting your child’s learning?
This episode takes a balanced look at parenting in the age of artificial intelligence. Actress Nurul Aini joins parents and experts to make sense of this rapidly changing landscape and its impact on children’s learning.
Watch this if: You’re concerned about AI misuse in your child’s homework or feeling overwhelmed by the pace of technological change.
Watch for:
• How Singapore schools are teaching students to use AI as a thinking tool rather than a shortcut to answers
• A sandwich approach you can use to guide your child’s AI use at home
• Warning signs that indicate when children might be becoming too dependent on AI assistance
Cyber bullying: What parents need to know (15 April 2026)
"Cyber bullying may often occur in spaces that are not easily visible or accessible to parents and other adults. We ask teachers and counsellors to break down the three common types of cyber bullying, and how parents can have open discussions with their children.
Cyber bullying is a complex issue, but bullying someone online is not unlike bullying in person. In fact, it can be worse as it is easier to carry out away from view and may be harder to detect and prevent. Yet, the effects can be very public. The negative messages can spread fast and wide, and very quickly, the damage could be more hurtful and more lasting.
Here are three main forms of cyber bullying: revealing secrets, making fun of others, and exclusion. Note that the list is not exhaustive – there’s also flaming, harassment, denigration, and more – nor mutually exclusive, as one or more of these forms of hurtful behaviours could take place at the same time.
1. Revealing secrets
Friends confide in each other and keep each other’s secrets… until they fall out. Ms Nicole Choong, Senior School Counsellor at Bendemeer Secondary School, shares that when things go south, students who lack maturity might resort to posting personal things about their friends that were shared with them in confidence.
Such acts could result in students feeling unsafe or upset. It is therefore essential that students learn respectful behaviour, strong social skills and proper cyber etiquette.
2. Making fun of others
Bullies are often emboldened by the cloak of anonymity that social media provides. The actions taken and comments made may be harsher than what a person might say to another in person. An observable trend on the rise suggests that some students create anonymous social media accounts just to post negative comments about their classmates.
Appearance, for example, is often a common topic, says Ms Choong. Younger students tend to be a bit more blunt when they talk about their peers. At this developmental stage, students can be more sensitive towards criticism, especially about their appearance, and such words can hurt, she cautions. “It is crucial to consider how the person on the receiving end feels. Simple habits such as pausing to ask if what they are about to say is helpful, necessary, or kind can make a big difference.”
3. Exclusion
Like school hallways and playgrounds, chat groups have become a place online where children jostle with one another for social status.
Mdm Nur Rakeezah Bte Abdul Rahim, Head of Department (Student Management) at Westwood Secondary School shared that online rumours can also lead to students being ostracised, affecting their sense of belonging. She notes that even close friends can fall out and be excluded by their peers. In such situations, it is important to have conversations with students and help them understand that such behaviour constitutes social bullying. It is also important to repair strained relationships.
“Circle Time is one strategy that can help students reconcile. That said, some students affected may not feel ready to resume the friendship. We need to recognize that friendships cannot be forced, so guide students to be respectful of one another’s boundaries and differences, as everyone deserves to feel safe and respected,” adds Mdm Rakeezah."
“What can I do if my child is a victim of hurtful behaviours and bullying?” (22 April 2026)
"Children may have various reasons why they don’t tell their parents when they have encountered hurtful behaviour and bullying. We ask experts what parents can do if they suspect their children are being bullied.
Hurtful behaviours are actions that undermine a student’s sense of safety, and hinder effective learning and healthy development. They can be physical, verbal, social, or virtual in nature – and may or may not be intentional. However, when the actions carry hostile intent, an imbalance of power, and are repeated, persistent and done on purpose, it will be classified as bullying.
Take, for example, a group discussion or group work scenario. A student repeatedly interrupts and dismisses their teammate’s ideas, leading to the latter feeling excluded and unheard. Is it hurtful behaviour? The answer is, yes. But is it bullying? That will depend on whether the student did it unintentionally, because he or she does not have the best communication skills, or on purpose, because he or she knows that doing so will hurt their teammate.
As parents, it is natural to be concerned about any hurt your child receives, especially when you are not around. You may ask: What happens to my child when I’m not there beside them? Are they dealing with something they cannot handle? How can I help?
“How would I know if my child is being hurt or bullied? And what can I do?”
A good start is to maintain channels of honest and open communication with your child and to take a regular interest in their lives. This will make it easier for them to approach you and share any kinds of experiences when they arise, without fear of how you would react, says Ms Nicole Choong, Senior School Counsellor at Bendemeer Secondary School.
As hurtful behaviours and bullying can happen in and out of school, a strong school-parent partnership could also help to surface and manage these incidents more easily.
“What are some signs I should look out for?”
Hurtful behaviours or bullying that are of a physical nature may be the easiest to spot. Unexpected bruises, cuts or bumps are visible signs that something might be amiss. Your child might also report lost or damaged clothing, books, or stationery.
It can be more challenging to detect bullying that is verbal, social or cyber in nature. However, there are still warning signs that parents can watch out for.
“The most important warning sign of bullying is when you notice a sudden change in your child's behaviour,” says Ms Shirley Sim, Lead School Counsellor at MOE. “For example, if your normally cheerful child becomes unusually quiet for no apparent reason, this should raise concerns.”
Other signs to watch for include changes in eating or sleeping patterns, or if you notice you’re your child is suddenly losing friends, or refusing to go to school. You might also notice them becoming more sensitive than usual, such as getting easily upset by things that wouldn't normally bother them. This increased sensitivity often stems from the insecurity and helplessness that bullying creates.
“How should I respond?”
Ms Sim sets out the five things parents can do to support your child, if you suspect they are at the receiving end of hurtful behaviours or bullying.
1. Start with presence and connection
Create a space for them to share their experience with you. Children are often hesitant to share difficult school experiences with parents, particularly when they are concerned about how you might react.
Being mindful of your initial responses allows you to put our child’s experience, feelings and needs at the centre. Set aside distractions, sit at their level, and listen without immediately jumping to solutions. Your presence as their safe harbour is the first intervention."
Is AI Taking Over Schools? (29 April 2026)
"MOE schools and teachers have kept an eye on AI developments even before large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT gained mainstream popularity.
When it comes to using AI in education, it’s not about racing to a yet-to-be-determined finish line. It’s about evaluating AI tool’s capabilities, as well as potential pitfalls, so our students acquire the essential skills to succeed in an AI-transformed world.
What kind of a tool is AI like?
Like a calculator, but you're still the one pushing the buttons
A calculator has preprogrammed functions to help with complicated sums.
But you still need a strong foundation in Maths, so you know which formula and concepts to use to solve Maths questions. And have the intuition to know when the numbers are off!
Like a GPS, but you're still the driver
A GPS (Global Positioning System) helps you plan your route.
But you, the driver, still need to look out for unexpected dangers. Blindly following the GPS is like offloading your agency to AI. You still need to know how to navigate and read maps, so you won't be helpless if you lose your way.
Like a multi-cooker, but you're still the chef
A cooker has many modes for different dishes.
But you're the one who decides which dish to cook, what ingredients to use and which mode to use. And you taste the dish to know if it's yummy!"
From silence to synergy: New school library spells new ways to learn (29 April 2026)
"At Queenstown Secondary School, the traditional library has evolved into Learning Commons @ Quest – a vibrant hub where students engage in everything from quiet reading to animated group discussions, reflecting a broader shift in how school libraries support 21st-Century learning.
Of late, you're more likely to hear the buzz of quiet collaboration than the traditional "shhhhh" at Queenstown Secondary School's library.
The space that goes by the catchy new name of Learning Commons @ Quest has become a magnet for students who come not just to borrow books, but to engage, create, and connect.
"More students come in, to read, revise, do their homework, have discussions in one of the meeting rooms, or just stay a little longer than they usually would," says Ms Park Han Na, Head of Department for English Language at Queenstown Secondary School, who oversees the library space.
The renovation of the library, which reopened last year, represents a reimagining of how libraries can support modern use and learning. Gone are the tall, stationary ranks of metal bookshelves, limited seating and heavy atmosphere. The space now has mobile bookshelves in wood, and flexible-use spaces, all bathed in natural light and designed with calming earthy tones.
Secondary 3 student Mohamed Noh bin Mohd Norhisam has been spending more time there; he likes the “clean look”, compared to the previous space which had “weird colour combinations”. He also appreciates the library’s different zones for different group sizes — “it creates a conducive environment for everyone to learn and study”.
Secondary 4 student Chloe Pang is also a fan. "The revamped library has really changed how I study in school. It’s now a space I choose to go to, whether it’s to revise, finish up work, or just read quietly,” she says. “The environment feels more comfortable and less stressful, which helps me stay focused for longer."
Three zones, endless possibilities
The new Learning Commons borrows design guidelines from MOE’s English Language and Literature Branch (ELLB) for the School Library of the Future, where curriculum can be experienced, the love for reading catalysed, and students supported to explore and initiate inquiry and research.
This experience starts from the moment the visitor enters the Welcome Area, which draws students in with bright and engaging displays curated by the Library Assistant according to monthly themes such as subject focus and festive occasions.
Further in, each of the three zones serves distinct learning needs whilst maintaining the flexibility to adapt as students' requirements change throughout the day."
Why do schools “take so long” to investigate cases of hurtful behaviour and bullying? (8 May 2026)
"Schools constantly emphasise that hurtful behaviours and bullying are not tolerated. So, why can’t investigations be expedited? A principal shares with Schoolbag why schools need time to get to the root of the issue, and why it’s crucial to engage students with restorative practices before meting out any disciplinary measures.
Having worked with students across the different levels – primary, secondary and junior college – Ms Winnie Tan is no stranger to dealing with cases of hurtful behaviours and bullying. The Principal of CHIJ St. Nicholas Girl School says investigating these cases have gotten increasingly complex over the years due to a number of factors.
“Children are exposed to a lot more things, and they may have different perspectives on a topic,” elaborates Ms Tan. “Parents are also more involved in the education of their children, which is a positive thing.” This results in many different perspectives, be it from the alleged perpetrator or the victim, that the school has to consolidate and consider during investigations. “Bringing everyone together to see the different perspectives – that takes time.”
Children of different age ranges present different challenges for investigations
Unwelcome words or actions are not immediately labelled as bullying, as children, especially younger ones, may not be able to fully comprehend that what they are doing is causing hurt to others. That is why investigating intentions matter.
Ms Tan cites an example of a child who might want things to be done in a certain way. “Some children like people to follow their instructions and may unknowingly put someone else in an awkward or uncomfortable position where they feel hurt. We need to help them realise that their action or words have hurt someone else, and resolve and mend the relationship from there. Having said that, if investigations reveal that there was a clear intention to cause hurt from the onset, disciplinary actions could be carried out to help the child learn that his or her behaviour has consequences, so that they will think twice before doing the same thing again in future.”
Teenagers present a different set of challenges as they are more mature and their emotions are more complex. They may also be able to conceal intention, making it difficult for educators to determine if they really meant to hurt the other party – especially if there is no concrete evidence, such as physical assault.
Ms Tan recalls a case that couldn’t be resolved, because the perpetrator refused to admit that he/she was deliberately hurting the victim and there was no definitive evidence. “While the school and friends continued to support the victim, we were unable to come to a resolution. But years after the students graduated, the perpetrator confessed to the teacher during a gathering he/she was not ready to admit to their hurtful actions then, and that he/she felt very bad to have caused so much pain for the teacher and the other student.”
Each reported case of hurtful behaviour or bullying presents its own set of challenges for the educators and staff who are involved in investigating it. Thus, investigation time differs with the complexity of the case."
“My 8th choice of polytechnic course turned out to be my best one” (8 May 2026)
"Shallini Siva Kuma was in shock when she found out that she didn’t get into her dream course in 2022, but it opened doors she never imagined.
By Joyce Yang
When Shallini Siva Kuma received her Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) posting results on a sleepy January morning in 2022, the words on her computer screen jolted her wide awake. She had been posted to her eighth choice: a Diploma in Interaction Design (now known as Diploma in Experience Design) at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP).
“I stared at my laptop and thought: When did I even list this as one of my choices? What is this course about? I started crying because I was so, so scared. I didn’t know if it would bring me closer to my dream of becoming an art teacher,” recalls the 22-year-old.
Inspired by her mother, a teacher of over 30 years and her love for the subject, Shallini has always seen art as her one true passion. She had pinned her hopes on her top three choices – all animation courses – believing they were her ticket to teaching art. After all, her own art teacher, Mr Chua Wei Qiang from Yishun Town Secondary School, comes from an animation background.
Little did she know, the course she hadn’t planned on would help her discover new strengths and expand her career paths, with her mom and teachers cheering her on.
Seeking reassurance
That very morning when she got her posting results, Shallini reached out to Mr Chua, who patiently unpacked the field of Interaction Design to calm her nerves. What stuck with her wasn’t the details of web, app, and installation design, but a single line of reassurance from her teacher.
“He said, ‘No matter what you do, I know that you will excel.’ I felt more motivated hearing that, and it gave me hope that I will figure it out,” says Shallini.
Shallini’s time in NYP got off to a rough start. She was already uneasy about committing to a three-year course she hadn’t wanted, and adapting to tertiary life only added to the pressure.
“I told my friends and family that I was so scared and lost, and I really didn’t know what I was doing,” she recalls.
The turning point
But Shallini didn’t suffer in silence for long. Seeing her struggle in class, her NYP lecturers reached out and reassured her that no question was out of bounds. When she cried, they comforted her, promising that they would get through it together.
“My lecturers became my reason to keep going and see what’s at the end of this tunnel,” says Shallini.
Gradually, as she found her footing in the modules, she also uncovered her own reasons to persist. Chief among them was a newfound openness to other career paths sparked by a conversation with her mother. “My mum said, ‘Don’t limit yourself to just one path. There are so many things in the world you can pursue with your creativity.’ That encouraged me to venture out of the box I’d put myself in.”
This shift in mindset set the stage for Shallini to flourish in her final year. What ultimately transformed her perspective was a project she co-led with her best friend, turning an empty classroom into an Alice in Wonderland-themed experience for NYP’s Open House in 2024.
From crafting whimsical installations to designing an interactive touchscreen, Shallini and her team poured everything they learnt over the past three years into the project – to great success. “The students who visited went, ‘Wow, this is so cool,’ and were very amazed. A few even came up to ask if they’d get to create something like this in the course.”
Growing cacao trees yielded not only chocolates, but also work opportunities for this school’s students (11 May 2026)
"It started as a casual offer from a neighbour to grow cacao trees on the school grounds. Since then, this sustainability initiative has led to partnerships with local businesses that enable Serangoon Garden Secondary School’s students to gain work experience too.
By Joyce Yang
When Mr Michael Tan, a resident living near Serangoon Garden Secondary School (SGS), ran out of space to plant cacao trees in his garden, the determined plant parent had to think out of the box. That was when the school’s backyard caught his eye.
The retiree, who was operating a cacao post-harvest facility in the Philippines in 2019, thought the sloping, shaded plot of land was ideal as cacao trees thrive with good drainage and indirect sunlight. So, he met with the then-principal Mdm Valerie Goh and Vice Principal (Admin) Mr Zainal Abidin Mahmood. Mdm Goh gave the go-ahead and the 1.5-year-old seedlings were transplanted in July 2021.
A timely partnership that coincided with the Ministry of Education’s sustainability programme
While the onset of the pandemic caused the delay in SGS’s partnership plans with Mr Tan, it also resulted in it serendipitously taking root in the same year that MOE introduced the Eco-Stewardship Programme. The initiative prompts schools to use their green spaces more intentionally.
For SGS, it meant turning their green spaces into vegetable, herb and spice gardens maintained by the Earth Club, a newly-formed co-curricular activity (CCA) then. Naturally, its members were the first to get wind of Mr Tan’s proposition.
“The students’ first question was: You can grow cacao trees in Singapore? They didn’t believe us when we said we could turn the pods into chocolate bars,” recalls Ms Wee Lip Hui, Subject Head of Social Studies who oversees the eco-stewardship programme. She also wanted to set realistic expectations for the students, so she told them, “For that to happen, everyone has to do their part to care for the trees and get a good harvest.”
As the club knew nothing about cacao trees then, they got Mr Tan to impart his knowledge through workshops and hands-on demonstrations, showing the students the ropes until they could care for the trees independently. For Mr Tan, the takeaway he wants for students is simple: “I hope it enriches their learning journey.”
“The entire process aligns to SGS’s ‘I know, I do, I advocate’ approach for eco-stewardship, which encourages students to learn, practise, and contribute to building a sustainable Singapore,” Ms Wee adds."
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.
The NSG, which runs from January to September this year, is Singapore's largest and most extensive annual youth sports event with more than 250 divisional competitions for boys and girls. Organised by the Singapore Primary Schools Sports Council and the Singapore Schools Sports Council, the NSG aims to provide opportunities for students to participate in inter-school competitions and encourage character-building among student-athletes as they pursue sporting excellence."
Open for Nominations: Most Inspiring Tamil Teachers' Award 2026 (2 February 2026)
"From 2 February to 13 March 2026, students, educators, parents, and members of the public are invited to nominate Tamil Language (TL) teachers for the Most Inspiring Tamil Teachers' (MITT) Award 2026.
Jointly presented by Tamil Murasu, the Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee, and the Singapore Tamil Teachers' Union (STTU), the MITT Award recognises TL teachers in primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute who have made significant contributions to the teaching and learning of TL."
Nominations Open for Arif Budiman Malay Language Teacher Award 2026 (2 February 2026)
"From 2 February to 13 March 2026, students, educators, parents, and members of the public are invited to nominate outstanding Malay Language teachers for the Arif Budiman Malay Language Teacher Award (AGAB) 2026.
Jointly organised by the Malay Language Council, the Malay Language Teachers Association, Berita Harian and the Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee, the award recognises outstanding Malay Language teachers in primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and the Millennia Institute who have made exceptional contributions to the teaching of the Malay Language."
Joint MOM-MOE Statement on Merger of WSG and SSG (12 February 2026)
"Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong announced at Budget 2026 that Workforce Singapore (WSG) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) would merge into a new statutory board jointly overseen by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Ministry of Education (MOE). This merger will strengthen the integration of Singapore's jobs-skills ecosystem.
Through this new agency, we will be better positioned to align future skills with future job needs, delivering more seamless end-to-end career and employment services for Singaporean workers. A single agency overseeing jobs and skills will also allow us to respond faster and more effectively to changes in the fast-evolving economy and labour market."
Release of 2025 Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level Examination Results on 27 February 2026 (20 February 2026)
"The results of the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) examination will be released on Friday, 27 February 2026, 2.30pm."
$556 Million Set Aside to Boost the Social Science and Humanities Research Ecosystem in Singapore (26 February 2026)
"At the 2026 Social Science and Humanities Ideas Festival launch held at the Singapore Management University (SMU) today, Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee, announced that $556 million will be set aside to further strengthen the local social science and humanities (SSH) research ecosystem over the next five years (FY2026 to FY2030). This is an increase of 21%, or $99 million, from the $457 million that was set aside for FY2021 to FY2025.
The new tranche of funding will continue to support the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in growing Singapore's thought leadership in locally relevant research, as well as strengthening efforts to expand the pool of promising Singaporean researchers. Key initiatives launched under the aegis of the SSRC include the Social Science Research Thematic Grant (SSHR-TG), the Social Science and Humanities Research Fellowship (SSHRF), and the SSRC Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF). To date, the SSRC has awarded funding to 54 research projects under the SSHR-TG, 21 early career researchers under the SSHRF, and 48 projects under the SSRC GRF. The research projects span a variety of topics, including evolving geopolitics amidst a changing world order, public housing in Singapore, and insights on ageing in Singapore. For more information on the SSRC and the various research projects supported, please visit https://www.ssrc.edu.sg."
Release of the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level Examination Results (27 February 2026)
"Candidates who sat for the 2025 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) examination received their results from their schools today.
A total of 10,977 candidates sat for the examination, with 10,393 (94.7%) attaining at least 3 H2 passes, with a pass in General Paper (GP).
This is the first cohort to sit for the GCE A-Level examination under the revised computation method of the University Admission Score (UAS). Under the revised system, the fourth content-based subject is included only if it improves the candidate's final UAS. Project Work is excluded from this computation as it is now a Pass/Fail subject."
Growing Together Through Lifelong Learning (3 March 2026)
"Enhancements to ITE's Work-Study Diploma Employer Incentives
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Work-Study Diploma is a key diploma upgrading pathway for ITE Nitec and Higher Nitec graduates. Employers deliver about 70 to 80 per cent of the curriculum through on-the-job training (OJT), and ITE delivers the remaining 20 to 30 per cent through classroom learning. This programme allows trainees to earn and learn while working towards a diploma qualification. Since its launch in 2018, ITE has expanded the pathway significantly, from 4 courses and 100 trainees to 45 courses and 1,600 trainees in 2025. Graduate employment outcomes have been positive, with graduates earning a median starting salary of $2,975.
As part of MOE's ongoing efforts to expand the SkillsFuture Work-Study Programme, and to support our ITE students to upgrade to a Diploma and strengthen their employment outcomes, MOE and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) will enhance the employer incentive for the ITE Work-Study Diploma.For new cohorts from April 2026, ITE will:
a. Increase the incentive quantum from $15,000 to $20,000 per eligible trainee whom employers hire and train; and
b. Simplify the incentive disbursement. Currently, the $15,000 incentive is paid out based on employers' claims upon completion of specific qualifying activities. Depending on the amount claimed, employers might not access the full $15,000. In contrast, the new $20,000 incentive will be disbursed at several milestones over the course duration. This means an employer who sponsors an eligible trainee through the full Work-Study Programme will receive $20,000 through a streamlined administrative process."
We Learn for Life Together: Building a "We First" Society Through Education (3 March 2026)
"At the 2026 Committee of Supply Debate, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced initiatives to enable Singaporeans to learn together and be equipped for an AI-transformed future. These initiatives reflect MOE's commitment to support the learning needs and aspirations of Singaporeans of all ages, as we build a "We First" society together."
Learning Together with Different Strengths and Needs (3 March 2026)
"Refreshed Approach to Support Primary School Students with Academic Strengths and Talents
From 2027, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will implement a refreshed approach to support primary school students with academic strengths and talents, and discontinue the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) in its current form.
School-Based Provisions
MOE will support more students in accessing existing school-based provisions to develop them in their domains of strength. These provisions, which include in-curriculum extensions and after-school programmes (e.g. Excellence 2000 (E2K) Mathematics and Science), were introduced since 2007, and they are provided in every primary school today. Around 10% of the cohort will be able to benefit, up from around 7% today."
Centre-Based Advanced Modules
Students assessed to benefit from further stretch beyond school-based provisions can choose to attend weekly advanced modules after school at a nearby designated centre. These students will no longer need to transfer to one of the nine primary schools that currently host the GEP.
The centre-based advanced modules are designed to stretch students intellectually and further cultivate their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. They are different from the academic curriculum in schools, and are not designed to prepare students for examinations. Beyond nurturing cognitive strengths, these modules will also develop students' psychosocial skills, and build communities of like-minded peers."
Minister for Education to Attend the 16th International Summit on the Teaching Profession in Tallinn, Estonia (8 March 2026)
"Minister for Education, Desmond Lee, will attend the 16th International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) in Tallinn, Estonia, from 9 to 11 March 2026.
The ISTP is a by-invitation annual meeting for leaders of top-performing or rapidly improving education systems to discuss effective practices and policies in education. The Summit this year, themed "Switching Gears: Teachers and Learners in the Future Learning Environment", will explore the pivotal roles teachers play in shaping future-ready education systems. It will examine the evolving teaching profession amid rapid technological advancements and global challenges, professional autonomy for teachers and school leaders, and the integration of new technologies into teaching and learning, such as Artificial Intelligence."
Salary Adjustments to MOE Schemes of Service (16 March 2026)
"Salary Adjustments for Officers on MOE Schemes from 1 October 2026
Three groups of MOE staff – Education Officers (EOs), Allied Educators (AEDs) and MOE Kindergarten Educators (MKEs) – will receive salary adjustments from 1 October 2026. This is to ensure that their overall salary packages remain competitive, and for MOE to continue attracting and retaining good educators.
About 33,000 serving EOs, 1,700 AEDs and 1,100 MKEs will receive a 2% to 9% increase in their monthly salaries. Salaries for EOs, AEDs and MKES were last reviewed in 2022."
Singapore Youth Festival Celebrates 60 Years with Enriched ArtsXPerience for Students (26 March 2026)
"New Drama Category for Primary School Students to Build Communication Skills
The Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), Singapore's longest-running youth arts festival, will celebrate 60 years of inspiring young artists, connecting them with audiences and mentors, and empowering them to develop their creative voices this year.
Themed 'SYF60: The ArtsXPerience — Inspire, Connect, Empower', SYF60 will build on the festival's signature showcases and introduce new elements to deepen creative collaborations and inspire students to grow through the arts. These include a new Arts Presentation Drama category for primary school students, an 'XP' card journey for participants and audiences, and cultural exchange opportunities with young artists across ASEAN."
MOE to Expand UPLIFT Scholarship to EAGLES Recipients (27 March 2026)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) will expand the UPLIFT Scholarship to include students who receive the Edusave Award for Achievement, Good Leadership and Service (EAGLES) from the 2026 Edusave award cycle>
This expansion is part of wider efforts to recognise students' non-academic achievements, and builds on MOE's ongoing commitment to develop our students holistically.
With the expansion of the UPLIFT Scholarship, a total of about 700 students from lower-income families are expected to benefit from the scholarship every year.
About the UPLIFT Scholarship
Introduced in 2019, the UPLIFT Scholarship recognises the achievements of students in Independent Schools (IS) and Specialised Independent Schools (SIS) who have performed well academically or in specific talent areas, and are from lower-income families. Students who are awarded the UPLIFT Scholarship receive $1,200 in cash per year.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be Singapore Citizens from families with gross monthly household income of $5,500 or below, or gross monthly per capita income of $1,375 or below. Students must also be recipients of the Edusave Scholarship for Independent Schools (ESIS), or enter the IS/SIS through the Direct School Admission (DSA) process. Students awarded the UPLIFT Scholarship via the ESIS (Tenured) at Secondary 1, Secondary 3, or Pre-University 1, as well as DSA, will have their scholarships renewed as long as they meet the renewal criteria, for the duration of their course of study. Students may also receive the UPLIFT Scholarship for a tenure of one year, if they are awarded the ESIS (Yearly Award)."
Celebrating 20 Years of Tamil Language Learning and Promotion (29 March 2026)
"The Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee (TLLPC) marks its 20th anniversary this year. Over the past two decades, TLLPC has been dedicated to promoting the Tamil language, fostering cultural literacy, and engaging schools and the community. To commemorate this milestone and reflect its enhanced role of promoting Tamil language learning through greater digital engagement and youth and family involvement, TLLPC will be rebranded as the "Tamil Promotion Committee" (TPC), accompanied by a new logo.
Chairman of TLLPC and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Manpower, Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, unveiled the refreshed name and logo at the launch of this year's Tamil Language Festival on 29 March 2026, at MediaCorp Campus.
Two Decades of Tamil Language Learning and Promotion
Since its establishment by the Ministry of Education in 2006, TLLPC has actively promoted the Tamil language by partnering schools, community organisations and cultural partners. Over the years, its programmes have inspired a love for the Tamil language among students through literature, performing arts, and community-based activities, fostering the active use of the language in everyday interactions, and an appreciation of Tamil heritage and culture."
Temporary Support for Transport Service Providers (9 April 2026)
"To ensure that access to transport services is not disrupted for school students, seniors, patients, and persons with disabilities, the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and Ministry of Health (MOH) will provide temporary support measures to Government contracted or subsidised transport service providers for services rendered in the months of April to June 2026. This move is to help these transport service providers to continue operating without disruption in the near term, given the cost pressures caused by the increase in fuel prices arising from the Middle East conflict.
MOE, MSF and MOH will provide support equivalent to 13% of transport fare revenues. In general, the support would help defray the increase in operational costs arising from higher fuel prices incurred by operators providing regular transport services to primary schools, special education (SPED) schools, disability services, and patients receiving long-term care and Community Dialysis services. With the support, operators should keep fares stable during this period.
Subsequently, transport fares may have to rise if fuel prices remain elevated. There are existing subsidies to support students, seniors, patients and persons with disabilities if they are not able to afford their transport."
Honouring Special Education Teachers and Schools (14 April 2026)
"In celebration of their contributions to the education of students with moderate-to-severe special educational needs (SEN), Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, presented the MOE-SG Enable Awards to recognise four Special Education (SPED) teachers and four projects from SPED schools at the SPED A.C.E (Affirmation·Celebration·Engagement) Day today. Two SPED teachers were also awarded the MOE Master's Scholarship in Special Education (MSSPED) at the event.
The MOE-SG Enable Awards are a joint initiative between the Ministry of Education and SG Enable and comprise the Outstanding SPED Teacher Award (OSTA), the Promising SPED Teacher Award (PSTA), and the Innovation Award (IA).
The OSTA and PSTA celebrate SPED teachers' excellence in supporting their students' development and learning. The OSTA is awarded to experienced teachers with at least six years of teaching experience, while the PSTA recognises teachers with three to five years of experience. This year, the OSTA and PSTA recipients were selected from a total of 179 nominations from colleagues, parents, students and members of the public."
Recommendations from MOE's Comprehensive Action Review Against Bullying (15 April 2026)
"Strengthening our collective response to tackle bullying through a stronger partnership between schools, families, and the community.
The Ministry of Education (MOE), with the support of the COMmunity and PArents in Support of Schools (COMPASS) Council, has completed the Comprehensive Action Review against Bullying, aimed at strengthening existing efforts to better address hurtful behaviours and bullying in schools.
Bullying is a complex and serious issue that calls for a sustained, collective response. Building on existing efforts, MOE conducted internal reviews, and also engaged over 2,000 educators, parents, students, professionals and members of the public since August 2025. The majority agreed that addressing bullying holistically requires multiple parties working together – involving collective action from schools, families, and the wider community through strengthened systems and processes in schools, positive culture-building, and coordinated society-wide efforts.
Review Recommendations
Following the review and feedback received, MOE, with the support of COMPASS, has developed nine comprehensive recommendations across four key areas.
First, we will continue to inculcate the right values in our students. We will enhance values education in the curriculum and co-curriculum to develop students' character and social-emotional skills such as empathy, resilience, and conflict management. For example, more role-play and authentic scenarios will be incorporated to allow students to practise perspective-taking, conflict management and resolution, and learn how they can be upstanders. Schools will further empower students to lead and foster a pro-social peer culture where they look out for one another, stand together against hurtful behaviours, and support students who are affected by such hurtful behaviours.
We recognise that schools play a central role in creating a safe, caring and enabling environment for our students. Many schools have established processes to prevent and respond to bullying while fostering a culture of care, trust and mutual respect. We will continue to deepen a culture of kindness and respect in all our schools. We will also strengthen schools' management of hurtful behaviours and bullying, including cyber-related incidents. Schools will be provided with clearer guidelines on case management processes, including communication timelines, safety planning, disciplinary measures, counselling and restorative actions, to address hurtful behaviours and bullying in a timely and consistent manner. We will increase the availability and accessibility of reporting channels and support for affected students. Schools will also address hurtful behaviours and bullying more proactively in schools through early identification, intervention, and support, with stricter disciplinary measures for all serious offences, including bullying.
Third, MOE will provide additional needs-based funding for schools to hire additional manpower, which will support schools in student management whilst managing teacher workload. Schools may engage youth workers, pastoral care officers, and/or parent liaison officers to support school staff in student management work. We will tap on technology to improve case management processes and facilitate timely communication and intervention. To deepen educator capacity in student management and parent engagement, MOE and schools will also enhance professional development for educators, including skills for investigation, conflict resolution, and parent engagement."
World Book Day 2026 Promotes Culture of Reading with Inaugural Singapore Chinese Book Fair (18 April 2026)
"共同推广阅读文化：2026年世界书香日首次同时举办新加坡华文书展
More than 800 secondary and pre-university students participated in this year's World Book Day Opening Ceremony at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) on Saturday, 18 April 2026. Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), National Library Board (NLB) and HCI, the annual event aims to promote a culture of reading in Singapore.
Guest-of-Honour Mr Xie Yao Quan, who is Group Leader of CPCLL, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Jurong Central SMC, launched the student publication《清醒地梦着》— a compilation of outstanding essays written by students in the Author-in-Residence Programme . Mr Xie also presented the Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP) Best Improvement Award to 28 secondary and pre-university students."
2026 Primary One Registration Exercise (29 April 2026)
"The registration period for children's admission to Primary One (P1) in 2027 will be from Tuesday, 30 June 2026 to Friday, 30 October 2026.
Information on the P1 Registration process, registration phases, eligibility criteria, and user guides can be found at www.moe.gov.sg/primary/p1-registration.
As announced during the Ministry of Education's (MOE) Committee of Supply speech in March 2026, MOE is currently reviewing the P1 Registration Framework. However, this year's P1 Registration Exercise will not be affected. We will announce details of the review when ready."
Close to 190 Students Showcase Language and Reasoning Skills at the 5th National Chinese Riddle Competition (2 May 2026)
"189 students from 25 secondary schools participated in the fifth National Chinese Riddle Competition (全国中学生灯谜比赛) on Saturday, 2 May 2026, at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI). Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), Tung Ann District Guild, Riddle Association (Singapore) and HCI, the competition aims to foster students' appreciation and love for Chinese language and culture through the traditional art of riddle-solving.
Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the CPCLL, Ms Jasmin Lau, delivered a speech and presented awards to the winners. At the competition, participants took part in a preliminary pen-and-paper quiz, with the top 10 teams in both the Chinese and Higher Chinese categories advancing to the Finals to compete in a live fast-paced buzzer round."
Start of 2026 Direct School Admission Exercises & ITE and Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (5 May 2026)
"The Direct School Admission (DSA) Exercise for admission to secondary schools and junior colleges (JCs) in 2027 will open for application from Wednesday, 6 May 2026. Separately, applications for early admission to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnics based on course-specific aptitude and interests will start from Wednesday, 20 May and Monday, 1 June 2026 respectively.
DSA Exercise
DSA provides a pathway for students to gain admission to secondary schools or JCs based on their interests, aptitude, and potential, beyond their performance at the national examinations. Upon admission, students can further develop their talent in their secondary schools or JCs. Secondary schools and JCs can take up to 20% of their non-Integrated Programme Secondary 1 (S1) / Junior College 1 intake via the DSA Exercise."
Single admissions exercise to replace separate polytechnic, JC and ITE application processes from 2028 (3 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Three separate admissions exercises will be merged into one from 2028, changing the way students apply for post-secondary places, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on Tuesday (Mar 3).
The single application process will cover all post-secondary pathways, including junior colleges (JCs), Millennia Institute (MI), polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).
This change is timed to coincide with the first cohort of students under full subject-based banding sitting for the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) in 2027. These students will be the first to apply through the new exercise in January 2028.
The new Post-Secondary Admissions Exercise (PSE) will consolidate the Joint Admissions Exercise, the Polytechnic Foundation Programme Admissions Exercise and the ITE Joint Intake Exercise, which currently take place at different times of the year.
Other admissions pathways – such as Direct School Admission into junior colleges and early admissions to polytechnics and ITE, which are typically conducted before the SEC examinations – will remain unchanged."
15 schools to host advanced modules as Singapore discontinues Gifted Education Programme (3 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Starting next year, 15 schools will host advanced modules under Singapore's new approach to supporting high-ability students, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Tuesday (Mar 3).
The schools are Ahmad Ibrahim Primary, Clementi Primary, Geylang Methodist School, Innova Primary, Jurong West Primary, Kheng Cheng School, Palm View Primary, Pioneer Primary, Punggol View Primary, Queenstown Primary, St Gabriel's Primary, Tampines Primary, Teck Ghee Primary, Yew Tee Primary and Yu Neng Primary School.
They were chosen to ensure a good geographic spread and are accessible via public transport, MOE said, adding that the list will be reviewed periodically.
The announcement follows Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's 2024 announcement to discontinue the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) in its current form.
Under the new approach, more students – or about 10 per cent of the cohort – will have access to high-ability school-based programmes, which are already available in all primary schools. Students who may benefit from further development can then choose to attend after-school modules at one of the 15 designated centres.
Unlike the GEP, these modules are not linked to the national curriculum, said MOE.
Students will no longer need to transfer to one of the nine primary schools that currently host the GEP. Those nine schools will cease to be GEP centres, and their teachers with GEP experience may either teach the centre-based advanced modules or remain at their own schools."
Three new SPED schools for students with autism and intellectual disability to open (3 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Three new special education schools for students with autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability (ASD-ID) from mid-2026, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Tuesday (Mar 3).
The additions will bring the total number of SPED schools serving students with this condition from 13 to 16. MOE will partner three social service agencies – APSN Education Services, the Autism Association, and St Andrew's Mission Hospital – to set up the new schools.
One of the three schools, run by APSN Education Services, will operate from an interim site in the northeast region of Singapore from the second half of 2026, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Syed Harun on Tuesday.
The announcement was part of MOE's broader spending plans for the year, aimed at addressing rising demand for SPED places among students with ASD-ID."
Students must stay grounded in critical thinking amid AI push: Desmond Lee (4 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more deeply embedded in classrooms and workplaces, students must remain grounded in fundamentals such as critical thinking, said Education Minister Desmond Lee on Tuesday (Mar 3).
In particular, Mr Lee cautioned against “cognitive offloading” – or letting machines do the thinking – even as students and teachers are being encouraged to use AI learning tools.
“AI is going to present a lot of opportunity but also a lot of disruption, so our aim is really to make sure that the next generation is ready for such a world,” he told CNA’s Singapore Tonight programme.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education (MOE) had made several announcements in parliament as part of its broader spending plans for the year. These include plans for students from primary to tertiary levels to soon undergo AI-related modules to adapt to the technology and develop relevant skills."
Singaporean students in Middle East safe, minimal disruption to studies amid conflict in region: Faishal Ibrahim (5 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Singapore students studying in the Middle East are safe, with minimal disruptions to their studies, said Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim on Thursday (Mar 5).
Assoc Prof Faishal spoke with more than 40 Singaporean students who are pursuing their studies in countries like Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to "check on their welfare, safety and well-being", amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
"I am relieved that our students are safe, with minimal disruptions to their studies," he said in his Facebook post, with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) adding that the call with the students took place on Wednesday night.
The students, who are studying Islamic law, Islamic theology, and the Arabic language, shared their concerns, but also their resilience amid the uncertainty, Assoc Prof Faishal said.
"I was reassured to hear that they are keeping safe and continuing to focus on their studies.
"I assured them that their safety, welfare and well-being remain our priority, and we stand ready to assist where needed," he added."
Fewer fresh graduates found work within 6 months in 2025; median salary held steady at S$4,500: Survey (5 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A smaller proportion of university graduates found jobs fresh out of school in 2025, according to graduate employment survey results on Thursday (Mar 5).
The joint survey by Singapore's six autonomous universities found that 83.4 per cent of recent graduates who sought jobs were working within six months of their final exams.
This was down from 87.1 per cent in 2024, and continues a downward trend since 2022.
The median gross monthly salary for this group held steady at S$4,500 (US$3,500)."
Singapore to increase family counselling capacity as number of cases grows (5 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Counselling services under the strengthening families programme (FAM) will be expanded to support up to 12,000 cases by 2030, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said in parliament on Thursday (Mar 5).
The number of family counselling cases has risen over the past few years – from 3,100 in 2022 to 5,700 last year.
“We expect this growth to continue and will ensure services remain accessible to those who need it,” the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said.
The strengthening families programme was established in 2021 to support families who may face greater challenges in managing marriage, parenting and other family relationships.
Eleven FAM centres across Singapore provide family counselling to support such families. This includes providing psycho-emotional support and equipping families with skills and resilience to deal with stressors and resolve conflicts.
Families can book face-to-face or online counselling sessions with the centres.
“Preliminary findings have shown that family counselling has improved mental well-being, marital adjustment and child psychosocial functioning of (the programme’s) clients,” MSF said."
Singapore to introduce new S$20 million grant to support development of multicultural art forms (5 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A new S$20 million (US$15.6 million) grant to support the development of traditional and multicultural art forms will be introduced by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the National Arts Council (NAC).
The move was announced by Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo in parliament on Thursday (Mar 5) where he laid out his ministry's spending plans for the year.
This is part of stepped-up efforts to strengthen Singapore's unique multicultural identity, he added.
The Multicultural Arts Programme Grant, which will span five years, will be administered by NAC and seeded by the President’s Challenge and MCCY.
NAC will launch the grant via an open call in the second half of this year, with applications accepted annually from then on.
It will support a range of multicultural arts productions and initiatives, including instances where artists weave elements from other cultures together or when they seek to learn and develop mastery in cultural forms beyond their own inherited traditions."
When fathers don’t pay child maintenance – what women can do to protect their children (6 March 2026)
"When Lisa (not her real name) separated from her husband, her biggest concern was keeping life stable for their four-year-old son. She didn’t expect to suddenly shoulder the full burden of their household bills.
Her ex-husband stopped paying his share – not only for their car loan, but their son’s expenses and their Housing Development Board (HDB) flat mortgage, leaving her scrambling to meet payments.
During their five-year marriage, the tech executive and her husband split costs evenly, including their son’s kindergarten fees, and swimming and Chinese lessons.
“I didn’t expect him to cut off our son like this,” the 35-year-old told CNA Women. She had to seek legal help to ensure he fulfilled his duty of care.
Lisa’s story isn’t uncommon. Non-payment of maintenance remains a persistent problem among divorced couples, despite being enforceable by law, according to statistics from the Family Justice Courts. There was an average of 2,700 maintenance enforcements applications reported in 2023. While some defaulters cite job loss or financial strain, others refuse payment out of resentment."
Eligible lower-wage adults returning to school can get S$500 per quarter under new ComLink+ pilot (6 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Eligible lower-wage young adults under the ComLink+ scheme can now receive a S$500 (US$390) incentive every quarter when they sustain their education, Minister of State for Social and Family Development Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim said on Friday (Mar 6).
“Families bear some costs when they choose to upskill. For example, their income may be disrupted during their studies, and it is not certain even that they will get a job with a higher salary after,” Mr Zhulkarnain said during the debate on the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) spending plans for the coming year.
"MSF has observed that this deters some ComLink+ families from upskilling, even when they want to do so and even when they have the opportunity to do so."
The ComLink+ skills upgrading support pilot was launched in January and targets eligible people aged 18 to 39 who are currently in lower-wage jobs or have dropped out of school previously, and may be currently unemployed.
The ministry said the pilot would address the financial opportunity cost by providing basic living expenses at ComCare short-to-medium term assistance rates, as well as the S$500 per quarter when individuals keep up with their education.
The support can be given for up to three years, depending on the course duration."
Stiffer penalties for selling, importing or using vapes after law passed in parliament (6 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The maximum penalties for possessing, using, importing and selling vapes in Singapore will be raised significantly after changes to the law were passed in parliament on Friday (Mar 6).
Owners of warehouses and storage units will also bear greater responsibility if such prohibited products are found in their premises, while nightclubs, bars and pubs will have to take action when they find patrons in possession of or using vapes.
The Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Amendment) and Other Matters Bill was passed unanimously, with nine MPs raising questions.
Speaking during the debate on the Bill, Senior Minister of State for Health Koh Poh Koon said that while etomidate vapes triggered the recent escalation in enforcement efforts, the majority of vape users do not use etomidate.
“We are therefore significantly increasing the penalties for offences involving these products to strengthen deterrence,” said Dr Koh.
Over the past six months, the authorities have caught over 5,100 people for vape-related offences, of which more than one in 10 were etomidate vape users.
Among the offenders placed on rehabilitation, 42 defaulted. One person has been convicted and imprisoned, while the rest will be charged.
Seventy offenders have completed their rehabilitation programmes, with four youth offenders reoffending."
Undergrad interest in engineering, accountancy and humanities is dwindling. What will it mean for Singapore's future? (6 March 2026)
"When Mr Tan Jun An applied to study accountancy at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), artificial intelligence (AI) was already casting a long shadow over a profession that had, up until then, been regarded as a sure bet.
Even so, the 24-year-old went ahead with his application in 2022, driven by a long-standing interest first nurtured by his principles of accounts teacher in secondary school and strengthened during his polytechnic internships.
Although he does not regret his choice of study, the stability Mr Tan once linked to pure accountancy careers in audit or tax now feels less certain.
"With changes in AI and market demand, there is some fear about the job market and my perception has shifted. I'm thinking about broadening my options beyond pure accountancy," said the second-year undergraduate.
He joined the 180 Degrees Consulting Club in NTU to develop strategy skills and position his accountancy knowledge as a value-add in consulting.
If given the chance again, however, he said that he might have added a second major or minor, perhaps in sustainability or data analytics, to diversify his skill set in an increasingly unpredictable job market.
Mr Tan is part of a shrinking pool of pure accountancy students across Singapore's universities.
A study by the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants found that enrolment in accountancy programmes dipped by more than 10 per cent between 2018 and 2023."
I made sacrifices to be a mum to my 2 kids, but here's why I wouldn't expect them to do the same (6 March 2026)
"It has been more than two decades but I still remember the feeling when the nurses handed my firstborn to me for the first time.
Many a book, movie or well-meaning friend tells you that you will have these magical maternal feelings the moment you meet your child. But as I looked down at my baby, what went through my head was not: "Oh my, what an incredible feeling!"
It was more like: "Oh boy. What have I done?"
There were many, many more such days over the next few years, which also saw us welcoming a second child.
A sick baby draped across our chests; fighting the half-asleep, half-awake fog; dealing with forgotten books and teachers' notes; multiple trips to the doctor's; hand-wringing and heart-wrenching over grades. Moments that sound unremarkable on paper, but consumed us completely as we were living them.
And yet, here I am, saying – proudly and honestly – that motherhood is the best thing to have happened to me.
I have never known a love so profound, a joy so intense, or a disappointment so deep. It made me a different person.
Admittedly, these days when young people tell me they'd rather spend their money on cars than have kids, I feel a pang of grief.
But here's the thing: I do not blame them for seeing things this way. They inhabit a world so arduous – a world they had little part in building but must live in – that they have decided, quite reasonably in my view, that they don't want to bring a child into it."
These youths planned attacks in Singapore. Rehabilitation changed their course (8 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Dylan was in secondary school when he chanced upon a livestream of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks.
The gunman, Brenton Tarrant, opened fire at two mosques, killing 51 people in an act of terror.
While the world looked on in horror, the footage fascinated Dylan. At the time, he regularly watched gore videos and had grown desensitised to violence.
“I did not really realise the severity of what was happening. And because of my fascination with violence, I don't think I ever realised or thought of it as radicalisation,” he said.
A year later, the teenager planned a similar attack in Singapore.
He intended to target two mosques with a machete he had bought online. Like Tarrant, he planned to livestream the attacks by strapping his phone onto a tactical device, and he chose the anniversary of the Christchurch shootings for the date.
“I was very determined to commit the attack. I only foresaw two outcomes to planning the attack, which were either getting caught by the police early or having committed the actual attack,” he said.
The attack never materialised. Dylan, then 16, was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 2020.
His case is not isolated. In its 2025 Terrorism Threat Assessment Report, the Internal Security Department (ISD) noted the uptick in the number of local self-radicalised youths against the backdrop of evolving technology, such as artificial intelligence.
Latest figures show that since 2015, 19 self-radicalised youths aged 20 and below were dealt with under the ISA, with more than two-thirds (14) identified in the last five years.
Youths are also getting radicalised faster and subscribing to a more diverse range of extremist ideologies, ISD said."
Her daughter’s health scare sparked a journey that led her to reinvent instant noodles (9 March 2026)
"Instant noodles. Love or hate them, they are what many teens and time-pressed parents reach for when life gets busy or late-night cravings strike.
For mother of two Cynthea Lam, founder of homegrown wellness brand Super Farmers, that familiar habit got her thinking: Can convenience food be comforting yet nutritious?
A certified nutritionist in her 40s, Lam’s answer to that question is her version of instant noodles. Last year, she launched a range of vegan instant noodles and broth powders that are free of gluten and MSG that can be added to stir-fries or water to make a comforting bowl of broth.
The aim is to give people who want to eat better but crave their comfort food an alternative.
“For me, instant noodles were a no brainer,” Lam told CNA Women. “Because I really like them.”
A Health Scare From Artificial Colouring
Lam’s motivation to rework one of Singaporeans’ comfort foods wasn’t solely due to personal preference. Her journey towards better nutrition began after 2012, when her daughter developed severe pneumonia after an undetected allergy to artificial food colouring.
Lam, who was heavily pregnant with her second child at the time, recalls how her three-year-old developed a fever and started coughing up blood. She spent a month in hospital.
Tests later found that she was allergic to artificial food colouring that is commonly used in processed snacks and candy."
Stepmother of 5-year-old girl who was beaten to death by father gets jail for child abuse (13 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The stepmother of a severely malnourished five-year-old girl who was beaten to death by her father was sentenced to six years and three months' jail on Friday (Mar 13) for joining in the abuse of the girl and her younger brother.
In sentencing, the judge said the case involves ill-treatment of especially vulnerable victims which stretched from hours to days to weeks to months.
"It is painfully ironic now to seek mercy when so little was shown to those two children," said District Judge Eugene Teo.
The 35-year-old Singaporean woman, who had her own children whom she looked after while the two kids were being abused, was dressed in black and remained expressionless at this statement.
She pleaded guilty to three charges which include ill treatment of a child and giving false information to the police. Another three charges were taken into consideration.
The girl, named as Ayeesha by the High Court so that "society may remember her", had been confined naked in a toilet with her younger brother for almost 10 months before her death, as part of several "naughty corners" devised by the offenders.
The children suffered almost two years of abuse and neglect, eating their own faeces and parts of a mattress out of hunger. They were not taken to school, with their father giving various lies to the authorities about their attendance, while the stepmother's own children went.
Ayeesha died of a head injury in August 2017 after her stepmother complained about the children to their father, and the father responded by slapping the girl repeatedly such that her head tilted back awkwardly."
17 students, 2 staff members at MapleBear preschool in Eunos fall ill with gastroenteritis symptoms (14 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Authorities are investigating 19 reported cases of gastroenteritis at a MapleBear preschool in Eunos.
The 17 students and two staff members at MapleBear Kids Adventure preschool located at 8 Jalan Ismail were reported to have developed symptoms since Tuesday (Mar 10), the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a joint statement on Saturday.
“All are recovering well, and none were hospitalised,” the agencies added.
ECDA said that it is “monitoring the situation closely and working with the preschool operator to ensure the well-being of all children and staff in the preschool”.
It also reminded the operator to ensure compliance with the relevant infection prevention and control guidelines.
SFA said that food operators must play their part and adhere to good food safety practices, even as regulatory measures are in place and enforced.
It added that it will not hesitate to take enforcement action against errant food operators.
In response to CNA’s queries, MapleBear denied that there had been a food poisoning case involving an external supplier.
"A small number of children have reported feeling unwell due to a viral infection. All health and safety protocols were followed - including involving ECDA - and, as no new cases occurred, the centre returned to their regular activities," it said."
Does using ChatGPT for homework make kids lazy? Here’s my rule at home (14 March 2026)
"The robots haven't taken over yet, but they're already managing my diet with more precision than I ever could.
Most afternoons, I photograph my lunch and upload it to ChatGPT. Within seconds, it tells me where I stand nutritionally and suggests what I should eat for dinner, giving me a detailed breakdown.
The advice is often not what I had assumed it would be. I am told to consume more carbohydrates, not less; take a long walk instead of a 5 km run to lower cortisol, the "stress" hormone.
Six weeks into a programme that it had customised for me, I've lowered my body fat without having to resort to crash dieting or punishing cardio exercise sessions. I feel stronger than I did in my 20s, all thanks to the precision and support of artificial intelligence (AI).
I tell you this because it shapes how I approach the topic of my kids using AI.
I've seen what these tools can do and I am persuaded by how much they have improved my quality of life.
"A recent study found that 84 per cent of secondary school respondents use AI for homework at least once a week.
The question is no longer whether our children will use it. They already do. The more important question is what kind of thinkers it's turning them into."
36,000 MOE teachers, allied educators to get up to 9% pay increase from Oct 1 (16 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: From Oct 1, around 36,000 teachers and educators will get a 2 to 9 per cent increase in their monthly pay, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Monday (Mar 16).
The move is meant to ensure that their overall salary packages remain competitive and to enable the ministry to "continue to attract and retain good educators", said MOE in a press release.
The increment will be given to around 33,000 education officers, 1,700 allied educators and 1,100 MOE Kindergarten educators.
Salaries for education officers, allied educators and MOE Kindergarten educators were last reviewed in 2022."
Absent family support, they went from children’s home to rented flat. This is how they managed (16 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: When Edward (not his real name) first unpacked his belongings in his new room, he felt triumphant.
“I’ve won in life already,” he thought as he moved into a flat — at age 19 — with three others he had grown up with at Melrose Home.
The residential care facility, run by the Children’s Aid Society (CAS), is for children and youth aged seven to 21 with adverse family circumstances, such as abuse and neglect.
And after nearly a decade of dormitories and fixed routines, Edward had his own bedroom and could arrange things however he liked. He could choose what to cook, when to head out and stay up as late as he wanted.
But responsibilities soon hit him harder than he had expected. He struggled to keep up the rent as expenses piled up, and he borrowed from a flatmate at times to make ends meet.
“It was a big reality (check),” he said. “We had no clue (about) the cost…of living outside.”
About 500 children and adolescents are in out-of-home residential care in Singapore. By the time they turn 21, about 30 individuals a year will age out of care without being able to reintegrate with their families.
Without support, the transition to independent living can be especially challenging for care leavers like Edward, with housing among their most pressing concerns."
MSF returns Han Hui Hui's children with conditions; activist gets POFMA order over claims made in livestream (17 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Political activist Han Hui Hui was on Monday (Mar 16) reunited with her children after they were removed from her care over safety concerns, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Tuesday.
She was also issued a Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) correction direction over false statements she made in a Facebook livestream about the removal of her children. This video was later posted on Facebook and YouTube.
These posts are no longer available, according to CNA's checks on Tuesday night.
"The government takes a serious view of the deliberate communication of falsehoods," said SPF and MSF.
The correction order was made on the instruction of Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli. This was done to protect public trust and ensure that accurate facts are put up, said the authorities.
CNA understands this is the first time a POFMA correction direction has been issued in relation to falsehoods about the government's handling of children under protective care.
Madam Han is required to carry a correction notice."
Former teacher on trial for sexual grooming and indecent acts with student (18 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A former teacher is on trial for sexually grooming an underage student and for indecent acts with her in a parked car.
The prosecution on Tuesday (Mar 17) urged the court to convict the 41-year-old former secondary school teacher of all four charges against him, calling his conduct "a deliberate, calculated and persistent campaign of grooming".
His defence lawyer, Mr Kalaithasan Karuppaya, maintained that none of the alleged acts took place.
The man pleaded not guilty to three counts of committing an indecent act with a minor and one count of sexual grooming of a minor.
The court imposed gag orders covering the identities of the victim, the accused and the name of their school."
As more youths get arrested for drugs, is the onus on parents to start conversations early? (19 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: When Ms June Yong first raised the topic of drugs to her children, her youngest child was 11.
The conversation was likely prompted by news reports about youths experimenting with drugs or youth offenders getting arrested, she told CNA.
In their household – with three teenagers now aged between 13 and 17 – such discussions are not unusual, typically unfolding over dinner. Sometimes, they would also touch on other vices.
"We’ve been talking about sensitive topics since their primary school years," said Ms Yong, remembering how her children once brought up pornography after hearing about it in school. That made her and her husband realise they could not shield their children from everything.
"For us, we were intentional about bringing up difficult topics from young. We wanted to have the first word in, rather than waiting for them to hear from friends," said Ms Yong, who works as a family life educator at non-profit organisation Focus on the Family Singapore.
But not all families have these conversations.
Last month, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) released its annual statistics report, which showed a rise in young drug abusers arrested in 2025. The youngest was 12 years old.
Of the 1,165 new drug abusers arrested in 2025, about half of them were below 30 years old, an increase of about 9 per cent from the previous year. The rise was more significant in the under-20 age group.
National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) chairman Tan Chong Huat noted that almost two in five youths have yet to receive guidance from their parents or guardians about drug abuse.
The council's 2025 National Drug Perception Survey found that 62.8 per cent of youths said their parents had spoken to them about drugs."
Gojek driver who inched vehicle into traffic controller at international school gets convicted of rash act (19 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: In his attempt to escape the traffic at an international school, a Gojek private-hire driver caught in a slip road inched his vehicle forward, injuring a traffic controller who had asked him to wait his turn.
Darryl K Tan Swee Heng, 43, was convicted on Wednesday (Mar 18) of one count of a rash act endangering the personal safety of others, which he had contested in vain.
The court heard that Tan, a Singaporean, had received a job on his Gojek application to pick up passengers from Dulwich College in Bukit Batok sometime before 4pm on Mar 24, 2023."
With AI doing the grunt work in law firms, where does this leave junior lawyers and fresh grads? (20 March 2026)
"For law student Sarika Chatterjee, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in her studies can be a double-edged sword. While it makes her academic life easier, it has made her worry about what she can offer law firms after graduation.
The third-year law undergraduate at the National University of Singapore (NUS) said that she uses AI for basic tasks such as preparing summaries of cases or assigned readings, including condensing a 120-page reading into a 10-page examination-style summary.
"There seems to be this general air of 'everything is going to be fine'. But we students know that … law firms are increasingly investing more in specialised legally trained AI, and some partners at firms have already acknowledged that AI is able to take over the basic legal work that is done by junior associates.
"We do not receive any specific support related to AI, and it seems that we have been left to our own devices when it comes to dealing with AI in the workplace," the 21-year-old said.
She is now focusing on developing skills such as client management and presentations.
Although Ms Chatterjee is concerned, she takes some solace in AI's limitations, including its inability to provide in-depth analysis and the difficulty it has in handling cases without legal precedents.
From automating routine tasks to threatening livelihoods and displacing roles at both entry and senior levels, AI is reshaping industries and jobs – and the legal sector is no exception."
Slang and informal digital language are seeping into essays and class discussions. Here's how I deal with it as an educator (20 March 2026)
"These days, it's getting increasingly common in classes to hear a student discuss a philosophical argument with careful reasoning, then moments later remark that an idea is "lowkey problematic" or that someone's well-made point "slaps".
Online, expressions such as "fr" ("for real"), "ngl" ("not gonna lie") or "it's giving" ("it seems" or "it suggests") circulate widely across TikTok, Instagram and messaging applications. Occasionally, these expressions also surface in class discussion boards.
Being an educator, I've always advocated that students speak "properly". However, what I'm seeing appears to be much more complex than a simple decline in language standards.
Are young people forgetting how to speak good English? That is a question that has long been a subject of national debate, well before the advent of social media and internet slang.
For now, good English isn't "disappearing" exactly. Instead, it's more about the changing environments in which certain types of language are used.
Seeing slang and abbreviations such as "rizz" ("charisma") and "IJBOL" ("I just burst out laughing") increasingly seep into situations where more formal language is typically used and expected, it raises a new concern: Are young Singaporeans losing the ability to shift between informal digital language and the kind of English required in academic, professional and public settings?
And, perhaps more importantly – does the distinction even matter anymore?"
From silence to ‘Mama’: The 26-year-old helping babies and children with hearing loss learn to listen (23 March 2026)
"Most parents celebrate their baby’s first “Mama” or “Dada” but rarely consider how much goes into this speech milestone. For a child with hearing loss, those utterances may not be a given.
So when Tiffany Lim’s first assigned case, a four-year-old with hearing loss who had spent most of his childhood in a world of silence, called out to his mother and grandparents for the first time, it meant everything to her.
“Up until then, he was in his own bubble,” she recalled.
The 26-year-old is an auditory-verbal habilitationist (AVH) at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s (KKH) Audiology Service. She works in a niche field, helping children and babies with hearing loss develop listening and language skills after they are fitted with hearing devices.
The work is deeply family-centred, with parents coached to support listening and language development both during sessions and at home.
In Singapore, around one in 1,000 newborns has significant hearing loss, according to KKH.Auditory-verbal therapy is recommended to monitor the child’s hearing device use and their spoken language development, said Lim.
On average, the KKH Audiology Service attends to 2,500 to 3,000 patients with hearing loss each year.The service sees children from around six months up to 18 years old. Some are born with hearing loss; others lose their hearing later due to acquired infections or medical conditions."
Founding dean of NTU's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information Eddie Kuo dies aged 85 (23 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Professor Eddie Kuo, the founding dean of the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), died on Monday (Mar 23) at the age of 85.
In a post on Facebook, WKWSCI said that Prof Kuo was a "pivotal figure" who shaped the school in its earliest years and laid the groundwork for its growth.
"His contributions to NTU and to the development of communication as a discipline in Singapore have left a lasting legacy," it said.
"He will be remembered with great respect and affection and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him."
CNA Explains: What causes GIRO errors and what you can do if it happens (23 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: To pay for their children’s student care, some parents set up GIRO arrangements with Little Professors Learning Centre, expecting routine monthly deductions of fees.
Instead, they got a rude shock. Some were charged the wrong amount in certain months – and charged twice in others.
One mother, who was supposed to pay S$30 (US$24) a month, was charged S$196.80 on three occasions and S$68 once.
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) received 10 complaints regarding unauthorised GIRO deductions between Jan 1 last year and Mar 16 this year.
CNA looks at how GIRO works, and whether the decades-old system has any alternatives."
Commentary: How to redirect the ‘responsible parent’ script in Singapore’s education system (25 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: In Singapore, much has been said about the need to break away from an education “arms race”.
This was reiterated by Education Minister Desmond Lee in parliament this month, when he cautioned that a fixation on grades can pit children against one another, diminish their joy of learning and crowd out character-building.
Mr Lee’s remarks reaffirm efforts that the Ministry of Education has pursued for more than a decade – including doing away with mid-year examinations, softening labels of giftedness or academic excellence or lack thereof, and dampening obsession with “top” schools – in hope that the anxiety and stress experienced by parents and students would recede. The ministry is also studying how to further reduce the stakes of examinations.
The key point, however, is this: Lowering stress involves more than adjusting milestones. It also means changing the incentive environment around them, so families feel they can step off the treadmill without taking an irreversible risk.
When Education Meets Being "Kiasu"
But why are people on the treadmill in the first place? Findings from the recent IPS-CNA national identity study suggest something deeper may be at work.
When 2,000 Singapore residents were asked what traits define a Singaporean, the two most common responses were, surprisingly, not Singlish or our local food culture.
Instead, they were "valuing education" and "being kiasu". The latter, according to those who participated in the study, was a negative identity marker.
If these are traits that sit near the centre of how we imagine a “typical Singaporean”, then the schooling, tuition and education arms race that have been widely debated in the public sphere are not only behaviours to be corrected. It is also part of an identity system, reinforced through everyday decisions and social expectations. This also helps explain why well-intentioned messaging, such as the idea that “every school is a good school”, may have struggled to shift lived realities."
Bra checks, exams and a ghost: How a Singapore director turned her school years into an award-winning film (26 March 2026)
"One of the first skits Tan Siyou ever worked on was because of a school punishment.
In secondary school, some of her friends snuck food into the school library to eat in air-conditioned comfort. Their punishment: Come up with a skit for morning assembly to remind everyone that eating in the library is prohibited.
When she heard of her friends’ punishment, she was furious. Tan could relate – she once skipped class to sleep in the library and got banned from entering.
“I know you are not supposed to eat in the library. But it was very hot and this is such an innocent act. Why would (teachers) publicly shame you?” the film director in her 30s reasoned.
“I was like, they want skit, we give them skit.”
Tan joined the group to write the script and turned the skit into an elaborate production with props. She played the teacher who had doled out the punishment and acted the part so well that the teacher in question was upset, she recalled.
Today, the Singaporean is an award-winning writer and director. Her short films Hello Ahma and Strawberry Cheesecake premiered at major international festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival and Locarno Film Festival.
Amoeba, her feature debut, was inspired by her experiences in a high-pressure girls’ school. Screened at film festivals across the world, including Canada, South Korea, China, the United States and Japan, it takes audiences into the inner world of four Singaporean girls who form a gang, navigating school, adolescence, friendship and a ghost encounter.
Amoeba first premiered in Singapore at the Singapore International Film Festival in November 2025 and will make its theatrical release on Mar 26 at Filmhouse at Golden Mile Tower. A sneak preview on Mar 21 that included a post-screening question-and-answer session with Tan and cast members sold out two days after the tickets went live on Mar 7.
Delivered in a blend of Mandarin, English and Singlish, the coming-of-age film won multiple awards in 2025, including Best Youth Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Australia, the Youth Jury Award at the Pingyao International Film Festival in China, and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan.
Tan was also nominated for best new director at the Golden Horse Awards."
Commentary: Why the central kitchen model for school meals works for my family (26 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: When it was announced that a new central kitchen model would be rolled out in 13 schools this year, there was a wave of dismay.
Some were unimpressed with the appearance of the catered meals and the lack of variety. Others lamented the loss of opportunities for children to learn budgeting and financial skills.
But my family was excited about the change because it meant we would finally be able to know which dishes were safe for our children.
Both my children were born with multiple allergies. Some allergens cause milder reactions like hives and eczema, but there are others that trigger severe effects such as vomiting, restricted breathing and pain along the digestive tract. To keep them safe, I have been packing all their meals – recess, snacks and lunch – every weekday since they started school.
My children are not alone. According to Dr Mohana Rajakulendran, a paediatrician who specialises in food allergies and eczema, around 5 per cent of children in Singapore have diagnosed food allergies.
This means in every class of 30 to 40 children, at least one child would have a food allergy that might not allow them to consume food from traditional canteens that do not display allergen information.
The most common food allergies among children in Singapore are milk, egg, peanut and seafood, including shellfish. “While seafood allergy is more common in older school-going children and adolescents, there has also been an increasing trend of peanut allergy locally,” Dr Rajakulendran told me.
With the new central kitchen model in place at my child’s school, I can review the menu ahead of time and decide if there is a safe option for her. I love hearing the joy in her voice when she says she can finally enjoy the same food as her classmates."
Former primary school teacher gets jail for sexual relationship with her underage former student (26 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: After teaching mathematics to a boy for two years in a primary school, a woman developed a romantic relationship with the minor that turned sexual when he was in lower secondary.
The 35-year-old Singaporean woman, who cannot be named due to gag orders preventing her and the victim's identification, was sentenced to 22 months' jail on Thursday (Mar 26).
She pleaded guilty to one charge each of sexual exploitation of a child and causing sexual penetration by a minor.
Another two charges including sexual grooming and stalking were considered in sentencing.
The Ministry of Education had previously said that the woman was suspended from March 2024 and is no longer teaching in any school."
Singapore denies entry to Malaysian activist over involvement in domestic politics, promotion of unlawful civil protest (27 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A Malaysian activist has been refused entry to Singapore for engaging in political activism in the country, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Friday (Mar 27), describing her as an “undesirable visitor”.
Fadiah Nadwa Fikri had encouraged some youths in Singapore to adopt “her brand of radical advocacy”, said MHA in response to CNA’s query.
“She encouraged them to go beyond protests, to mobilise students and different communities in Singapore, and to undertake disruptive and violent actions to support specific causes,” the ministry said.
“We will not tolerate foreigners getting involved in our domestic politics, nor the promotion of unlawful, violent and disruptive methods of civil protest.”
In a post on X on Sunday, Fadiah, who was awarded a PhD by the National University of Singapore (NUS) in January, claimed she was deported to Malaysia and banned from entering Singapore.
She described her scholarly work as examining the intellectual history of decolonisation and anti-imperialism."
Singapore tops global gains in QS university subject rankings, driven by focus on skills and employability (27 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Singapore’s higher education system has emerged as the world’s most improved in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject, released on Wednesday (Mar 25).
The country’s universities now have 42 subjects ranked in the global top 10, placing it first in Asia and third worldwide behind the United States and the United Kingdom.
About two-thirds of subjects - 76 out of 115 - also climbed in the rankings.
Experts said strong investment in research and talent, including AI, coupled with a strong focus on skills and employability, is driving Singapore’s global competitiveness in higher education.
NUS Records Most Subjects In Global Top 10
At the National University of Singapore (NUS), a record 28 subjects were ranked in the global top 10, marking the school’s strongest performance since the QS subject rankings were introduced in 2011.
These include civil and structural engineering, where students combine classroom learning with real-world applications.
The course rose one place to No. 2 this year."
My husband's brush with the law is a chance to teach our kids about rehabilitation (27 March 2026)
"One day, my eldest daughter came home from kindergarten and, bouncing up and down with excitement, said to me: "Mum! Did you know on Thursday we have careers day and a real-life policeman is coming to school! Is he the one that caught Dad?"
We've seen it in television shows and movies: A young child being told that their parent is "out of the country" or "away on business" when, really, they're serving time in prison.
Seeing such scenes on a screen, I always thought it was corny – but I never thought it would happen to me.
When A Partner Has Done Time
When other couples prepare to have kids, they may ask themselves certain questions, such as: "Should one of us stay home to be a full-time parent?" or "What kinds of beliefs and values do we want to teach our kids?"
For my husband and me, there was one more consideration, one that many other couples in our circles didn't have to confront: "Do we tell our children their dad has been to jail?"
Four operators appointed to replace Little Professors Learning Centre at eight primary schools (30 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has appointed four student care centre (SCC) operators to provide after-school care services for students in eight primary schools affected by Little Professors Learning Centre's (LPLC) breach of contract.
The four new operators are: Learning Studio Educare, Principals Academy Inc, Young Men's Christian Association of Singapore and Nascans, said MOE in a press release on Monday (Mar 30).
The centres will start operations from Apr 6, and the appointment will include Kindergarten Care services for the primary schools with MOE Kindergartens.
The move comes about six weeks after LPLC’s contracts were terminated over issues including unpaid staff salaries and double fee deductions."
Four operators appointed to replace Little Professors Learning Centre at eight primary schools (30 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has appointed four student care centre (SCC) operators to provide after-school care services for students in eight primary schools affected by Little Professors Learning Centre's (LPLC) breach of contract.
The four new operators are: Learning Studio Educare, Principals Academy Inc, Young Men's Christian Association of Singapore and Nascans, said MOE in a press release on Monday (Mar 30).
The centres will start operations from Apr 6, and the appointment will include Kindergarten Care services for the primary schools with MOE Kindergartens.
The move comes about six weeks after LPLC’s contracts were terminated over issues including unpaid staff salaries and double fee deductions."
Singaporean comedian Mark Lee reflects on bond with his 12-year-old daughter (30 March 2026)
"It's no secret that Singaporean comedian and actor Mark Lee is a doting father. Remember that video of his kids running to hug him when he returned from an overseas work trip a few years back?
But it does seem like his kids are all starting to grow up. The 57-year-old reflected on his relationship with his daughter during promotions for his latest project.
In the new Taiwanese comedy Uncle Odyssey, Lee plays a man separated from his wife, who left with their daughter. Having lived apart for years, he and his daughter, played by Golden Bell Best Actress winner Huang Peijia, reconnect in his middle age, when the roles get reversed and his daughter has to care for her father.
In a recent interview, Mark Lee revealed that his youngest child in real life, Calynn Lee, is in fact very much like Huang in the movie.
“Because my youngest daughter also walks around with a straight face all the time," he quipped. "Sometimes when I try to hold her hand or pat her shoulder, she just glares at me."
Mark Lee and his wife, Catherine Ng, 52, also have an elder daughter Calista Lee, 17, and a son, Maksonn Lee, 14.
That said, Mark Lee understands that his daughter loves him deeply."
X and TikTok issued letters of caution by IMDA for serious weaknesses in detection, removal of harmful content (31 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has issued letters of caution to X and TikTok and placed both platforms under enhanced supervision, following “serious weaknesses” in their measures to detect and remove harmful online content.
IMDA’s Online Safety Assessment Report 2025, released on Tuesday (Mar 31), found that X failed to effectively tackle child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEM), while TikTok showed serious gaps in detecting and removing terrorism-related content.
According to IMDA, a letter of caution reprimands regulated entities on serious weaknesses discovered by the regulator and requires them to take steps to address these weaknesses.
Under the enhanced supervision measures, the two platforms must provide regular progress updates to IMDA in implementing rectification measures, until the regulator is satisfied that the issues are adequately resolved.
The measures include enhancing their detection systems with the use of AI, and taking into account specific code-words and tactics that bad actors have used to target Singapore users.
They must also submit supporting data and information to IMDA by Jun 30 to demonstrate the effectiveness of their rectification measures."
'Nutrition labels' for AI apps among measures being studied to boost online safety: Josephine Teo (31 March 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Labels that clearly spell out what artificial intelligence applications can do – and where their limits lie – could be introduced as part of broader efforts to strengthen trust and safety in the digital space, said Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo.
This is in view of the potential challenges posed by the abuse of AI tools such as AI chatbots, according to a factsheet released by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) on Tuesday (Mar 31).
Speaking to reporters ahead of the second Online Safety Assessment Report, which was also released on Tuesday, Mrs Teo said the proposed labels would help users better understand what AI-enabled services are designed to do, their intended uses and limitations, similar to how labels for food or medicine inform consumers."
Former preschool principal gets jail for failing to report toddler molestation by school cook (1 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A former preschool principal who failed to report the molestation of a toddler by a school cook was sentenced to 10 days' jail on Wednesday (Apr 1), even though the prosecution sought a fine of at least S$8,000 (US$6,200).
The 62-year-old woman, who cannot be named due to gag orders protecting the identity of the victim, had pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to report the cook's offence. Another charge of conspiring to obstruct justice was taken into consideration.
In sentencing, the judge pointed to the "striking" irony that the principal had been attending a course on safeguarding children from abuse when she first learnt of the offence.
The judge said the case serves as "a sobering reminder that child protection cannot be reduced to the mere completion of courses or formal training", but that educators must internalise and "faithfully discharge" the responsibilities that accompany the profound trust placed in them.
The cook, 61-year-old Teo Guan Huat, was sentenced in November to more than nine years’ jail for molesting three toddlers during naptime over seven months in 2023."
Serial voyeur finds job as student care teacher, takes videos of boys using the toilet (1 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A serial voyeur who was released from his latest prison stint took up a job as a part-time student care teacher and took multiple videos of boys defecating in toilets.
The prosecution said Ezekiel Isaiah Tee Xu Jie specifically targeted boys aged between nine and 15 at a church or student care centres he had applied to work at, or near to, and checked their age before selecting his victims.
The 26-year-old Singaporean man pleaded guilty on Wednesday (Apr 1) to three counts of voyeurism, with another two charges to be considered in sentencing.
The court imposed a gag order preventing the publication of anything that might identify the victims. This includes the locations of the offences.
Tee had been convicted thrice before of voyeurism-related offences."
Social ties, support are key drivers of giving in Singapore: Study (1 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: More than three-quarters of Singapore residents have given back to others at some point, with 68 per cent doing so in the past year, according to the latest National Giving Study.
The findings, released on Tuesday (Mar 31), also show that giving in Singapore goes beyond formal volunteering and donations.
It includes everyday acts such as helping neighbours, distributing meals, picking up litter or even caring for community cats.
Conducted by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), the study surveyed more than 3,600 people between July and October last year.
The 2025 edition adopted a wider approach than previous years by looking at both structured giving, such as volunteering and donations, and informal acts of mutual aid.
Researchers also refined the methodology to focus on what people actually did, rather than how they interpret terms like volunteering or donating, in order to provide a more inclusive picture of how people contribute."
Former teacher charged over sexual acts with underage student in latest such case (2 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A former teacher was charged in court on Thursday (Apr 2) with multiple charges over sexual acts with an underage student.
The Singaporean, who is in his 30s, was handed nine charges in total - six of committing indecent acts with a young person and three charges of sexual penetration of a minor.
A gag order imposed by the court prevents the publication of anything that might identify the accused and the victim, including the incident locations.
Court records indicate that the pair have a "former teacher and student relationship".
According to charge sheets, the alleged offences took place between February and December in 2023."
New bento meals in schools ‘disgusting’? Here’s why caterers find it tough to strike a balance (3 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: “Uncle, your vegetables every day are carrots.”
“Uncle, your rice is too hard.”
“Uncle, your meat is too small — we can’t see the meat.”
These are some of the complaints Wilmar Distribution’s institutional catering manager, Michael Tan, has heard from pupils in schools his company serves under the Central Kitchen Meal Model.
Since its introduction in January, the model — aimed at schools facing a shortage of canteen vendors — has replaced on-site cooking with meals that are pre-ordered, prepared off-site and delivered to school.
On paper, the meals tick all the boxes. They follow the Healthy Meals in Schools guidelines (wholegrains, protein, vegetables and fruits) provided by the Health Promotion Board (HPB), with products that meet Healthier Choice standards.
Think chicken rice with skinless, lean meat; pizza made with wholemeal flour; mee goreng with wholegrain noodles. And absolutely no deep-fried food.
But in the canteen, where these meals meet their young critics, healthier does not always land."
Teen arrested after allegedly licking iJooz straw and putting it back in vending machine (3 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A male teenager has been arrested following an incident where a boy had filmed himself allegedly licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine and putting the straw back.
The police said on Friday (Apr 3) in response to CNA's queries that a report was lodged and that the 18-year-old has been arrested for public nuisance.
They added that investigations are ongoing.
In a video posted on the Singaporeincidents.sg Instagram page, a boy is seen taking a straw from an iJooz vending machine, which serves freshly squeezed orange juice, and licking it.
He then appears to place the straw into the machine again.
The caption claimed that the teen posted the video on his Instagram account on Mar 12. It did not reveal the account.
iJooz said on Mar 27 in response to CNA's queries: "On the evening of Mar 24, iJooz was made aware of a video that has been circulating on social media, of a youth who filmed himself licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine and placing the straw back in to the straw dispenser."
iJooz said it lodged a police report on Mar 25 and will work with the police and other authorities on this matter."
'I got lucky. Not everyone does': The ups and downs of having children in one's teens (3 April 2026)
"During her second year of polytechnic, Ms Shanel Lim, then almost 18, took a pregnancy test with her then-boyfriend in a public toilet. When she saw the two lines on the test denoting a positive result, she broke down right there and then.
"I just crashed out and cried," she said.
Immediately, she made an appointment with a gynaecologist. That visit revealed that she was already approaching her third trimester.
What worried her more than the impending arrival of a newborn was the timing.
"I didn't want to add on to my already full plate," she said, citing family issues at home on top of her schooling.
She worked up the courage to tell her parents, who were initially upset. However, her mother soon shifted focus to making sure Ms Lim was eating well and getting enough nutrients for the baby.
As luck would have it, Ms Lim's estimated due date fell during her polytechnic holidays. She sat her exams two weeks before going into labour. After her one-month confinement, she went straight back to school – and quickly found herself struggling to balance education and childcare.
"The cost of raising a child really hit me like a truck," said Ms Lim. Milk powder and diapers were her two biggest expenses.
As a single mother, Ms Lim was not entitled to the Baby Bonus, a government scheme that provides cash gifts and co-savings for married couples with children.
"Children of single parents are still children of Singapore," she said."
As my teenagers grow up, I'm learning to love them from a little further away (4 April 2026)
"Nobody tells you that the hardest part of parenting is not when your children need too much from you. It's when they start needing less.
It was physically exhausting when my kids were babies, but that was the part I was good at. I fed them and bathed them and told them stories and held them to sleep, and even though I was bone-tired at the end of every day, I loved being their entire world.
Then, as they grew up, they needed more: more space, more privacy, more of a life that didn't include me.
Teenagers are a different breed. They are in the process of becoming people – separate, autonomous, occasionally exasperating, grown-up people – and this journey requires distance.
They need the space to explore different versions of themselves without the pressure of parental presence. They need friendships and secrets and the freedom to make mistakes and overcome challenges on their own.
Back when I was a teenager behind a closed bedroom door, needing space from my parents, I didn’t understand how difficult it might have been for them. But I get it now."
This father turned his HDB corridor into a 'tactical training' play area for his children (4 April 2026)
"At first glance, the outdoor space outside Mr Munir Rohani’s Housing and Development Board flat resembles a combat training school.
Lined with rubber mats, face masks, vests and toy weapons, the area has been transformed into a "training zone" by the 59-year-old father of six.
It is an elaborate play space he created with the help of his children, most of whom are now in their late teens and early 20s, in the hope of fostering family bonding."
Teenager admits raping younger sister when she was 13 after years of molestation (6 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A boy molested his only sister, three years his junior, from when she was eight years old, progressing to raping her when she was 13.
The offender, now 19, pleaded guilty on Monday (Apr 6) to two counts of molestation and one count of rape. Another three similar charges will be considered in sentencing.
The offender cannot be named due to gag orders protecting his sister's identity."
NTU to give all students access to premium Google AI tools under curriculum overhaul (6 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will soon hand all undergraduates full access to a suite of Google AI tools, from August 2026, as part of a push to integrate AI into its curriculum.
The tools include Gemini Enterprise, Google AI Studio and Vertex AI.
In a news release on Monday (Apr 6), NTU said it plans to increase the number of courses incorporating AI to about 40 per cent by 2030, up from about 5 per cent currently.
The university added that it is the first in Singapore to adopt AI in education at this scale.
Free AI Tools
Students will get computing credits to use the Google software to build and deploy their own AI agents for learning and problem-solving. They can create dozens of such AI agents to support their studies, said NTU.
"These agents are portable - NTU graduates can continue to use and improve them even after they enter the workforce to enhance their productivity.
"This feature will make the university’s graduates highly competitive in the job market," NTU said.
This move was made in consultation with the NTU Students’ Union, the school said, adding that access to the Google software will be offered to all undergraduates, regardless of discipline.
"These tools cater to a broad range of technical backgrounds, from first-time users to advanced builders, helping students experience new ways of learning."
Man to be charged after allegedly slapping four-year-old boy outside preschool in Woodlands (6 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 36-year-old man will be charged in court on Tuesday (Apr 7) after allegedly slapping a boy.
On Mar 6 at about 4.50pm, the police were alerted by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital of an alleged assault on a four-year-old boy.
The child sustained injuries to his cheek, police said on Monday.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had allegedly slapped the boy at a bus stop outside a preschool in Woodlands,” the police added.
The man was arrested on the same day.
He will be charged on Tuesday with voluntarily causing hurt and using criminal force with enhanced penalties for offences against people below 14 years old.
The man will also be charged with intentionally causing harassment."
Third teen charged with trafficking of etomidate vape pods (6 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: An 18-year-old was charged in court on Monday (Apr 6) for allegedly trafficking etomidate-laced vaporiser pods, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said.
Goh Shao Zhi Cornelius is accused of selling the pods to buyers after advertising their availability via messaging platform Telegram.
Following a tip-off, HSA officers raided Goh's residence on Saturday. They seized one vaporiser, 108 pods and a packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
"Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contained etomidate," HSA said, adding that investigations are ongoing.
Goh is the third teenager to be charged for allegedly trafficking etomidate vape pods, after two cases last year involving an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old.
His case has been adjourned to May 4."
Singapore to prepare 10,000 students for future shaped by autonomous ‘physical AI’ (7 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Over the next five years, at least 10,000 students in Singapore will be trained to work with “physical AI”, where intelligence is no longer confined to computer screens but embedded directly into robots, drones and autonomous machines.
The initiative, supported by the National Robotics Programme (NRP), will span from primary schools to universities.
Through hackathons and industry projects, students will move beyond basic coding to solve real-world problems.
Robots With “Common Sense”
While traditional robots follow pre-set rules, the next generation of machines will need to sense, decide and act independently, industry players say.
Professor Mohan Rajesh Elara, co-founder of Singapore-based cleaning robot firm LionsBot, said the current limitation of robots is a lack of situational awareness.
“The robots of today are driven by the codes that (a) programmer wrote...definitive rules that enable the robot to complete a task.”
“But a robot of today, if (it’s) doing the job and if a fainted person is on the floor, the robot often will take this person for an obstacle. The idea is, how can we empower robots with common sense to interpret this scenario?" Prof Mohan added.
New NTU AI model tracks food freshness in efforts to reduce waste, boost food security (8 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Supermarkets and wholesalers may soon be able to keep produce fresh for longer while reducing food waste, with the help of a new artificial intelligence tool developed by Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
The model created by the university’s Future Ready Food Safety Hub (FRESH@NTU) – a joint venture with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) – can predict how bacteria grow in different types of food. This allows retailers to better determine shelf life, storage conditions and stock management.
Researchers can, for example, track how Salmonella – a major cause of foodborne illness globally – grows on food over time.
“What we are trying to do here is to mimic the condition of the storage and we see how bacteria grow, so we can collect the data,” said Dr Youssef Ezzaky, a research fellow at FRESH@NTU.
“Then we feed this lot of data to (facilitate) machine learning, to train and to generate accurate models.”
Reducing Food Waste
As Singapore imports 90 per cent of its food, more accurate tracking of shelf life could mean stored food supplies do not need to be replaced as frequently – potentially cutting food waste and reducing reliance on constant imports, said observers.
Using its AI-based predictive modelling framework, the team can estimate contamination levels of harmful pathogens under real-world storage conditions along the supply chain with greater accuracy.
Professor William Chen, director of FRESH@NTU, said their approach captures snapshots at specific points along the distribution chain.
Using pork as an example, he explained that monitoring factors such as temperature and moisture throughout the process, from slaughterhouses to retailers, makes it possible to assess the meat’s freshness and safety."
Singapore Art Book Fair 2026 drops ‘Walking Exhibitor’ open call after backlash (9 April 2026)
"The Singapore Art Book Fair (SGABF) has closed the open call for its proposed “Walking Exhibitor” option for emerging art bookmakers after the initiative drew criticism online.
In a statement posted on Instagram on Thursday (Apr 9), organisers said they would halt the open call and “take some time to workshop through the mechanics of the fair” following feedback from the public.
“We hear your concerns,” the organisers wrote, adding that the portable display case used in the proposal had been selected because the team “appreciated its technology”, but that they now understand it “was inappropriate”.
They added that the concept was not intended to “come at the expense of new and emerging artists”.
The Walking Exhibitor format was first announced on Apr 6 as part of preparations for the 2026 edition of the fair, which will take place from Aug 28 to 30 at T:>Works.
Under the proposal, selected participants would display and sell their publications using a portable display case rather than a conventional booth table. The option cost S$150 (US$117).
Organisers had described the initiative as an attempt to “soften spatial hierarchies and extend book-based interactions beyond the tabletop”, adding that it aimed to make the fair “less of a marketplace and more a field of encounter”.
However, the announcement quickly sparked debate online, with many questioning the cost and structure of the scheme."
Government to cover 13% of fare revenues for school bus, care transport operators amid fuel cost pressures (9 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The government will provide three months of support to transport operators serving school students, people with disabilities, some seniors and patients, to help the sector cope with rising fuel costs.
The support - equivalent to 13 per cent of transport fare revenues - will cover services provided from April to June.
"This move is to help these transport service providers continue operating without disruption in the near term," the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a joint media release on Thursday (Apr 9).
"With the support, operators should keep fares stable during this period."
The announcement builds on Tuesday's ministerial statement in parliament, where Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow said the government will temporarily co-fund cost increases for certain essential bus services to cushion the impact of the Middle East conflict on Singaporeans.
However, the ministries said fares may still have to rise if fuel prices remain elevated beyond the three-month support period.
"There are existing subsidies to support students, seniors, patients and persons with disabilities if they are not able to afford their transport," they noted."
Tertiary education subsidy scheme enhanced to better support Malay students and families (10 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: More Malay families will receive help with tertiary education costs under enhancements to the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) scheme, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim announced on Friday (Apr 10).
The scheme's income eligibility criteria will be raised across all tiers from academic year 2026/2027, and a new 25 per cent subsidy tier will be introduced for middle-income households with per capita income of up to S$2,400 (US$1,000).
The revised structure is as follows:
• Household per capita income of S$1,700 and below - 100 per cent subsidy
• Household per capita income of S$1,701 to S$2,000 - 75 per cent subsidy
• Household per capita income of S$2,001 to S$2,200 - 50 per cent subsidy
• Household per capita income of S$2,201 to S$2,400 - 25 per cent subsidy
The TTFS is a government grant administered by Mendaki that provides subsidies for eligible students pursuing their first full-time diploma and degree programmes at local government tertiary institutions. On average, it has supported about 10,000 Malay students annually over the past five years."
I'm now pregnant with my sixth child, but the pain of past miscarriages never goes away (10 April 2026)
"Many people may know me as a mother of five. Not many would know that I lost another baby last June, when I was 20 weeks' pregnant.
Even fewer people know that I'm pregnant again.
In a country where people are having fewer babies than ever, my brood of five already stands out. As I imagine announcing the impending arrival of my sixth child, I can practically hear the jokes already – but no, I'm not having another baby to collect 'em all like Pokemon.
Regardless of numbers and stats about our national fertility rates, for any mum or mum-to-be, expecting another baby soon after a loss is a profoundly complex place to be in. Sadly, it's one many can identify with – after all, about 20 per cent of pregnancies end in a miscarriage.
To me, it's equally sad that no one really seems to talk about what it's like to suffer such a loss."
Police investigating misconduct allegations raised by former youth sailor (13 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Police are investigating misconduct claims made by a former youth sailor on social media.
In a statement on Sunday (Apr 13), the Singapore Sailing Federation said it was aware of “serious allegations of misconduct posted online by a former athlete involving another athlete”.
The claims relate to incidents in 2022 and 2023.
The federation added that it had filed reports with the police and the Safe Sport Commission on Apr 7 “to enable authorities to conduct the necessary investigations and provide appropriate support”.
Responding to CNA queries, police confirmed on Monday that a report had been lodged and investigations are ongoing.
In a series of Instagram Stories posts, the former athlete, who was a minor at the time, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by a teammate in 2022 when she was with the National Sailing Centre.
The federation said it was committed to the Safe Sport Unified Code and "maintaining a sporting environment free from all forms of harassment"."
Cultural shows, craft and sports activities at Istana open house on Apr 19 to mark Hari Raya, Labour Day (13 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Istana will open its grounds to the public next Sunday (Apr 19) in celebration of Hari Raya and the upcoming Labour Day, the President's Office Istana said in a media release on Monday.
The open house will take from 8.30am to 6pm and feature a range of performances that reflect Singapore's multicultural heritage, such as the dikir barat traditional Malay music form, Malay dance, Bharatanatyam, a type of Indian classical dance, and Indian folk dance.
Performances will be presented by the MacPherson Philharmonic Orchestra, Punggol View Primary School Children’s Choir, Singapore Polytechnic Indian Cultural Society, Singapore Polytechnic Malay Language Society and Voices of Singapore Children’s Choir.
Visitors can participate in hands-on activities such as lawn bowling, painting a Singa the Kindness Lion bench and craft-making with recycled materials. A scavenger hunt will be held around the Istana grounds, developed in collaboration with students from Singapore Polytechnic.
Visitors are also invited to explore the Istana grounds, including its architecture, as well as its flora and fauna.
Self-guided tours of the Istana Villa, one of the buildings on the Istana grounds, will be available throughout the day, offering visitors a chance to view a collection of state gifts presented to Singapore’s leaders.
Those who have pre-registered for the guided Istana heritage tour can tour the grounds during their selected timeslots between 9am and 4pm."
Nearly 1 in 5 workers in Singapore 'overqualified' for their jobs; rate below average of high-income nations: MOM (14 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Nearly one in five Singapore workers was overqualified in 2025, though this rate remains lower than in other high-income economies, according to a study by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) that was released on Tuesday (Apr 14).
A "vast majority" of these cases on overqualification were voluntary "due to workers choosing roles that better align with their aspirations, work preferences or life circumstances", said MOM and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in a joint statement.
Involuntarily overqualified workers make up just 1.7 per cent of the resident workforce here, the statement said. This means they were unable to find jobs that matched their qualifications.
MOM's study is part of a report on overqualification, which refers to a worker holding an academic qualification that is higher than what is required for the job. NTUC also released a second study on overqualification, which had similar findings to MOM's report.
According to the joint release, 19.4 per cent of Singapore’s resident workforce were overqualified in 2025 - below the average of 21.6 per cent across high-income countries such as the United States, Finland, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
This is despite Singapore having a more highly educated workforce, with 64 per cent holding tertiary qualifications, compared with an average of 41.2 per cent in other high-income economies."
Singapore singer Derrick Hoh sends daughter’s name on trip to the moon and back aboard Artemis II (15 April 2026)
"Singapore singer Derrick Hoh took the saying “I love you to the Moon and back” quite literally. Hoh sent his daughter’s name on a journey to the Moon and back as part of Artemis II, NASA's first crewed lunar fly-by in more than 50 years, from Apr 1 to 10.
In an Instagram post on Monday (Apr 13), Hoh wrote: “End of last year, knowing how much Nori loves space, I went to NASA’s website and registered her name for a mission after reading about it online. It felt like a small, quiet thing at the time.”
NASA said that more than 5.6 million names were submitted and stored on a memory card that flew aboard the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission.
The card was placed in a stuffed animal named Rise, the mission’s mascot and official zero-gravity indicator which serves as a visual cue for weightlessness when the vessel enters microgravity.
In the post, Hoh shared a video of the crew placing the SD card into the stuffed animal before the flight. Astronaut and mission commander Reid Wiseman is heard saying, “Just that act of seeing that little memory card with everyone's names, everyone's hopes that are going on this journey with us. We always say we're going for all and by all, and zipping that little pocket on the bottom of Rise was kind of the moment that put it all together for me. We are going for all and by all. It’s time to fly. Cheers.”
School bullies to face stricter punishments, including suspension and caning (15 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Students who engage in bullying could face suspension, caning and lowered conduct grades under a stricter framework for student misconduct announced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Wednesday (Apr 15).
Under the guidelines – similar to those introduced for vaping offences – first-time offenders of serious misconduct face one to three days of detention and/or suspension.
Their conduct grade will be adjusted, and older boys may receive one stroke of the cane if there are aggravating factors.
For very serious offences, first-time offenders could face three to five days of detention or suspension, with their conduct grade capped at “Fair”. Boys in upper primary levels and above may also receive up to two strokes of the cane.
Repeat offenders of very serious offences face five to 14 days of detention or suspension, a “Poor” conduct grade, and up to three strokes of the cane for older boys.
These measures will be balanced with a rehabilitative approach, including counselling, said MOE. Conduct grades are issued each semester and are typically taken into account when students apply for certain programmes or other schools in future.
In assessing whether an offence is serious or very serious, schools will consider factors such as the impact of the behaviour, the perpetrator’s intent, whether the acts were repeated and whether the student is recalcitrant.
Serious offences include fighting, physical assault and repeated social bullying with clear intent to harm. Very serious offences involve persistent or recalcitrant behaviour despite intervention, or cases that warrant police investigation."
More funding for manpower, easier reporting channels to tackle school bullying (15 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Schools will get more funding to hire additional manpower and reporting channels will be made more accessible as part of enhanced measures to tackle bullying, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on Wednesday (Apr 15).
The measures follow a comprehensive review involving more than 2,000 stakeholders, including educators, students and parents, following a spate of bullying cases in 2025.
Under the new approach, schools will receive additional needs-based funding to hire personnel such as youth workers, pastoral care officers and parent liaison officers. These roles are intended to support student management and ease teachers’ workload.
MOE said staffing decisions will vary by school. Some may prefer teachers to lead investigations, while others may bring in dedicated personnel.
Educators will also receive enhanced training in managing students and engaging parents, including skills for investigation and conflict resolution.
Reporting channels will be expanded, with a new online platform to launch in 2027. This will give students more avenues to seek help while enabling schools to respond more quickly.
Speaking to journalists at Teck Ghee Primary School, Education Minister Desmond Lee said the goal is to manage cases more effectively and detect issues earlier. MOE will monitor implementation closely and review data to assess progress.
"Discipline is needed, but ultimately, it's an educative and restorative process that we want to incorporate firmly into the whole cycle of dealing with hurtful behaviour and bullying," he said."
Serial voyeur who took up part-time student care teacher job not employed at MSF-subsidised centre (15 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A serial voyeur who took up a job as a part-time student care teacher and took multiple videos of boys defecating in toilets was not employed at a Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) subsidised centre.
Ezekiel Isaiah Tee Xu Jie, who had been convicted thrice before of voyeurism-related offences, pleaded guilty on Apr 1 to three counts of voyeurism, with another two charges to be considered in sentencing.
The 26-year-old Singaporean man specifically targeted boys aged between nine and 15 at a church or student care centres he had applied to work at, or near to, and checked their age before selecting his victims, said the prosecution.
MSF said on Wednesday (Apr 15) in response to CNA's queries that it provides student care fee assistance (SCFA) to eligible children enrolled in student care centres. Centres that wish to offer the subsidies and meet the criteria must be registered as an administrator, it said.
All personnel in SCFA Administrator student care centres, including part-time teachers, who have prolonged contact with students, will undergo a background check, MSF said.
"Individuals with records of offences that could affect the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable individuals may not be employed by the student care centres," the ministry added.
However, Tee was not employed at an SCFA Administrator student care centre, said MSF."
Parents, teachers back tougher stance on school bullying, but doubts remain over impact (16 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Parents, teachers and experts broadly welcomed the measures announced on Wednesday (Apr 15) to tackle school bullying, but many were not convinced the recommendations would move the needle.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced nine recommendations following a comprehensive review of bullying that began in 2025, along with clearer disciplinary guidelines for misconduct cases – including bullying – similar to those introduced for vaping offences.
All the parents CNA spoke to affirmed MOE's decision to come down harder on hurtful behaviour in schools.
Ms Lyna Hanis, who has two sons aged seven and four, said the move to make reporting such behaviour easier stood out to her.
Noting that several bullying cases have made the news in recent years, the 37-year-old added that she had always worried that children would not know what to do if they were bullied.
Before her son entered Primary 1 this year, she spoke to him about what bullying might look like – getting shouted at, being asked for money – and how he should not react in kind.
“That’s why I thought the whole reporting thing made sense. I don’t know whether kids would just keep quiet or react the same way, so they need to know that there are avenues for them to tell the teacher what happened.”
Jail, caning for 'father figure' who molested girl, 10, in cinema (16 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A man with a history of sexual offences involving minors befriended a young girl and positioned himself as a "father figure" after learning that she felt neglected by her actual father.
Paul Edison Tan, 42, then encouraged her to be physically close to him and took the opportunity at a cinema hall to molest the then-10-year-old girl.
Tan, who changed his name from Zander Xavier Chan in December last year, was jailed for 21 months on Thursday (Apr 16) and sentenced to three strokes of the cane.
The victim, who is now 12, cannot be named due to a gag order protecting her identity. The gag order extends to the specific circumstances under which she met Tan."
MOE advises schools to 'reasonably consider' bus fare hikes for off-site activities amid fuel cost pressures (17 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Schools should "reasonably consider" requests from contracted transport operators to raise bus fares for off-site activities amid fuel price spikes due to the Middle East conflict, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Friday (Apr 17).
In response to CNA's queries, MOE said that this will help keep on-demand bus services running so that school activities and students’ learning are not "adversely affected".
These operators provide bus services for off-site activities such as learning journeys and competitions, which are paid for by schools, and fare adjustments can help to offset higher fuel costs.
"As the sudden spikes in fuel prices were unforeseen, transport operators may not have reasonably accounted for such increases when bidding for these contracts, which were called on or before the Middle East conflict started on Feb 28," MOE said.
The ministry added that it will continue to monitor the situation and issue advisories to schools as needed, depending on market conditions.
MOE previously announced it would provide temporary support to operators of regular school bus services - equivalent to 13 per cent of fare revenue - from April to June to help them cope with rising fuel costs.
Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow also said in parliament earlier this month that the government will temporarily co-fund cost increases for certain essential bus services to cushion the impact of the Middle East conflict on Singaporeans.
However, the government noted that fares may still have to rise if fuel prices remain elevated beyond the support period."
Actress Evelyn Tan recalls telling daughter Kristen Lin to ‘get out of the house’ during rebellious phase (17 April 2026)
"The latest episode of 8days chat show DNA features former Mediacorp actress and host Evelyn Tan, 51, alongside her daughter Kristen Lin, 21, as they join host Rebecca Lim to talk about homeschooling, Lin's showbiz aspirations and their close mother-daughter bond.
Lin is the eldest of Tan and Mediacorp actor Darren Lim’s four children. She has three younger brothers, Jairus, Way, and Elliot, who turn 18, 16, and 12, respectively, this year.
While Lin was well-behaved growing up, she admitted that she went through a rebellious phase.
“There was definitely a phase where I wasn’t the most pleasant child to deal with,” said Lin, before chuckling and passing the baton to her mother to share more about that period of their lives.
“I think for a first-time parent of a child who’s growing up, it was very tough for us. She was an ideal model child. We would give them iPad time once a week for just half an hour, and at half an hour, when the timer was up, she would [voluntarily] hand the iPad back. She would not argue, there would be no complaints from her,” recalled Tan.
So, when Lin entered her more defiant years – or as Tan put it, “wanted to go autonomous” – both she and Darren Lim were completely caught off guard.
“It was a real 180-degree flip. There were times when she was really testy – she would go under the radar, above the radar, you know, everywhere else but in front of us,” added Tan.
When prompted by the host to share a specific example, Lin didn’t hesitate: “Definitely curfew.”
SNOC chief Mark Chay's 'dead-end sports' remarks ignite debate over school competition programme (17 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Comments by Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) secretary-general Mark Chay describing certain school sports as "dead-end" have drawn flak from some sections of the local sporting community.
In an interview with The Straits Times on the National School Games (NSG) published on Wednesday (Apr 15), Chay said the programme's goals could be more focused on sports contested at major games.
"There are a few things that (the Ministry of Education) can improve. It's a good programme and sports in schools is where kids learn to play and compete, where we hope to inculcate certain skills and values through structured sport," added the SNOC secretary-general.
"What I struggle with is that some of the other sports which don't have a pathway to major games are included, but to do what? As an administrator, these are what I would call dead-end sports and we are putting these resources for what?
"And if a student is going to choose tchoukball...I just don't know how it'd fit into the larger scheme of things."
Tchoukball is played in over 80 countries, and Singapore's national teams are among the world's best. In 2024, it was announced that the scope of donations for the One Team Singapore Fund (OTSF) would be extended to emerging sports like tchoukball to provide better support for athletes."
My dream of a career in aviation keeps me going as I navigate life with severe haemophilia (17 April 2026)
"Growing up, my biggest wish was just to be "normal" like everyone else. I wanted to play tag, run around freely and perhaps join a sport or two.
Instead, I felt like I was wrapped in bubble wrap and forced to be cautious of my every movement to prevent any little injury.
When I was two years old, I was diagnosed with severe haemophilia A.
This lifelong diagnosis means that my blood lacks the clotting factor, known as Factor VIII, needed to control bleeding.
I am one of about 280 people in Singapore living with haemophilia A or B. Even small cuts can cause prolonged bleeding, as well as bruising and bleeds into joints and muscles.
My ankles are my "target joints", which means that blood often pools there after bleeds. This used to happen once every few weeks. Sometimes, it would be so severe that I couldn't walk.
Managing a condition where even a small cut can be deadly was stressful for my family and me."
Jail for man, 64, who used mobile games as pretext to molest 2 granddaughters (17 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 64-year-old man who molested his two young granddaughters under the pretext of playing mobile phone games with them was jailed for five years, two months and four weeks on Friday (Apr 17).
At the time of the offences in 2025, his elder granddaughter was aged between nine and 10, while the younger was between eight and nine.
None of the parties can be named to protect the victims' identities.
The accused, a cleaner, pleaded guilty to two charges of aggravated molest in the State Courts. He resided with the two victims and other family members.
The court heard how the accused had a close relationship with his two granddaughters, who would regularly play board and mobile phone games with him while sitting on a sofa.
Last year, he began to feel aroused by the two girls and "felt tempted to perform sexual acts on them" court documents stated.
"The accused began to use the pretext of playing handphone games with the two victims to get them to sit next to him on the sofa," the prosecution said. He targeted them separately."
How a stay-at-home mum spent 3 hours each morning writing her first novel – and won a prize for it (19 April 2026)
"From February to June 2025, for three hours every weekday, Ratna Damayanti Taha would open her laptop and work.
At 9am, once her apartment was quiet, the 44-year-old would sit at her kitchen island with a cappuccino – no sugar, lots of milk – and return to her manuscript.
She was working on her novel Mind The Gap, which follows Nora, an introspective Malay girl whose coming-of-age plays out against the expansion of Singapore’s MRT system from the 90s to the present. As more train lines are added, she grapples with questions about meritocracy, race and how to chart her own path.
That manuscript won the 2026 Epigram Books Fiction Prize in January. The win, which came with S$25,000 and a publishing contract, still feels surreal, she said.
What felt more real was the moment she submitted her draft.
In July 2025, Ratna carried five copies of her manuscript in a tote bag to the Epigram Books office in Toa Payoh North. After handing them over, she walked out to the open-air car park beside the industrial building.
Without planning to, she sat down and began to cry. “It was around 10am, and the heat was quite unforgiving – one of those very bright, Singapore days,” she recalled. “It felt very still, like the world had paused for a bit.”
She felt relief mostly, that she had made it to the end. And joy, as she had finally ticked off something that had been sitting with her since she was a child.
“I was flooded with emotions,” said the stay-at-home mother of four, who works part-time as an academic and market researcher, and freelance translator.
After she calmed down, she called her husband at work. “I didn’t really say much. I think I just wanted to hear his voice. That was enough.”
Man admits abusing toddler by choking, dunking, smothering for months until passerby confronted him (20 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Over about three months, a man abused a toddler under the age of one in horrific ways, including pushing his head into a pail of water, pressing a pillow onto his face and choking him repeatedly until the child foamed at the mouth.
The abuse came to an end only after a woman observed the man choking the child at a void deck. She confronted him before calling the police.
Investigations uncovered multiple videos of the man abusing the child, aged nine to 11 months, during the assault. The offender admitted abusing the boy due to a grudge he had against his brother-in-law, the father of the victim.
The prosecution is seeking 12 to 15 years' jail for the 32-year-old Singaporean man, while the defence is asking for eight to 10 years' jail instead.
All parties in this case cannot be named due to gag orders protecting the victim."
Nearly 9 in 10 missing person appeals in Singapore involve youths or seniors – what’s behind the trend? (20 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Missing person reports in Singapore have risen in recent years, putting the spotlight on two vulnerable groups – youths and seniors.
Police data shows about 1,450 missing person reports were made last year, the highest since 2021.
CNA’s review of police appeals for information over the past eight months found that nearly nine in 10 cases involved these two groups. Youths alone made up about four in 10 of these appeals.
While each case is unique, social service agencies say youths often leave home due to family conflict or distress, while seniors may go missing due to dementia or disorientation.
Youths Who Leave Home
At 13, running away felt like the easiest way out of her problems.
Now 18, Isabelle (not her real name) said each time she left home, she had no clear plan.
“I'm not too sure about where I had to stay, where's my source of food going to come from. I just went from house to house,” she told CNA.
“My parents did try to contact me, but I went missing in action, so I pretty much just ignored whatever messages or calls that went through,” she said.
Over the years, Isabelle went missing more than 10 times – sometimes for as long as two months.
She was usually found by the police and brought home. But the cycle continued. Outside, not everyone she turned to could be trusted.
“Especially like your friends, you never know their true colours until you're in need of help,” she recounted.
She warned that some help can come with conditions, and youths should walk away if they feel unsafe.
Today, Isabelle says she is getting support from counsellors and teachers, and things at home have improved.
“To other youths who have the thought of running away from home, my advice to them is...look for a trusted adult who you can talk to, rather than running away,” she said.
“It is more dangerous than it sounds, being away from home. You may be free and all, but really the danger out there is worse than you think it is.”
Jail, caning for man who molested daughter after wife 'unwilling' to engage in sex with him (21 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: After his wife became reluctant to engage in sex with him, a man turned to his young biological daughter for his sexual urges, the court heard.
The 32-year-old man molested his daughter, then between 10 and 11 years old, over the course of eight months, at times under the pretext of waking her up for school.
The man was sentenced to four years and nine months' jail and eight strokes of the cane on Friday (Apr 17) after pleading guilty to four charges of aggravated molest.
He cannot be named due to a gag order protecting his daughter's identity.
Another 13 similar charges were taken into consideration for his sentencing.
The offences came to light after the victim attended a classroom discussion on personal safety and inappropriate touching on Aug 7, 2025. She then reported her father to the school counsellor.
The man was arrested on Aug 8, 2025.
When interviewed, he admitted to the acts, claiming that he did so because his wife had "been unwilling to engage in sexual intercourse with him, and he had therefore turned to his daughter as an outlet for his sexual urges," court documents read."
Woman gets jail for abusing sons, throwing boyfriend's phone down five storeys (22 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A woman who abused her sons and threw her boyfriend's phone down from the fifth floor of a housing block, along with a standing fan, was sentenced to a prison term on Wednesday (Apr 22).
The 36-year-old Vietnamese woman, who is a Singapore permanent resident, pleaded guilty to one count each of ill-treating her son and committing a rash act. Several other charges were taken into consideration.
The Case
The court heard that the woman, who cannot be named to protect her sons' identities, had two boys with her ex-boyfriend, a 53-year-old Singaporean man.
The woman had custody of her sons, then aged eight and nine.
In early September 2024, the older son went to the market in the morning to buy noodles. He soiled his pants as he suddenly felt the urge to defecate.
When he got home, his mother told him to go straight to the toilet, where she washed him.
During the shower, the woman was angry with the boy for soiling himself. She used the showerhead to hit his head before pushing his head onto the wall multiple times.
The boy suffered cuts on his head and bled profusely.
His mother bandaged him, but the boy did not seek medical treatment.
The boy and his brother later told their father that they had been slapped by their mother at her house. A video later showed the woman hitting her two sons with cardboard.
The father informed the authorities about the abuse and the police were brought in."
National Gallery Singapore to hold its first-ever R18 exhibition exploring desire in Southeast Asian art (23 April 2026)
"National Gallery Singapore will hold its first-ever R18 exhibition, beginning this month. Titled Passion is Volcanic: Desire in Southeast Asian Art, the exhibition will run from Apr 24 to Aug 30 and explores the concepts of desire, body and sexuality through Southeast Asian art.
The exhibition features over 70 works from various periods, divided into three sections: Asian Mythos and Ritual, Conventions of the Erotic, and Public Arenas/Private Interiors.
Each section will showcase how desire has interacted with different cultural and historical contexts over the years.
Some of the featured artworks and pieces include a gilt-copper sculpture of Vajradhara, the highest state of enlightenment, embracing Prajnaparamita, the mother of all Buddhas, as well as a coldcast marble sculpture depicting the Bicolano warrior goddess of the moon in a childbirth position.
Passion is Volcanic: Desire in Southeast Asian Art will be held at the Level 4 Gallery of National Gallery Singapore and is strictly for visitors aged 18 and above; valid identification will be required at entry.
Tickets for the exhibition cost S$5 for Singapore citizens and permanent residents, and S$8 for other nationalities. More information can be found at the exhibition's website."
Malay Heritage Centre reopens with new galleries and festival celebrating diversity of Malay identity (23 April 2026)
"After more than three years of renovation, the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) will reopen on Saturday (Apr 25) with refreshed galleries and a nine-day festival.
Located at the former Istana Kampong Gelam, the national monument once home to Malay royalty, MHC is Singapore’s main institution dedicated to presenting the history, culture and contributions of the Malay community in the country and region.
The reopening marks an expansion of MHC’s role as a cultural anchor in the Kampong Glam precinct, with a stronger focus on community engagement and broader representation of Malay identities.
New Permanent Galleries
The revamp introduces six renovated permanent galleries, built around the theme Dari Rantau Ke Rumah (“From the Region to Home”). The exhibition traces how Malay communities in Singapore are shaped by narratives, folk tales, migration, trade and cultural exchange and more across the Malay Archipelago.
Visitors can expect 279 historical and traditional artefacts, including items loaned by the community; interactive displays, such as name-printing in traditional scripts like Jawi; stories of the rich diversity of Malay sub-ethnic groups, including Javanese, Bugis, Minangkabau and Orang Pulau communities; as well as artworks by both renowned and emerging local artists such as Tumadi Patri and Mysara Aljaru.
The galleries also explore themes such as migration, kinship, women’s success and contributions, living traditions and the future of Malay identity in Singapore.
The assistant curator of MHC Syafiqah Jaaffar said that through the galleries, visitors can observe how Malays carry "deeper connections with each other and the shared Singapore, Southeast Asian and larger Asian heritage".
Admission to the permanent galleries will be free for all visitors from Apr 25 to Jun 28, in conjunction with the reopening. After that, entry remains free for Singaporeans and permanent residents, while tourists and foreign residents will pay S$10."
Teenager charged with mischief, public nuisance for licking iJooz straw and returning it to vending machine (24 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A teenager was charged in court on Friday (Apr 24) over a video he uploaded of himself licking a straw and placing it back into an iJooz vending machine.
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, an 18-year-old French national, was given one count each of committing mischief and public nuisance.
The incident allegedly took place at about 2pm on Mar 12 this year, at Goldhill Centre in Thomson Road.
iJooz, an orange juice vending company, had to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser, valued at S$5 (US$3.90) in total.
Maximilien is also accused of public nuisance by filming himself in the act, editing it on Snapchat and uploading the edited video onto his Instagram Story.
Maximilien, who was represented by Mr Kalidass Murugaiyan and Mr Kanthan Raghavendra, did not provide any indication of how he would plead.
His lawyers said he was studying in Singapore alone and his parent would be flying over this evening.
Meanwhile, a representative from his school will be his bailor.
iJooz previously told CNA that it had lodged a police report and initiated additional checks, inspections, straw replacements and machine sanitation protocols.
Maximilien's school, ESSEC Business School, earlier said it was aware of the incident and internal investigations were underway."
‘Every parent will want the best’: The rising costs of raising children in Singapore (24 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Ms Vanessa Lim had initially set aside about S$600,000 (US$470,000) for her son’s future – a figure she thought would be sufficient for her dual middle-income household.
But after his birth, new considerations like infant care, future enrichment classes and tertiary education came into the picture.
Today, about two-and-a-half years later, that budget has climbed to nearly S$1 million.
“Every parent will want the best for their child regardless of their income. They will do whatever they can within their means to provide them with the best education, the best enrichment, the best environment, the best network,” said Ms Lim, who also has a domestic helper to help take care of her son.
“It's so competitive now. And I think even in my time when I was a student, we (went) for a lot of enrichment, a lot of classes,” the 29-year-old, who works in finance, told CNA.
Ms Lim’s experience reflects a growing reality for many parents in Singapore, where the cost of raising children has risen sharply in recent years.
Rising Costs Shaping Attitudes
While daily necessities like food and subsidised school-care remain relatively stable, additional costs like enrichment and tuition classes take up the bulk of projected spending – some of which have grown by at least 50 per cent compared to three years ago.
This discretionary spending comes as parents like Ms Lim seek to give their children a competitive edge.
Financial consultants said they are seeing projected child-rearing costs reach between S$250,000 and S$500,000 – and in some cases, significantly higher.
“The middle income will feel most of the brunt, because they don't qualify for the maximum subsidy (or get) sufficient resources from their career to compete effectively for top-quality schools, tuition enrichment classes, etc.,” said financial consultant James Yang."
A hand up, not just a handout: How a social support scheme has made a difference in Singapore and what remains to be done (24 April 2026)
"Mr Kuah Chee Hian, 63, used to be the sole breadwinner for his family of five, working 12-hour shifts to support his wife and three daughters, now aged six to nine years.
Amid those gruelling days, support came in 2022 when an officer from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) knocked on their door as part of an outreach effort, spoke to them and helped them sign up for ComLink, as it was known then.
Since the programme's transition to ComLink+ at the end of 2023, his family has been matched with a ComLink+ family coach, who worked with the household to place them on a combination of "progress packages" from 2024, entitling them to various financial top-ups.
These included quarterly contributions to their younger two daughters' Child Development Account (CDA) if they achieved at least 75 per cent preschool attendance in a given quarter.
Their coach also introduced them to an external savings-matching programme and helped place the family on ComCare support earlier this year, after Mr Kuah was medically certified unfit for work due to chronic knee pain from years spent on his feet in supermarket retail and security enforcement roles.
ComCare, also under MSF, supports lower-income households with financial assistance to meet basic needs such as food, transport and household bills.
All of this aid has gone a long way in supporting the family, whose main monthly expenses are utilities for their two-room rental flat and for their children, said Mr Kuah.
"If we're able, once we're stable already and do not require financial (support), we will give up our ComCare (assistance)," he said, adding that the family does not intend to reapply once their situation improves, as they work towards supporting themselves and buying a home.
CNA TODAY spoke to six families receiving support from ComLink+, who said the features of the scheme have made all the difference in their journey to uplift themselves.
Announced in October 2023, ComLink+ was built on the ComLink initiative and subsequently extended to more families, including those not living in public rental housing."
I couldn’t have children – but being an aunt has been its own kind of joy (25 April 2026)
"As I was wrapping up lunch with a friend last year, she asked what my plans were for the rest of the day. I told her I was taking my niece and nephew to the National Museum of Singapore.
She asked how old they were and when I said they were 18 and 22, she exclaimed: “Wah! So good ah! So old already they still want to hang out with aunty!”
“That’s because I’m a cool aunty,” I replied.
Turns out, I’m not just a cool aunt, I’m a PANK – Professional Aunt, No Kids. I recently came across this acronym, which was coined in 2008 by Canadian-American author and marketing professional Melanie Notkin.
It’s a nod to herself and her friends: well-educated, high-earning professional women who are devoted to the children of their siblings or friends and spend a lot of money and time on them.
Notkin has since written books on PANKs and launched the lifestyle brand Savvy Auntie.
I’m not a "high-earning professional" but I do have disposable income to shower on my niece and nephew – my husband and I never had kids, despite a few years of fertility treatments.
I’m not the only PANK in my social circle. I have a close friend who’s married and childless by choice and loves having her niece over for weekend sleepovers. Another friend is the most maternal woman I know but is single and cherishes her role as godmother to her friend’s son.
During their childhood years, taking my niece and nephew out meant giving their parents a break. Their parents – my brother and his wife – encouraged this relationship and often chauffeured them back and forth to spend time with me.
Now, as adults, I make plans with them directly and it has been a joy watching them grow into the people they have become."
The girl who grew tall and turned pro in 3x3 basketball – without the usual pressure to succeed (25 April 2026)
"You could say Ms Tan Kang Yi didn't choose basketball – basketball chose her.
The 25-year-old's journey in professional sports all started with a growth spurt in Primary 5. By Secondary 1, she had reached 1.72m – tall enough to catch the attention of the basketball coaches at Jurong Secondary School, where she was studying.
She was invited to a trial and made the cut. Being one of the tallest members of the school team, she was typically a top choice to play centre, a position that requires a height advantage.
Basketball almost slipped out of her grasp after she completed her O-Levels – her results did not qualify her for any of junior colleges that were known for the sport, and she had not thought to apply to any of them via the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme.
And then came an eleventh-hour offer from Raffles Junior College. By then, her height had inched up to its current peak of 1.77m.
It seemed like an opportunity too good to be true – and she came surprisingly close to turning it down.
"It didn't even make sense," she said frankly. "Me in Raffles, with my academic results? I thought I would not be able to cope.
"But my dad said, 'Why not? If they have accepted you, it shows that they think that you can do it.' To him, it was a matter of 'clear your heart and just go'.
"I thought, okay, I will just try."
Upon graduating from junior college, she was keenly interested in Nanyang Technological University’s sport science programme. Her first application in 2020 failed, but after taking a gap year, her second try the next year was successful.
All the while, basketball continued to chart its own course for her.
While working part-time at a cafe during her gap year, she had a chance encounter with her former primary school basketball coach, Ms Esther Quek, the chief executive officer of basketball academy Jumpshot Singapore.
At the time, Ms Quek, a former Singapore national women's basketball player, was in the process of restructuring her academy's women's team from the traditional 5v5 format to a 3x3 squad.
They arranged to meet for a proper catch-up – and this was where Ms Quek introduced Ms Tan to the new game format and planted the idea in her mind of going professional."
Montfort Junior School to take in girls from 2028 (25 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Montfort Junior School will become a coed school from 2028, it announced on Saturday (Apr 25).
The school will admit its first batch of female students from the 2027 Primary 1 registration exercise. Younger female siblings of existing students will also be eligible for Phase 1 of the exercise.
Daughters of school alumni will similarly be eligible for Phase 2A priority under the exercise, the Montfort School’s management committee said in a press release on Saturday to celebrate the school’s 110th anniversary.
The school has no plans to accept girls for its Primary 2 to Primary 6 cohorts in 2028. Parents and alumni from both Montfort Junior and Secondary were informed of the move in March.
The decision took the changing demographics in Singapore into account, as well as the realities of society today, said Mr Lim Boon Heng, chairman of St Gabriel’s Foundation.
"The reality in society is that we have males and females mixing together. To segregate boys and girls was intentional in a generation past, that met the social values of the time," he told CNA.
For example, in the 1950s, men and women sat separately while attending Catholic mass in Singapore. When Montfort School was opened in 1916, single-sex schools reflected the social norms of that time, said Mr Lim.
"In our discussion about how to stay relevant and pertinent to the times, the school should reflect society," he added, noting that the move would allow the school to serve a wider community.
"Segregating boys and girls is actually an artificial means of conducting education. So we felt that we should be more inclusive, and therefore the school should reflect what the community really is."
'A double-edged sword': Why some parents have concerns about introducing AI at Primary 4 (25 April 2026)
"At just five years old, Mr Haojun See's son is already intimately familiar with using artificial intelligence (AI).
The kindergartener uses generative-AI tools to whip up the outlines of various objects and creatures, including his favourite one at the moment – dinosaurs. He sends them to the printer before he sits down to colour them.
The 40-year-old entrepreneur said: "If I control their AI usage, and one day I'm not there, something has the potential to go wrong. So I started teaching them (to use AI tools independently) as soon as the technology was introduced."
He added that he has had many open conversations with his two sons about the possibilities, limitations and potential harms of AI and other technologies.
In contrast, Ms Ariel Ng's nine-year-old daughter has only used an AI tool at home once, before she was warned never to do it again.
"She talked to it as though she thought it was a real person...That concerned me," Ms Ng said of the time her child chatted with the Meta AI function on her phone's WhatsApp application.
"From the way she used it, it made me feel like she doesn't know what she's doing."
The 37-year-old ergonomist added that her husband also tried expressing thoughts of self-harm to a generative-AI tool as an experiment, and found that the chatbot responded in a manner encouraging such worrying behaviour.
This made her wary of the possible dangers her daughter might face while interacting with AI.
Singapore parents' views towards their children's use of AI can be broadly split into two camps: those who are keen to get their kids acquainted with its benefits, and those who are less eager due to its potential downsides.
But for those in the second camp, it appears inevitable that at least some form of AI is being introduced to them, whether they like it or not.
In February, Member of Parliament Cai Yinzhou of Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency filed a parliamentary question seeking clarity on students' AI usage, its correlation with cognitive skill decline, and what interventions are planned to prevent an over-reliance.
Education Minister Desmond Lee said in a written response that the Ministry of Education (MOE) does not have Singapore data on that correlation, and that it is now conducting studies on AI's impact on students’ learning.
He also said that AI is progressively being introduced in schools from Primary 4. At an education forum this month, he added that the move is done "under close supervision and low exposure"."
I was taught to share my things as a child. Why is that changing now? (25 April 2026)
"When I saw my three-year-old daughter snatch a toy from my friend's son at the playground, a wave of righteous indignation came over me.
I wasn't just angry – I was slightly embarrassed. Growing up, every adult in my life had taught me that it was beyond rude to not share my things.
"Hey, Ziggy!" I immediately said to my daughter. "That's not being very nice. Could you share your toys, please?"
Ziggy refused, unrepentant as only toddlers can be.
My chest puffed up, and I turned to my friend's son. "That's okay then, let's not play with Ziggy. She's being selfish right now."
My friend, who was visiting from Australia, looked slightly stunned when I did this.
"I don't make my son share," she said. "He'll share when he's ready."
I was dumbfounded by this. She went on to add: "If you bought a bag of chips at work, are you expected to share it with everyone?"
She had a point. No one would expect you to share unless the chips were placed in a common snack area meant for sharing.
But still, shouldn't it be almost instinctual to offer? Like a casual, "Eh, want some?" At least to me, it is.
It got me thinking: When did something as basic as sharing become negotiable?
Learning To Compromise
Growing up, my sister and I had one Game Boy.
To be precise, the handheld game console was a Christmas present she had received. She was asked – or rather made – to share it with me.
She enforced a rule so we could both enjoy Super Mario: "When I 'die' in the game, you can play. When you 'die', it's my turn again."
This seemed reasonable to my six-year-old brain at the time. However, at 10 years old, my sister was, of course, much better at Super Mario than I was.
While she happily powered through level after level, I often wiped out halfway through a single game. On average, I was holding the Game Boy for barely two minutes before having to hand it back to her. It was an excruciating and frustrating experience.
In our household, complaining was not an option. Any gripes we had about toys were always met with the same response from our parents: "If y'all can't share, I'll just throw it away."
With the TV, we were allowed to watch what we wanted for as long as we wanted – but once the bickering started, the TV would be turned off.
This taught us the invaluable skill of compromising."
Reopened Malay Heritage Centre captures community's evolution from diverse roots to 'shared sense of home': PM Wong (26 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Malay community traces its roots to diverse origins, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at the reopening of the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC), highlighting how these varied beginnings have shaped a distinct Singaporean Malay identity.
The revamped centre reflects that very journey of how these diverse beginnings evolved into a "shared sense of home", said Mr Wong on Saturday (Apr 25).
"From our earliest days, Singapore was connected to the wider Malay world, or nusantara. People, ideas, and traditions flowed through this region and through Singapore. Over time, they took root here, and became part of who we are," he said.
"This Malay heritage is not monolithic. It’s rich and diverse - made up of many groups with roots across the region, of course people from the Malay Peninsula itself, but also Javanese, Bugis, Minangkabau and others."
"Each with its own traditions and customs, and yet over time, these distinct strands have come together here in Singapore."
Mr Wong said that the refreshed centre continues to honour the Singapore Malay community's rich heritage, which is integral to the national story.
And through this heritage, a distinct identity was forged.
"What we have today is not just a Malay culture but it is a Singaporean Malay culture," said Mr Wong.
He added that the centre does not just tell this story in new and meaningful ways, but it also connects more deeply with a new generation of Singaporeans.
And it is not just about new artefacts and exhibits, even though there are plenty of these, as it goes beyond static displays to offer a wider range of experiences.
Through the centre, visitors can better understand how Singapore's past shaped who it is today, and how it can guide the country forward.
The Malay Heritage Centre is also part of the wider Kampong Glam precinct, one of Singapore’s most historic districts, Mr Wong pointed out, as he encouraged it to continue to work closely with the partners there to keep the area alive and vibrant."
Shared responsibility, workplace support key to improving parenthood journey: Experts (27 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: More than a decade ago, Ms Olivia Pua left her marriage, taking her five-month-old baby with her.
Her then-husband was not ready to settle down or embrace parenthood, leading to constant arguments and an increasingly unhealthy home environment.
“I wanted to let everyone have a better life by moving forward,” she said. “Even when I was married...I already felt like a single mum. He didn't put in any responsibilities.”
Since then, Ms Pua has raised her son largely on her own, without alimony, relying on family support while juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet.
The experience reshaped her views on marriage.
“If you cannot get a partner who can share (responsibilities) and add value to your life, then marriage is just a piece of paper,” the 38-year-old told CNA."
Man gets jail for molesting friend's sister when she was aged 7 to 9 years (27 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 33-year-old man was on Monday (Apr 27) sentenced to jail for molesting his friend's sister over a decade ago, when she was seven to nine years old and he was 19 to 21.
Melvinder Singh Gurmit Singh, 33, had contested two counts of molestation, claiming among other things that the girl had kissed him consensually and that she was taking revenge on him.
The court convicted Singh and sentenced him to 19 months' jail.
The girl had not disclosed the offences earlier as she felt nobody would believe her, but said the molestation impacted her ability to give and receive physical affection.
She finally lodged a police report in March 2023 after revealing the molestation to her mother and boyfriend when they separately questioned her.
The Case
The victim testified that after she turned eight, which she remembered because she had received a much-desired backpack from her mother as a gift, Singh began kissing her on her lips in her oldest brother's room.
She said she saw Singh as one of her older brothers. He had free access to the family home even when his friend, the victim's brother, and the victim's parents were not home.
The prosecution's case was that Singh kissed the victim multiple times before taking her to a clubhouse in 2012 or 2013 where he molested her and placed her hand on his private parts.
In the clubhouse incident, the victim testified that she was swimming with her brothers and Singh next to the clubhouse when she was about nine years old.
When her brothers were not paying attention, Singh took her to the clubhouse and molested her. The victim said she was in a "state of shock" because she saw Singh as an older brother and she had never encountered "similar touching" with her own brothers.
She testified that she did not think her family would believe her, given their close relationship with Singh.
The victim became afraid of male family members and her aversion to physical closeness later extended to her boyfriend."
11 men arrested in Singapore, as regional police crackdown nabs 326 in online child abuse probe (28 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The police have arrested 11 men in Singapore who are among more than 300 people nabbed in a cross-border operation targeting online child sexual exploitation.
The four-week operation involved the police in Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand.
Between Mar 23 and Apr 17, officers raided 382 locations in the seven regions, arresting 326 people, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a news release on Tuesday (Apr 28).
Another 119 people, including 16 in Singapore, are assisting with investigations.
"The 445 arrested and investigated persons comprise 430 men and 15 women, aged between 12 and 72," SPF said.
The authorities also seized electronic devices, including 116 computers, 340 mobile phones, 25 electronic tablets, 140 storage devices and 16 routers, along with child sexual abuse materials and obscene content.
"Such offences are often facilitated through digital platforms and cross-border financial channels. Hence, a close partnership with industry partners is critical," SPF added.
The Singapore police said that they worked closely with technology companies, financial institutions and non-governmental organisations during this operation."
Former teacher convicted of sexual grooming and indecent acts with student (28 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 41-year-old former teacher was convicted on Tuesday (Apr 28) of sexually grooming a teenage student and committing indecent acts against her.
The man called the student "dear", "precious" and "daughter" in texts produced as evidence, complimenting her on her appearance and telling her that he loved her.
In convicting the ex-teacher, the court found that the victim was a credible witness whose account was supported by evidence such as texts.
The accused's evidence, on the other hand, was unreliable, unworthy of credit and "riddled with afterthoughts" and contradictions, the judge said.
She also described some of his explanations as "incredible", such as his claim that his references to kisses and hugs in texts he sent the victim were to "virtual" or "verbal" hugs and "air kisses".
The court imposed gag orders covering the identities of the victim, the accused and the name of their school.
The man was convicted of three counts of committing an indecent act with a minor and one count of sexual grooming of a minor.
The Case
The victim was the offender's student in 2022 when she was between 13 and 14 and in Secondary 2.
The then-teacher met the victim frequently in 2022 to help her with schoolwork, patting her head and touching her hand during these meetings.
They also met frequently from September 2022 to January 2023 and texted often, sometimes into the night.
It was undisputed that school personnel had warned the offender sometime in November 2022 about the victim calling him "daddy" and told him to keep a distance from her.
It was also accepted that the then-teacher suggested moving their chats to vanishing mode on Instagram, which does not leave a text trail.
The defence did not dispute that the offender had driven the victim to the upper level of a multi-storey car park in late November 2022, where they remained in the car for more than one-and-a-half hours.
The girl testified that she had sat on the teacher's lap in the back seat while he hugged and kissed her and stroked her thigh.
The prosecution argued that the offender had embarked on a series of calculated grooming acts, establishing a pseudo father-daughter relationship with the victim as a foundation for his later commission of indecent acts against her."
I became a mother at 26 – here’s why I don’t want my daughters to do the same (29 April 2026)
"Singapore’s total fertility rate (TFR) has long felt like a slowly sinking vessel, one that policymakers have been trying hard to patch.
Early this year, another new TFR low and measures aimed at stemming the decline were announced. We have now hit a historic low of 0.87. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong described it as an “existential challenge”, warning of the irreversibility of the trend.
As a mother of two children aged 13 and 19, I have been following the developments with a mix of interest, hopefulness and cynicism: Will these measures truly change mindsets and raise Singapore’s flagging TFR by the time my daughters decide to start their families?
Bearing The Weight of Caring For Others
Growing up, I was often told that women can have it all: children, a thriving career, personal and professional growth, and a healthy marriage. But no one talks about how there are only 24 hours in a day and within those hours, the number of caregiving roles we are expected to juggle.
Although more men seem to be stepping up, women continue to make up the majority of informal caregivers. About 60 per cent of those who left the workforce due to caregiving needs in 2025 were women, according to Ministry of Manpower data.
This does not include women who cannot afford to stop working, even as they juggle informal caregiving. And did I mention that the White Paper on women’s development found that married women in dual-income households are five times more likely than men to be managing both household and caregiving responsibilities?
These invisible demands come at a cost. Studies have shown that female caregivers face higher risks of emotional distress, burnout, financial strain, and less personal savings for retirement.
Something had to give. For me, it was my full-time career, along with ambitions and plans for further studies when I became a first-time parent at 26."
Majority of primary schools to start cutting P1 intake as student cohorts shrink: MOE (29 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Primary 1 intake for the majority of primary schools will be cut over the next few years, starting with the upcoming P1 registration exercise, which begins on Jun 30, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Wednesday (Apr 29).
MOE also said that the upcoming exercise will not be affected by the ongoing review of the Primary 1 registration framework.
"In response to changing demographics and new housing developments, MOE regularly adjusts the intakes of selected schools,” the ministry said in a media release.
"In view of the significant falling student cohort sizes in 2027 and the coming years, MOE will gradually reduce the P1 intake for the majority of primary schools over the next few years, starting from the 2026 P1 registration exercise.
"This will minimise the need for school mergers or relocations, and maintain a good geographical spread of primary schools for students across Singapore."
The current form class size for P1 students across schools will stay at about 30 students per class, said MOE in response to CNA queries.
Singapore's declining birth rate over the years will lead to a corresponding drop in demand for spots in schools, the ministry said.
This means MOE will need to adjust the P1 intakes of schools to align with the changes in the areas where they are located, it said, adding that each school will continue to have sufficient scale to provide students with a range of opportunities, such as a variety of choices for co-curricular activities.
While demand for places in certain schools may exceed the available vacancies based on choices made by parents, MOE said it will ensure that there are enough P1 places in the system and in each geographical area to accommodate all Singaporean and permanent resident children."
The ministry said it will continue to review the demand for Primary 1 places based on birth cohort sizes as well as planned future housing developments."
Which schools will cut their Primary 1 intake in the 2026 registration exercise? (29 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: About a third of all primary schools in Singapore will reduce their Primary 1 intake in 2027, figures from the Ministry of Education (MOE) showed on Wednesday (Apr 29).
The ministry announced on Wednesday morning that the majority of primary schools will be gradually reducing their Primary 1 intake, starting with the upcoming registration exercise.
Vacancies in each school were updated on Wednesday. The 2026 registration exercise starts on Jun 30 for the 2027 intake.
Of the 179 primary schools in Singapore, 61 will cut their intake, but 12 schools will increase the number of spaces.
Maris Stella High School (Primary) will see the biggest increase of 60 spots, with the school taking in girls from 2027.
Gongshang Primary School, which was among the most oversubscribed schools in recent years’ registration exercises, will accept 40 more students.
By accepting 30 more students, Pioneer Primary will now have the most vacancies, with 380.
It takes over the top spot from Nanyang Primary, which took in 390 students in the 2025 Primary 1 registration exercise.
The school, which was oversubscribed in Phases 2A, 2B and 2C last year, will cut its intake by 30.
Red Swastika School and Tao Nan School, which were also oversubscribed in all three phases in 2025, will decrease their intakes by 30 each.
Clementi Primary School will see the biggest drop, with 80 fewer spaces in this year’s registration exercise."
French teen in straw licking case allowed to leave Singapore (29 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A French teen facing criminal charges in Singapore for a straw licking stunt was granted permission on Wednesday (Apr 29) to leave the country for three weeks on pledges to return.
The 18-year-old is accused of posting to social media a video of himself putting the straw he licked back into the dispenser on an orange juice vending machine.
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien's clip went viral and triggered a backlash that led to his arrest in Singapore.
The teen's lawyer sought permission from a judge for him to travel to Manila from May 2 to May 25 for an internship, a key requirement for him to graduate.
The judge granted the request after the prosecution posed no objection, but asked that he must remain contactable while overseas and required a S$5,000 (US$3,900) bond.
His next appearance in the Singapore court was also rescheduled from May 22 to May 29."
New workgroup to tackle Singapore’s falling fertility rate to release full report in early 2027 (29 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A new workgroup to tackle Singapore’s falling fertility rate will release its findings by early next year.
The Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup will examine factors affecting marriage and parenthood in Singapore, such as financial costs, work-life support, caregiving, housing, healthcare, preschool and education, the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) said in a press release on Wednesday (Apr 29).
The workgroup, first announced during the Budget debate in February, will also engage with employers, businesses, community organisations and individual Singaporeans to promote societal norms and workplace practices that better support marriage and parenthood.
It may make early recommendations before the full report is released.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, who chairs the group, said the issue is a "very personal" one involving people's mindsets, attitudes, values, personal goals and ambitions – things the government cannot intrude too heavily upon.
“There is a tendency to generally ask: ‘So what's the government going to do?’. And the expectation is that that will just result in a policy change. You can do that for some things, but not when it involves intangibles like this,” she said at an interview with reporters at The Treasury building.
Society as a whole – employers, religious organisations, relatives and influencers – must play a role, said Ms Indranee, who is also Second Minister for Finance and for National Development."
Unsupervised toddler drowning: Coroner says paramedics' insistence on birth cert 'unnecessary' but unlikely to change outcome (30 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A toddler died after accidentally drowning in his home pool, with his parents alleging a delay in taking him to hospital as paramedics wanted to see the child's birth certificate.
The State Coroner on Wednesday (Apr 29) ruled the death of the child, aged one year and eight months, as a tragic accidental drowning.
He found that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedics' "insistence" on obtaining the toddler's birth certificate before the ambulance left for the hospital was "unnecessary".
He said there should either have been better and calmer communication about why the certificate was necessary, or a compromise when the parents were unable to obtain the document quickly.
Even so, the "delay" was unlikely to have changed the outcome, the coroner said.
One of the paramedics denied the claims, but body-worn camera footage proved otherwise.
CNA has contacted SCDF for comment.
The Case
Parties in the case are not named due to a gag order imposed by the court.
According to written findings released on Thursday (Apr 30), the boy lived with his parents, his grandfather and two siblings in a three-storey semi-detached house at a redacted location. The house had a car porch and a swimming pool measuring 25m by 1.5m.
The toddler's mother said she was in the living room at about 12pm on Jun 9, 2024. At the time, the boy was running around on the first floor. Other accounts stated that the helper was in the kitchen, while relatives were in other parts of the house.
Footage from the car porch showed the boy leaving the house through an unlocked, ajar main door at about 12.51pm and heading towards the pool.
He was later seen entering the water at about 12.55pm. Moments after, he appeared to struggle before becoming unresponsive.
The mother testified that she noticed the house had gone quiet and could not hear her son playing. She searched the first and third floors but could not find him.
She eventually found him face down in the pool. At her screams, the boy's father, who had been in the living room, ran over and pulled his son from the water.
He saw that the boy's stomach appeared bloated and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The boy vomited and his father continued CPR while his mother called for an ambulance."
New tripartite council on jobs to help workers, businesses make AI skills 'as pervasive as possible' (30 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A new council initiated by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) will bring together tripartite partners to better support workers and businesses navigating the impact of artificial intelligence.
The formation of the Tripartite Jobs Council was jointly announced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), NTUC and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) on Thursday (Apr 30), ahead of the labour movement's May Day rally.
"The Tripartite Jobs Council will scale outreach, accelerate policy implementation, and better direct resources to where they are needed most, to strengthen AI readiness for workers across the jobs ecosystem," NTUC chief Ng Chee Meng and NTUC president K Thanaletchimi said in their May Day message.
On Wednesday, Mr Ng said during a media briefing that the new council will support the national AI missions and the National AI Council, which were announced in this year's Budget.
He said the formation of the council demonstrates tripartite commitment to strengthen job security in the age of AI, support business transformation for better jobs, and uplift workers through training and job-matching.
"AI is changing the way we work, and it is critical that our workers are not left behind," said Mr Ng.
"The Tripartite Jobs Council can bring together and scale tripartite capabilities under one roof as we take collective action to stand with workers of all collars, especially PMEs and youths," he said, referring to professionals, managers and executives.
Manpower Minister Tan See Leng highlighted three areas the council will focus on: supporting businesses to adopt AI in a way that benefits growth, jobs and workers; providing broad-based and sectoral AI training for workers; and providing targeted transition support for at-risk workers.
"We will lead a transformation that is inclusive, forward-thinking, nimble, pragmatic and also practical in action," he said.
He pointed to the roughly 1,600 AI courses that have been curated under SkillsFuture, and the government's six months of free access to premium AI tools for Singaporeans on selected courses.
Dr Tan said the idea was to make AI literacy "as pervasive as possible" in the workforce and help workers to evaluate their level of readiness, before they hone their skills to become fluent in the use of AI."
82 agencies designated to manage child abuse cases from May 1 (30 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: More than 80 agencies will be designated to manage child protection cases from Friday (May 1) to ensure that such cases are handled by those with specialised expertise and dedicated resources, said the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
These selected agencies, known as Child Protection Case Management (CPCM) agencies, will take the lead on child protection matters and handle all related case management tasks, MSF said on Thursday.
A Triage Assessment Panel (TAP) will also be established on May 1 as an appeals mechanism for cases where agencies have differing views on risk assessments and on the agency to undertake case management.
These moves come after the findings and recommendations of a review panel that looked into the fatal abuse case of four-year-old Megan Khung.
The panel’s report, released in October 2025, identified multiple lapses among agencies that handled the case.
These included officers who did not follow protocols, the mischaracterisation of Megan’s injuries by social workers, as well as the failure of police officers and child protection specialists to follow up on Megan’s case after the information was made known to them.
“Case management is a collaborative process that involves key functions to meet an individual's or family's needs comprehensively,” said MSF.
“In child protection, this typically includes information gathering to verify concerns, performing safety and risk assessments, and developing safety plans to keep a child safe.”
The ministry will stipulate the competency and training requirements of CPCM agencies. It will release the list of CPCM agencies on its website on Friday."
President's Challenge 2026 to support 62 new programmes including early intervention, support for persons with disabilities (30 April 2026)
"SINGAPORE: This year's President Challenge will support 62 new programmes across 60 organisations, as part of a broader push to drive sustained social upliftment in Singapore.
Together with the programmes the annual fundraising event started supporting last year, it brings the total number of programmes supported to 121.
The programmes span a wide range of areas, including early intervention, second chances and support for persons with disabilities.
The President’s Challenge was refreshed last year to focus on longer-term funding models, enabling supported programmes to achieve deeper and more lasting impact.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a visit to REACH Community Services on Thursday (Apr 30), President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that while the initiative has gained “good momentum” following its refresh in 2025, it remains in its early stages.
“Will we succeed? It is too early to say. Our experience, both in Singapore as well as abroad everywhere, shows that success is not assured. It doesn't come easy. Social upliftment doesn't come easy,” he said.
“We might gain something today, but getting it to last into the future is always a challenge,” he said, stressing that meaningful progress takes time, sustained commitment and strong relationships on the ground.
“The fact that success is not assured means we have to put full effort into it. Try different approaches, and when we find that a particular approach or initiative is working well, we build on it and we try and scale it out.”
WP proposes wage subsidies for fresh graduates in apprenticeship roles amid AI disruption (1 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Workers’ Party (WP) has proposed wage subsidies to encourage firms to hire fresh graduates in apprenticeship roles, warning that entry-level roles are at risk of being squeezed out by the growing use of artificial intelligence.
In its Labour Day message posted on social media on Thursday (Apr 30), the opposition party said the rapid proliferation of AI is reshaping the labour market, with some employers expecting technology to perform entry-level functions at a lower cost.
WP chief Pritam Singh said such an approach is "self-defeating", and cautioned that if young graduates are unable to gain the necessary experience, Singapore will not be able to develop the pool of professionals that the economy needs.
He called for more pathways to help young workers attain real experience and confidence.
"The Workers’ Party proposes targeted, temporary wage subsidies to reduce the risks for firms to hire new graduates in apprenticeship roles," said Mr Singh.
"This support will better ensure that our youth are not left behind as industries adapt to technological disruption."
The proposal was part of a broader May Day message focused on strengthening support for workers in the era of AI.
The party also reiterated its call for a redundancy insurance scheme to protect workers facing job displacement in a volatile global economy.
Such a scheme has to extend to all income levels to provide a "meaningful cushion against financial pressure", said Mr Singh, who is Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC.
"True security comes from a clear pathway: from redundancy to reskilling and finally to employment. We believe that retraining must be coupled with an assurance that such efforts will translate directly into new, stable jobs," he said.
"With restructuring exercises and retrenchments increasingly likely, the redundancy insurance scheme provides an automatic stabiliser for the economy, ensuring that workers can sustain their families while they look for new work."
Moreover, without a strong safety net to meet basic needs, workers are less likely to take risks or innovate - the exact qualities needed in a transformative era, he added."
This job pays well, is ‘almost recession-proof’ – and has nothing to do with AI (1 May 2026)
"For piano teacher Clarisa Tan, there is no such thing as a day off.
With anywhere from 35 to 40 students to see each week – ranging from seven-year-olds to adults – she adheres to a tightly packed class schedule.
Her weekdays typically start at 1pm and end between 6pm and 9pm, while Saturdays are filled with lessons from 9.45am to 7pm. She "takes it easy" on Sundays, with two lessons.
Her only rest days are when she falls ill.
"I try not to teach on my birthday – like a little gift to myself – but I don't always keep to it," the 33-year-old said.
She left a career in law eight years ago to pursue piano teaching full-time.
Despite her heavy workload, Ms Tan said that she remains highly satisfied with her job and sees herself sticking with it for another 20 to 30 years.
By comparison, the average job tenure in Singapore was 8.2 years in 2025, data from the Ministry of Manpower showed.
In February, job-search website Indeed released its 2026 Best Jobs Index. It ranked roles by overall job quality across five factors: median wage, postings volume, wage and postings growth (both measured as percentage changes from 2022 to 2025), and remote work availability.
In Singapore, three more filters were applied:
• At least 20 per cent of the job postings had to include salary information
• Only roles with monthly or annual salary data were considered
• Each role needed at least 100 postings in 2025
The top 10 list of best job roles featured the usual suspects in finance and IT, as well as managers of one sort or another.
However, not many readers may have expected to see "piano teacher" on the list – much less ranked at second place, just under financial adviser.
In a job market rocked by threats of economic volatility and tech advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), the role of piano instructor remains largely insulated from these.
It also offers a high degree of flexibility and job satisfaction – but income levels, while decent, remain vulnerable to external shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
All the same, piano teachers told CNA TODAY that despite the demands of self-employment, they have no intention of backtracking.
"I am happy with what I'm doing," Ms Tan said. "I can't see myself doing anything else and I don't want to do anything else."
A tough childhood dashed her dreams, but this 31-year-old is not letting others give up on theirs (2 May 2026)
"Ms Sheila Manokaran used to dream big, with hopes of becoming a doctor or a pilot, and possibly building a life overseas.
Despite her best efforts, however, she never realised her dreams and now she's all but given up on having lofty goals.
"Is it resentment? I don't think it is. I think it's fate," said the 31-year-old stoically.
One would expect that someone in her shoes, who endured a tough childhood and multiple setbacks, would be bitter with everyone and everything that held her back.
But instead of blaming the hand dealt to her, the co-founder of River Valley Irregulars has been constantly shrugging off every disappointment, instead choosing to channel her energy into helping others move forward.
River Valley Irregulars is an outfit that helps connect young people to organisations through an online platform and workshops to help them achieve their career goals.
The avid volunteer is a member of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Volunteer Corps as a bridge watchkeeper in the Navy and supports the ITE alumni association, among other organisations.
And now at River Valley Irregulars, she helps youths build up their portfolios, gain the right mentorship and guidance to bag quality internship opportunities that some might not have easy access to.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, having been featured in news articles for her volunteerism and the accolades she has been given over the last decade.
She was also mentioned in a speech by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong celebrating the 10th anniversary of Youth Corps Singapore in 2024.
In it, PM Wong said: "I do not know how you find the time Sheila, to do everything."
And I, too, could not comprehend how."
Students are 'stacking' internships – but do employers really want that? (2 May 2026)
"A resume came to my attention recently.
At first glance, it was impressive. As a fresh graduate, this person appeared to have extensive experience, holding down six internships across three years.
The candidate had worked across agencies, startups and even a multinational corporation.
But as I read his resume more closely, I noticed that each stint lasted between two and four weeks.
That gave me pause. Two weeks? What exactly does someone learn in 10 working days?
Long enough to understand the etiquette of not dozing off during meetings, I suppose, and certainly short enough to leave before anything gets difficult.
That's not to say internships lack value. They are when they're done right.
It is a time when students get to step out of their classrooms and apply their skills in real-world situations.
They get the opportunity to make mistakes, learn from them and, hopefully, see their work come to fruition in their internship organisation by the end of their stint.
But a growing number of students are "stacking" internships – cycling through multiple short stints across different companies, sometimes as brief as two weeks.
It’s understandable, since young people are under pressure to gain job experience quickly in an increasingly competitive job market.
As an employer, though, I’m much less impressed by the number of internships than by what sits beneath them.
Internships As "Infinity Stones"
The stacking of internships is starting to feel like a bizarro version of an arms race.
When one internship becomes the baseline, students feel the pressure to accumulate more just to remain competitive.
Peers compare themselves as social media platforms such as LinkedIn amplify the pressure to have a stacked portfolio. Before long, the internship stops being a formative experience and becomes a collectible.
However, the value of an internship varies wildly depending on the duration, depth and responsibility. A three-month stint where a student owns a piece of work is not equivalent to a two-week attachment spent observing meetings and writing summaries.
I do understand the value in variety; each organisation provides a different learning experience based on its structure, the industry it belongs to and company culture, among other things.
When I started in my career, I wanted to collect as many big agency names and companies on my resume as well, like how Marvel Comics villain Thanos collects Infinity Stones.
But again – what could I possibly learn in just two weeks?"
Some training providers see enrolments in AI courses double (2 May 2026)
"Training providers are reporting a sharp rise in demand for artificial intelligence courses, with some seeing enrolments double in recent months.
The surge is driven by growing interest in generative and emerging agentic AI across industries and among individual learners.
Providers are rolling out new modules to keep pace with rapid developments, but experts say stronger employer support is needed to translate these skills into workplace capabilities."
More than 2,500 people caught vaping in first three months of 2026 (4 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A total of 2,589 people were caught and penalised for possessing and using vapes in the first three months of 2026, including 377 who were etomidate vaporiser offenders.
Among them, 256 individuals were placed on rehabilitation programmes, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a press release on Monday (May 4).
This brings the total number of people onboarded onto rehabilitation to 520 since the start of stepped-up enforcement actions on Sep 1.
MOH and HSA said 123 offenders have successfully completed their programmes while 28 defaulters are undergoing court proceedings, with ongoing investigations for another 42.
Under the enhanced framework, first-time etomidate vaporiser offenders and second-time vape offenders are required to undergo mandatory rehabilitation. Those who fail to attend or complete their rehabilitation will be charged in court.
Among the individuals who successfully quit vaping after completing their rehabilitation programme was a 12-year-old girl.
She was caught vaping for the second time in October last year and completed her rehabilitation in January, said MOH and HSA, adding that her parents reported significant behavioural improvements, better school attendance and improved academic performance."
Caning used only as last resort in schools, when other disciplinary measures are inadequate: Desmond Lee (5 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Schools use caning as a disciplinary measure only when all other options are inadequate, given the gravity of the misconduct, said Minister for Education Desmond Lee on Tuesday (May 5).
Responding to more than 20 parliamentary questions on the Ministry of Education's (MOE) updated efforts to tackle bullying, Mr Lee acknowledged that studies link poorly administered and frequent corporal punishment – particularly in unregulated settings such as the home – with negative outcomes.
“We recognise this, and I want to emphasise that the context in our schools is quite different," said Mr Lee.
Schools follow strict protocols when caning is considered: for example, it must be approved by the principal and administered only by authorised teachers. Schools also take into account the student's maturity and whether the measure would help him learn from his mistake.
“If it is used, it is never administered in isolation but always as part of a suite of restorative and disciplinary measures,” said Mr Lee.
After caning, schools monitor the student's well-being, provide counselling and support rehabilitation.
MOE announced a stricter framework for student misconduct in April. Students who bully others can face suspension, caning and lowered conduct grades – similar to the guidelines introduced for vaping offences.
First-time offenders of serious misconduct face one to three days of detention and/or suspension, an adjusted conduct grade, and older boys may receive one stroke of the cane if there are aggravating factors.
The approach is grounded in research showing that children and youth make better choices when there are "clear boundaries enforced by firm and meaningful consequences", Mr Lee said.
“This has a positive impact on reducing bullying and enables the school community to feel safe to learn in an orderly environment.”
Mr Lee stressed that caning applies only to boys, and only for egregious violations, in line with the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits the caning of women.
This does not mean that girls who bully are less culpable, he said. Schools adopt a tiered approach ensuring all students face consequences proportionate to their actions. Girls may receive detention, suspension, conduct grade adjustments and other school-based consequences."
Singapore goes green: Over 1,000 activities planned nationwide for sustainability campaign (5 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Climate adaptation will take centre stage in this year’s national sustainability campaign, with members of the public able to take part in a wave of activities across the island from next Monday (May 11).
More than 500 organisations will roll out over 1,000 initiatives under Go Green SG, which returns for its fourth edition and will run until Jun 28.
These activities range from behind-the-scenes tours of textile waste sorting, to showcases of how Sentosa is keeping cool amid rising temperatures.
One highlight is a look into what happens to donated textiles after they are placed in neighbourhood recycling bins.
Circular fashion social enterprise Cloop processes about 1,000kg of textile waste each week from its white bins alone. With the help of about 20 special-needs trainees, every item is carefully sorted based on quality, brand and condition.
None of the textiles handled by Cloop end up in landfills. Instead, they are resold, recycled or repurposed.
Cloop co-founder Jasmine Tuan said awareness of textile recycling grew after it introduced its first yellow bins, where people can drop off preloved textiles and clothes, at City Sprouts Henderson in 2022.
It now has three white bins – which are for local sorting and redistribution – and 450 yellow bins islandwide.
This year, for the first time, Cloop is opening its sorting facility at APSN Centre for Adults to the public, to increase awareness of the work that goes into textile waste sorting.
Organisers hope the tours will foster more mindful consumption, prompting people to buy fewer clothes and take better care of what they own.
They are also encouraged to think about adapting their wardrobes for hotter weather."
SMRT bus catches fire near Woodgrove Primary School in Woodlands; no injuries reported (5 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: An SMRT bus caught fire near Woodgrove Primary School in Woodlands on Tuesday (May 5), with no injuries reported, authorities said.
The vehicle had stopped at a bus stop along Woodlands Ave 1 at around 1.30pm to allow passengers to alight, when the captain noticed smoke coming from the driver's compartment, said SMRT deputy managing director Vincent Gay.
“As a precaution, he immediately guided all passengers to alight and move to a safe distance,” Mr Gay added.
“Shortly after, a fire broke out at the front of the bus and he promptly alerted the Bus Operations Control Centre, which activated the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).”
SCDF said it was alerted to the fire at around 1.40pm and extinguished it using a water jet and a hosereel. The bus captain had also attempted to put out the fire from a safe distance, SMRT said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation."
New Skills and Workforce Development Agency to be set up later this year (5 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A new statutory body aimed at strengthening Singapore’s workforce and skills ecosystem will be set up in the third quarter of this year, after parliament passed the Skills and Workforce Development Agency Bill on Tuesday (May 5).
The newly formed Skills and Workforce Development Agency will consolidate the functions of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG), while taking on expanded responsibilities in career, employment and training matters.
The move builds on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's Budget 2026 speech, where he announced that the two agencies would be merged into a single statutory board to create a more integrated “one-stop shop” for workers and employers.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said the merger comes as Singapore faces a rapidly changing global environment.
“We live in a different world from 10 years ago,” he said, pointing to accelerating technological change, geopolitical disruptions and an ageing population.
“What worked in the past decade will need significant transformation, to be more predictive, to be more anticipatory as well as be more responsive and targeted moving forward.”
What The Agency Will Do
The agency will serve as a central body overseeing a broad range of functions previously split between SSG and WSG, while introducing enhanced capabilities in career and employment services.
It will be jointly overseen by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), with Ms Dilys Boey - the current WSG chief - to be appointed as the chief executive of SWDA.
It aims to provide more seamless and integrated support for both workers and employers.
For workers, Dr Tan said the SWDA will help Singaporeans stay adaptable in a fast-changing economy by supporting career planning, skills upgrading and job transitions.
For employers, it will also strengthen hiring and workforce transformation by integrating skills and labour market data.
The agency will be governed by a board comprising between seven and 15 members, appointed by the minister. These members will be selected based on their expertise and experience.
Dr Tan said the SWDA is expected to be established in the third quarter of this year."
Commentary: Is caning in schools a good way to teach our children? (6 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: When I was in Secondary 1, I watched two upper secondary boys being caned in front of the whole school for being caught with prohibited materials. Alongside hundreds of boys who stood watching, I remember the stillness, the silence - then the sound.
What stayed with me was not the pain they must have felt. It was the public nature of it. To be called out in front of everyone you know, with your peers and juniors watching, is a different kind of consequence from the caning itself. It made clear that certain actions carried serious weight.
I think about this now as the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced a stricter framework for student misconduct in schools, including standardising caning as a disciplinary option across all schools for serious offences such as bullying.
While there is broad agreement on the need for a firm response to bullying, reactions to the use of caning have been polarised. Based on my observations, some parents feel the move is a step backwards, while others see it as long overdue.
As a psychiatrist, I have sat on both sides of bullying. I have listened to young people trying to make sense of why they were targeted. I have also sat with families struggling to understand why their child hurt someone else.
I am also a father of three. If my child was bullied, I would want the school to respond quickly and clearly. If my child was the one accused of bullying, that would be a different discomfort - disbelief followed by questions about what happened and what did we miss. Even then, I would want my child held accountable.
Why Consequences Matter
I want to be clear about where I stand - I believe in consequences.
In my clinical work, I have seen what happens when behaviour continues without clear boundaries. Young people who bully and face no meaningful response often escalate. Some go on to further behavioural problems, disengagement from school and in some cases, later involvement with the law.
The absence of consequence is not kindness. It harms both the victim and the person causing harm.
Victims carry the cost. I have seen young adults whose anxiety, self-doubt and social withdrawal trace back to being bullied years earlier. Some avoid situations they should be able to enjoy. Some still hear the voices of those who tormented them.
Being bullied is not something victims can simply grow out of. It becomes part of how they see themselves. So, when parents of victims ask for strong responses, they are not asking for cruelty; they are asking for protection and recognition that real harm has been done. That is reasonable, and the system should meet it.
It also sends a clear signal to other students watching that certain lines will not be ignored.
How Caning Can Affect A Child
But this is where my clinical concern begins.
Caning is a serious measure, with some describing it as barbaric. These are not unreasonable views and deserve to be taken seriously.
Research on corporal punishment, including in schools, shows a similar pattern. It may produce short-term compliance, but is also linked to higher rates of aggression, anxiety and later mental health difficulties.
Education Minister Desmond Lee on Tuesday (May 5) acknowledged such concerns in parliament, although he also noted that the school context, with protocols and safeguards in place, is different from unregulated settings such as homes where frequent unregulated corporal punishment can lead to negative outcomes.
While the distinction matters for how caning is administered, it does not eliminate the underlying clinical concerns."
AI use in Singapore schools kept age-appropriate, with focus on learning, not shortcuts: Desmond Lee (6 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The use of artificial intelligence in schools is kept balanced and age-appropriate to support students’ learning and development, Minister for Education Desmond Lee said on Wednesday (May 6).
Responding to parliamentary questions on AI usage among primary school students and the safeguards in place, Mr Lee said theoretical knowledge alone is not sufficient, and students need well-designed and supervised hands-on experiences by using educational AI tools.
“This spiral approach as students progress through different levels in school prepares them to harness AI to benefit their learning, critically evaluate AI output and guard against risks such as cognitive offloading.”
MOE's approach is informed by research on how children learn and develop, and what is helpful at each stage of their growth, Mr Lee said, outlining a tiered framework.
From Primary 1 to 3, physical hands-on learning is prioritised as students build foundational knowledge and develop cognitive and social skills. They learn the basics of AI, but schools will not assign work that requires them to use AI directly.
From Primary 4, students may use educational AI tools under teacher supervision. By that age, Mr Lee said, students would have developed foundational literacy, numeracy and basic knowledge of AI, as well as skills such as planning, task initiation and the ability to evaluate their own thinking.
Students in Primary 4 to 6 will only use tools specifically designed for education, including AI-enabled features within the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS).
No Shortcuts
Schools will also teach students that AI must not be used to take shortcuts in place of actual learning, Mr Lee said.
“We want to provide our students with a school environment where they can develop good learning habits and understand the importance of upholding academic integrity.”
Some secondary schools may design assignments that allow AI use, with students required to disclose and properly cite any AI-assisted work. Mr Lee said this prepares them for post-secondary education and future workplaces where AI use will be more prevalent.
Students who pass off AI-generated content as their own will face consequences for academic dishonesty, he added.
National examinations are invigilated and the use of AI is prohibited. Where AI is permitted, such as in coursework, teacher supervisors will monitor use to ensure it meets assessment objectives."
Singapore’s approach to social media safeguards for children ‘more demanding, more rigorous’ than blanket ban: Rahayu Mahzam (6 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Singapore’s approach to social media restrictions for young children is “more demanding, more rigorous” than a blanket ban, said Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam on Wednesday (May 6).
“We take a different approach, in that we also want something that is more effective, a more durable approach that will withstand the test of time and the test of evolution of the technology."
Mdm Rahayu was responding to a supplementary question raised in parliament by MP Vikram Nair (PAP-Sembawang), who said that the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) should take a “harder stance” and “draw a firm boundary” in social media restrictions on youths, like some countries have.
Mdm Rahayu agreed that there are some specific features and dimensions of social media platforms that affect youths, but the ministry’s approach is to target these specifics.
“Our approach has always been one that is outcomes-driven, and we have been building progressively on this.”
Singapore has introduced several age-related restrictions to social media use, she said. This includes a Code of Practice for Online Safety for social media services, age assurance requirements for apps, and the annual reporting obligations that social media platforms must submit to the ministry.
“Moving forward, we are actually going to be extending the assurance measures to the designated social media services, and looking beyond the content to the design features.”
She added that Singapore’s approach is to target these design features that cause specific harms to younger users.
In contrast, a blanket ban, said Mdm Rahayu, “may not even solve the problem”."
83% of Child LifeSG credits disbursed in 2025 utilised, no extension to validity period (7 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: About 83 per cent of the Child LifeSG credits disbursed in 2025 have been utilised as of April, with the government saying it will not extend the 12-month validity period before the credits expire in July.
Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming said in a parliamentary reply on Thursday (May 7) that "ample notice" had been given.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development has also been reminding recipients to spend their credits via social media, the LifeSG app and SMS, he added. A final reminder will be sent in June to those with unused balances.
The credits, worth S$500 (US$394) per child aged 12 and below, were disbursed to eligible families in July 2025.
The credits are accessible via the LifeSG app and can be spent at physical or online merchants that accept PayNow UEN QR or NETS QR payments. They were introduced to help families defray child-rearing costs, particularly for younger children.
Mr Goh described the current utilisation rate as "healthy" but said the ministry hopes to see further usage in the remaining months.
Responding to supplementary questions from MP David Hoe (PAP-Jurong East-Bukit Batok), Mr Goh cited several reasons for unused credits: families pacing their spending across the year, last-minute usage habits, being out of the country, and in some cases, a lack of awareness."
Girl, 17, gets reformative training after possessing Kpods for trafficking and other drug offences (7 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 17-year-old girl who was nabbed in a Health Sciences Authority (HSA) operation targeting etomidate suppliers was ordered on Thursday (May 7) to undergo reformative training for a minimum of 12 months.
The charges she faced include those involving Kpods - vape pods containing etomidate, which are punishable by up to 10 years' jail.
Specifically, her charge for possessing Kpods is punishable by a minimum of two years' jail if she had been sentenced as an adult offender. It comes with caning for male offenders.
From September 2025, etomidate was listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act and abusers who commit offences involving the anaesthetic agent faced higher penalties.
The teenager in Thursday's case cannot be named per the Children and Young Persons Act as she is under 18.
She pleaded guilty to four charges, mostly under the Misuse of Drugs Act, including for possessing Kpods for the purpose of trafficking.
Another six charges were considered in sentencing. These include charges for possessing vapes and consuming etomidate.
The Case
The teenager was arrested on Oct 2, 2025 by police officers and HSA officers.
According to past reports, HSA had been investigating an unnamed male etomidate user and tracked down two female suppliers along with the teenager, who had vapes and related components in her home.
The teenager was taken back to the office of the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) at Police Cantonment Complex for further investigations.
Four vape pods seized from her were found to contain etomidate.
The teen knew that the pods contained the banned substance and intended to sell them for S$72 (US$57) each.
She had received S$72 from a user on Telegram via PayNow for one of the pods, but the buyer did not manage to collect it as the teen was arrested.
Methamphetamine was also found in the teen's home, which she admitted was for her own consumption.
Her urine samples tested positive for etomidate and meth."
Teacher who harassed people under loan shark's instructions gets jail (8 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A teacher was harassed by a loan shark she owed money to and agreed to act on his behalf to reduce her debt.
In less than a month, she harassed at least five victims - at times with the help of another person - sending them raw pork hooves, hell notes and publicising photos of their NRIC numbers.
On Friday (May 8), Geraldine Quek, 42, was sentenced to one year and six months' jail after pleading guilty to seven charges of acting on behalf of an unlicensed moneylender. Another 12 charges were taken into consideration.
What Happened
Sometime in 2023, Quek began investing in cryptocurrency and later borrowed money from unlicensed moneylenders to do so.
When the cryptocurrency market crashed, she could not repay her loans and had debts with about four different unlicensed moneylenders.
In December 2024, Quek was introduced to another unlicensed moneylender, known only as “Travis Heng”, from whom she borrowed S$600 (US$473).
Unable to repay the full amount, she made weekly payments of S$100 to S$200. But he told her the amount had grown due to interest. She tried to negotiate with him about her repayment schedule but he began harassing her instead.
Before Oct 8, 2025, he forced the accused to take a nude photo of herself and send it to him, threatening to harass her further by going to her home if she did not do so.
She complied, but the harassment continued. He later told her to film a nude video and threatened to leak the nude photo she had previously sent if she did not comply.
In late October 2025, he offered Quek a chance to reduce her outstanding debt. He told her to take photos and videos of the flats of his borrowers.
For every unit, she would get a S$10 offset from her outstanding loan amount. He also asked her to place debtor notes at the entrance of some flats.
Quek, who wanted the harassment to stop, agreed."
Education platform Canvas hit by cyberattack; CSA offering assistance to affected organisations (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) said on Friday (May 8) that it had contacted affected organisations to provide support and guidance on mitigation steps, after education platform Canvas was hit by a cyberattack.
Canvas, used by schools, colleges and universities for grades and course materials, and owned by US edtech company Instructure, went down on Thursday, blocking student access.
"We have reached out to affected organisations to offer assistance and provide advice on mitigation measures," said CSA, adding that it was "monitoring the situation".
The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), in response to CNA’s queries, confirmed it was affected by the Canvas breach, causing “inconvenience and concern” to its students and faculty.
"We are aware of the ongoing disruption affecting access to the Canvas learning platform, which is impacting academic institutions globally," SIM said.
"The incident occurred within the environment of Instructure, and we understand the inconvenience and concern this has caused our students and faculty."
In the meantime, SIM said it will put in place temporary arrangements. These include sending of Zoom lesson links directly to students, while deadlines for quizzes and assignments due during this period may be extended.
SIM added that keeping classes running and protecting its community’s information remained its top priorities.
CNA has contacted the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), NTUC Learning Hub, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Kaplan to ask if they have been similarly affected by Canvas breach.
In a statement on its website, Instructure confirmed on Friday that the system was "fully back online and available for use"."
Singapore universities assessing impact after global cyberattack on educational tool Canvas (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: Educational institutions in Singapore are assessing the impact of a recent cyberattack that knocked down learning tool Canvas, even as the platform has since been restored.
The hacking group ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the breach, saying in a May 3 post on its website that it had stolen data related to nearly 9,000 schools worldwide that included student names, email addresses and private messages between students, teachers and other staff.
Canvas, developed by US-based education technology firm Instructure, is widely used by universities and schools to manage coursework, assignments and communication.
The National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) were among those affected by the outage.
In a statement, NUS said it is working with Instructure to assess the impact of the data breach.
"Operational impact is assessed to be minimal as the current semester has concluded and all examinations have ended," an NUS spokesperson told CNA on Saturday (May 9).
"We have in place backup and business continuity processes to ensure downstream activities such as marking and grading proceed unaffected."
NUS said it has also reminded students to stay vigilant to any suspicious messages, and not to disclose any personal information or login details if contacted by suspicious people on various channels.
SUSS similarly said it is working closely with Instructure to assess the impact. Access to Canvas has been restored, and there has been no significant disruption to SUSS’ overall operations, the university said on Saturday.
As a precaution, SUSS has advised users to remain vigilant against phishing attempts and to strengthen account security, including changing passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication where available.
“We are also reviewing relevant access controls and security configurations in line with recommended security measures,” it added."
Teen arrested over alleged assault on Amos Yee at Suntec City (9 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A teenager has been arrested after allegedly assaulting Amos Yee at Suntec City Convention Centre on Saturday (May 9).
In response to CNA's queries, police said they received a call for assistance at about 2.15pm.
"Upon arrival, officers established that a 27-year-old male subject was assaulted by a 18-year-old male subject," they added.
"The 27-year-old male subject sustained minor injuries and the 18-year-old male subject was subsequently arrested for causing public nuisance."
Police investigations are ongoing.
Videos of the incident, which took place outside the Doujin Market anime convention, showed a cosplayer raining punches, kicks and elbows on Yee as he crouched on the floor.
The pair then back away from each other, before the teen rushed at Yee, tackling him to the ground from behind.
The altercation ended after a bystander intervened."
From baby carriers to Tamil books: How 4 Singapore mums built businesses for children (10 May 2026)
"Inspiration for businesses comes from many sources. For these four mums in Singapore, it was their children and motherhood journeys that sparked ideas for their foray into entrepreneurship.
Meet the women who are making a difference in children’s lives – and are doing it all for their own kids.
Soulslings Singapore: Babywearing
Nurjanna Ng’s oldest child was a year old when she was retrenched from her marketing job in 2015. To support her family, she started an online store selling baby carriers from international brands.
Soulslings, a babywearing brand from India, was one of those brands.
Ng was impressed by its thoughtful designs and how it suited Asian body types. “Many carriers designed for Western markets do not always translate seamlessly to the region, often falling short in terms of suitability for humid climates and Asian body types,” the 42-year-old told CNA Women.
In 2017, she founded Soulslings Singapore to sell its products exclusively.
The baby carriers and slings are made using 100 per cent natural fabrics; the handpicked materials are lightweight and breathable, yet supportive and durable.
The brand is proudly size-inclusive, catering to a wide spectrum of body types. Carriers and slings are available in a range of colours and designs for newborns to five-year-olds, costing from S$79 to S$379.
The products are available online and through Shopee and TikTok. The brand also offers in-person visits at its warehouse in Yishun, by appointment.
Ng is now a mother of five children aged 13, 11, four, two, and one month, and her journey has taught her the power of delegation, trust and empowering like-minded mothers to grow alongside her and support the business operations.
Her Soulslings team is made up of Singaporean mums – two full-time staff and several part-timers – and the work culture is “designed to be flexible and empathetic”. Each team member decides on a rhythm that works best for her, while also respecting other team members’ boundaries and responsibilities."
Teenager charged after allegedly assaulting Amos Yee at Suntec City anime convention (11 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A teenager was charged on Monday (May 11) after allegedly assaulting Amos Yee over the weekend at an anime convention.
Bosco Chun Ho Wang, an 18-year-old Chinese national and Singapore permanent resident, was given one charge each of public nuisance and voluntarily causing hurt.
The incident occurred at about 2.10pm on Saturday (May 9) at level 4 of Suntec City Convention Centre.
Chun is accused of punching and kicking Yee. These acts, along with shouting, allegedly caused annoyance to the public.
If convicted of voluntarily causing hurt, Chun could be jailed for up to three years, fined up to S$5,000, or both.
If found guilty of committing public nuisance, he could be fined up to S$2,000.
After the incident, Yee posted a photo online showing a bloodied lip.
The 27-year-old Singaporean faces charges of his own relating to National Service obligations.
He is set for a pre-trial conference in relation to these charges on May 22."
Commentary: What is still missing from Singapore's debate on falling birth rates (12 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: In conversations about marriage, parenthood and ways to raise fertility rates described as an “existential challenge” in Singapore, one aspect is often missing – pregnancy loss.
In Singapore, about 20 to 25 per cent of pregnancies end up in miscarriages. Pregnancy loss also encompasses stillbirth, infant loss, in-vitro fertilisation-related (IVF) loss, as well as terminations for medical reasons. In every single one of them, there are two people whose worlds have been upended.
Yet, these are often swept aside as “dark secrets”, taboo subjects and uncomfortable conversations to be had.
Not just A Single Moment
Pregnancy loss is not a single moment. It is a process, as I learned from losing three pregnancies.
Physically, miscarriage can be prolonged and brutal, involving intense cramping, heavy bleeding and hormonal shifts that last for weeks. For women undergoing IVF, the contrast can be even sharper after weeks of injections. The body does not simply reset after a loss.
Emotionally, the impact is similarly complex. Many can experience depression, grief and anxiety but not everyone seeks support or has access to it.
When grief goes unprocessed, the body stays in a physiological state of unsafety. For couples hoping to conceive again, this can become another barrier. Research has shown that bereaved mothers who receive specialised support experience a significant reduction in depression, anxiety and stress. Those who don't may carry the weight of it into their next pregnancy.
Layered onto this is often feelings of guilt - was it something I ate or did I exercise too much? This self-blame is almost always unfounded, yet without someone clearly and repeatedly saying “This is not your fault," many women can carry that guilt for years."
‘They feel disconnected from who they used to be’: Why becoming a mother can affect a woman’s sense of self (12 May 2026)
"When a woman becomes a mother, she becomes a completely different person in many ways – physically, emotionally and socially. This phase of becoming a mother is known as matrescence.
The term was coined in the 1970s by American medical anthropologist Dana Louise Raphael, who described it as “the time of mother-becoming”.
To put it simply, when a baby is born, a mother is born too. And while support is usually at hand in terms of looking after a child, women tend to be left to their own devices to deal with this big life change.
“Matrescence is often described as the motherhood equivalent of adolescence,” said Elle Cheng, a psychotherapist and matrescence coach in Singapore.
“It is the developmental phase where a woman undergoes a profound psychological, emotional and identity transformation as she moves from thinking about conception, through pregnancy and into motherhood.”
To help with this life transition, some women are getting guidance from a matrescence coach.
Sara Pantry is a matrescence practitioner in Singapore who founded Return Ready, a peer-to-peer mentorship programme designed to help women navigate the complexities of returning to work after parental leave.
Pantry describes matrescence coaching as a much softer, deeper process than traditional coaching, where it’s not about goals, performance or ‘what’s next’. Instead, it’s about slowing down, recentring and reconnecting with yourself so you can redefine who you are now in the present moment.
“It’s also very different from parenting coaching. That focuses on the baby,” Pantry, who works full-time as Senior Workplace Leader, APAC, at LinkedIn, explained. “This focuses on the mother because becoming a mother isn’t just a life event, it’s a full identity transformation. And women need space to process that, not just push through it.”
Increasing Awareness Around Mums' Mental Health
Matrescence as a concept has been revived by various experts over the years in Western countries. In this part of the world, women are becoming more aware of the need to better understand the changes they’re going through when they become mothers.
Cheng, who shares her work through Relating Authentic Women, a platform that supports women through fertility, motherhood and identity transitions, said she’s not necessarily seeing a rise in the term itself, but a clear rise in the struggles it describes.
“I often work with women who return to work after maternity leave and find that while they are functioning on the outside, internally they feel disconnected from who they used to be – as a professional, partner and individual,” she told CNA Women.
“There is increasing awareness around mental health and motherhood but many women still lack a framework or language to understand the identity shift they are going through,” Cheng added. “When they are introduced to matrescence, there is often immediate resonance.”
Man appeals against attempted rape sentence, says he was in 'state of confusion' when pleading guilty (12 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A man who attempted to rape his former housemate in 2023 appealed against his sentence on Tuesday (May 12) and suggested that he wanted a re-trial, claiming that he was in a "state of confusion" when he pleaded guilty previously.
Gao Xiong, a 32-year-old Chinese national who was a PhD student at the time of his offence, was sentenced to six years, six months and six weeks' jail in December 2025. He was also ordered to receive three strokes of the cane. He had pleaded guilty to four charges which included attempted rape and criminal trespass.
The appeal on Tuesday was heard at the Court of Appeal, by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and Justices Tay Yong Kwang and Hri Kumar Nair.
In a hearing that lasted for almost two hours, Gao, who spoke through a Mandarin interpreter, claimed that the facts of the case read out to him in court were not a reflection of what actually happened and that he accepted them then due to "personal reasons".
Gao also interrupted the court proceedings at least three times when it was not his turn to speak yet, prompting Chief Justice Menon to ask that he not speak without permission.
Gao, who had a defence lawyer during his sentencing in December last year, was unrepresented during the appeal.
Background
Gao was completing his PhD studies in Singapore at the time of the offences, while the victim who was 21 then was also finishing up her tertiary education. Her identity is protected by a gag order.
The two of them were housemates until Gao left in end-August 2023. In early October 2023, Gao began pursuing her romantically but she repeatedly rejected him and told him to stop bothering her.
Gao would go to the unit to look for her, leading to the victim staying with her friend for a few days as a result of the harassment.
In October 2023, Gao looked for her at the unit again and went to her room. The victim spoke to him briefly and refused to engage, saying she would call the police. Both the victim and the tenancy agent had already told Gao not to go to the unit, and reported the trespass.
Gao left when the police arrived but continued harassing the victim. He returned another day and was led into the unit by one of the tenants.
He knocked on the victim's door while she was speaking to her parents, saying that he had left his bank card and wanted to apologise for the angry messages he had sent.
The victim rejected his apology, reiterating that he was trespassing and that she would call the police. Gao then stopped the victim as she tried to close the door, forcibly entered the room before molesting her and attempting to rape her."
Only boys are caned in schools – but what does that teach our daughters? (13 May 2026)
"The Ministry of Education’s recent disciplinary guidelines, including caning for serious and repeat offences like vaping and bullying, have struck a nerve with me.
Full disclosure: I’m Gen X. I grew up with the cane – at home and in school. It was feared and sometimes, deserved. The cane’s effect was swift and painful. You did not forget it, and you also didn’t repeat the mistake – at least not in the same way.
It took me years to discern the difference and now, as a parent, it’s clear to me: Stopping behaviour is not the same as changing it.
To me, the cane taught compliance. It stopped the “bad” behaviour immediately. It taught me that authority had the final word. On the flipside, it also taught me how not to get caught.
My friend, Elena Ng, 46, shared how boys in her school who were disciplined by the cane got more creative instead – like smoking in secret spots or picking fights off campus.
“Sure, the caning stopped them that week,” she said. “But they just got sneakier.”
And that is the problem. Caning gets you immediate obedience, but it doesn’t produce accountability for the action.
It also skips this deeper understanding that we want from discipline: awareness of harm, ownership of actions, repairing skills and empathy.
And that gap matters more now than before. Because today, bullying has changed. It is not limited to fights or name-calling. It can be social exclusion, harassment, online doxxing and like the 2024 case at Singapore Sports School, the sharing of humiliating fake pictures.
Male students had generated and circulated deepfake nude images of their female schoolmates – harm that was digital, humiliating and potentially permanent.
The boys involved had their mobile phones confiscated and turned over to the police. They faced suspension, removal from boarding, bans from sports trips that affected their performance, and even caning.
It drives a hard question: Is physical punishment enough to create change?
My Real Question Is: Why Only Cane The Boys?
This part keeps bothering me. In Singapore, caning applies only to boys in schools. In our criminal courts, it’s a punitive measure only for men. Women are exempt – a legacy of our inherited colonial-era laws, shaped by traditional views of gender and physical punishment.
But if the offence is serious enough to warrant caning, why does gender determine who receives it?
My 17-year-old daughter put it plainly: “Girls can vape too. Girls can also be bullies, so shouldn’t they also be caned? But caning a bully doesn’t do anything.”
She’s right to question it. And as a mother, I have questions too."
MOE raises school bus operator support to 20% of fare revenue amid continued high fuel prices (15 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Friday (May 15) it will increase temporary support for operators of regular school bus services for May and June, citing continued high fuel prices.
The support will rise from the equivalent of 13 per cent to 20 per cent of transport fare revenue.
"This will help transport operators continue operating without disruption," MOE said.
The ministry previously announced in April it would provide temporary support to such operators to help them cope with rising fuel costs.
Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow also said in parliament last month that the government will temporarily co-fund cost increases for certain essential bus services to cushion the impact of the Middle East conflict on Singaporeans.
Should fuel prices remain elevated, MOE said transport operators will, from July, be allowed to offset higher operating costs through a "time-bound" fuel surcharge.
"MOE will set a maximum fuel surcharge that operators may charge, and operators may increase the school bus fares up to this surcharge," it added.
The ministry will update transport operators on the surcharge cap in June, and parents will then be informed of the revised school bus fares from July - if any - so they can plan their transport arrangements after the June school holidays."
Waitress caught with Kpods twice at club she worked at, gets reformative training (15 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: A 21-year-old woman was ordered on Friday (May 15) to undergo reformative training for a minimum of 12 months after she was caught twice with etomidate-laced vapes, known as Kpods, at a nightclub where she worked as a waitress.
According to charge sheets, Tan Xin Yi, a Singaporean, was caught at Club Poseidon in Excelsior Shopping Centre on Coleman Street.
Tan pleaded guilty to two counts of knowingly having in her possession a Kpod on two separate occasions in August and September 2025.
Authorities have warned that inhaling etomidate directly into the lungs can cause side effects such as spasms, breathing issues and seizures.
The Case
Tan had reported to work at 11.30pm on Aug 15, 2025, when an unidentified colleague introduced her to a new vape flavour.
Tan proceeded to use a vape belonging to her colleague's customer which had an etomidate-laced pod attached to it, court documents read.
Officers from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), who were conducting a joint operation at various entertainment outlets, subsequently entered the room she was in.
Tan's colleague asked her to hide the Kpod under her long sleeves, but officers eventually discovered it.
In her statement to the authorities, Tan said she knew the pod contained etomidate as her colleague did not smoke "normal vape pods".
She was detained at the club shortly before 1am on Aug 16, 2025.
Tan was caught with a Kpod a second time during a raid at the same club on Sep 28, 2025. This time, they found the device in her bag."
'Museum-style memoir' unveiled on Goh Keng Swee's interactions with China leaders (15 May 2026)
"SINGAPORE: To many, Dr Goh Keng Swee is regarded as one of Singapore's founding fathers and a key architect of the nation's transformation in its early decades.
What is perhaps less well known is the role the former Deputy Prime Minister played after he left politics – he became an economic adviser to China between 1985 and 1990, during its early drive for reform.
On Friday (May 15), a "museum-style memoir" – a 244-page book curated from a private archive – was launched to preserve for posterity Dr Goh's interactions with China's leaders during this period.
Titled Dr Goh Keng Swee and China's Economic Renaissance, the book was put together by Dr Goh's wife, Dr Phua Swee Liang, based on photographs, gifts, travel itineraries and personal records from Dr Goh's stint. Two hundred copies of the book were given out to guests including former Cabinet ministers Khaw Boon Wan and George Yeo, and former top civil servant Philip Yeo at the launch at Four Seasons Hotel.
Dr Phua noted in the book's preface that the true turning points in history "often happen quietly". "It is these moments that I feel compelled to preserve, for without them the larger narrative remains incomplete," she wrote.
Following Dr Goh's retirement from politics in 1984, then China President Deng Xiaoping sent to Singapore a high-level delegation to invite Dr Goh to become an adviser to China's newly created special economic zones.
Dr Goh, who died in 2010 at the age of 91, had close ties with Mr Deng and several other senior Chinese leaders of his time, including Zhao Ziyang and Gu Mu – and these are vividly captured in the book. Among the photographs in the book is one of Dr Goh with current China President Xi Jinping, who was then serving in a provincial leadership role in Fuzhou."
I knew beating cancer would be tough. What I didn't expect was the crippling loss of identity as I returned to work (15 May 2026)
"In November 2024, after more than a year of fighting leukaemia, my oncologist gave me the all clear to return to work.
I knew the first thing I should have felt was relief, but instead, another unsettling feeling crept up and took me by surprise: fear.
I had spent months in hospitals and treatment wards, fighting to survive. Now I was stepping back into a world that had, in my absence, come to feel unfamiliar.
Many questions weighed heavily on me: Could I still do the work I once did confidently? Would colleagues see me the same way?
After everything my body had been through, did I still belong there?
The Diagnosis That Changed My Life
In October 2023, when I was 47, I was diagnosed with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome that was transforming into acute myeloid leukaemia.
Doctors told me I might have nine months or less to live without a bone marrow transplant.
The news was surreal. One moment I was living an ordinary life – exercising regularly, keeping fit, going about my daily routine – and the next I was confronting the possibility that my life might soon end.
My mind went straight to my family. My wife and I had been planning for early retirement at 55. Could that still proceed as planned?
My sons were 16 and 18 then, both at the point of making major academic decisions. Would I still be around to guide them? Had I shaped enough of their moral compass?
That same evening, I broke the news to my family over dinner. Everyone was incredulous.
I had been fit and strong right up to that point. I went running with my boys twice a week, taking them to the gym for strength training afterwards. None of us had seen it coming.
What followed were months of hospital stays, treatment and preparation for a bone marrow transplant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where its haematology wards became a strange kind of "home" to me over time.
Against the odds, a fully matched, unrelated donor was found locally through the bone marrow donor programme, and the transplant saved my life.
A Crippling Sense of Identity Loss
By October 2024, exactly one year after my diagnosis, I was in remission. However, physically and psychologically, recovery took much longer.
The intensive chemotherapy that I had before the transplant, followed by two years of maintenance chemo, left me with neuropathy and made rebuilding my strength and stamina a slow, grinding process.
Neuropathy is a condition caused by nerve damage that leads to pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in one or more parts of your body. In my case, I felt it acutely in my limbs.
Even as my body slowly healed, my confidence did not immediately return.
The next month, I was given the green light to return to work. However, I found that the idea of stepping back into professional life filled me with uncertainty – the kind that has more to do with my identity than with my capabilities.
Before cancer, I had been a physics teacher and head of department at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), or ACS(I). But after months away from work, I found myself wondering whether the person who once carried those responsibilities still existed.
Psychologically, I was dealing with a sense of identity loss that was unexpectedly crippling, one that came from no longer being sure about who I was, or whether my work in education had defined me more than I knew.
Could I still operate at the same level I used to? Did I even want to do it? How would my colleagues see me?"