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SINGAPORE – As Singapore works to reduce inequality, talks about the kind of social pact its citizens want and how to fund that support must continue, Education Deputy Minister Maliki Osman said on Thursday (September 3).
“There needs to be a social consensus on what is a reasonable and basic standard of living that we are committed to providing for all Singaporeans, bearing in mind that increases in support and benefits provided are not free, but ultimately For instance, they all pay for them through taxes, “he said. additional.
Joining the debate on the President’s speech, Dr. Maliki noted that while Singapore has moved to reduce inequality, closing the gap will become more difficult over time as globalization and digitization threaten to outpace those who cannot cope with the new economy.
The minister, who has a doctorate in social work, assured the Chamber that the government pays close attention to the narrowness of social stratification, as he outlined several areas that he intends to focus on to address this issue.
Singaporeans, regardless of their income or background, must be able to meet their basic needs and achieve a reasonable standard of living, he said.
This includes giving children a good education and preparing them for adulthood, giving young people the assurance that they can advance in the job market, and allowing adults to have job security and prepare well for retirement.
Investing in education is therefore important, and the government has set aside more resources for low-income families, he said, citing various subsidies those families can receive for childcare and school fees, as well as improved scholarships.
He added that public healthcare and home ownership are heavily subsidized in Singapore, allowing everyone to meet their fundamental needs.
But there has to be social mobility for all to reduce inequality in a sustainable way, said Dr. Maliki, who is also Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
To that end, the county has to put in place a system in which everyone is making progress, he added.
Singapore must continue to work to build a strong and dynamic economy that can provide its citizens with good jobs, reasonable wages and sustained wage increases that increase with worker productivity and skills, he said.
The country should also strive to provide greater equality of opportunity, he added, leveling out unequal starting points for children and offering opportunities at all stages of life.
He noted how the Ministry of Education (MOE) has taken important steps to address this by taking into account the skills and abilities of individual students and by going beyond grades and paper grades.
For example, it changed the PSLE scoring system from broadcast to full subject-based ranking in schools.
It is also providing more pathways into higher education by expanding the percentage of aptitude-based admissions in colleges.
Disadvantaged families will not be left behind, he said, as the Ministry of Education works to improve access to quality, affordable pre-school education for all, so that all children have a strong foundation to mitigate the inequalities they may face.
“Our starting point in life should not dictate our ending point, and that with hard work, ability and ambition, we can be successful,” said Dr. Maliki.
Singaporeans must also work for a society in which success is not defined solely in economic terms, and must prevent material divisions from translating into social divisions, said Dr. Maliki.
He told the House how a conversation he had with some young people in his constituency left him feeling “uneasy.”
One of them said he felt scorned when his schoolmates found out he was receiving financial aid, while another said he felt a division between himself and his other college classmates because he came from a less prestigious school.
To address this, Dr. Maliki noted that Singapore needs a society of opportunity that is based on humility, responsibility and a commitment to treat everyone with respect as equals, regardless of background.
Education is critical to nurturing such a society, and he said his ministry will continue to instill these values.
“We must remain committed to the ultimate goal of Singapore being a place where our efforts are rewarded not just financially, but also in the quality of life we enjoy; and a society where everyone has a place that is valued equally. “, said. said.
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