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SINGAPORE: Members of Parliament (MP) from the Popular Action Party (PAP) on Thursday (September 3) called on the government to strengthen social safety nets by “socializing” preschool education and increasing support for vulnerable families.
The deputies spoke on the fourth day of the debate on the president’s speech. President Halimah Yacob said in her speech last week that the benefits of pursuing economic growth must be shared “broadly” with all citizens.
READ: Singapore will drive sustainable growth and further strengthen social safety nets: President Halimah
Sembawang GRC MP Vikram Nair speaking in Parliament on September 3, 2020.
Sembawang GRC MP Vikram Nair said the government should consider “socializing” the pre-school fees to level the starting points of children’s education.
“Preschool is not compulsory. It has become significantly more affordable, but it is still more expensive than elementary school, ”he said, noting that parents sometimes have the“ perception ”that some preschoolers are significantly better than others.
“I recognize that socializing preschool education to try to make it equally accessible, free and potentially even compulsory, will cost significantly more than elementary school. So this is an expensive item and it’s something that, I think, we should focus on if the budget allows. “
Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Education and Social and Family Development, said the Government should examine how it can further enable preschool participation, as a child’s formative years play a critical role in their development.
“While the vast majority of each cohort has attended preschool before Primary 1, there is a group of children whose attendance is irregular in preschool and a few who have not even been enrolled in nursery or preschool,” he said. said.
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Ms. Sun noted that since January, many families are now paying less for preschool education due to improved subsidies, and the share of government-backed preschools will increase from more than 50 percent of the market to 80 percent by 2025. .
“The government is also investing significantly in the aspects of software for the recruitment, progression and professional development of teachers,” he added.
“Taken together, this sends a strong signal that the government prioritizes the early learning years and wants to give each child a good starting point from which they can chart their future paths.”
Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim speaking in Parliament on September 3, 2020.
In addition to financial aid, Chua Chu Kang GRC deputy Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim said vulnerable families should also receive more help to ease their “mental and emotional strain.”
“The family or the building block is very different now than it was 30 years ago,” he said in his first speech in Parliament.
“Mixed families, single mothers, single adults who work and care for their elderly parents are all the building blocks of our society. We must not leave anyone behind, especially the vulnerable. “
Mr. Zhulkarnain urged the government to facilitate discreet reporting of domestic violence involving elder abuse and immigrant spouses.
The government should also consider how it can attract and retain temporary caregivers.who can care for vulnerable children, such as those whose parents are incarcerated.
“The broader point I’m making is this: we have to see beyond the lens of the beneficiary or recipient,” he said. “We need to see it from the supplier’s perspective as well.”
Mo Kio GRC MP Nadia Ahmad Samdin speaking in Parliament on September 3, 2020.
New MP Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked if the government could consider introducing a fixed rental rate for a longer period to allow vulnerable families to accumulate their savings for the “rainiest days”. The rental rates are currently tied to family income.
Ms. Nadia spoke about a 20-year-old woman living in a rented apartment with her husband and two children. Her husband is generally not at home as he is serving the National Service.
“She shared with me her hopes of finding a job, but was concerned that there would not be a caregiver for her children, as her husband’s vocation did not allow him to return home at night, and that the monthly rental rates for the apartment were they would adjust upward when she became a new source of income in the house, ”said Ms Nadia, who is an MP from Ang Mo Kio GRC.
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Ms Nadia said that the affordability of rental flats is important as some vulnerable youth, upon reaching the age of 19, can no longer stay in foster homes under the Children and Youth Act, but do not have families. with which to reintegrate.
“The sudden switch to independent living without a routine, while having to find work to pay for accommodation, can be overwhelming, and these young people are sometimes unable to reach their full potential,” he added.
“SOCIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES”
The Minister of State for the Interior, Desmond Tan, acknowledged that there are families that need help.
“What concerns me most are young children and the opportunities they may lose if nothing is done,” said Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP.
Mr. Tan added that he would like to see a “society of opportunity for all,” noting that the economic impact of COVID-19 has hit low-income households much harder.
“While there are various government schemes to support individuals and families throughout life’s journeys, the community and individuals have an important role in reaching out to their fellow Singaporean,” he said.
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Tan gave the example of a 24-year-old grassroots leader named Hamid, who he said was part of a group of volunteers who taught children living in rental blocks and helped deliver special care packages during the “circuit breaker” period. “. of regular Zoom sessions.
“I urge members of this House, many of whom have spoken passionately on this issue, to encourage our community to step up and do something for our children who may not get off to a good start to ensure that they welcome the less a good education, ”he said. additional.
“Together, let’s ensure that there will always be social mobility in our society and this remains deeply anchored in our value system.”
