Clarification by Minister of State for Education
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This clarification concerns a factual correction by Minister of State Ms Gan Siow Huang regarding Ministry of Education resources for students with higher needs. She specified that the Learning Support Programme and Learning Support for Mathematics provide specialised intervention specifically for primary school students, correcting an earlier statement that included secondary levels. The Ministry remains committed to building literacy and numeracy foundations through these targeted school-based programmes and partnerships with volunteers. Minister of State Ms Gan Siow Huang also highlighted the Collaborative Tuition Programme, which offers subsidised tuition through self-help groups. These initiatives are designed to support students, especially those from lower-income households, to ensure continued educational equity and foundation building.
Transcript
The following statement was made in the reply given by the Minister of State for Education (Ms Gan Siow Huang) during Question Time for Question Nos 7 and 8 at the Sitting of 5 February 2025:
The Minister of State for Education (Ms Gan Siow Huang): To this end, MOE has devoted significant resources to support students with higher needs. For instance, our schools provide specialised academic intervention for primary and secondary school students who need more support to build their literacy and numeracy foundation through the Learning Support Programme and the Learning Support for Mathematics. Schools also have partnerships with volunteers and self-help groups that provide affordable academic support. One example is the Collaborative Tuition Programme, which provides students, particularly those from lower-income households, with subsidised tuition. [Please refer to "Potential Impact from Rising Tuition Expenditure on Educational Equity", Official Report, 5 February 2025, Vol 95, Issue 151, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
Written statement by Ms Gan Siow Huang circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5):
I wish to make the following factual correction to my reply made at the Sitting of 5 February 2025. My statement should read as follows:
The Minister of State for Education (Ms Gan Siow Huang): To this end, MOE has devoted significant resources to support students with higher needs. For instance, our schools provide specialised academic intervention for primary school students who need more support to build their literacy and numeracy foundation through the Learning Support Programme and the Learning Support for Mathematics. Schools also have partnerships with volunteers and self-help groups that provide affordable academic support. One example is the Collaborative Tuition Programme, which provides students, particularly those from lower-income households, with subsidised tuition.