Data on Scope, Design and Reporting Framework of Quarterly Student Well-being Surveys Across Different School Levels
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the implementation, design, and reporting framework of quarterly student well-being surveys, as raised by Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan. Minister Desmond Lee stated that the Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced termly online check-in surveys in 2020 across primary, secondary, and pre-university levels to help teachers identify needs and provide timely support or intervention. The survey questions are designed by MOE, with some adapted from established instruments, though they do not serve as clinical diagnostic tools or measures of well-being trends over time. Completed by students, school-level results are made available to MOE to guide support alongside other indicators. System-level youth well-being is additionally monitored through local research studies, such as the Youth Epidemiology and Resilience Study.
Transcript
46 Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Education regarding quarterly student well-being surveys (a) in which year were they introduced; (b) whether they are administered in all primary and secondary schools and pre-university institutions; (c) which published or validated instruments are the questions based on; (d) whether teachers or students complete them; and (e) whether school-level results are shared with the Ministry.
Mr Desmond Lee: I will answer Oral Question No 2914 and 2967, and also written Question No 2007 on today's Order Paper. [Please refer to "Trends and Follow-up Actions from Schools' Quarterly Student Well-being Surveys", Official Report, 8 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 35, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
The Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced online check-in sessions in 2020 to better support student well-being across primary, secondary and pre-university levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, MOE has provided schools with age-appropriate resources comprising student check-in surveys and activities, conducted every school term. The survey responses enable teachers to better understand their students' well-being, and to provide appropriate support. This could be in the form of a conversation with the Form Teacher or further intervention when more serious concerns are raised.
The survey questions are designed by MOE. A small number of questions are adapted from established instruments, but the survey is not a clinical diagnostic or screening tool. As the surveys cover a range of items, the proportion of students flagged through them should not be interpreted as overall well-being levels or prevalence of mental health concerns. It is therefore also not a measure of whether student well-being has improved or worsened over time. School-level results are available to MOE and are considered alongside other indicators in informing MOE's support for schools.
At the system level, MOE monitors youth well-being trends through a range of indicators, including local research studies, such as the Youth Epidemiology and Resilience Study and the Institute of Mental Health's National Mental Health and Well-being Survey.