Local Diploma and Degree Courses Taken up by Prison Inmates
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the enrollment of prison inmates in specific higher education courses and the expansion of educational programmes within the Singapore Prison Service. Mr Murali Pillai enquired about enrollment numbers for logistics-related diploma and degree courses at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the Singapore University of Social Sciences. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam reported that 120 inmates took the diploma and 15 took the degree, while highlighting that 400 inmates pursue various academic certifications annually. He noted that new courses like the Nitec in Business Services were introduced in 2021 and 2022 to align with inmate aspirations and industry demand. The Singapore Prison Service continues to expand these offerings based on the skillsets required in various sectors and the feasibility of conducting such courses in prisons.
Transcript
2 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many prison inmates have taken up the Diploma in Business Practice (International Supply Chain Management) course offered by Ngee Ann Polytechnic since 2018; (b) how many prison inmates have taken up the Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management programme offered by the Singapore University of Social Services since 2020; and (c) whether there are plans to increase the number of such courses offered.
Mr K Shanmugam: Since 2018, 120 inmates have taken up the Diploma in Business Practice (International Supply Chain Management) course offered by Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Since 2020, 15 inmates have taken up the Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management programme offered by the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
About 400 inmates per year undergo education programmes, including those leading to the General Certificate of Education (GCE) "O" Level, GCE "A" Level, GCE Normal (Academic), GCE Normal (Technical), National Institute of Technical Education Certificates (Nitec), diplomas and degrees.
The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) is continually expanding the number of education courses offered to benefit more inmates. New education courses introduced in 2021 and 2022 include the Nitec in Business Services, in partnership with ITE College Central. SPS takes into consideration the interests and aspirations of our inmates, the skillsets in demand in the various sectors and the feasibility of conducting such courses in prisons.