Provision of Direct Funding for Engaging Full-time School Counsellors Including to Madrasahs

30 Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry provides direct funding to schools for engaging full-time school counsellors; and (b) if so, whether the Ministry will consider providing the same support to madrasahs or working with MUIS to do so.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: The Ministry of Education (MOE) hires and deploys full-time school counsellors to support students’ socio-emotional or mental well-being in Government and Government-Aided schools.

As madrasahs are private schools, they do not receive funding from MOE to hire staff, including school counsellors. That said, the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) works with madrasahs to support the socio-emotional and mental well-being of madrasah students. For example, MUIS partners community organisations with expertise in mental health to provide counselling services to support madrasah students. Madrasahs have also been equipping more teachers with basic counselling skills and sharing more information with students and parents on mental health issues.