School-based Student Care Centres with Waiting Lists
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the accessibility, data publication, and affordability of school-based Student Care Centres (SCCs). Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked about the number of primary schools with SCC waiting lists, the number of affected students, the publication of school-level capacity data, and updates from the ongoing sector review. In response, Minister Desmond Lee pointed to previous parliamentary replies delivered in March and May 2026 regarding SCC accessibility. He highlighted that, as announced at National Day Rally 2026, the Government will expand capacity, improve care quality, and ensure fees remain affordable at school-based SCCs. Minister Desmond Lee added that further details on these initiatives will be shared when ready.
Transcript
65 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education (a) how many primary schools have school-based Student Care Centres with waiting lists and how many pupils are affected; (b) whether school-level capacity, enrolment, vacancy and waiting list data will be published; and (c) whether the ability to secure an affordable student care place forms part of the ongoing sector review, and if so, when an update will be provided.
Mr Desmond Lee: Similar questions on the accessibility of school-based Student Care Centres (SCCs) were answered in this House in March and May 2026. The Member may wish to refer to the Ministry of Education's reply to oral Question No 37 on the Order Paper for 3 March 2026 and the Ministry of Social and Family Development's reply to oral Question No 85 on the Order Paper for 6 May 2026. [Please refer to "Primary Students on Waitlists for Places in Student Care Centres", Official Report, 3 March 2026, Vol 96, Issue 23, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section, and "Ensuring Student Care Centre Services Remain Affordable and Accessible for Lower- and Middle-income Families", Official Report, 6 May 2026, Vol 96, Issue 30, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
As announced at National Day Rally 2026, the Government will expand capacity, improve the quality of care, and keep fees affordable at school-based SCCs to better support parents' caregiving needs. We will share more details when ready.