Utilisation Pattern of Child Development Accounts over Last Five Years During Children's Primary School Years

42 Mr Victor Lye asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) over the last five years, what has been the utilisation pattern of Child Development Accounts (CDAs) when children enter primary school; (b) how many CDAs show minimal or no drawdown until transfer to the Post-Secondary Education Account at age 12; and (c) if utilisation rates are not significant, whether a portion of unused CDA funds can be allowed for primary school learning.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: For birth cohorts which turned 12 between 2020 and 2024, the median Child Development Account (CDA) balance at age seven was about $600. About 97% of all CDA expenditure for these five cohorts took place when the child was below age seven and almost all (93%) of such CDA monies used were for preschool expenses.

Between ages seven and 12, the CDA monies were mostly used for healthcare-related expenses or for siblings' preschool expenses. For the child's primary school learning needs, parents can tap on the child's Edusave account, which can be used for miscellaneous fees and approved school enrichment programmes. Parents may also choose to save the CDA monies, which are transferred to the child's Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) at the end of age 12, for the child's post-secondary educational expenses.

The Government will continue to review the CDA usage to ensure that it remains relevant and can meet parents' needs for their children's development.