Official poverty line, compulsory pre-school education and unemployment support among MPs’ suggestions
Sembawang MP Vikram Nair suggested making pre-school attendance compulsory to ensure no child falls behind. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Establishing a clear poverty line, making pre-school education compulsory and introducing unemployment support were among the proposals made by MPs in Parliament on Monday.
They spoke at the start of a five-day debate on the President’s Address. Madam Halimah Yacob’s speech on April 10 emphasised the need to strengthen social safety nets, among other key priorities for the Government. Her speech marked the start of the second session of the 14th term of Parliament, which resumed after a two-week recess.
Here are four suggestions by MPs to improve social support:
Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang GRC) on raising pre-school attendance
Noting that it is important to ensure that all children attend pre-school, Mr Vikram suggested that pre-school education be made compulsory, or to have strong measures to encourage universal attendance.
It is vital for schools to remain as the “great leveller” for education, he said. In the past, children would attend school and learn things such as the alphabet. Today, with most children attending pre-school, the entry benchmark has risen, he added. Read More…
