COS 2015 Debate: MOE – Student Care (MP Lee Li Lian)

By MP for Punggol East SMC, Lee Li Lian
[Delivered in Committee of Supply on 6 March 2015]

Madam, it is a known fact that the strong demand for childcare will inevitable be the same for student care in time to come.

I’ve spoken about this in last year’s Presidential Debate.  New estates like Sengkang and Punggol houses younger families therefore School-based student care centres (SCC) are well received in these areas.  Such centres provide the much needed convenience as both parents are working.  It provide parents with a peace of mind that is they need not worry where their children will head to after school or whether it is safe for them to travel home alone. Such centres also offer enrichment classes and supervision to children doing homework. Such an arrangement reduces the family need of domestic helper and is especially useful to children that lack home support.

In last year’s COS, the Minister announced that the public can expect another 40 SCC.  While this is welcome, I believe the Ministry can do more to push for at least 1 student care centre in every school.  I would like to call upon the Ministry to place greater emphasis on this.

我在去年的政府施政方针辩论时提到年轻家庭对学生托管服务的需求。今日对托儿所的需求将会转变成为明日对学生托管服务的需求。这一类的学生托管服务能够帮忙督促孩子的功课和行为。家长也不需要担心孩子放学后到哪里,回家的路上安全吗?这样的安排也能减低家庭对女佣的依赖。我在一次呼吁教育部更加重视这项课题。