‘Govt sending strong signal’ for S’poreans to pursue passions

SINGAPORE — The appointment of two Acting Education Ministers sends a “strong signal” that the Government is determined to build more education pathways for Singaporeans to pursue their passions and fulfil their aspirations, said Mr Ng Chee Meng and Mr Ong Ye Kung in a joint message released to educators today (Oct 5).

Mr Ng and Mr Ong, who will handle the areas of schools and higher education and skills respectively, also said their respective portfolios are “quite distinct” but the work is “integrated and synergistic”.

“We must continue to ensure that students leaving the school system and entering ITE, polytechnics or universities continue to do well, and do not fall out of school. We must continue to strive towards our Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) receiving students that are well-prepared and engaged,” they said, noting that having two ministers in one ministry is not new, especially in one as large as the MOE.

A day earlier, Mr Ong said on the sidelines of a community event that the MOE is working is make the education system more diverse, taking into account “bottom-up” aspirations, beyond national needs.

Mr Ng and Mr Ong’s joint appointment was announced last week. It is the first time the MOE has been split equally between two ministers.

The two ministers said they plan to visit schools and institutions in the weeks and months ahead to talk to the various stakeholders. “We look forward to meeting as many of you as we can, to understand your perspectives, gather your ideas, and chart the future, together,” they said.

In the area of schools, the aim is to develop “the whole person”. “We will partner parents and the community to provide the best possible education for every Singaporean. A key outcome must be to imbue each Singaporean with the drive to learn – not just while they are in school, but throughout life,” Mr Ng and Mr Ong said.

In the area of Higher Education and Skills, the MOE will be doing more to drive the key national SkillsFuture future effort to support all learners — students, youths and adults. “We will discover and nurture individual talents and abilities, and give Singaporeans more opportunities to develop and deepen their skills, and achieve mastery. This will have important implications on the way people learn, when they learn, how they learn, what credentials they achieve, and how workplaces and society recognises them,” they said.

Adding that they felt “privileged” to join “a fraternity of dedicated and passionate educators”, they said: “We look forward to building on the good work of Minister Heng Swee Keat and his predecessors, and the many educators and staff who have developed an exceptional Singapore education system over generations.”