Transport subsidy for needy students to kick in next month

SINGAPORE – Providing more details initiatives to better support families, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said the transport subsidy for needy families on the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) will start from April 1 this year.

The subsidy was earlier announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam in his Budget Statement last week.

“Those travelling by public transport will receive S$120 in transport credits annually. For primary school students taking school bus, MOE’s FAS will cover 50 per cent of the regular school bus fare,” said Mr Heng.

MOE will also double the sum of annual grants for school-based financial assistance from S$5 million to S$11 million per year for the next three years, he said.

“This will give schools more resources to provide further targeted assistance to students from less advantaged backgrounds,” said Mr Heng. Income criteria of the Edusave Merit Bursary – given to those within the top 25 per cent of each level and course in their schools – will also be raised from S$5,000 to S$6,000 to benefit more students, he added.

Separately, Mr Heng also acknowledged feedback from parents who appreciated the structured, supportive environment that Student Care Centres (SCCs) provide for children after school.

With 100 school-based SCCs at the beginning of this year, he said MOE will continue to work with the Ministry of Social Family and Development to improve quality and accessibility. “I am happy to announce that we will set up another 20 school-based centres this year, and another 20 next year,” he added.