Addenda to President’s Address: MOH, MOE, MSF lay out plans to fight Covid-19 and build a fair, inclusive society

• MOH, MOE and MSF listed their action plans on how to fulfil their priorities for the new parliamentary term
• MOH will work to sustain Singapore’s public health fight against Covid-19
• MOE will continue to implement structural reforms and deepen support for students with special needs
• MSF will review and strengthen its social safety nets and support the mental well-being of Singaporeans in need

SINGAPORE — Three government ministries on Tuesday (Aug 25) laid down their plans for tackling the effects of Covid-19 as well as to ensure inclusivity and social mobility in Singapore’s society, in response to President Halimah Yacob’s address in Parliament the day before.

The Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) are the first to issue their addenda to the President’s Address. These are statements that lay out how they intend to fulfil the priorities for the new parliamentary term, which Madam Halimah listed at the opening of the 14th Parliament.

Other ministries will follow suit in the coming days. On Aug 31, Parliament will sit to debate the President's Address in a Motion of Thanks.

Here is a look at the top priorities at MOH, MOE and MSF, as listed in their respective addenda.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

MOH will strive to sustain Singapore’s public health fight against Covid-19, by ensuring there is sufficient healthcare resources, adequate quarantine and community isolation capacity, and using data and technology to respond quickly to contain outbreaks.

The ministry will also deepen its cooperation with others around the world, including the development of treatment and vaccines for Covid-19.

Beyond Covid-19, the ministry will continue to ensure an accessible, affordable, quality and sustainable healthcare system. MOH will extend more help to vulnerable groups, such as seniors and those with mental health needs, through:

• Enhanced subsidies for vaccinations in various settings, with preventative healthcare made more affordable and accessible

• A review of the Action Plan for Successful Ageing and forging partnerships with the members of the public and the private sector to transform seniors’ lived experiences

• Targeted programmes, such as the Integrated Youth Service, for youth at risk of mental health conditions

MOH will also review Central Provident Fund's MediShield Life insurance scheme and its benefits and premiums, ensuring that it continues to provide adequate protection against large medical bills sustainably.

New job opportunities and traineeships will be created for Singaporeans in the public healthcare and community care sectors in the next few years. The salaries for community care workers will also be reviewed for their competitiveness, as well as “in recognition of the sacrifices made by our healthcare workers”.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said in the ministry's addendum: “For our existing healthcare workers who have played a crucial role in keeping Singapore safe during Covid-19, we will continue to explore how we can improve their career development and welfare.”

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

MOE will continue to implement structural reforms to allow students of various backgrounds and aptitudes to achieve their full potential. These include:

• Wider Primary School Leaving Examination scoring bands from 2021

• Full subject-based banding in secondary schools by 2024

• Greater opportunities for Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates to upgrade beyond a Nitec qualification

• The SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes, which give students learning opportunities in the workplace and classroom, will become a mainstream pathway by 2025

• More help for mid-career workers in their 40s and 50s to refresh their skill sets

• Operating at least 60 MOE kindergartens by 2025

The ministry will also deepen support for students with special needs, by improving the skills of educators in mainstream and special education (Sped) schools, as well as opening new Sped schools and upgrading current ones.

Blended learning will be made “an integral feature of the curriculum” from 2021, building on the experience of home-based learning during the Covid-19 disruption. As part of the National Digital Literacy programme, the rollout of personal digital learning devices to all secondary school students will be accelerated and is expected to complete by end-2021.

Character and citizenship education curriculum in all schools will also be refreshed to inculcate social responsibility and resilience, strengthen mental well-being and promote cyber wellness among students.

Education Minister Lawrence Wong said: “Education remains the best way for us to sustain and strengthen social mobility. With Covid-19’s disproportionate impact on the disadvantaged, we are redoubling our efforts to make sure no child is left behind.”

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

To aid Singaporeans affected by the pandemic, MSF will review and strengthen its social safety nets.

Already, the ministry noted, there are financial and social support schemes for lower income and vulnerable Singaporeans, such as ComCare, the Temporary Relief Fund, the Covid-19 Support Grant and the Courage Fund.

MSF will work with other agencies to support the mental and family well-being of Singaporeans in need and facilitate their employment and training with the National Jobs Council.

It will also expand collaborations with social service agencies, as well as its own networks and programmes, such as Community Link and the SG Cares Community Network.

In early childhood education, MSF will work with anchor and partner operators to ensure that 80 per cent of preschoolers have places in quality and affordable government-supported preschools by 2025, with lower fee caps for these services in the medium term.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development, said: “The crisis will not divert us from our efforts to improve social mobility, and we will ensure that no Singaporean is left behind. All Singaporeans will have an important role to play as we strengthen our social compact.”