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SINGAPORE: Even as he called this year’s Budget a forward-looking one that anchors Singapore firmly in the future, Low Thia Khiang of the Workers' Party took issue with the Government's announcement of a hike in the good and services tax (GST), saying it was an “unnecessary distraction”. His comment evoked a response from Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng, who called it “baffling”. Mr Low had earlier spoken at length about how the Government has accurately identified the major shifts of the global economic weight to Asia as well as the emergence of new technologies. He said at the heart of this shift is China, and that Singapore has to “make itself useful” in global capitalism as it did with the rise of the West 50 years ago. He said while Singapore has to find ways of transforming its economy and human capital, and emphasised the learning of Mandarin to help connect the two countries, it is also worth bearing in mind that Singapore is first and foremost a … [Read more...] about Low Thia Khiang and Ng Chee Meng exchange words over timing of GST hike announcement

SINGAPORE: By 2023, all primary schools in Singapore will have an Applied Learning Programme (ALP), Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng announced in Parliament on Monday (Mar 5). Speaking during his ministry’s Committee of Supply debate, Mr Ng said the Education Ministry (MOE) will also support schools with ALPs to further enhance and strengthen their capabilities and programmes. “This is an investment worth making to nurture innovation and creativity,” he said. “And importantly, prepare our children for the future.” Since 2017, more than 80 primary schools of the 191 in Singapore have an ALP. ALPs are programmes designed by schools to help students apply their learning to the real world. Mr Ng said schools have been encouraged to develop ALPs since 2013, and currently, all secondary schools have such a programme. “It is a diverse, colourful and exciting landscape, catering to a wide range of interests: STEM, languages, humanities, business, entrepreneurship, … [Read more...] about All primary schools to set up Applied Learning Programmes by 2023: Ng Chee Meng

SINGAPORE: Following a marathon six-hour debate on a landmark motion in Parliament on Monday (Feb 1), MP Louis Ng (PAP-Nee Soon)  arrived right on time for the recording of CNA’s podcast the next morning. In his interview on The Climate Conversations with the Chief Editor of CNA Digital, Jaime Ho, he admitted to having had a tiring day, following speeches from 18 MPs who spoke on the motion aimed at accelerating and deepening Singapore's efforts against climate change. Mr Ng said Monday's debate was a culmination of more than a year of conversations with key stakeholders. He cited businesses like ExxonMobil, Woodlands Transport, Changi Airport Group and BlueSG – many of which sit right at the heart of a transformative journey towards a green economy. READ: Raising carbon tax, improving public sector’s sustainability standards among MPs’ proposals to tackle climate change It was a line he repeated when asked about a theme that he raised during the debate – that of … [Read more...] about In pushing for climate policy, Louis Ng recognises need for trade-offs and to cushion impact on businesses

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has called radicalisation a "significant threat" to Singapore and a host of other nations. There were incidents in Singapore of well-educated people who were "self-radicalised, lending themselves to extreme ideologies and willing to commit extremist acts" even though they had not travelled out of Singapore. "So this is no longer fiction. This is real," he said at an interview with Indian and Singapore reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday. Dr Ng held talks with his Indian counterpart Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during his three-day visit to India that ended yesterday. He told reporters that his discussions with the Indian leadership touched on the crises in "Syria and Iraq attracting persons from many, many countries". They did not discuss specific cases. This is "increasing the opportunity of radicalising people because of the ground experience they will have had in Iraq and Syria", he said. "When they finally return to … [Read more...] about Radicalisation a significant threat to S’pore: Ng Eng Hen

SINGAPORE: The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the delivery of Singapore’s first of four new submarines, although the plan to get an initial four F-35 fighter jets in 2026 remains on track, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said. Speaking to reporters on Thursday (Jun 25) in conjunction with Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day, Dr Ng said the first German-made Invincible-class submarine will now be delivered in 2022 instead of 2021. Dr Ng said the pandemic has affected manpower and supply chains globally and in Germany, but that the delay will not affect SAF operationally as it still operates an existing fleet of submarines. The Invincible-class submarines , custom-made to operate in Singapore’s shallow and busy waters, will replace the ageing Archer-class and Challenger-class submarines. These second-hand vessels were made in Sweden. READ: Made for Singapore: First of four custom-built RSN submarines launched in Germany Dr Ng said the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) new … [Read more...] about COVID-19 delays new submarines, but delivery of F-35 fighter jets on track: Ng Eng Hen