预算辩论 · 2026-03-06 · 第 15 届国会

2026社会及家庭发展部供给委员会辩论：儿童AI安全与屏幕时间

MSF Committee of Supply 2026 — Children's Safe AI Use & Screen Time

AI Ethics & SafetyAI 治理与监管争议度 1 · 信息发布

社会及家庭发展部政务部长Zhulkarnain在COS辩论中回应多名议员关于儿童屏幕时间和网络安全的关切。政府的策略包括帮助儿童安全上网、负责任地使用AI，以及通过减少屏幕时间让家长为孩子创造更多亲子互动机会。讨论聚焦于如何在AI时代保护未成年人，同时不阻碍他们学习和适应新技术。

关键要点

• 帮助儿童安全使用AI
• 减少屏幕时间创造亲子互动
• 在保护与学习之间寻找平衡

政府立场

引导儿童安全使用AI，减少屏幕时间

政策信号

儿童AI安全成为家庭政策议题

参与人员（5）

完整译文（中文）

Hansard 英文原文译文 · 翻译日期：2026-05-02

[(程序文本) 第一部分（续）–（程序文本)]

[(程序文本) 复议问题辩论 [2026年3月5日]（程序文本)]

[(程序文本) “将第一部分预算总额削减100元。” – [谢耀权议员]（程序文本)]

[(程序文本) 再次提出问题。（程序文本)]

主席：社会及家庭发展部国务部长朱卡奈因·阿卜杜勒·拉希姆。

上午10时34分

社会及家庭发展部国务部长（朱卡奈因·阿卜杜勒·拉希姆）：主席，几位议员，如谢耀权议员、杨美麟议员、玛丽亚姆·贾法尔女士和蔡银洲议员，提出了关于提升社会流动性的关切。这一直是社会及家庭发展部（MSF）关注的重点领域。

正如我们在财政部（MOF）上个月发布的偶发论文中看到的，新加坡在这方面相较其他先进经济体表现相对良好。然而，和其他先进经济体一样，相关压力可能会持续甚至加剧。因此，MSF将加倍努力提升社会流动性。

MSF的目标是支持低收入家庭逐步实现“3S”成果：稳定、自立，最终实现社会流动性。我们正从社会援助转向社会赋能，通过三方面支持我们的家庭。

首先，安全网。当家庭遇到困难时，我们通过即时支持提供安全保障。其次，稳固的扶持。MSF提供助力，帮助家庭重新站稳脚跟，迈出下一步。第三，支持的阶梯。MSF为家庭提供机会，帮助他们发展自身资源。这些机会一旦被利用，家庭就能抓住下一阶梯，提升自己。通过这种方式，MSF赋能家庭克服挑战，抓住机遇，最重要的是，以尊严实现成功。

这就是推动ComLink+的动力。

目前，MSF支持约11,000个ComLink+家庭。我们从居住在公共租赁住房的家庭开始，逐步扩展到其他低收入家庭，如KidSTART项目家庭。每个ComLink+家庭都有社会服务办公室（SSO）的家庭教练或家庭服务中心（FSC）的个案工作者。他们是家庭最坚定的支持者——了解家庭情况，陪伴他们朝着长期目标前进。

谢耀权议员建议应对社会流动性放缓的问题。ComLink+正是通过在收入保障、儿童发展与教育、住房、家庭功能、财务韧性和健康等关键领域及不同生命阶段提供有针对性的支持，来实现这一目标。由于家庭需求多样且动态，我们与每个家庭共同制定行动计划。

正如马萨戈斯部长所提，MSF致力于投资研究，更好地理解这些努力的影响。我们尚未掌握如何最佳支持家庭实现社会流动性的所有答案。但通过持续学习并应用这些见解，我们将能够完善干预措施，更新支持方案。

从安全网到稳固的扶持。当家庭教练或个案工作者开始陪伴家庭时，他们首先解决家庭的即时需求。这可能包括将家庭转介至ComCare援助及其他财务支持，提供临时缓解。这些共同构成了我们为家庭提供的安全网。

但安全网可能不足以实现向上流动。这时，我们提供帮助，助力家庭稳步持续地前进。

因此，我们推出了ComLink+进步套餐，鼓励家庭朝着目标迈进。过去两年逐步推出的这些套餐，通过在学前入学及出勤、就业、债务清偿和购房四个方面采取行动时提供财政补贴，助力家庭努力。

让我介绍一下家庭教练约瑟夫，他一直与Erna女士及其丈夫苏海米先生及其1至10岁的孩子们合作。约瑟夫记得苏海米先生曾分享过他们搬出租赁公寓、拥有自己住房的梦想。听到这个，约瑟夫与家庭一起制定了路线图，并一路鼓励他们实现梦想。按照计划，Erna女士和苏海米先生都在努力工作，致力于就业和孩子的教育。借助ComLink+进步套餐的补贴，他们还能为未来储蓄更多。

然而，正如杨美麟议员指出，一些家庭觉得条件过于复杂或难以满足。对此，正如黄循财总理在预算演讲中宣布的，我们今年将加强ComLink+进步套餐。

首先，所有ComLink+家庭现在每季度将获得500元的新补贴，我们称之为“伙伴补贴”。这体现了家庭与我们合作改善状况的承诺。家庭在同意加入ComLink+后将获得此补贴，只要他们持续朝目标迈进，就会继续获得。稳定且可预期的支持让家庭更能专注于长期目标。

其次，许多家庭努力维持就业和学前教育的规律出勤。尽管付出真诚努力，一些家庭因自身情况可能无法达到目标。因此，我们调整条件，更好地支持面临复杂挑战的家庭。

在就业方面，我们将考察整个家庭的努力，而非单个人的收入。例如，Erna女士的兼职工资目前单独看不符合领取补贴的资格，但在增强后的进步套餐中，将与其丈夫的收入合计计入家庭的就业里程碑。学前教育方面，我们将引入中间里程碑，鼓励家庭逐步实现规律出勤。

总体而言，一个有两个学龄前儿童的ComLink+家庭，通过维持至少2,000元的家庭收入和规律的学前出勤，每年可获得高达10,000元的补贴。

更多补贴将以现金形式发放，以更好支持面临日常现金流挑战的家庭。同时，部分补贴将继续存入家庭的中央公积金（CPF）和儿童发展账户（CDA），支持不仅是当下的需求，更是未来的保障。

正如蔡银洲议员指出，一些家庭可能犹豫是否加入ComLink+。配合这些增强措施，家庭教练将加强与政府机构和社区合作伙伴的紧密合作，积极接触家庭。

支持的阶梯。一旦家庭重新站稳并开始前进，我们支持他们掌控长期进步。在MSF，我们的目标是创造家庭能够自主抓住的机会。

就业是实现这一目标的最佳途径之一。然而，低收入家庭常面临就业障碍，尤其在财务资源有限的情况下难以解决。即使有稳定工作，他们可能还需具备某些学历或技能才能获得更高薪资。因此，我们将推出更多支持措施，弥合就业差距，首先从三方面着手：促进职位匹配、支持技能提升和照顾支持。请允许我详细说明。

关于职位匹配，MSF正在审视如何为低收入家庭提供量身定制的就业支持，因为他们在寻找合适工作时可能面临更多挑战。例如，低收入求职者多在服务行业工作，该行业工作时间较难灵活调整，短时间内难以应对家庭紧急情况，如孩子生病需接送。MSF因此与就业与就业能力研究院（e2i）、AKG及TOUCH社区服务等合作伙伴合作，加强对这些家庭的就业支持，帮助他们准备工作、找到合适职位并最终在工作中表现出色。

我们还将提供更多技能提升支持。目前一些ComLink+家庭有年轻求职者，具备合适技能后可获得更高薪资。虽然有如SkillsFuture等广泛计划，ComLink+家庭可能更需要针对性支持。

家庭在选择提升技能时承担一定成本。例如，学习期间收入可能中断，且不确定学习后是否能获得更高薪工作。MSF观察到，这阻碍了一些ComLink+家庭即使有意愿和机会也不愿提升技能。

因此，我们于今年1月推出了ComLink+技能提升支持试点。年龄在18至39岁的ComLink+个人在接受全日制教育或职业培训时，将获得基本生活费用支持。每持续三个月学习，还将获得500元激励金。

关于照顾支持，家长知道孩子在放学后得到照顾和有意义的活动时，才能安心工作。MSF通过使课后照顾更易获得、更负担得起来支持这一点。

正如总理在预算演讲中宣布，MSF将把学生照顾费援助的收入门槛从4,500元提高到6,500元，并更新收入等级。这将惠及约13,000名学生。

我们还为家长提供更大保障，便于提前规划。家长现在可在孩子入读学生照顾中心前最多提前六个月提交申请。符合条件的家长将获得原则性批准，保证孩子入读合资格中心后可获得学生照顾费援助。我们还将学生照顾费援助的最长援助期从24个月延长至36个月。

蔡银洲议员强调，孩子应有机会在校外继续全面发展。我们完全同意。作为家长，我自己在下班后与孩子共度时光，增进感情，探索兴趣。低收入家庭常因时间和资源紧张，特别需要额外支持以有目的地陪伴孩子。

上午10时45分

作为Grow Well SG计划的一部分，我们与Families for Life合作伙伴合作，提供低成本的无屏幕家庭亲子活动。家庭可享受儿童书籍、景点折扣及社区活动。

实现3S成果对ComLink+家庭来说是漫长旅程。健康问题可能成为阻碍进步的因素。当我们身体不适时，很难履行家庭、学校或工作责任，更难追求理想。然而，许多忙于维持生计的ComLink+家庭往往将健康问题置于次要位置。时间一长，可能导致健康状况恶化，使部分家庭陷入恶性循环：健康不佳难以稳定生活，生活压力又使保持健康更难。

我们希望帮助他们打破这一循环。因此，正如马萨戈斯部长所述，我们于2025年试点了一种新支持模式。我们测试家庭教练与医疗人员如何共同实现两点：首先，设定健康目标和行动，支持家庭在兼顾多重需求时照顾健康；其次，简化服务流程，避免家庭需与过多工作人员接触，造成负担。

MSF、卫生部及医疗集团正在完善该模式，今年将推广至更多ComLink+家庭。结合马萨戈斯部长提及的Healthier SG向更年轻ComLink+家庭延伸，我们希望家庭能被赋能，自主管理健康。

玛丽亚姆·贾法尔女士会高兴地知道，随着我们开发更多支持家庭实现3S成果的干预措施，家庭不会面临导航困境。相反，ComLink+一直致力于让家庭教练与家庭共同制定行动计划，合理安排干预顺序。家庭教练还将连接资源和支持，帮助家庭实现目标。这是ComLink+为每个家庭量身打造通往社会流动性的路径。

这些努力展示了我们如何携手做得更好，但政府无法单独完成。马萨戈斯部长提出3C原则指导我们与他人合作：协作（Collaborate）、合作（Cooperate）和共创（Co-create）。因为真正的提升需要全社会共同努力。

我们感谢合作伙伴与MSF紧密合作，如星展基金会一直大力支持ComLink+学前和购房进步套餐。我们期待更多合作伙伴加入。

通过更紧密的合作，我们能织就更坚实的安全网，提供更稳固的扶持，打造更坚固的支持阶梯。我们将与家庭同行，实现稳定、自立和社会流动性。主席，请用马来语发言。

（马来语）：[请参阅本地语演讲。] 在这些充满挑战的时期，许多新加坡家庭面临诸多障碍，包括生活成本上升、在快速变化的经济中提升技能的需求，以及各种日常责任，这些都考验着家庭的韧性和毅力。

然而，我们依然坚定不移，坚强面对这些挑战。俗话说，“努力是通往成功的阶梯”。每一个小步伐，凭借敏锐的头脑、决心和协作精神，都让我们更接近梦想。

像Erna女士这样的家庭体现了这种精神。Erna女士的丈夫是一名职员，正努力考取驾照以获得更好的工作机会。Erna女士本人也努力工作，尽管忙于照顾孩子，仍频繁从事兼职工作。在持续且全面的支持下，他们的努力将结出更丰硕的果实。

在改善生活质量的旅程中，像Erna女士这样的家庭不必独自前行。MSF致力于支持每一个需要帮助的家庭，使他们实现稳定、自立和进步。

因此，我们将加强ComLink+进步套餐，确保更多家庭获得下一步所需的支持。通过这一增强套餐，像Erna女士的家庭能更好地管理日常开支并为未来储蓄。MSF还将通过将学生照顾费援助的收入标准从4,500元提高到6,500元，增强课后照顾支持。超过13,000名学生及其家庭将受益。

除了政府支持，社区组织发挥着重要作用。MSF加强了与他们的合作，特别是在扩大低收入家庭的就业支持和技能发展机会方面。

我们必须支持那些需要帮助的家庭。我们重视马来/穆斯林组织的努力，并希望更多组织携手MSF，共建关怀和团结的社会。

通过紧密合作，我们能为每个人在生命的每个阶段建设一个关怀和包容的社会。

让我们继续携手努力，建设一个为每个家庭提供希望和机会，使其更强大、自立和进步的新加坡。强大的家庭是成功社会的基石。这是我们共同的责任。

（英语）：主席，真正的支持不是一次性的，而是一步步同行。像Erna女士这样的家庭知道，他们的力量和努力会被像约瑟夫这样的家庭教练看到。他们永远不会孤单前行。

在MSF，我们相信政府、合作伙伴和家庭自身的共同努力，将把障碍转化为机遇，把考验变为胜利，把困难变为希望，帮助最需要的家庭。作为社会，我们必须确保没有家庭被困于现状，没有孩子被起点定义，没有潜能被埋没，没有希望遥不可及。

这不仅是社会政策，更是道德责任。作为社会，我们将赋能所有家庭释放最大潜能，创造更光明的未来。随着我们从援助走向赋能，这个未来不取决于我们给予家庭什么，而在于家庭被赋予成为什么。

主席：社会及家庭发展部高级议员蔡恩福。

社会及家庭发展部高级议员（蔡恩福）：主席，一个公平包容的社会不要求人们完美适应我们的系统，而是提出问题：我们的系统应如何演变，才能让每个人都能茁壮成长？

在MSF，这个问题指导着我们的工作。刚才，国务部长朱卡奈因谈到了提升低收入家庭。我想聚焦另一类家庭，他们肩负着巨大爱与责任，那就是有残疾人士（PwDs）的家庭。

当我与家长和照顾者交流时，一个关切反复出现。这不仅关乎今天，也关乎明天。他们问我，孩子从特殊教育（SPED）学校毕业后，接下来怎么办？社区是否存在？是否有有意义的机会？最重要的是：也许当我不在时，谁来照顾我的孩子？

先生们，这些是深刻的人性问题，在《赋能蓝图2030》下，我们正通过三种方式加以应对。

首先，通过终身学习提升能力。第二，建设残障人士真正归属的社区。第三，建立终身保障，让家庭能够自信规划未来。请允许我详细说明。

对于许多家庭来说，特殊教育学校（SPED）毕业既是值得骄傲的里程碑，也是充满不确定性的时刻。每年约有250名特殊教育毕业生在毕业后六个月内进入就业或继续深造。每一个数据背后，都是一个勇敢迈向成年的人，以及常常焦虑地学着放手的父母。终身学习的机会对于顺利过渡到学校之外的生活至关重要。

黄志明先生和潘淑仪女士会高兴地知道，我们通过SG Enable培训补助金为技能培训提供资金支持。SG Enable在SkillsFuture Singapore的支持下，将于今年4月推出新课程，新增课程将补充现有由Enabling Academy策划的140门活跃课程。

但仅有技能还不够。我们需要包容性的雇主。

SG Enable正与餐饮（F&B）和卫生社会服务等行业的雇主合作，精心策划职位角色。通过各种补助、工资补贴和国家认证框架“Enabling Mark”，组织可以稳步加强包容性招聘实践。

包容性招聘不是慈善，而是良好的商业行为。它为职场带来韧性、忠诚和多元视角。对于需要更多支持的毕业生，中心式服务依然至关重要。目前约有3600名残障人士参加我们的日间活动中心（DAC）和庇护工场（SW）。【请参阅辩论后续的澄清。】

这个数字背后是现实的家庭，比如21岁的米尔扎和他的母亲哈比巴女士，她只希望儿子得到最好的。

米尔扎从特殊教育学校毕业后，曾尝试在庇护工场实习，最终定居于SUN-DAC的日间活动中心。我最近探访了米尔扎。对他来说，日间活动中心提供了良好的结构、友谊和安全的成长空间。每周四，米尔扎都会在勿洛区散步。他买薄饼，有时买冰淇淋，学会数钱和乘公交车。这些都是独立生活的重要课程。

对他的母亲哈比巴女士来说，这个项目让她安心。她可以安心工作，知道米尔扎安全且有意义地参与活动，且珍惜回家听他讲述一天的故事。

但我们知道，从推荐到入学的等待时间较长，平均超过半年。这对家庭压力很大。孩子毕业时，六个月的等待仿佛漫长无尽。

我们正在加快扩展。我们的承诺是到2030年新增500个日间活动中心和500个庇护工场名额。事实上，2024年我们已新增100个庇护工场名额。到2027年，将陆续增加520个日间活动中心和360个庇护工场名额。

随着容量提升，等待名单上的家庭不会被遗忘。赋能服务中心（ESH）提供活动并作为社区接触点。对于近期毕业生，支持过渡与参与计划（STEP）确保他们在等待安置期间，每周至少两次通过外出和活动保持有意义的参与。

这一切都是因为过渡不应意味着孤立。

我们也听到反馈，庇护工场和日间活动中心之间的转换过程繁琐。重新评估和过渡——家庭告诉我们，每次需求变化时都感觉像是从零开始。因此，去年我们推出了赋能生活技能计划（ESLP）。

ESLP将庇护工场和日间活动中心两种模式整合为单一连续体。更重要的是，它引入了与客户及照顾者共同制定的个性化课程和发展计划。这种共同制定非常重要，因为没有人比个人本人及其家庭成员更了解其优势和愿望。

截至今年1月，已有近770名客户在八个中心转入ESLP，我们将在未来三年继续完善服务模式。我们的目标很简单：随着每个人的成长，周围的支持也随之增长。这意味着ESLP客户将根据其具体需求和愿望，获得更多培训路径。

先生，技能重要，但归属感同样重要。

为此，社会及家庭发展部（MSF）正在试点两种社区生活模式，以加强独立生活支持。第一是赋能生活计划（ELP）试点，已在五个地点启动，我们与指定的社会服务机构（SSA）紧密合作开展。

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ELP在指定的公共租赁组屋内实施，允许低至中度支持需求且几乎无家庭支持的残障人士独立生活。

我最近与由自闭症资源中心支持的ELP居民文浩交谈，他没有谈论政策或补贴，而是谈论情人节招待朋友——他准备的菜肴，与室友文森特共享的家务安排，以及在宏茂桥中心购物。这些听起来平凡，但对文浩来说，它们代表尊严、独立和友谊。

通过ELP，低至中度支持需求的残障人士可以在公共租赁组屋中独立生活，得到教练和社区网络的支持。居民可能不与家人同住，但绝不孤单。基层领导会探访，邻居建立友谊，文浩甚至在探索志愿服务。这就是包容的实践：共同生活，共同为社区贡献。

我们还将在今年下半年推出居家支持计划，为已独立生活或计划在ELP附近住所独立生活的人士提供类似支持。

除了社区生活模式，我们还通过赋能服务中心加强邻里支持。理念很简单：支持应贴近家门，便于获取。

我们在淡滨尼、榜鹅和裕廊的赋能服务中心过去两年与300多个社区伙伴和志愿者合作：从基层组织到学校和本地企业。他们开展外展活动，组织学习工作坊和社交活动，并将残障人士及照顾者与相关服务连接起来。

对家庭来说，赋能服务中心是一个令人安心的首个接触点：一个可以提问、寻求指导和找到支持的地方，而不会感到不知所措。更重要的是，赋能服务中心帮助社区增强信心。通过包容性工作坊和合作，邻居们学会如何在日常环境中更好地欢迎和支持残障人士。

因为当支持融入社区时，残障人士不再仅仅是项目的服务对象，而是被视为同住的居民、朋友和社区贡献者。

主席，照顾者怀有无声的勇气。许多人最担心的不是自己，而是自己离开后亲人的未来。我们认识到他们面临的挑战，必须确保他们在这条路上得到良好支持。

随着新加坡人口老龄化，这一担忧愈发紧迫。照顾者自身也在变老，健康问题逐渐显现。未来规划不能等待。正如潘建文副教授所指出，照顾者最关心的是他们去世后亲人如何得到照顾。我们通过三方面支持家庭：第一，近期缓解；第二，加强储蓄；第三，确保未来安排。

首先，为提供近期经济缓解，去年预算案中总理宣布将增加成人残障服务补贴，并扩大至更多家庭。自今年1月起，辅助技术基金补贴得到提升，且扩展至人均收入介于2601至4800新元的家庭。通过辅助技术基金，符合条件的家庭可购买辅助技术设备以实现独立生活。自2026年7月起，我们将分别提高住宿和社区残障服务补贴，最高增加15和10个百分点。补贴收入门槛也将提高，扩展至人均收入介于3601至4800新元的家庭。

潘淑仪女士和郭文婷女士会高兴地知道，这些提升将为3600名使用我们住宿和社区残障服务的残障人士提供额外经济缓解，包括参加日间活动中心者。

潘女士和郭女士也指出，我们对服务提供者的资金支持影响服务的可及性和质量。这正是我们定期审视资金模式相关性的原因。我们最近一次对日间活动中心提供者的资金增加是在2021年，对残障住宿服务提供者的增加是在去年，即2025年，以应对通胀和对高支持需求客户的人员配置要求。跨部门残障家庭保障工作组将探讨更多方法，保持残障支持对家庭的可负担性和对服务提供者的可持续性。

第二，关于加强储蓄。从今年1月起，符合条件的新加坡残障人士纳入配对退休储蓄计划（MRSS）。这是人力部去年供应委员会上宣布的。根据MRSS，我们将对符合条件者的公积金补充金额进行一比一配对，年度上限为2000新元，终身限额为20000新元。

这意味着，如果一位七岁有认证残障身份的孩子的父母每年向孩子账户补充2000新元，我们将每年配对补充2000新元。假设：一、父母持续每年补充2000新元，十年达到20000新元终身限额；二、4%的复利，这个孩子到65岁时，公积金退休储蓄至少有32万新元。这相当于从65岁起每月终身领取至少1700新元。如果父母从孩子年幼时开始持续补充，复利效应将非常显著，为孩子晚年提供有意义的公积金领取。这关乎他们晚年的尊严。

第三，关于确保未来安排。照顾者需要确保这些资金在他们不在时仍然安全。特殊需求信托公司（SNTC）可以提供帮助。

正如去年预算案宣布的，我们将为特殊需求信托账户的补充提供一比一配套补助。从今年4月1日至2031年3月31日，家庭人均收入不超过3600新元的家庭可报名，获得最高10000新元的配套补助。【请参阅辩论后续的澄清。】

父母还可以通过购买大东方关怀定期寿险计划，为孩子的财务保障加码。该定期寿险计划保障父母至100岁，保额从10万至30万新元不等。

以25万新元保额为例，一位健康的33岁母亲，家庭人均收入低于3600新元，只需一次性向孩子的信托账户补充1万新元，即可覆盖该计划的全部保费。若被保险父母在100岁前去世，25万新元将支付至孩子的特殊需求信托账户。

由于保费随年龄和保额增加，鼓励照顾者尽早与SG Enable沟通。社会工作培训的个案经理将与照顾者合作，制定个性化照护计划，并确保在照顾者去世后，资金按照计划发放。

这些措施为照顾者提供了实质缓解。我最近见到李女士。她是自闭症孩子的母亲，起初因开设特殊需求信托账户所需的初始资金而犹豫。借助社区基金会的赞助，李女士可以开始在信托账户储蓄，享受政府配套补助，并用这些储蓄购买大东方关怀定期寿险计划。

在确保我们的举措适用的同时，我们同意翁瑞秋女士的观点，提高意识是确保这些举措覆盖面的关键。除了网站上的信息，SG Enable开发了赋能指南，整合可用支持信息。他们还将继续与雇主和行业商会等合作伙伴接触，提高包容性招聘和就业支持的意识。

鉴于需求多样，我们也致力于提升举措的可及性。针对翁瑞秋女士的提问，我们正在研究如何改善聋人服务，包括培训更多新加坡手语翻译。还有如SADeaf等社会服务机构，提供使用手语的个案工作和咨询服务。主席，请允许我用普通话说几句话。

（普通话）：【请参阅方言发言。】主席，推动更包容的新加坡是所有新加坡人的共同愿望。我们希望建设一个残障人士能够追求自身理想和抱负的新加坡。

通过就业支持、日间活动中心和庇护工场，以及赋能生活技能计划，我们希望帮助残障人士建立终身学习能力，使他们更好地融入社会，过有意义的生活。

我们实施赋能生活计划、居家支持计划，并设立赋能服务中心，加强残障人士在家中和社区的支持网络，使他们能够长期独立生活。

我们没有忘记残障人士的家庭成员和照顾者。现有的公积金补充配对计划和特殊需求信托公司为特殊需求家庭提供财务保障，让他们安心规划未来。

我们将继续与各界合作伙伴携手，确保每位残障人士都能在我国找到归属，过有尊严、有意义的生活。这是我们建设更包容、更关怀家园的承诺和决心。

（英语）：主席，迈向2030年，我们的承诺非常明确：建设一个残障人士能够自信追求抱负、家庭信赖支持将持续的新加坡。

我们将持续倾听，持续完善。感谢潘淑仪女士对工作组的建议，我们将认真考虑她的意见，准备好时会分享更多。

先生，单靠政策无法创造包容。政策消除障碍，人们创造归属。包容发生在雇主敞开大门，邻居伸出友谊，社区选择先看到能力而非残疾时。

残障人士不以需求定义，而以他们贡献的优势定义：韧性、创造力、忠诚、勇气。他们不是被动接受支持者，就像社区中的长者一样。他们是我们共同未来的伙伴。

所以，让我们携手前进：不是要求人们适应狭隘定义，而是塑造一个足够有爱心的社会，让每位新加坡人都能归属。这就是我们推进包容新加坡的方式，一个人人都能真正繁荣的社会。[掌声]

主席：社会及家庭发展部国务部长吴佩明。

社会及家庭发展部国务部长（吴佩明先生）：主席，MSF致力于建设一个支持新加坡人养育坚强家庭、让每个孩子拥有良好开端的国家。

今天，我将阐述实现这一目标的三大战略：起步坚实——在家庭内建立坚实基础；起步早期——确保获得负担得起且优质的早期儿童教育；起步共进——作为社区共同支持我们的家庭。

坚实、早期、共进。如果取每个词的首字母，拼成SET，体现我们共同致力于确保家庭在新加坡蓬勃发展的承诺。

我先分享我们如何支持家庭起步坚实。对许多人来说，家庭是安全港湾，是我们在最快乐和最艰难时刻依靠的地方。MSF在2023年的一项调查显示，大多数新加坡人拥有紧密的家庭关系，并重视家庭的重要性。

我们将继续支持家庭在家中建立坚实基础。林家宝先生和杨文龙先生询问了针对不同家庭类型的支持，钟爱玲女士则询问了加强对父母和照顾者支持的措施。

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MSF致力于加强所有家庭。我们的孩子应被重视并获得平等的成长机会。支持其成长和发展的福利，如教育、医疗补贴和儿童发展账户（CDA），均给予所有公民子女，无论其父母婚姻状况如何。

为了帮助所有家庭保持韧性，我们在生命的每个阶段提供全方位支持。这些项目涵盖经济援助、家庭辅导和育儿工作坊。对于更脆弱的家庭，我们通过整体个案管理方法，家庭服务中心帮助他们应对多重压力，打破代际循环。马绍光部长也分享，我们将在2030年前将“强化家庭计划”（FAM）下的家庭辅导能力翻倍。

为了更好支持照顾者，我们大幅提升了新生儿父母的假期规定，增加了强制陪产假，并引入了新的共享育儿假计划。从2026年4月起，父母总共可享有最多30周带薪育儿假。人力部还推出了三方灵活工作安排指引，帮助照顾者。

社会及家庭发展部（MSF）最新的调查结果显示，超过85%的新加坡家庭报告了中等至高水平的家庭韧性分数，反映出他们在面对生活挑战时具有良好的恢复能力。然而，数据显示，离婚、丧偶和分居的受访者的家庭韧性分数低于已婚受访者。MSF将继续跟踪家庭的韧性，并研究是否为单亲家庭提供更有针对性的支持。

我们也认识到，一些儿童可能无法与其亲生父母生活在稳定的家庭环境中，可能需要被收养或寄养。林秀娟女士和廖国明博士曾询问过这些安排。

目前，我们的收养程序中设有多层次的检查机制，以防止儿童贩卖。跨国收养安排仍面临挑战。新加坡已采纳区域框架，以补充我们国内保护儿童的努力。我们定期进行审查，确保我们的程序、法律和国际合作在打击不道德收养行为和儿童贩卖方面有效。

在寄养安排中，我们促进儿童与其亲生父母之间的定期联系或探视，以维持亲子关系，只要安全且适当。我们也见过寄养父母主动帮助儿童与亲生父母团聚的案例。MSF愿意考虑促进此类安排的方法，包括共同育儿，同时也认识到每个案例都是独特的。我也借此机会感谢所有寄养父母，包括廖博士，为他们提供积极的家庭环境所做的努力。

最后，我们正在帮助家庭规划晚年生活。昨天，我很高兴宣布，公民提交《持久授权书》（LPA）第一表格将免费。议会成员，包括叶汉荣先生、林秀娟女士和张健先生，都曾提出过这一话题。我们鼓励所有新加坡人在身体健康时尽早制定LPA。

我们承认议员们关于个人需要专业受托人或代理人在某些情形下所面临挑战的反馈。在公众咨询以及与专业代理人和受托人的交流中，我们也听到了类似的反馈。我们将在即将进行的《精神能力法》和专业代理人及受托人计划的审查中考虑这些意见。

建设强健的家庭环境需要养成健康习惯和高质量的共处时光——这在屏幕日益主导家庭生活的今天尤为挑战。蔡银洲先生和王瑞秋小姐提出了关于长时间使用屏幕和接触人工智能的合理担忧。

父母是我们第一道也是最重要的防线。为提供实际支持，我将引导家长访问资讯通信媒体发展局（IMDA）的“数字生活”门户网站和MSF的“家庭为生活”育儿网站。这些平台提供管理儿童屏幕时间、帮助他们安全上网及负责任使用人工智能的指导材料。通过减少屏幕时间，我们希望家长能创造机会与孩子建立联系，形成有意义的亲子关系。

每年六月，我们都会通过为期一个月的全国家庭节（NFF）庆祝家庭。去年，超过85万人参与了家庭嘉年华、游戏和体验式学习活动。借助更广泛的社区和企业支持，我们希望今年的NFF 2026能吸引一百万参与者，共同创造更多家庭回忆。

通过合作伙伴关系，MSF一直将更多优质且负担得起的家庭活动直接带到本地社区。这些活动包括风筝制作、阅读项目、社区捞起（lo-hei，庆祝农历新年活动）以及商业合作伙伴提供的家庭出游折扣。家庭可在“家庭为生活”网站上查找即将举行的活动和优惠。

接下来，让我谈谈“从小开始”，我想分享我们将如何进一步提升早期儿童教育。

研究表明，早期阶段对儿童发展至关重要，三岁起入读学前班有助于取得积极成果。为确保学前班的可及性，过去十年我们将全日制学前班名额从约135,000个增加到现在超过220,000个。全国范围内，三岁及以上的适龄儿童均有足够的全日制学前班名额。我们也实现了确保80%的学前儿童能进入政府支持的学前班的承诺。为服务新兴住宅区中更多有幼儿的家庭，我们计划到2029年在“锚点运营商”学前班新增超过40,000个全日制名额。

我们的早期儿童服务将继续保持负担得起。自今年初起，“锚点运营商”学前班的全日制托儿费已进一步降低至最高610新元，“合作运营商”学前班为650新元，自2020年以来降幅达15%。这使得在“锚点运营商”学前班的全日制托儿自付费用与小学及课后托管费用相当。随着总理在预算演讲中宣布的额外补贴收入门槛调整，许多家庭预计将支付更低的费用。

让我详细说明。从2027年1月起，我们将把托儿额外补贴和幼儿园学费援助计划的家庭总月收入上限提高至15,000新元。我们还将调整所有较低补贴等级的收入门槛，以反映家庭收入变化。这将进一步提升超过60,000个中低收入家庭幼儿的学前教育负担能力。

举例来说，一个月收入12,500新元的中位数家庭，若有两个孩子在“锚点运营商”托儿，将看到两名儿童的总自付费用从2026年的730新元降至2027年的470新元，降幅达35%。

张健先生建议实行可携带的学前补贴及为非政府支持运营商提供额外薪资支持。可携带补贴此前已在议会提出。我们研究后指出，这种做法可能导致意外后果，如费用上涨但无助于提升可及性或质量，或学前班过度商业化。我们见过其他国家实施此举后几年又撤销。

我们采取更全面、多管齐下的策略。我们向严格筛选的运营商提供资金，以限制费用并维持质量。我们还向家长提供基本及按收入测试的额外补贴，确保负担得起，低收入家庭支付更少。儿童发展账户（CDA）帮助家长进一步抵消补贴后的学前班费用。我们的计划已取得良好成效，显著提升了可及性和负担能力。

在下一阶段，MSF将更加重视学前班的质量。今天，我将分享我们对“优质学前班”的愿景，让儿童在与同龄人一起玩耍、学习和成长的环境中，全面发展，为人生奠定坚实基础。为实现这一愿景，我们将与行业携手提升学前班能力，改进课程和专业质量，促进家长与学前班的紧密合作，并加强研究与创新。

首先，为了我们的儿童，我们将营造一个适合他们节奏的学前环境，让他们玩耍、学习和成长。我们将通过鼓励游戏和提供多样化的学习探索方式，满足不同需求和背景儿童的需要。

在我的首次议会发言中，我强调了游戏在儿童学习和发展中的关键作用。游戏是儿童的自然语言。游戏教会儿童分享、解决问题、适应新环境和管理情绪。我们的教育者已提供游戏体验。十多年前，我们在最早的课程中引入了基于游戏的教学法。下一阶段，我们将更进一步。我们将分享运营商观察到的最佳实践，强化游戏在日常课程中的应用，使学习更贴合每个儿童的需求和兴趣，帮助儿童享受学习和童年。

其次，我们认识到每个儿童都有其优势和学习需求。国际研究表明，当教育者设计提供多样学习方式的课程时，教学质量提升，儿童成果更佳。我们正加强培训教育者，支持每个儿童的发展，助其发挥最大潜能。

对于家长，我们将促进他们与孩子教育者的紧密合作。家长在连接儿童学前教育与家庭发展中扮演关键角色。通过我的学前班访问，校长们分享家长希望参与塑造孩子的发展和学习，但不确定如何与教育者合作。因此，我们将与学前班合作，通过明确角色定义和共享最佳实践，加强教育者与家长的伙伴关系。

教育者是学前教育的核心，对儿童的全面发展至关重要。我们关心他们的福祉，并希望如杨美林先生所提，给予更多支持。吸引和留住优质教育者仍是我们的重点。到2030年，我们将增加3,500名早教工作者以满足行业需求。我们将通过职前培训和在职持续发展，更好装备教育者，适应不断变化的早教环境，推广更多基于游戏的学习并支持不同学习需求。

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我们也认识到学前班运营商面临的挑战——由于他们长时间照顾儿童，几乎无暇处理其他任务，如课程规划或相关技能提升。学前班不像小学或中学有假期。多年来，我们不断提升教育者的职业吸引力，并承诺继续加大支持力度，确保他们得到良好支持。

我们正与运营商和教育者共同审视教育者的工作条件和工作量，如更好安排非接触时间。我们还将启动全行业的岗位重设计项目，审查学前班的岗位职责、工作流程和支持结构，改善工作体验。

对于运营商，我们将提供更多支持，强化日常运营并提升课程质量。

技术是关键推动力。正如马沙古斯部长昨日所述，我们将与IMDA共同更新行业数字计划2.0，加强对所有学前班数字化转型的支持，包括非政府支持的学前班。通过新的创新种子基金和建立基础技术要求，我们将支持学前班采用数字能力。我们希望简化日常任务，同时促进与家长的更好沟通，增强家长与学前班的合作。

我们还希望鼓励更多运营商申请去年推出的新版新加坡学前班认证框架2.0认证。随着学前班获得更高等级，反映其更优质的服务，家长可放心选择这些提供更丰富环境、满足儿童需求并助其茁壮成长的学前班。

最后，支撑我们下一阶段质量提升的是对研究和创新的高度重视。

儿童发展局（ECDA）将牵头并与研究伙伴合作，紧跟最新研究，评估并鼓励采用有效的教学和学习实践，提升我们早教领域的整体水平。

质量提升是持续的旅程。今年我们的重点是与学前班运营商、教育者和家长密切合作，进一步完善计划，力争在未来五年实现优质学前班的愿景。MSF和ECDA将在准备好时分享更多细节。

我已谈及“从强起步”和“从早开始”的重要性。最后一点是确保我们的家庭为一生做好准备——共同起步。

许多家长告诉我，养育孩子是一份全职工作，而许多家长必须继续工作，我们常常感到力不从心，这时更广泛的社区在支持儿童发展、让养育孩子成为愉快经历中发挥着关键作用。

通过MSF与社区伙伴建立的紧密合作，推动“家庭为生活@社区”计划，去年我们在新加坡24个镇区举办了超过670场以家庭为中心的活动。这些活动由780多名志愿者支持，惠及超过50万参与者。对此，我向所有志愿者致以最深的谢意，感谢你们让这些活动成为可能。谢谢。

这些活动为本地社区提供了聚集机会，促进友谊，建立支持，同时教导我们的孩子书本无法教会的东西——关心身边的人和每一个人。

以11岁的卡佩拉为例，她开始参与“家庭为生活”志愿服务，是为了陪伴母亲。起初只是家庭时光，后来变得更深刻——卡佩拉变得更自信、更有同理心，发现了自己对志愿服务和帮助他人的热情。他们的共同服务不仅支持了其他家庭，也加深了他们的亲子关系。这就是我们看到的家庭共同志愿服务的连锁反应——创造有意义的家庭时光，同时为社区带来改变。

我们每个人都在支持新加坡家庭中扮演角色。让我谈谈有残疾人士（PwDs）的家庭。

我要感谢潘德妮丝女士和潘教授肯尼斯认可跨部门工作组，并提出工作组可考虑的建议，包括审查日间活动中心和住宿院舍的负担能力，审查就业机会，以及支持残疾人士及其家庭进行长期规划。正如高级议会秘书埃里克所述，我们将认真考虑这些建议，以及过去一周许多议员提出的支持残疾人士的建议。我很荣幸领导该工作组，它将补充我们的《赋能蓝图2030》，并超越其建议，为他们提供更多机会和尊严与稳定的保障。

工作组已开始工作，关注不同需求残疾人士的生命周期，识别他们在现行系统中遇到的痛点和缺口。我们将重新审视他们从教育到就业的过渡。我们将拓展利用其优势的就业机会。我们将扩大日间活动中心和庇护工场的容量，为更多客户提供稳定安全的照护环境，缩短等待时间，从而减少残疾人士及其家庭不必要的压力过渡。我们将审查社区路径和医疗支持，帮助他们更长时间参与社区生活。我们将探讨如何更好支持照顾者，设计以照顾者与残疾人士为一体的系统，并保持服务对所有人负担得起。

工作组报告将于今年晚些时候发布。

政府准备投入更多资源支持残疾人士及其家庭。但包容性社会也意味着重塑我们的系统和态度，接纳各种能力，赋能残疾人士追求梦想，实现潜能，作为社会不可或缺的成员参与其中。主席，接下来请允许我用普通话说几句话。

（普通话）：【请参阅方言发言】建设包容性社会需要政府整体协调和全社会参与努力。因此，我们成立了跨部委残疾人士家庭保障工作组，探讨如何更好地为残疾人士及其家庭提供就业、社区生活和残疾支持服务负担能力等方面的协助。工作组还将审视鼓励企业和社区伙伴提供更多就业机会和社区支持，促进更大社会包容性，使他们也能追求梦想，实现潜能，并以自己的方式为社会做出贡献。

MSF坚信家庭是社会的基石，因此我们致力于建设一个支持新加坡人组建家庭的国家。婚姻、为人父母——我们通过各种措施支持新加坡人在生命的每个重要阶段。

值得一提的是我们在学前教育方面的进展。过去十年，学前班名额从13万个增加到今天的22万个。学费也变得更加负担得起。如今，新加坡每个三岁以上的儿童都能接受优质且负担得起的学前教育，在下一阶段，我们将进一步提升学前教育质量，继续为儿童的人生开好头。

（英文原文）：主席先生，在社会及家庭发展部（MSF），家庭是我们所有工作的核心。强大的家庭需要付出努力，它们是由整个社区共同建设的。政府提供广泛的支持，帮助家庭从一开始就坚实起步，共同奠定坚实的基础，给予每个孩子良好的开端。

对于更脆弱的家庭，我们提供稳定的支持和扶持阶梯，使他们也能按照自己的方式攀登并茁壮成长。对于有残疾人士（PwDs）的家庭，我们致力于消除障碍，与社区合作创造促进包容和归属感的机会。

在过去一周，我们的议会分享了各自对“我们优先”（"we first"）社会的愿景。对于MSF来说，当我们的社会服务部门、社区和企业与我们合作，为我们服务的家庭和个人创造更好成果时，这一愿景便得以实现。通过共同承诺“更好的开始从我们做起”（"Better Starts with Us"），我们每个人共同创造不同。

让我们共同努力，建设更强大的家庭、更强大的社区、更强大的新加坡。[掌声]

主席：我们还有时间进行澄清。高级议会秘书蔡志明先生。

蔡志明先生：主席，谢谢您的宽容。我想先纠正我早前发言中的几点，以免议员们提出澄清时产生误解。

首先，我提到我们为3,600名使用我们住宅和社区残疾服务的残疾人士提供额外的财政援助。这个数字应为3,800。

第二，关于希望设立特殊需要信托账户（SNT Account）的家庭，我们将通过公益金（ComChest）资金提供设立SNT账户所需的初始5,000元资本。谢谢。

主席：谢耀权先生。

谢耀权先生：谢谢主席。仅有三组澄清问题。

第一组关于ComLink+社会健康整合试点的扩展。这个问题针对国务部长朱卡奈恩。MSF计划新增多少ComLink+居民参与这项扩展试点？MSF计划在哪些ComLink+镇区扩展此试点？此外，家庭教练和公共卫生机构是否会共享数据，以支持客户顺利导航系统，避免导航困难，正如国务部长朱卡奈恩所提？

第二组澄清关于ComLink+技能提升支持试点。同样针对国务部长朱卡奈恩。我想问家庭教练是否会与高等教育机构（IHLs）和课程提供者合作，引导客户选择特定课程，并协助他们报名参加这些课程？

第三组澄清关于支持我们行业专业人士提升自身能力，即使他们全心全意照顾客户。这个问题针对部长。MSF是否有计划加强对专业人士的支持，促进其专业发展和职业晋升机会？

朱卡奈恩·阿卜杜勒·拉希姆先生：谢谢主席。感谢谢耀权议员提出的所有问题和澄清。

关于社会健康整合，我们聚焦于最可能影响更广泛社会目标的健康问题。去年进行了社会健康整合试点，约有500个家庭参与。我们目标是再增加500个家庭。试点地区包括：一、武吉巴督、武吉班让和蔡厝港；二、三巴旺和兀兰；三、淡滨尼、巴西立和榜鹅。关于数据共享，MSF与卫生部（MOH）及医疗集群紧密合作，相关健康信息，如儿童强制免疫记录，将通过系统接口与家庭教练共享。

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第二组关于技能提升计划的问题。家庭教练与表达参与试点意愿的家庭密切合作。该试点刚于一月启动，目标是100个家庭。我们也与高等教育机构合作，协助他们的申请。

社会及家庭发展部长（马沙古斯·祖尔基夫里先生）：我们与行业从业者，包括培训提供者、教育机构、专业人士及其协会合作，制定所谓的社会服务技能框架。在该框架内，我们列出社会服务岗位所需的能力，使专业人士清楚了解其职业规划所需具备的条件。这对培训者、培训机构、个人及协会都非常有用。

例如，个人会知道有专业发展资助下的奖学金，涵盖全额学费。即使他们已有学位，也可以学习相关或替代领域，如心理学。

我们也希望拓展这些学习领域，可能与十年前不同，但今天相关。例如人工智能（AI），及其如何与社会服务工作相关。

当然，也有短期补助，支持个人参加课程，提升能力和技能。这不仅提升职业发展，也帮助更好地支持客户。

同时，社会服务机构（SSAs）应利用该框架，吸引可能没有相关专业学位或资格的外部人才。MSF也会为这些人员及SSAs提供资助，帮助规划职业路径和晋升。

主席：我看到许多举手，但截止时间是12时15分。请简明扼要。杨益才先生。

杨益才先生（拉丁马士选区）：谢谢主席。我有三个关于学前教育的澄清问题，针对国务部长吴佩明。第一，鉴于优质早期儿童教育对儿童发展成果的重要性，教育发展局（ECDA）如何进一步加强学前中心能力，更好地让家长成为孩子学习和发展的积极伙伴？

第二，教育部（MOE）已推行“断线权”政策，教师下班后无需处理工作事务。鉴于学前教育者工作负荷大，国务部长能否澄清ECDA是否有类似保障？

第三，鉴于持续专业发展对维持高教育标准至关重要，ECDA采取了哪些措施，支持学前教育者追求有意义的专业发展机会，例如提供奖学金或休假？

吴佩明先生：主席先生，我分部分回答。首先，关于如何建立更强的家长-学前中心伙伴关系，我们认为这对桥接家庭与学前中心之间儿童整体发展和学习非常重要。两者不是独立的，体验应是整体的。因此，我们希望更多家长参与学前中心活动。

我最近访问了盛港安康谷的“我的第一学校”（My First Skool），当天是健康筛查启动日，我看到一位家长与孩子们一起讲故事。她告诉我，该中心定期发送信息，分享远足、讲故事、游戏、体育等活动机会，甚至日常活动。这些经历让家长和孩子有共同体验，超越课堂，延伸到家庭生活中。家长甚至认识孩子的许多朋友名字，我觉得非常珍贵和有意义，我们希望有更多这样的体验。

这位家长当天约上午9时45分离开时告诉我，她要去上班，说明灵活工作安排已开始实施，且她的雇主对此支持良好。

ECDA希望做更多工作，如与学前中心分享最佳实践。我们了解现状有差异，各中心都有好点子，我们希望收集并推广。同时，或许设定更明确的教育者和家长职责，也可能通过数字化能力促进伙伴关系。

第二，关于断线权及理解MOE有类似政策。学前领域认识到此政策重要性。我们同意学前教育者工作量大、工时长，目前正努力制定相关政策，正在进行中。我们先从共同制定家长-学前中心宪章开始，正式确定后会推广。以我个人经验，我家有学前儿童，但我没有老师的电话号码，信息通过总办传达给老师。

第三，关于如何让教育者获得有意义的专业发展机会。我们认识到支持他们成长很重要，帮助他们满足专业和个人学习需求。我们有持续专业发展路线图，指导和辅导教育者参加提升技能的课程，这些课程由国家早期儿童发展学院和其他培训机构提供，为他们职业成长提供支撑。

当然，这需要时间。我们过去已安排更多保护时间，指定六个学前中心关闭日作为发展日，供个人和团队培训。2024年教师节和儿童节定为假日，自去年起周六停止托育和早教服务。

几个月前，我与一群ECDA研究员会面，他们是资深校长和教育者，分享了反馈。我们正考虑提供更多短时持续发展机会，减轻工作负担，增加非接触时间，确保有保护时间用于专业发展、反思和个人规划。最终，这些措施促进教育者发展，转化为更优质的儿童发展和教学，惠及未来。

主席：钟文杰先生。

钟文杰先生（亚历山大选区）：谢谢主席。我的澄清关于学前教育。第一，ECDA于2025年初将Anchor Operator资金模式由中心容量转为按儿童人数拨款。如果按儿童人数拨款是分配Anchor Operator中心资源的正确原则，为什么不适用于所有持牌中心？

第二，感谢国务部长吴佩明强调游戏式学习。我提到的罗薇美女士是新加坡游戏式学习领域的专家。请问教育部是否承认其运营资金模式使得游戏式学习专家的学校及类似学校难以维持？对独立运营者有何信息？

吴佩明先生：主席，关于是否应将按儿童人数拨款扩展至所有中心，分两部分。我们由容量拨款转为按招生人数拨款，主要为更公平，确保资源有效分配。若中心未满员，不应按容量拨款。此举也鼓励中心提升质量，吸引更多家长，提供更好课程。按儿童人数拨款支持此目标。但这与所有中心资源分配是不同话题。我注意到议员过去也提过应将资金分配给儿童而非中心。

这回归到我们如何建设早期儿童教育领域的根本原则。MSF和ECDA优先确保家庭能获得可及、负担得起、优质的学前教育。目前80%的学前儿童能入读政府支持的学前中心。这是我们的愿景和成果。我们通过多种方式实现，包括直接补贴学前中心、对家长的需求侧支持，以及通过儿童发展账户（CDA）给予家长一定选择权。我们相信这些措施共同实现了平衡，激励学前中心运营者和支持家长。

我想特别谈谈Anchor Operator和Partner Operator计划。议员的问题核心是如何更好支持未获得政府资金的运营者。Anchor和Partner Operator计划有严格甄选流程，评估私营运营者是否能推进早教目标。运营者必须愿意且有能力满足严格要求，包括提供负担得起的优质学前服务及致力于提升教育者专业发展。

某些运营者未参与Anchor或Partner计划有合理原因。有些因商业考虑选择不参与，如已定位高端市场；有些提供非常专业或小众服务，成本较高，不符合政府资金投入标准；他们可能不认同我们通过运营计划设定的收费上限。

部分学前中心位于永久居民和外国人较多地区，政府支持相关性较低。部分运营者未被选中可能因申请过程竞争激烈，考虑因素包括服务记录、财务可持续性、中心可达性及当地学前儿童需求等。我们考虑这些因素，确保政府资金使用审慎。

关于游戏式学习，我重申游戏式课程已纳入所有Anchor和Partner运营者的学前课程中，且我们计划进一步加强。感谢议员提及罗女士，我们愿意与她沟通，探讨她如何助力行业发展。

主席：潘国贤教授。

中午12时

潘国贤教授（提名议员）：谢谢主席。未来照护规划不仅涵盖就业和财务规划，还包括居住安排、社区参与和社交关系维护。我想问部委是否已有或计划开发指导手册，或设立教练或同伴支持系统，指导家庭成员参与未来照护规划？

蔡志明先生：谢谢议员的澄清。确实，未来照护规划，尤其以当事人及照护者为中心，是服务模式的重要组织原则。

只是想举几个例子，以便说明观点。我在发言中简要提到，赋能生活技能计划的一个重要组成部分是个人课程和发展计划，照顾者以及残疾人士本人都非常密切地参与内容和里程碑的制定。

在昨天的质询中，潘淑仪女士也谈到了家庭生活导航员模式，她将其比作ComLink模式，在该模式中，不同的家庭、不同的需求范围由类似于守护者的人士支持。我们完全认同这一使命和愿景。我们需要一些时间，以便组建具备正确素质、能力和胜任力的人力队伍来开展工作。但在愿景方面，我们高度一致。

主席：彭丽燕女士。

彭丽燕女士（海洋坊-布莱德尔高地）：我想问州务部长吴佩明，增加家庭辅导能力会如何影响辅导服务的质量？是否有足够的辅导员支持这项能力的提升？

吴佩明先生：主席，目前新加坡共有11个家庭援助中心提供家庭辅导服务。我们正与各服务提供者合作，确保在扩充能力的同时，人员配备充足。我们希望在扩展服务的同时不降低质量。我认为这是我们必须遵守的关键原则。

2030年的时间表实际上允许我们与服务提供者同步建设能力，随着需求增长，同时也能与教育服务提供者合作，提升这方面的能力。

为了保持服务质量，我们将遵循两个关键原则或两个关键方面。我们将招聘具备相关资质和经验的专业人员。家庭援助中心的辅导员需具备辅导、心理学或社会工作相关的高等学历，并且至少有三年与家庭合作的经验。特别是在家庭援助中心，我们需要辅导员比一般情况更有经验，以应对更复杂的案例。

具备社会工作和心理学资质的辅导员还需接受额外培训，以确保他们具备必要的辅导技能。同时，家庭援助中心的辅导员将接受持续的临床监督，以维持专业标准并支持其持续发展。

主席：潘淑仪女士。

潘淑仪女士（惹兰勿刹）：我想感谢高级议会秘书蔡志明、州务部长吴佩明以及SG Enable和社会及家庭发展部团队多年来的真诚和积极回应。有两个澄清。第一，我很高兴部委策划了更多赋能技能课程，但现实非常紧迫，因为人工智能驱动的自动化领域带来了很大冲击，许多蓝领和白领工作都面临风险，因此需要更有针对性和刻意的努力。因此，我建议设立国家残疾工作再设计资源/基金。我想听听高级议会秘书对此的看法，因为情况紧急，我们不能等所有报告出来后再行动。

第二，对于中度到高需求者的需求也很强烈，发展辅助日间护理中心需要时间且成本高。我想知道是否有可能开发一种简化版的赋能生活技能课程，以便这些服务可以在本地社区中心或居民委员会开展，支持基层工作，因为我知道许多同事也非常愿意支持这些家庭。

蔡志明先生：主席，我感谢议员多年来充满热情的发言。首先，关于工作再设计。在现有的“开放门计划”下，已经有工作再设计补助金可供申请，这是一个潜在的途径。

关于她提出的简化版赋能生活技能课程——赋能生活技能减版或便携版，我们非常希望在未来几年在岛上不同地区推广更多赋能生活技能课程，敬请关注更多信息。

主席：蔡银洲先生。

蔡银洲先生（碧山-大巴窑）：谢谢主席。我想问社会及家庭发展部如何评估已推出的进步套餐项目的成功？感谢州务部长分享家庭可以享受社区活动和景点门票折扣，但这些活动仍需监督。资金有限，时间更紧张。是否有其他带监督的举措可以在社区正式推广，比如“触动小箭儿童计划”？

第二个问题是，我了解到ComLink+家庭在危机时会成为家庭服务中心（FSC）个案，家庭教练会退居二线。部委是否考虑允许家庭教练继续陪伴家庭，因为危机时刻需要更多人手，且与教练建立的信任关系在这些时刻更为重要？

第三个问题，部委是否探索过资助照顾者与他们照顾的残疾人士开展创业项目的补助，比如Junlefont和Bakes by Ben？这两个项目均由照顾特殊需要儿童的照顾者创办，既能让孩子们有意义地参与，也能实现收入和灵活性。

最后，借用潘淑仪议员的观点，为缓解辅助日间护理中心的压力，部委是否考虑试点将长者护理中心与成人辅助日间护理中心整合？因为辅助日间护理中心的居民年龄在增长，我也曾在这两种机构工作，发现如如厕、喂食和认知参与的护理需求目标相似。试点整合或可帮助缓解平均六个月的排队压力。

朱卡纳因·阿卜杜勒·拉希姆先生：谢谢主席。我先回答前几个问题，高级议会秘书蔡志明将回答其余问题。

议员问及ComLink+的成效及我们如何评估成功。我们持续监测ComLink+，并收集服务家庭及家庭教练、社会服务组织和家庭服务中心的反馈。请注意，ComLink+仅于2023年中推出。根据社会及家庭发展部2025年发布的《支持低收入家庭趋势》报告，参与ComLink+的家庭在就业和住房等方面表现出积极迹象。

参与ComLink+进步套餐的儿童入学和出勤率也高于未参与的儿童。但我们希望做得更多，因此根据ComLink+家庭和基层从业者的反馈，对进步套餐进行了改进。我们理解一些家庭尽管努力，仍难以达到某些条件，因此我们正与家庭及家庭教练合作，鼓励他们实现这些里程碑。

在跟踪方面，我们也与学术界合作，研究套餐对家庭短期和长期结果的影响。正如我在发言中提到的，我们将根据更多洞见不断调整方法。

关于本地努力，这些是对社会及家庭发展部现有计划的补充。家庭可以利用社区中的所有计划。家庭教练也会将ComLink+家庭及其子女连接到这些活动。例如，在我服务的蔡厝港和吉洞，我们在假期期间为低收入家庭举办音乐和药剂访问等特定项目。

社会及家庭发展部也将致力于了解新加坡各地的最佳实践，并尝试在本地实施项目。我鼓励本议院所有议员，如果有基层合作伙伴，请提出创新项目，吸引低收入家庭及其子女参与。

最后，关于家庭服务中心，议员问及当个案转介至家庭服务中心时，家庭教练是否能继续陪伴家庭，他提到“全员上阵”会有帮助。但这通常发生在家庭危机时，如家庭暴力或离婚。在这种情况下，优先事项是稳定家庭，达到就业等里程碑可能暂时不在考虑范围内。

然而，家庭服务中心的个案工作者会兼任ComLink+家庭的家庭教练角色，请放心，对于需要更多帮助的家庭，家庭服务中心个案工作者会优先处理紧急风险问题，并与家庭建立关系和信任。这也使得每个家庭有一个主要联络点，整合社区内的不同支持，避免导航困扰。

主席：最后澄清。抱歉，高级议会秘书蔡志明。

蔡志明先生：主席，感谢议员关于残疾包容和支持的两个澄清。

首先，关于辅助日间护理中心。辅助日间护理中心旨在支持中度至重度需求的残疾人士，且客户群体相对年轻，许多直接来自特殊教育学校。重点是装备客户，帮助他们为社区独立生活做好准备。但我们认可他的建议，会进一步研究。

第二，关于家庭式创业。我感谢他提出这一点并关注Junlefont。事实上，我一直支持Jun Le。过去两年我的国庆游行服装均由Jun Le设计。也感谢李慧颖议员去年国庆游行的支持。

除此之外，我们已与他们合作。例如，作为i'mable集体的一部分，我们策划了许多家庭式创业项目，包括Jun Le，Jun Le也是i'mable集体的成员。

每年年底的赋能生活节，我们都会举办一个市场，展示这些家庭式创业项目，如Jun Le。我也因此认识了设计师Jeremiah，还有Isaac和擅长恐龙画作的盛杰等。我真诚希望议院各位及所有人支持这些企业。这不仅仅是购买一个陶瓷恐龙或艺术品，购买行为本身是他们尊严和贡献社会能力的活生生证明。

我呼吁议院所有议员支持这些家庭式创业项目，比如Bakes by Ben和他的母亲。他们靠自己的努力谋生，不向生活低头，表达了“我在尽自己的一份力”，也在向社会呼吁“请支持我们的旅程”。我已加入这条路，邀请大家一同参与。[掌声]

主席：让我们共同支持本地人才和本地企业。话说回来，我邀请谢耀权先生，如果您愿意撤回修正案？

12点15分

谢耀权先生：谢谢主席。感谢社会及家庭发展部回应我们的质询，我请求撤回我的修正案。

[(程序文本) 修正案经许可撤回。 (程序文本)]

[(程序文本) 主估算中，第一项拨款58亿2252万9800元获批准。 (程序文本)]

[(程序文本) 发展估算中，第一项拨款2亿5975万9300元获批准。 (程序文本)]

英文原文

SPRS Hansard 原始记录 · 抓取日期：2026-05-02

[(proc text) Head I (Cont) – (proc text)]

[(proc text) Resumption of Debate on Question [5 March 2026] (proc text)]

[(proc text) "That the total sum to be allocated for Head I of the Estimates be reduced by $100." – [Mr Xie Yao Quan] (proc text)]

[(proc text) Question again proposed. (proc text)]

The Chairman : Minister of State Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim.

10.34 am

The Minister of State for Social and Family Development (Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim) : Chairman, several Members, such as Mr Xie Yao Quan, Mr Melvin Yong, Ms Mariam Jaafar and Mr Cai Yinzhou, have raised concerns about improving social mobility. This has always been an area of focus for the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

As we saw in the Ministry of Finance (MOF) Occasional Paper last month, Singapore has done relatively well in this area compared to other advanced economies. However, like in other advanced economies, pressures are likely to persist or even intensify. Hence, MSF will redouble our efforts to enhance social mobility.

MSF's goal is to support lower-income families to progressively achieve the "3S" outcomes: stability, self-reliance and ultimately, social mobility. We are going beyond social assistance to social empowerment by supporting our families through three things.

First, a safety net. When families fall on hard times, we provide a safety net through immediate support. Second, a steadying hand. MSF provides a boost so families can get back on their feet and take the next step forward. Third, a supported ladder. MSF supports families with opportunities to grow their own resources. Such opportunities, when harnessed, will allow families to reach, grab the next rung and pull themselves up. In this way, MSF empowers families to succeed by overcoming challenges, seizing opportunities and most importantly, doing so with dignity.

This is what drives ComLink+.

Today, MSF supports around 11,000 ComLink+ families. We started with families living in public rental housing and we have been expanding to other lower-income families, such as those on KidSTART. Each ComLink+ family has a Social Service Office (SSO) family coach or Family Service Centre (FSC) case worker. They are the family’s greatest champion – someone in their corner who understands their circumstances and walks alongside them towards their longer-term goals.

Mr Xie Yao Quan suggested efforts to address slowing social mobility. ComLink+ seeks to do precisely that by providing targeted support across key domains and over different life stages, such as income security, children’s development and education, housing, family functioning, financial resilience and health. As families’ needs are varied and dynamic, we co-develop an action plan with each family.

As mentioned by Minister Masagos, MSF is committed to invest in research to better understand the impact of these efforts. We do not have all the answers on how to best support families to achieve social mobility. But by learning continuously and applying these insights, we will be able to refine our intervention and update our slate of support.

From a safety net to a steadying hand. When family coaches or case workers start journeying with families, they address the families' immediate needs. This could mean referring the family for ComCare assistance and other financial support for some interim relief. Together, these form our safety net for families.

But a safety net may not be enough for upward mobility. This is where we offer a hand to give families a boost to progress in a steady, sustained manner.

We therefore introduced the ComLink+ Progress Packages to encourage families moving towards their goals. Launched progressively over the last two years, these packages boost families’ efforts through financial top-ups when they take action in four areas: preschool enrolment and attendance, employment, debt clearance and home ownership.

Let me introduce Joseph, a family coach, who has been working with Ms Erna and her husband, Mr Suhaimi, together with their young children, aged one to 10. Joseph remembers when Mr Suhaimi shared his dream to move out of their rental flat and into their own home. Hearing that, Joseph worked with the family to chart out a roadmap and encouraged them along the way to achieve this dream. Acting on the plan, both Ms Erna and Mr Suhaimi are working hard. They are committed to employment and their children’s education. With ComLink+ Progress Package top-ups, they are also able to set aside more savings for their future.

However, as noted by Mr Melvin Yong, some families find the conditions too complicated or difficult to meet. With that, as announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his Budget speech, we are enhancing the ComLink+ Progress Packages this year.

First, all ComLink+ families will now receive a new payout of $500 each quarter. We will call this the Partnership Payout. It reflects the families' commitment to work with us to improve their circumstances. Families will receive this payout after agreeing to be on ComLink+ and will continue to receive it so long as they keep taking steps towards their goals. With steady, predictable support, families can better focus on longer-term goals.

Second, many families work hard to maintain employment and regular preschool attendance. Yet, despite genuine effort, some may not be able to meet their targets due to their circumstances. We are therefore adjusting our conditions to better support families with more complex challenges.

For employment, we will look at the whole family's efforts, rather than the income of each person. For example, Ms Erna's part-time job's salary currently does not qualify her for payout on its own. However, with the enhanced progress package, it will now be counted together with her husband's earnings towards their family's employment milestones. For preschool, we will introduce intermediate milestones to encourage families' progress towards regular attendance.

Overall, a ComLink+ family with two preschool-aged children can receive up to $10,000 every year by maintaining a household income of at least $2,000 and regular preschool attendance.

More of the payout will be in cash to better support families facing day-to-day cashflow challenges. At the same time, a portion will continue to be placed in families' Central Provident Fund (CPF) and Child Development Accounts (CDA), so that we support not just today's needs but also tomorrow's security.

As noted by Mr Cai Yinzhou, some families may be hesitant to get on board ComLink+. Together with these enhancements, family coaches will step up efforts to reach out to families by working closely with Government agencies and community partners in their support system.

A supported ladder. Once families get back on their feet and start to move forward, we support them to take charge of their long-term progress. At MSF, our goal is to create opportunities that families can seize for themselves.

Employment is one of the best ways to do this. However, lower-income families often face barriers to employment that are not so straightforward to address, especially with limited financial resources. Even with a stable job, they may need certain educational qualifications or skills to unlock higher wages. We will therefore put in place more enablers to bridge the gap to employment, starting with three enhancements: facilitate job matching, enable upskilling and support caregiving. Allow me to elaborate.

On job matching, MSF is reviewing how to provide tailored support for lower-income families navigating the world of work as they may face more challenges finding suitable jobs. For example, lower-income jobseekers tend to work in service industries, where work schedules are less flexible on short notice. This makes it harder to deal with family emergencies, such as picking their children from school when they fall ill. MSF is thus working with partners, such as Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), AKG and TOUCH Community Services, to strengthen employment support for these families to prepare them for work, find suitable jobs and ultimately do well in their jobs.

We will also provide more support for upskilling. Some ComLink+ families today have younger jobseekers, who with the right skills, can unlock better-paying jobs. While broad-based schemes like SkillsFuture exist, ComLink+ families may benefit from a more targeted approach.

Families bear some costs when they choose to upskill. For example, their income may be disrupted during their studies and it is not certain even that they will get a job with a higher salary after. MSF has observed that this deters some ComLink+ families from upskilling even when they want to do so and even when they have the opportunity to do so.

That is why we rolled out a ComLink+ Skills Upgrading Support Pilot this January. When ComLink+ individuals aged 18 to 39 undergo full-time education or vocational training, they will receive support for basic living expenses. They will also receive an incentive of $500 for every three months that they sustain their education.

On caregiving, parents will have peace of mind to work when they know that their children are being taken care of and meaningfully engaged after school hours. MSF supports this by making after-school care more accessible, more affordable.

As announced by the Prime Minister in his Budget speech, MSF will increase the Student Care Fee Assistance income threshold from $4,500 to $6,500 and update the income tiers. This will benefit around 13,000 students.

We are also giving parents greater assurance of support so that they can plan ahead. Parents can now submit their Student Care Fee Assistance applications up to six months before their child’s enrolment in a Student Care Centre. Eligible parents will be granted in-principle approval, which guarantees that they will receive Student Care Fee Assistance once they enrol in an eligible centre. We are also extending the maximum Student Care Fee Assistance assistance period from 24 months to 36 months.

Mr Cai Yinzhou highlighted that children should have opportunities to continue developing holistically outside school hours. We totally agree. As a parent myself, the time I spend with my children after hours, after work, allows me to bond with them and explore their interests. Lower-income families, who are often stretched in time and resources, could especially benefit from additional support to purposefully engage their children.

10.45 am

As part of Grow Well SG, we have worked with Families for Life partners to provide low-cost activities for screen-free family bonding. Families can enjoy children's books, discounted attractions and community events.

Working towards the 3S outcomes is a long journey for our ComLink+ families. One of the factors that can derail progress is dealing with health issues. When we are unwell, it is not easy to meet our responsibilities at home, at school or at work, let alone pursue our aspirations. And yet, for many ComLink+ families who are busy making ends meet, they tend to deprioritise these health concerns. Over time, this can lead to poorer health outcomes, leaving some families trapped in a vicious cycle where poor health makes it harder to stabilise their lives, and life's pressures make it even harder for them to stay well.

We want to help them break out of this cycle. Therefore, as mentioned by Minister Masagos, we trialled a new model of support in 2025. We tested how family coaches and healthcare staff, together, could achieve two things. First, set health goals and actions that support families to take care of their health even as they juggle competing needs. Second, streamline service delivery, so families do not have to interact with too many officers, which can be overwhelming.

MSF, the Ministry of Health and the healthcare clusters are finetuning the model and will extend it to more ComLink+ families this year. Together with the extension of Healthier SG to younger ComLink+ families, shared by Minister Masagos, we hope families will be empowered to take charge of their health.

Ms Mariam Jaafar would be pleased to know that as we develop more interventions to support families towards the 3S outcomes, families will not face a navigation nightmare. Instead, it has always been the intent of ComLink+ for family coaches to co-develop action plans with families that sequence the interventions in a manageable way. Family coaches will also connect families to the resources and support to achieve their goals. This is how ComLink+ aims to provide each family with a pathway towards social mobility tailored to their needs.

Such efforts reveal how we can do better together, but the Government cannot do this alone. Minister Masagos proposed 3Cs to guide how we partner with others. We will collaborate, cooperate and co-create. Because truly, it takes a whole-of-society effort to uplift each other.

We thank our partners for working closely with MSF, like the DBS Foundation, which has been a strong supporter of the ComLink+ progress packages for preschool and homeownership. We look forward to more partners coming onboard.

With tighter partnerships, we can weave stronger safety nets, offer more steadying hands and craft sturdier supported ladders. Together, we will journey with our families to achieve stability, self-reliance and social mobility. Chairman, in Malay, please.

( In Malay ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] In these challenging times, many Singaporean families face numerous obstacles. These include rising costs of living, the need to upgrade skills in a rapidly changing economy and various daily responsibilities that often test our families' resilience and perseverance.

Yet we continue to stand firm, facing these challenges steadfastly. As the saying goes, "Effort is the ladder to success". Every small step taken with a sharp mind, determination and collaborative spirit brings us closer to our dreams.

Families like Mdm Erna's embody this spirit. Mdm Erna's husband, who works as a clerk, is working towards getting his driving licence to secure better job opportunities. Mdm Erna herself works hard, taking on part-time jobs more frequently despite being busy caring for her children. With sustained and comprehensive support, their efforts will bear even greater fruit.

In their journey to improve their quality of life, families like Mdm Erna's do not have to go through it alone. MSF is committed to supporting every family that needs help so they can achieve stability, self-reliance and progress.

We will therefore enhance the ComLink+ Progress Packages to ensure more families can get the support they need for their next steps. With this enhanced package, families like Mdm Erna's can better manage daily expenses and build savings for the future. MSF will also boost after-school care support by raising the income criteria for Student Care Fee Assistance from $4,500 to $6,500. More than 13,000 students and their families will benefit.

Beyond Government support, community organisations play a vital role. MSF has strengthened collaboration with them, particularly in expanding employment support and skills development opportunities for low-income families.

We must stand by those families in need. We value our Malay/Muslim organisations' efforts and hope more organisations will join hands with MSF to build a caring and united society.

Through close cooperation, we can build a caring and inclusive society for everyone at every stage of life.

Let us continue working together to build a Singapore that gives hope and opportunities for every family to become stronger, self-reliant and progress. Strong families are the bedrock of a successful society. This is our shared responsibility.

( In English ): Chairman, real support is not just once-off. It is journeying together, step by step. Families, like Ms Erna's, know their strength and hard work will be seen by their family coaches, like Joseph. They will never have to walk alone.

In MSF, we believe that collective efforts by the Government, partners and the families themselves, will turn obstacles into opportunities, trials into triumphs, hardships into hope for families who need it the most. As a society, we need to ensure that no family is trapped by their circumstances, no child is defined by their starting point, no potential goes unrealised and no hope beyond reach.

This is not just a social policy; it is a moral responsibility. As a society, we will empower all families to unlock their maximum potential, for a brighter future. As we move collectively from assistance to empowerment, this future is shaped not by what we give to families, but by what families are enabled to become.

The Chairman : Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Eric Chua) : Chairman, a fair and inclusive society does not expect people to fit neatly into our systems. Instead, it asks the question: how must our systems evolve so that every person can flourish?

At MSF, that is the question guiding our work. Earlier, Minister of State Zhulkarnain spoke about uplifting low-income families. I would like to focus on another group of families who carry both immense love and immense responsibility, families with persons with disabilities (PwDs).

When I meet parents and caregivers, one concern surfaces time and again. It is not just about today. It is also about tomorrow. They ask me, after my child graduates from special education (SPED) school, what comes next? Will there be a community? Will there be meaningful opportunities? And most importantly: perhaps when I am no longer around, who will look after my child?

Sir, these are deeply human questions, and under the Enabling Masterplan 2030, we are addressing them in three ways.

First, building capability through lifelong learning. Second, building communities where PwDs truly belong. And third, building lifelong security so families can plan with confidence. Allow me to share more.

For many families, graduation from SPED school is both a proud milestone as well as a moment of uncertainty. Each year, about 250 SPED graduates move into employment or further studies within six months of graduation. Behind each statistic is a young person taking a brave step into adulthood, and parents learning, oftentimes anxiously, to let go. Access to lifelong learning is important to facilitate a smoother transition to life beyond school.

Mr Ng Chee Meng and Ms Denise Phua will be pleased to know that we provide funding support for skills training through the SG Enable Training Grant. SG Enable, supported by SkillsFuture Singapore, will introduce new courses from April this year, adding to the existing 140 active courses curated by the Enabling Academy.

But skills alone are not enough. We need inclusive employers.

SG Enable is partnering employers in sectors, such as food and beverage (F&B) and Health and Social services to curate job roles thoughtfully. And through various grants, wage offsets and the Enabling Mark, our national accreditation framework, organisations can steadily strengthen the inclusive hiring practices.

Inclusive hiring is not charity. It is good business. It enriches workplaces with resilience, loyalty and diverse perspectives. For graduates with higher support needs, centre-based services remain critical. Today, about 3,600 PwDs attend our Daily Activity Centres (DACs) and Sheltered Workshops (SWs). [ Please refer to the clarification later in the debate. ]

Behind this number are real families, like 21-year-old Mirza and his mother, Mdm Habibah, who simply wants the best for her son.

After graduating from SPED school, Mirza tried a placement with a SW before eventually settling into a DAC at SUN-DAC. I visited Mirza recently. For him, the DAC gives him good structure, friendship and a safe space to grow. Every Thursday, Mirza goes on walks around Bedok. He buys prata, sometimes ice cream, learns how to count money and take the bus. These are meaningful lessons in independence.

For his mother, Mdm Habibah, the programme gives her peace of mind. She can go to work knowing that Mirza is safe and meaningfully engaged, and treasures coming home to hear his story about the day.

But we know the current wait time, from referral to enrolment, is long, over half a year on average. This weighs heavily on families. When the child graduates, six months can feel like an eternity.

We are accelerating expansion. Our pledge was to add 500 DAC and 500 SW places by 2030. But in fact, we have already added 100 shelter workshop places in 2024. A further 520 DAC and 360 SW spaces will come on stream progressively by 2027.

As capacity builds, families on the waitlist are not left alone. Enabling Services Hubs (ESHs) offer activities and serve as community touch points. For recent graduates, the Supported Transition and Engagement Programme (STEP) ensures they remain meaningfully engage with outings and activities at least twice weekly while waiting for placement.

All this, because transition should not mean isolation.

We also heard feedback that moving between SW and DACs can be cumbersome. Re-assessments, transitions – families told us that it felt like starting from scratch each time the needs changed. So, last year we launched the Enabling Skills for Life Programme (ESLP).

ESLP integrates both models – SW and DAC – into a single continuum. More importantly, it introduces individualised curriculum and development plans co-created with clients and caregivers. That co-creation is important because no one knows a person's strengths and aspirations better than the individual himself or herself, and the family members.

As of January this year, close to 770 clients across eight centres have transitioned to ESLP, and we will continue refining the service model over the next three years. Our aim is simple: as each individual grows, the support around them grows too. This means that ESLP clients will have access to more training pathways depending on their specific needs and aspirations.

Sir, skills matter, but belonging matters just as much.

To this end, MSF is piloting two community living models to strengthen support for independent living. The first is the Enabled Living Programme (ELP) pilot, which has started in five locations, and we are doing this in close partnership with appointed SSAs.

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Delivered within designated public rental flats, ELP allows PwDs with low to moderate support needs and no to little family support to live independently.

When I recently spoke to Boon Hao, an ELP resident supported by the Autism Resource Centre, he did not talk about policies or subsidies. He spoke about hosting his friends on Valentine's Day – about the dishes he prepared, about the chore schedule he shares with his roommate, Vincent, about grocery runs at Ang Mo Kio Hub. These may sound like mundane things, but for Boon Hao, they represent dignity, independence, friendship.

Through ELP, persons with low to moderate support needs can live independently in public rental flats, supported by coaches and community networks. Residents may not live with family, but they are never alone. Grassroots leaders check in, neighbours build friendships, and Boon Hao is even exploring volunteering. That is inclusion, in action. Living side by side, contributing to the same community.

We will also launch the Home Support Programme in the second half of this year, extending similar support to those already living independently or has plans to do so in their homes, near ELP sites.

Alongside community-living models, we are strengthening neighbourhood support through our ESHs. The idea is straightforward: support should be close to home and easy to access.

Our ESHs in Tampines, Punggol and Jurong have worked with over 300 community partners and volunteers in the past two years: from grassroots organisations to schools and local businesses. They conduct outreach, organise learning workshops and social activities, and link PwDs and caregivers to relevant services.

For families, the ESH can be a reassuring first touchpoint: a place to ask questions, seek guidance and find support without feeling overwhelmed. More importantly, ESHs help communities grow in confidence. Through inclusion workshops and partnerships, neighbours learn how to better welcome and support PwDs in everyday settings.

Because when support is embedded within our neighborhoods, PwDs are not seen simply as clients of a programme, but they are recognised as fellow residents, friends and contributors to the same community they live in.

Chairman, caregivers carry quiet courage. Many worry most not about themselves, but about what will happen after they are gone. We recognise the challenges they face and we must ensure they are well-supported on this journey.

As Singapore ages, this concern becomes more urgent. Caregivers themselves grow older too. Health challenges emerge over time. Future planning cannot wait. As noted by Assoc Prof Kenneth Poon, a chief area of concern for caregivers is how their loved ones will be cared for after they pass. We are supporting families in three ways: first, near-term relief; second, strengthened savings; and third, secure future arrangements.

First, to provide near-term financial relief, Prime Minister announced in Budget last year that subsidies will be increased for adult disability services and extended to more households. Since January this year, subsidies for the Assistive Technology Fund were enhanced, and extended to families with per capita income between $2,601 and $4,800. Through the Assistive Technology Fund, eligible families can purchase assistive technology devices for independent living. From July 2026, we will increase subsidies for residential and community disability services by up to 15 and 10 percentage points respectively. The income threshold for subsidies will also be raised, extending eligibility to households with per capita income between $3,601 and $4,800.

Ms Denise Phua and Ms Kuah Boon Theng would be pleased to know that these enhancements will provide additional financial relief for 3,600 PwDs accessing our residential and community disability services, including those attending Day Activity Centres.

Ms Phua and Ms Kuah also noted that our funding to service providers impact service access and quality. And that is exactly why we regularly review our funding models for relevance. We last increased funding to Day Activity Centre providers in 2021, and to disability residential service providers last year, in 2025, to account for inflation and enhanced staffing requirements for clients with higher support needs. The inter-agency Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities will explore more ways to keep disability support affordable for families and sustainable for service providers.

Second, on strengthening savings. From January this year, eligible Singaporeans with disabilities are included in the Matched Retirement Saving Scheme (MRSS). This was announced by the Ministry of Manpower at the Committee of Supply last year. Under the MRSS, we dollar-match CPF top-ups for those eligible, up to an annual cap of $2,000 and a lifetime limit of $20,000.

This means that if a parent of a seven-year-old with a verified disability status tops up $2,000 annually to their child's account, we will match by topping up another $2,000 each year. Assuming: one, the parent consistently tops up $2,000 annually over 10 years to hit the lifetime cap of $20,000; and two, a 4% compounding interest, this child would have minimally $320,000 in CPF retirement savings by age 65. This translates to at least $1,700 in monthly payouts for life, from age 65. If a parent tops up consistently from a young age, the compounded impact can be substantial, giving their child meaningful CPF payouts in later life. This is all about dignity in their senior years.

Third, on securing future arrangements. Caregivers need assurance that these funds are secure when they are no longer around. The Special Needs Trust Company can help.

As announced at Budget last year, we will be introducing a dollar-for-dollar matching grant for tops-ups to the Special Needs Trust (SNT) accounts. From 1 April this year till 31 March 2031, families with per capita household income of up to $3,600 can sign up to receive matching top-ups of up to $10,000 to the SNT accounts. [ Please refer to the clarification later in the debate. ]

Parents can further multiply their financial provisions for their child by buying a Great Eastern Cares Term Plan. This term plan insures parents up till age 100, with coverage ranging from $100,000 to $300,000.

For insurance coverage of $250,000, a healthy 33-year-old mother with per capita household income below $3,600 would only need to make a one-off trust top-up of $10,000 to her child's account to cover the total premiums for the plan. Upon the insured parent's demise before age 100, $250,000 will be paid into the child's SNT account.

As premiums increase with age and the amount insured, caregivers are thus encouraged to start these conversations early with SG Enable. Case Managers, who are social work-trained, will work with caregivers to craft personalised care plans and ensure funds are disbursed in accordance with these plans after caregivers have passed.

These measures offer real relief for caregivers. I recently met Mdm Kitty Li. Kitty is the mother of a child living with autism and she was initially hesitant due to the initial capital needed to start an SNT account for her child. With the Community Chest sponsorship, Mdm Li can start saving in the SNT account to benefit from the Government Matching Grant and use these savings to purchase a Great Eastern Cares Term Plan.

While we work on ensuring our initiatives remain fit for purpose, we agree with Miss Rachel Ong that raising awareness is a crucial part of ensuring that these initiatives have reach. Beyond what is available on their website, SG Enable has developed the Enabling Guide to consolidate information on available support. And they will also continue engaging with partners, such as employers and industry chambers, to raise awareness of inclusive hiring and employment support.

We also endeavour to improve accessibility to our initiatives given the wide range of needs. To Miss Rachel Ong's query, we are studying how to improve deaf access services, including training more Singapore Sign Language interpreters. There are also SSAs like SADeaf, who provide casework and counselling services using sign language. Chairman, please allow me to say a few words in Mandarin.

( In Mandarin ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] Mr Chairman, promoting a more inclusive Singapore is the shared aspiration of all Singaporeans. We hope to build a Singapore where PwDs can pursue their own ideals and aspirations.

Through employment support, Day Activity Centres and Sheltered Workshops, as well as the Enabling Skills for Life Programme, we hope to help PwDs build lifelong learning capabilities, enabling them to better integrate into society and live meaningful lives.

We implement the Enabled Living Programme, the Home Support Programme, and establish Enabling Services Hubs to strengthen the support networks for persons with disabilities at home and in the community, allowing them to live independently in the community for the long term.

We have not forgotten about the family members and caregivers around PwDs. The existing CPF Top-Up Matching Scheme and Special Needs Trust Company are in place to provide financial security for special needs families, giving them a peace of mind in planning for the future.

We will continue to collaborate with partners from all sectors to ensure that every person with disabilities can find their place in our country and live dignified and meaningful lives. This is our commitment and determination in building a more inclusive and caring home.

( In English ): Chairman, as we journey towards 2030, our commitment very clear: to build a Singapore where PwDs pursue aspirations with confidence, where families trust that support will endure.

And we will keep listening and we will keep refining. We thank Ms Denise Phua for her suggestions to the Taskforce, and we will deliberate over her input and share more when ready.

Sir, policies alone cannot create inclusion. Policies remove barriers. People create belonging. Inclusion happens when employers open doors, when neighbours extend friendship and when communities choose to see ability before disability.

PwDs are not defined by what they need. They are defined by the strengths they contribute: resilience, creativity, loyalty, courage. They are not passive recipients of support, much like seniors in our community. They are partners in our shared future.

So, let us move forward together: not by asking people to fit into narrow definitions, but by shaping a society heartful enough for every Singaporean to belong. And that is how we advance an inclusive Singapore. One where everyone, truly, can thrive. [ Applause. ]

The Chairman : Minister of State Goh Pei Ming.

The Minister of State for Social and Family Development (Mr Goh Pei Ming) : Mr Chairman, MSF is committed to building a nation that supports Singaporeans in raising strong families and giving every child a good start.

Today, I will elaborate on three strategies to achieve this: starting strong – building firm foundations within the home; starting early – ensuring access to affordable and quality early childhood education; and starting together – working as a community to support our families.

Strong, Early, Together. And if we take the first letter of each, they spell out SET, reflecting our shared commitment to ensuring that families are set to thrive in Singapore.

I will begin by sharing how we are supporting our families to start strong. For many of us, families are our safe harbour and where we turn to in our happiest and also our most challenging moments. An MSF survey in 2023 showed that most Singaporeans have a closely-knit family and believe in its importance.

We will continue to support families to build strong foundations within the home. Mr Gabriel Lam and Mr Melvin Yong asked about support available for the different family types, while Ms Eileen Chong asked about strengthening support for parents and caregivers.

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MSF is committed in our efforts to strengthen all families. Our children deserve to be valued and given equal opportunities to thrive. Benefits that support their growth and development, such as subsidies for education, healthcare, and the CDA, are given to all citizen children, regardless of their parents’ marital status.

To help all families stay resilient, we offer holistic support at every stage of life. These programmes range from financial assistance to family counselling to parenting workshops. For more vulnerable households, by adopting a holistic case management approach, our Family Service Centres help them manage multiple stressors and break out of inter-generational patterns. Minister Masagos has also shared that we will double our family counselling capacity under the Strengthening Families Programme (FAM) by 2030.

To provide better support for caregivers, we have significantly enhanced leave provisions for parents of newborns, increased mandatory paternity leave, and introduced a new Shared Parental Leave scheme, and in total, parents now have up to 30 weeks of paid parental leave from April 2026 onwards. The Ministry of Manpower has also introduced the Tripartite Guidelines on flexible work arrangements to help caregivers.

MSF's latest survey findings show that more than 85% of Singaporean families reported moderate to high family resilience scores, reflecting good ability to bounce back from life’s challenges. Nonetheless, data also shows that our divorced, widowed and separated respondents reported a lower family resilience score compared to married respondents. MSF will continue to track the resilience of families and study whether to provide more targeted support for single parent households.

We also recognise that some children may not have access to stable homes with their biological parents, and may require adoption or fostering. Ms Sylvia Lim and Dr Neo Kok Beng have asked about these arrangements.

Today, there are multiple layers of checks in our adoption processes to detect child trafficking. Challenges remain in transnational arrangements. Singapore has adopted regional frameworks to complement our domestic efforts to protect children. We undertake regular reviews to ensure that our processes, our laws and our international efforts are effective in combating unethical adoption practices and child trafficking.

In fostering arrangements, we facilitate regular contact or access between children and their biological parents to maintain links, wherever safe and appropriate. We have also seen cases where foster parents proactively help children reunite with their biological parents. MSF remains open to considering ways to facilitate this, including co-parenting, recognising also that every case is unique. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all foster parents, including Dr Neo, for their efforts in providing positive family environments.

Finally, we are helping families plan for their later years. Yesterday, I was very glad to share that we will make it free of charge for citizens to file Form 1 of the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Members of this House have raised this topic, including Mr Yip Hon Weng, Ms Sylvia Lim and Mr Kenneth Tiong. We encourage all Singaporeans to make their LPA while they are still healthy and to do so as soon as possible.

We acknowledge Members' feedback about the challenges faced in the scenarios where individuals require Professional Donees or Deputies. We have also heard similar feedback in our public consultations and with our Professional Deputies and Doneess. We will consider them in our upcoming review of the Mental Capacity Act and the Professional Deputies and Donees Scheme.

Building a strong family environment requires creating healthy habits and quality time together – a challenge when screens increasingly dominate family life. Mr Cai Yinzhou and Miss Rachel Ong raised valid concerns about prolonged screen usage and exposure to AI.

Parents are our first and most important line of defence. For practical support, I will refer parents to the Infocomm Media Development Authority's (IMDA's) Digital for Life portal and MSF’s Families for Life Parenting website. They offer guiding materials on managing children’s screen time, and helping them navigate the online world safely and to use AI responsibly. By reducing screen times, we hope parents can create opportunities to bond and form meaningful connections with their children.

Every year, we dedicate the month of June to celebrating families through the month-long National Family Festival (NFF). Last year, more than 850,000 participated in activities like family carnivals, games and experiential learning activities. With greater community and corporate support, we hope to welcome one million participants to participate in NFF 2026 this year and to create even more memories as a family.

Through our partnerships, MSF has been bringing more quality and affordable family activities directly to local communities. These include kite-making, reading programmes, community lo-hei, since Chinese New Year just passed, as well as discounts from commercial partners for family outings. Families can find upcoming events and good discounts on the Families for Life website.

Next, let me touch on Starting Early, I would like to share how we will further enhance our early childhood education.

Research has shown that the early years are crucial to a child’s development, where preschool attendance from the age of three leads to positive outcomes. To ensure accessibility to preschools, we have increased the number of full-day preschool places from around 135,000 to now more than 220,000 in the past decade. We now have enough full-day preschool places nationally for every resident child aged three and above. We have also achieved our commitment of ensuring that 80% of preschoolers can have a place in a Government-supported preschool. To serve the newer housing estates with more families with more young children, we are on track to adding more than 40,000 full-day places in Anchor Operator preschools by 2029.

Our early childhood services will continue to remain affordable. Since the start of the year, full-day childcare fees have been further reduced to a maximum of $610 at Anchor Operator preschools and $650 at Partner Operator preschools, a reduction of 15% since 2020. This will make out-of-pocket expenses for full-day childcare in an Anchor Operator preschool comparable to primary school and after-school care fees combined. With the revised Additional Subsidy income thresholds announced by the Prime Minister in his Budget speech, many families can expect to pay even lower fees.

Let me elaborate. From January 2027, we will raise the gross monthly household income ceiling for the Additional Subsidy for childcare and Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme to $15,000. We will also increase income thresholds for all the subsidy tiers below to reflect changes in household incomes. This will further improve affordability of preschools for more than 60,000 lower- and middle-income families with young children.

Let me cite an example. A median income household earning $12,500, with two children in Anchor Operator childcare, will see their total out-of-pocket fees for both children reduce by 35% from $730 in 2026 to $470 in 2027.

Mr Kenneth Tiong suggested portable preschool subsidies and additional salary support for non-Government supported operators. Portable subsidies have been raised in Parliament before. We have studied this and highlighted that this approach alone may lead to unintended consequences, such as fee increases without improvements in accessibility or quality, or preschools becoming overly commercial. We have seen this initiative implemented in other countries, only to be withdrawn a few years later.

Instead of one single approach, we take a more holistic, multi-pronged approach. We provide funding to rigorously selected operators to cap fees and to maintain quality. We also provide basic and means-tested additional subsidies, so basic subsidies as well as additional means-tested subsidies, to parents to ensure affordability, with lower-income families paying less. CDAs help parents further offset post-subsidy fees at preschools of their choice. And our schemes have worked well with demonstrated success in our accessibility and affordability outcomes.

In the next bound, MSF will place greater emphasis on the quality of preschools. Today, I will share our vision for "Quality Preschools", where children play, learn and grow alongside their peers, and develop holistically with strong foundations for life. To achieve this vision, we will journey with the sector to enhance preschool capabilities, improve programme and professional quality, foster stronger parent-preschool partnerships, and strengthen research and innovation.

First, for our children, we will cultivate a preschool environment where they can play, learn and grow at a pace suitable for them. We will cater to children of different needs and backgrounds by encouraging play and offering different ways for them to learn and to explore.

In my maiden Parliamentary speech, I highlighted the crucial role of play in children's learning and development. Play is a child's natural language. Play teaches children to share, to solve problems, to adapt to new situations, and to manage emotions. Our educators today already provide play experiences. We introduced play-based pedagogies in our earliest curriculum more than a decade ago. In the next bound, we will take it further. We will share across the entire sector best practices they have observed from the operators and intensify the application of play in everyday lessons to make learning more responsive to each child's needs and interests, and to help children enjoy both learning and their childhood.

Next, we recognise that every child has their own strengths and learning needs. International research demonstrates that when educators design lessons that offer children different ways to learn, it improves teaching quality and leads to better outcomes for our children. We are strengthening efforts to equip educators to support every child's development to help them reach their full potential.

For our parents, we will enable stronger partnerships with their child’s educators. Parents play a crucial role in bridging our children's development across preschool and home. From my preschool visits, the principals have shared that parents want to be involved in shaping their children’s development and learning. However, they are unsure how to partner educators. So, we will work with preschools to strengthen educator-parent partnerships through clearer role definitions and shared best practices.

Educators are at the heart of preschool education and critical for our children's holistic development. We care for their well-being and want to ensure that more support is given to our educators as mentioned by Mr Melvin Yong. Attracting and retaining quality educators remains a priority for us. We will grow our early education workforce by another 3,500 educators by 2030 to meet sector needs. We will better equip educators through pre-service training and in-service continuous development to adapt to our evolving early childhood landscapes, as they apply more play-based learning and support different learning needs.

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We also acknowledge the challenges that our preschool operators face – given the long hours they spend caring for our children, there is little time to engage in other tasks, such as lesson planning or relevant upskilling. Preschools also do not have school holidays unlike primary or secondary schools. We have been enhancing our educators' career proposition over the years and we remain committed to doing more to ensure they are well-supported.

Together with operators and educators, we are currently reviewing educators' working conditions and workload, such as better enabling non-contact time. We will also embark on a sector-wide job redesign project to review the job scopes, the work processes and support structures in our preschools and to improve work experiences.

For our operators, we will provide more support to strengthen their daily operations and to enhance their programme quality.

Technology is a key enabler. As shared by Minister Masagos yesterday, we will refresh the Industry Digital Plan 2.0 jointly with IMDA to enhance support for all preschools' digital transformation efforts, including non-Government-supported preschools. Through new innovation seed funding and establishing baseline technology requirements, we will support preschools to adopt digital capabilities. We want to streamline routine tasks while facilitating better communication with parents and fostering stronger parent-preschool partnerships.

We will also want to encourage more operators to seek accreditation under the revised Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework 2.0, rolled out last year. As preschools attain a higher banding that reflects better service provision, parents can be assured of better quality. They can look forward to these preschools, which offer an even more enriching environment, to cater to their children's needs and to allow them to flourish.

Finally, undergirding our next bound of quality improvements will be a strong focus on research and innovation.

ECDA will lead efforts and collaborate with research partners to stay updated on emerging research and assess and encourage adoption of effective teaching and learning practices to raise the overall profile of our early childhood landscape.

Quality improvement is a continuous journey. Our focus this year will be to engage and closely work with preschool operators, our educators, our operators and our parents to further develop our plans, as we strive to deliver this vision of quality preschools over the next five years. MSF and ECDA will share more details when we are ready.

I have spoken about the importance of starting strong and starting early. So, that brings me to my final point to ensure that our families are set for life – starting together.

Many parents tell me that raising children is a full-time job, and since many parents have to continue to work, we are often stretched thin and this is where the broader community plays a crucial role in supporting our children's development and makes raising children a joyful experience.

Through the strong partnerships that MSF has built with our community partners to run our Families for Life @ Community initiative, we were able to organise more than 670 family-centric activities across all 24 towns in Singapore last year. These events were supported by over 780 volunteers and benefited more than half a million participants. So, my deepest appreciation goes out to all our volunteers who help make these events possible. Thank you.

These events provide opportunities for local communities to come together to foster friendship, to build support, while teaching our children what books cannot teach them – to care for those people and everyone around us.

Take 11-year-old Capella, who started volunteering with Families for Life because she wanted to accompany her mother. What began as family time has become something much deeper – Capella has become more confident, more empathetic and discovered her own passion for volunteering and helping others. Their shared service not only supported other families; it deepened their own bond. This is the ripple effect we see when families volunteer together – creating meaningful family time while making a difference in our community.

We all have a role to play in supporting families in Singapore. Let me talk about families, our families with PwDs.

I would like to thank Ms Denise Phua and Prof Kenneth Poon for acknowledging the inter-agency Taskforce and your suggestions that the Taskforce can consider, including reviewing the affordability of day activity centres and residential homes, reviewing employment opportunities and supporting PwDs and their families with long-term planning. As Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric has shared, we will carefully consider these suggestions, along with recommendations for supporting PwDs that many other Members have raised through the past week. I am grateful to be leading this Taskforce which will complement our Enabling Masterplan 2030 and go beyond its recommendations to provide greater opportunities and assurances of dignity and stability for them.

The Taskforce has started its work by looking at the life-cycle of PwDs of different needs and identifying the pain points and gaps that they encounter in the current system. We will relook how they transition from education to employment. We will grow employment opportunities that tap on their strengths. We will expand capacities of our day activity centres and sheltered workshops to provide stable and secure care environment for more clients and to shorten waiting times, thereby reducing the unnecessary stressful transitions for PwDs and their families. We will review community pathways and healthcare support for them to stay engaged in the community for longer. We will see how to better support our caregivers, by designing the system with them and their PwDs as a dyad and we will review and keep services affordable for all.

The Taskforce's report will be released later this year.

The Government stands ready to invest more to support PwDs and their families. But an inclusive society also means reshaping our systems and attitudes to embrace all abilities, and empowering PwDs to pursue their aspirations, achieve their potential and participate as integral members of society. Chairman, next, please allow me to say a few words in Mandarin.

( In Mandarin ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] Building an inclusive society requires whole-of-Government coordination and participation and effort from the entire society. Therefore, we have established the inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities to explore how to better provide assistance to persons with disabilities and their families in areas, such as employment, community living and affordability of disability support services. The taskforce will also examine encouraging corporates and community partners to provide more job opportunities and community support for persons with disabilities, as well as promote greater social inclusivity, so that they can also pursue their dreams, realise their potential and contribute to society in their own way.

MSF firmly believes that family is the cornerstone of society, so we are committed to building a nation that can support Singaporeans in forming families. Marriage, parenthood – we support Singaporeans through various measures at every important stage of life.

Worth mentioning is our progress in preschool education. Over the past decade, preschool places have increased from 130,000 to 220,000 today. School fees have also become more affordable. Today, every child above three years old in Singapore can receive quality, affordable preschool education, and in the next phase, we will further enhance the quality of preschool education, continuing to give children a good start in life.

( In English ): Mr Chairman, at MSF, families are at the heart of all we do. Strong families need effort and they are built by entire communities working together. The Government provides broad-based support to help families start strong, early and, together, setting firm foundations and giving every child a good start.

For families who are more vulnerable, we offer a steady hand and a supported ladder, so that they too can climb and thrive on their own terms. For families with PwDs, we are committed to removing barriers and working with the community to create opportunities that foster inclusion and belonging.

Over the past week, our House has shared our respective visions of a "we first" society. For MSF, this vision comes alive when our social service sector, community and our corporates partner us to create better outcomes for families and individuals that we serve. By sharing in this commitment that "Better Starts with Us", each of us make the difference together.

Let us work towards stronger families, stronger communities, a stronger Singapore. [ Applause. ]

The Chairman : We have some time for clarifications. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua.

Mr Eric Chua : Chairman, thank you for your indulgence. I would like to set right a couple of points in my speech earlier before Members seek clarifications.

Firstly, I mentioned that enhancements we provide additional financial relief for 3,600 PwDs accessing our residential and community disabilities services. The number should be 3,800.

Second, on families who are looking to set up the SNT Account, for these families, we will provide the initial $5,000 capital needed to set up an SNT Account through ComChest Funding. Thank you.

The Chairman : Mr Xie Yao Quan.

Mr Xie Yao Quan : Thank you, Chairman. Just three buckets of clarifications.

The first on the expansion of ComLink+ social health integration pilot. So, this is directed at Minister of State Zhulkarnain . How many more ComLink+ residents is MSF looking to bring onboard this expanded pilot and where, which ComLink+ towns is MSF looking to expand this pilot to? And also, will family coaches and public health institutions be sharing data to support clients to navigate the system and avoid the navigation, like Minister of State Zhulkarnain spoke about?

Second bucket of clarifications on the ComLink+ skills upgrading support pilot. Again, directed at Minister of State Zhulkarnain . I just wanted to ask if family coaches will be working with IHLs and the course providers to signpost clients to certain courses and also to help them to enrol and get on board these courses?

A third bucket of clarifications on supporting our professionals in the sector to uplift them, even as they care and pour their heart and soul to care for clients. So, this is directed at the Minister. Does MSF have plans to enhance the support to professionals for professional development and career advancement opportunities in the sector?

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim : Thank you, Chairman. I thank Member Xie Yao Quan for all those questions and clarifications.

On social health integration, we focus our efforts on the health issues that are most likely to disrupt the broader social goals. Last year was the trial for the social health integration and about 500 families were involved. We target another additional 500 more. In terms of where the regions will be trialled in, we are trialing in SSO clusters in: one, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang; two, Sembawang and Woodlands; and three, Tampines, Pasir Ris and Punggol. In terms of the data sharing, MSF works closely with MOH, and the health care clusters so the relevant health information, like the children's mandatory immunisation records would be shared via a system interface with the family coaches.

11.45 am

The second bucket of questions on the skills upgrading scheme. The family coach works together with the families, closely with the families who express interest to come on board the pilot and it is a very recent thing, the pilot was just in January, we aim for 100 families. We also engage the IHLs on their application, to help them with their application as well.

The Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M) : We work with the industry practitioners, including the training providers, education institutions, the professionals themselves and their associations, to put up what we call the skills framework for social service. Within this framework, we lay out the competencies needed for the families of social sector jobs so that professionals know clearly what they need to have in order to articulate and for their career planning. This is very useful for both the trainers, training institutions as well as for the individuals and the associations.

For the individuals themselves, for example, they would know there are scholarships available under the professional development sponsorship, where it covers full tuition fees. They can study, even if they have a degree, of which they have to have one to practise as full professionals in this field – in alternate or related fields, for example, in psychology.

But we want to also look at how we can expand these fields of studies that may not look as related as they were, maybe 10 years ago, but may be relevant today. For example, AI, for example, how they can be related to their work in social service.

There are also of course, short-term grants for individuals to look at, to take up the courses and then to uplift their ability and their skills. Not necessarily to enhance their career possibilities, but also to support their clients better.

In the meantime, SSAs, too, should use this framework, because they may want to attract talents from outside who may not have the requisite professional degrees or qualifications to practise in this sector. MSF also will provide grants for such people and at the same time for our SSAs to plan the career path and articulation for their own staff, those who are within the SSAs themselves.

The Chairman : I see a number of hands, but guillotine time is 12.15 pm. So, as usual, keep your clarifications succinct. Mr Melvin Yong.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye (Radin Mas) : Thank you, Chairman. I have three clarifications for Minister of State Goh Pei Ming, they are all related to preschools. One, given the critical importance of quality early childhood education in shaping our children's developmental outcomes, how can ECDA further strengthen the capabilities of preschools to better engage parents as active partners in their children's learning and development?

Two, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has introduced a right to disconnect policy so that school teachers are not expected to respond to work matters after school hours. Given that preschool educators also face demanding workloads, could the Minister of State clarify whether ECDA has similar safeguards for our preschool educators?

Three, recognising that continuous professional development is fundamental to maintaining high educational standards, what steps is ECDA taking to enable our early childhood educators to pursue meaningful professional development opportunities, for example, giving study awards or time off for the preschool educators?

Mr Goh Pei Ming : Mr Chairman, let me take the questions part by part. First in terms of how we will build stronger parent-preschool partnerships, we believe that this partnership is important to help bridge the overall development and learning of our children between the home and the preschool. They are not separate entities, that experience has to be collective. Therefore, we want to see more parents participate in our preschools.

In fact, one of my recent visits to My First Skool in Anchorvale, Sengkang, I was very encouraged, it was the day of the launch of the health screening and I observed there was a parent doing a storytelling exercise together with the children. After that I managed to speak to her and she was sharing with me that My First Skool, at least at that centre, regularly sends out messages, sharing what are the opportunities for excursions, for storytelling, participating in games, sports or even coming in for rather mundane activities. But these experiences allow for the parent as well as the child to have a common experience that goes beyond the classroom back into the living rooms, over the dining table, where they talk. And in fact, the parent also knows many of the names of the child's friends. I thought that was very precious, very, very meaningful, and we want to have more of such experiences.

And for this parent, when she walked away, this was sometime about 9.45 am in the morning, I remember being quite encouraged that how come she was able to do this? She told me she was going to work, so I guess some of the flexible work arrangements have also set in, and she is well supported by her employer in this regard.

So, from ECDA's view, what we are hoping to do more, as I mentioned earlier, we want to talk to the preschools, share many of their best practices. We understand within the landscape, it is a little bit varied. All of them have their good ideas. We want to collate and promulgate many of these across. We also want to perhaps set clearer expectations of what the educator is and is not supposed to do, what the parent is and is not supposed to do and also, perhaps in this process, enable digital capabilities to foster this partnership.

The second part of the question on the right to disconnect and understanding that MOE has a similar policy. In fact, in the preschool sector, we recognise the importance of having this. We agree, the workloads of our preschool educators are very heavy, the hours are very long, and this is a policy that we are working now. It is a work-in-progress. We want to formalise this, and we are starting with the co-creation of a parent-preschool charter. Once we formalise this, will promulgate to all. But perhaps my own experience, I also have a preschooler in my home, but I do not have the phone numbers of the teachers, nor is it shared. I call the general office and through that, the messages get shared to the teachers when they need to.

The third question pertains to how do we allow our educators to have meaningful professional development opportunities. We recognise it is important for them to be well supported in their journey by ECDA, and to have time to attend to not just the professional but also their personal learning needs. We have mechanisms, such as a Continuing Professional Development roadmap, whereby we help guide and mentor our educators through this journey in terms of what courses that they can attend to upgrade, to upskill, and many of these courses are provided by the National Institute of Early Childhood Development, as well as other training providers, so we allow them a certain scaffold for them to continue to grow and progress in their careers and, of course, with new pedagogies, we hope that they will stay current.

But of course, this requires time and we are studying and, we have in the past, set aside more protected time for them. We designated six preschool closure days – development days, actually – to allow the centre, not only for personal training but also team training. We have also designated Teachers' Day and Children's Day as holidays in 2024, we have also ceased childcare services or early childhood education services on Saturdays from last year onwards.

A few months ago, I met a group of ECDA Fellows. They shared with me, and this is a group of very senior principals and educators, and they shared with me some of their feedback, so we are looking into it. We are looking to offer more bite-sized continuous development opportunities. We are also looking into how we can ease the workload, more non-contact time, ensuring there is protected time for professional development, time for reflection, time for individual planning and more importantly, at the end of the day, all these allow for the development of the educators, which translate into better development and teaching for our children, benefiting our future.

The Chairman : Mr Kenneth Tiong.

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat (Aljunied) : Thank you, Chair. My clarifications are on preschools. One, ECDA itself shifted Anchor Operator funding from a centre-capacity model to a per child funding model earlier in 2025. If per-child funding is the right principle for allocating resources among Anchor Operator centres, then why is it the wrong principle for allocating resources among all licensed centres?

Number two, I thank Minister of State Goh for his emphasis on play-based learning. Ms Loy Wee Mee, who I mentioned in my cut, is a – if not the expert – on play-based learning in Singapore. So, does the Ministry acknowledge that their operator funding model is making the play-based learning expert's schools, and others like hers, unviable? And what is your message to the independent operators?

Mr Goh Pei Ming : Mr Chairman, to the Member's first question on whether per child funding should be extended to all centres. There are two parts to it. We moved from capacity-based to enrolment-based funding, primarily because we wanted to be more equitable to ensure that efficient resources are being assigned to all centres and if the centre is not full, we should not be assigning it based on capacity. And that is also to encourage the centre to improve on quality to attract more parents to come to them, to provide better curriculum, and per child enrolment basis allows for that. However, that is a different conversation from resources for all centres, and I note that the Member has over past instances also raised that we should provide funding to be assigned to the child rather than to the centres.

It goes back to the fundamental principle of how we build the early childhood sector. MSF and ECDA's priority is to ensure that families have access to accessible, affordable, quality preschools and today, 80% of all preschoolers are able to enrol in Government-supported preschools. That is the vision. That is the outcome that we have achieved. We have done this, like I explained in my speech earlier, through various means or various funding approaches, both on the subsidy side to the preschools directly; on the demand side to the parents, as well as allowing the parents to have some free choice through the CDA. We believe that the confluence of that allows us to achieve the balance and the right incentives for both the preschools' operators, as well as in terms of our support for the parents.

One particular area that I would like to perhaps talk about is how do we run our anchor operator and partner operator schemes, because I think the point of the Member's question is how do we better support – there is a slice of operators that may not be getting Government funding. The operator schemes, the Anchor and Partner Operator schemes, employ a very rigorous selection process, and these are private operators that we are evaluating, so as to find out who are the best able to advance our early childhood objectives. The operators must be both willing and capable to meet stringent scheme requirements, and these include the provision of affordable quality preschool services as well as the commitment to improve the professional development of their educators.

There can be good reasons why certain operators are not part of the Anchor Operator or the Partner Operator schemes. Some operators simply choose not to participate because of legitimate business considerations, such as they have already established a premium market positioning. Others may be providing a very specialised, a very niche service or programme. They have higher business costs that may not justify for Government funding to go in. And to maintain the quality and sustainability of these programmes, they may also not believe and subscribe to the fee caps that we have imposed through our operator schemes.

Some preschools are also in areas with higher Permanent Resident and foreigner numbers, and therefore, Government support is less relevant. Some operators may also not be selected because of the application process. The Partner Operator selection is competitive and factors, such as track record in delivering services, financial sustainability, accessibility of the centres as well as the local preschooler demand in the immediate area where the preschool is located. So, all those are factors that we consider, and we want to do so because we need to be judicious in how we spend Government money.

The second point on play-based learning. Actually, I would like to reiterate the point that play-based curriculum is embedded as part of our preschool curriculum, that all Anchor Operators and Partner Operators already implement across all our centres and like I said in my speech, we are looking to step it up further. I acknowledge the point the Member raised about Ms Loy. I think we will be keen to talk to her and see how she can help in the sector.

The Chairman : Prof Kenneth Poon.

12.00 pm

Prof Kenneth Poon (Nominated Member) : Thank you, Chairman. Let me just get to the point. Future care planning extends beyond employment and financial planning, and it includes residential arrangements, community access and the maintenance of social relationships. So, I would like to ask if the Ministry has or intends to help develop a playbook or have a coach or peer support system to guide family members involved in this future care planning process?

Mr Eric Chua : Sir, I thank the Member for his clarifications. Indeed, future care planning, especially with the person, as well as the caregivers at the centre of this planning process, is absolutely essential. That is a key organising principle for service models moving forward.

Just want to highlight a few examples, so that we can illustrate the point. I have mentioned briefly in my speech that the Enabling Skills for Life Programme, an important component, is the individual curriculum and development plan, for which the caregivers, as well as the PwD themselves are very intimately and closely involved in the creation of the content and the milestones within.

In yesterday's cuts, Ms Denise Phua, also talked about the Family Life Navigator Model, and she likened that to the ComLink model, where we have different families, different ranges of needs being supported by somewhat like a defender. We totally agree with that mission and that vision. What we need is some time, in order for us to assemble the right manpower, with the right aptitude, the right capability and competencies to do this. But in terms of vision, we are well aligned.

The Chairman : Ms Diana Pang.

Ms Diana Pang Li Yen (Marine Parade-Braddell Heights) : I would like to ask Minister of State Goh, how would the increase in a family counselling capacity affect the quality of counselling services? And are there sufficient counsellors to support this capacity increase?

Mr Goh Pei Ming : Mr Chairman, there are currently 11 FAM centres across Singapore providing family counselling services. We are working with the various service providers to ensure that there is adequate staffing as capacity expands. We want to make sure that we are expanding while not compromising quality. I think that must be the key principle that we are observing here.

The timeline of 2030 actually allows us to work together with the providers to build up the capacity in sync, as demand grows, and that also allows us to work with the educational service providers to help raise up this capability.

To maintain service quality, there are two key principles or two key prongs that we are going to do this by. We will recruit professionals with relevant credentials and experience. Counsellors in FAM are required to have the relevant tertiary qualifications in counselling, psychology or social work, along with a minimum of three years of experience working with families. Especially in FAM centres, we do need our counsellors to be a lot more experienced, slightly more experienced than usual, to deal with more complex cases.

Those with social work and psychology qualifications also undergo additional training to ensure they have the necessary counselling skills. At the same time, FAM counsellors will receive ongoing clinical supervision to maintain professional standards and to support their ongoing development.

The Chairman : Ms Denise Phua.

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng (Jalan Besar) : I just want to thank Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric, Minister of State Goh and the SG Enable MSF team for being really sincere and responsive all these years. Two clarifications. Number one is, I am glad that the Ministry has curated some more enabling skills courses, but there is a real urgency because there is a lot of disruption in the AI-driven automation space, and many of the jobs, blue and white collared included, are really at risk, and there is urgency to have more deliberate intentional effort in this. Therefore, that is why I recommended the National Disability Job Redesign Resource/Fund. So, I would like to hear the Senior Parliamentary Secretary's views on that, because there is an urgency and we cannot wait until all the reports are out.

The second one is: there is a strong need also for those with moderate to high needs and that it will take a while for DACs to come up, and also, they are also costly. I wonder if there is a possibility of looking at a lighter version of the ESHs, so that these services can be developed at the local community centres or residents' committee, supporting grassroots efforts as well, because I know many of my colleagues really want to support these families as well.

Mr Eric Chua : Sir, I thank the Member for her very passionate interventions over the past years as well. First, on job redesign. Under the existing Open Door Programme, there is a Job Redesign Grant that can already be applied for, so that is one potential avenue that we can point to.

On her suggestion for the lighter version of the ESH – the ESH Minus or the ESH Portable – we are very keen to roll out more ESHs over different parts of the island in the coming years, so please stay tuned for more information.

The Chairman : Mr Cai Yinzhou.

Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh) : Thank you, Chair. I would like to ask how would MSF evaluate project success of progress packages launched? I thank the Minister of State for sharing that families can enjoy community events and attraction tickets at discount, but these activities still require supervision. Money is scarce and time is even more. Are there any other initiatives with supervision that can be formalised across neighbourhoods, such as the Touch Young Arrows Children's programme?

My second question is that I understand ComLink+ families become FSC cases during crisis and family coaches take a step back. Will the Ministry consider allowing family coaches to continue journeying with the families on the context that in times of crisis, more hands-on-deck is needed, and trust and relationship built with coaches can be more pertinent in these moments?

Third question, has the Ministry explored grants to support caregivers with entrepreneurial endeavours with PwDs that they are caring for initiatives, such as Junlefont and Bakes by Ben? They are both started by caregivers with children with special needs, and they continue to provide and allow the children to be meaningfully engaged, yet allowing income generation and flexibility.

Lastly, riding on Member Denise's points to reduce wait time in the pressure valve of DACs, has the Ministry considered pilot integrating Senior Care Centres and DAC for adults, since DAC residents are getting older, and I have also been a care staff in both settings, and care needs of toileting, feeding and cognitive engagement are similar in objectives. A pilot integration could help the pressure valve queue of an average of six months.

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim : Thank you, Chairman. I will address the first few questions and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua will cover the rest.

Member asked about the effectiveness of ComLink+ and our evaluation of the success. We continuously monitor ComLink+ and we receive feedback from families that we serve and of course, from the family coaches themselves, the SSOs and FSCs. Bearing in mind that ComLink+ was only launched in the middle of 2023, and if one looks at the MSF release paper in 2025 "Supporting Lower Income Household Trends", that report showed positive signs in some domains, like employment and housing, compared to the year before, experienced by families who had been enrolled in ComLink+.

Children in ComLink+ Progress Package also had higher enrolment and attendance rates, compared to the children who were not emplaced. But we continually want to do more. Hence, the enhancements to the ComLink+ Progress Packages were made, and these were made based on the feedback from the ComLink+ families and ground practitioners as well. We understand that some families may find it difficult, as I have mentioned in my speech, to meet some of these conditions despite their best efforts, so we are actually working with the families and the family coaches themselves on how to encourage the families to achieve those milestones.

In terms of tracking, we are also working with academics to study the impact of the packages on the families' short- and long-term outcomes. I also referenced that in my speech that we will continually finetune our approach as we have learned more insights.

On the local efforts, these are complementary to our programs already in MSF. Families may take advantage of all the programmes in the community. Family coaches also themselves connect our ComLink+ families and their children to such activities. For instance, in Choa Chu Kang and Keat Hong where I serve, we have specific programmes during the holidays for music and pharmaceutical visits for lower-income families.

But MSF also will be looking towards working and understanding the best practices all across Singapore, across towns and try to implement programs at the local level. And I do encourage all Members in this Chamber, if Members have partners on the ground, do come up with innovative programmes to engage our low-income families and their children.

Lastly, on the FSCs, Member asked on the situation when the case is referred to the FSC, whether the family coach can continue journeying with the family, he said "all hands-on-deck" would help. However, this only typically happens when there is a crisis that happens to the family, like domestic violence, there is a divorce. So, in that situation, the priority would always be to stabilise the families. So, achieving milestones, such as employment, may be the furthest thing on their minds.

However, the FSC caseworker will double up and serve like the family coach to the ComLink+ family, so do not worry, for those families that require family services and need more help, and the Family Service Centre caseworker will focus on these more urgent risk issues and prioritise that. And they will also build rapport with the family and, hopefully, build trust, and this also allows one caseworker to be the main touchpoint for each family, and integrate the different support in the community for that family, so that again, the navigational nightmare would be avoided and they have one touchpoint.

The Chairman : Last clarification. Sorry, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua.

Mr Eric Chua : Sir, I thank the Member for his two clarifications on disability inclusion and support.

First, on DACs. DACs are actually meant to support PwDs with moderate to more severe needs and in fact, the profile of clients in DACs are actually rather young, with many of them coming straight from SPED schools. The focus really is on equipping and getting these clients ready for independent living in the community, but we acknowledge his suggestion and we will take it back to take a closer look.

Second, on home-based businesses. I thank him for raising the point and pointing the spotlight on Junlefont. In fact, I have been supporting Jun Le. My two National Day Parade outfits for the past two years has been designed by Jun Le. And I thank Member Lee Hui Ying for also jumping onboard last National Day Parade.

But that aside, we are already working with them. So, for instance, like as part of the i'mable collective, we have curated a whole host of home-based businesses, such as Jun Le, and Jun Le is featured as part of the i'mable collective as well.

Every year end, when we have our Enabling Lives Festival, we do have a marketplace where we feature each of these home-based businesses, like Jun Le themselves, and that is where I got to know designers like Jeremiah, we have Isaac and Sheng Jie, who is so good with the dinosaur drawings, and so on. And I really hope that Members of the Chamber, and also all of us out there – this is my call to all of you to also support these businesses. It is not just about buying a clay or porcelain dinosaur. It is not just about buying artwork. The act is not in the buying, but because that buying is living proof of their dignity, of their ability to also contribute to society and to be an upstanding member of society.

And I behove all Members of the Chamber to also support these home-based businesses, because many of them, for instance, Bakes by Ben and his mum. They are making a living. They are not letting life get them down, and they are saying, "Look, I am playing my part", and in a way they are crying out to society to say, "Support us as well in this journey". I have come on board and I invite everyone to share in this journey. [ Applause. ]

The Chairman : Let us all support local talents and local businesses. On that note, can I invite Mr Xie Yao Quan, if you would like to withdraw your amendment?

12.15 pm

Mr Xie Yao Quan : Thank you, Chairman. I thank MSF for responding to our cuts and I seek leave to withdraw my amendment.

[(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)]

[(proc text) The sum of $5,822,529,800 for Head I ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)]

[(proc text) The sum of $259,759,300 for Head I ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]

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