A father’s journey of love and learning: How he donated a kidney to his daughter while pursuing his master’s (13 December 2024)
"When Mr Benjamin Chua started his master’s degree over two years ago, he was also caring for his two-year-old daughter with end-stage renal disease.
His days began with terminating her dialysis machine in the morning, continued with full-time work and night classes, leaving just enough time to review his notes before going to bed. Throughout the night, he would also have to wake up intermittently to manage the dialysis machine whenever the alarm signaled that the tubing had curled."
Students make scrunchies, keychains to raise funds for ST School Pocket Money Fund (13 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE - To raise funds for their less well-off peers, students from two secondary schools made use of their crafting skills to create items they could sell to their classmates.
At Ngee Ann Secondary School, the school’s art club set aside time during its weekly three-hour sessions to hand-make keychains, scrunchies, pins and photo cards by hand."
2 schools appoint new bus operators after contractor’s abrupt closure; some drivers await pay (14 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE – Some schools and employees were left in the lurch after the death of Yeap Transport’s founder and chief executive resulted in the company’s closure.
Pei Chun Public and Cedar Primary schools have appointed new bus operators for the 2025 school year after their previous contractor, Yeap Transport, closed abruptly in early November."
As technology evolves, so must support for adult skills (14 December 2024)
"If there was ever a time that entire countries had to swiftly upskill their citizens, especially in the digital realm, it was during the Covid-19 pandemic that is now a hazy memory. And yet that period offers us some invaluable lessons about skills preparedness. In Singapore, we had to learn how to verify our identity using Singpass and TraceTogether, engage in online banking and online shopping, take classes via Zoom and attend work meetings and even social gatherings over Teams. This abrupt shift to online platforms and transactions was fairly smooth for Singapore, but also revealed striking competency gaps.
In interviews of less privileged households that I conducted with the support of fellow academics and social workers in Singapore, we discovered how digital disadvantage compounds. Wealthier families were well positioned to quickly raise their digital literacy as they already owned the latest devices and had healthy exposure to online services. Their prior experience with technology enabled them to adapt nimbly to new innovations. Many of them were employed in roles reliant on information and communication technology (ICT), which vested them with additional training and organisational support to address any digital skills gaps. As a result, advancing their technological proficiency was relatively seamless, even during that tumultuous period."
‘They look like zombies’: Teens here using ‘Kpods’ drug vaporisers; CNB, HSA monitoring situation (15 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE - Amirul (not his real name) was offered an e-vaporiser by his friend in September, and took a puff without thinking much about it.
On his friend’s urging, the 21-year-old student took another puff and this time, his body felt heavy and his head began to spin."
Where to have fun with your kids in Singapore before the school holidays end (15 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE – Two more weeks left before school reopens. Make the most of the holidays and create precious memories with your children at these places.
For kids who want to learn kite-flying
Look up, a 23m-long octopus is flying gracefully – in the form of a kite, that is. There is also a 7m-wide pufferfish inflatable swaying in the air."
Where to have fun with your kids in Singapore before the school holidays end (15 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE – Two more weeks left before school reopens. Make the most of the holidays and create precious memories with your children at these places.
For kids who want to learn kite-flying
Look up, a 23m-long octopus is flying gracefully – in the form of a kite, that is. There is also a 7m-wide pufferfish inflatable swaying in the air."
Hearing-impaired Normal (Technical) student secures spot in ITE aerospace course (16 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE - At the age of five, Manojoy Majumdar lost part of his hearing in both ears, slowing down his learning and making it hard for him to communicate.
In school, he struggled to hear instructions during lessons, and found it especially hard in secondary school with practical subjects such as Mobile Web Applications."
Her love for football drove her to score at N levels, with support from school and social worker (16 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE - At around 14 years old, Jenna Tang decided she did not want to be stuck in a bad place forever.
Two years on, after falling out with her foster mother and twice running away from a children’s home, Jenna has turned her life around."
A debit card for a 9-year-old? Some Singaporeans say yes (16 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE - When her eldest child turned 10, Ms Jeaneve Wee started lending him her debit card whenever he went out for meals with friends.
Her son, 11-year-old Jayden Hor, likes burgers at popular fast-food joints such as Shake Shack and McDonald’s."
Former Hong Kah Secondary building to make way for expanded special needs school (17 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE - The site of the former Hong Kah Secondary School in Jurong West will be rebuilt to house the expanded Grace Orchard School, a special education (Sped) school for students aged seven to 18 with autism or mild intellectual disabilities.
Housed at a holding site at the former Clementi Woods Secondary School in West Coast Road since 2021, Grace Orchard School will be able to grow its capacity from 450 students to 600 when it moves by end-2028."
‘Bags of Joy’ help spread festive cheer to 300 beneficiaries of ST School Pocket Money Fund (17 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE – To help spread festive cheer, 60 volunteers from a local financial advisory firm delivered “Bags of Joy” to 300 beneficiaries of the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF) islandwide on Dec 17.
Families received groceries worth about $50, which include sunflower oil, biscuits, instant noodles, instant oatmeal, coffee and canned food. The beneficiaries also received a $50 Sheng Siong voucher each."
Award-winning Pinnacle@Duxton architect aims to break new ground with SUTD teaching role (18 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE - At the heart of Singapore stand seven 50-storey blocks. At 163m - just two metres shy of the Singapore flyer - the Pinnacle@Duxton is the island’s tallest public residential complex.
Designed to line up in curves, the blocks are unobstructed by each other and linked by sky bridges, “for every unit to get fresh air and sunlight”, said architect Khoo Peng Beng, founder of ARC Studio Architecture + Urbanism which designed the development."
IB exam results: Singapore continues streak of surpassing global average (18 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE - Belle Phang, 18, was never content to just go through the motions as a student at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent).
Recognising the hard work of her elders to provide her family with educational opportunities and a supportive family environment, she was determined to do her best in school."
Sports School diver aces IB exams, perseveres through injury and missed opportunities (18 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE - While preparing for his first international diving competition in late 2022, Singapore Sports School student Yim Shek Yen, 18, faced his first hurdle.
After executing a dive from a 10m platform, Shek Yen felt dizzy and could not hear clearly from his left ear. His worst fears were realised when he learnt that he had perforated his eardrum."
Raising school bus fares cannot solve woes in industry (18 December 2024)
"Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.
School bus fares are constantly rising, and yet operators are saying that ferrying pupils to schools is a loss-making venture with little way out. Mr Darry Lim, 44, who grew his father’s bus company from eight to 38 buses, says that the troubles facing the industry are only worsening as a sizable number of local drivers are leaving the trade every year."
Stronger enforcement of child access orders for divorced parents from Jan 2 (18 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE - Measures to strengthen enforcement of child access orders when parents undergo divorce will be brought into force on Jan 2, said the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) in a press statement on Dec 18.
The enhanced Enforcement of Child Access Orders will empower the courts to better enforce child access orders, particularly in cases where parents with care and control of children deny their former spouses access to the children."
Game changer: She’s inspiring youth to fight online toxicity and build positive gaming communities (19 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE – Ms Hannah Batrisyia was in primary school when she received a PlayStation 1, which sparked off her love for gaming.
From early on, she consistently achieved top rankings and has even competed professionally in the multiplayer online battle arena game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. But she has also encountered negativity, both online and off."
From routine check-ups to urgent medical attention: Where your child can get one-stop paediatric care (19 December 2024)
"When your child needs urgent medical care, you may be anxious if you had to wait hours at the accident and emergency (A&E) department.
If a follow-up visit is required, having to schedule specialist appointments at different locations will likely be inconvenient as well."
Breaking stigmas, building bridges: Meet the parents making autism acceptance a reality for their children (20 December 2024)
"At 33, Mr Jeevan Money leads an active social life that centers around family, friendships and a close bond with his brother, Mr Ruben Money, who is 18 months older than him.
On weekends they enjoy hanging out with Mr Ruben’s group of friends. Beyond these friendships, Mr Jeevan is also part of a large extended family, with cousins who frequently organise outings, taking him for meals and activities."
Scoring her way from school team captain to SEA Games gold (15 November 2024)
"Secondary 4 student Sharifah Nur Amanina has come a long way from watching the neighbours play. She’s gone from leading her school team in the National School Games to playing for Singapore’s U16 national team, and picking up teqball to medal success. Let’s trace her football journey.
Sharifah Nur Amanina, better known as Nina to her friends and teachers, is a natural on the football pitch. The 16-year-old got her start in the sport by playing it under her void deck when she was in Primary 4.
She had watched videos of famous footballers and found herself wanting to emulate their skills. Every day when she returned home from school, she would sit at her void deck to watch a group of boys play football. They later invited her to join them, and she recalls with embarrassment that she initially could not kick the ball straight. After playing with them every single day for about a year, Nina slowly got better at the sport.
Her first foray into the football pitch
In Primary 5, her PE teacher informed her about an upcoming 5-a-side football competition, organised by the Football Association of Singapore. Nina convinced four schoolmates to join her for the competition at the Jalan Besar Stadium, and that was the first time that she stepped onto the football field.
“I was actually impressed with myself because I found that I could do all the skills I had been practising in the void deck,” she shares proudly. “It was also my first time wearing football boots, which my mum had bought specially for me.”
While her team did not qualify to the semis, Nina surprised everyone by winning the ‘Most Promising Player’ Award in the competition."
Choosing a secondary school: ‘What I did that paid off’ (15 November 2024)
"The PSLE is over! This time last year, mother of two Linda Lee celebrated with her son but not before sitting down to select a secondary school with him. She shares her school choice experiences with other parents.
Between “choosing a right secondary school for your child” and “choosing a suitable secondary school with your child”, is there a difference?
This time last year, I was helping my son select a secondary school and came across these two phrases. Simply put, the first phrase to me means “I want my child to go to this particular school that I prefer”.
The second one means “I still want my child to go to this school that I prefer – but I’m fleshing out the pros and cons of each one to him and pretending to give him an option or the impression that his vote counts, so that he won’t blame me if things don’t work out”.
Jokes aside, I just want to share how I shortlisted secondary schools with my kid. Other than matching his PSLE score to schools that he is eligible for (based on the previous year’s reference on the intake’s cut-off point), my husband and I looked at the exercise holistically. We wanted to shape and support his decision with his best interests in mind.
We also wanted a school for him that best fits his strengths, interests and learning needs. While I won’t say we ticked all the boxes (this was not the easiest to do given that there were a few fixed factors and variables!), I would like to think that it all worked out in the grand scheme of things.
These were my considerations, which worked for me:
1. Numbers count (pun unintended)
First things first, I think it’s important to use the PSLE score as a guide.
Before my son got his results, I used the MOE School Finder’s score calculator tool to generate a list of schools he might qualify for, based on his prelim results. I thought this was very useful as we were able to help my child with goal-setting and motivate to him to strive to get into a preferred school. Since cut-off points vary for each cohort, we also entered a range of scores (in case he could not make the mark or did better than expected – and this opened up more options for us.
To narrow my results, I used filters like “schools near me” as well. It gave a glimpse of the many permutations if we were to shift our priorities around. For example, my child had originally preferred a school nearby. When we broadened our search, we came to know of other schools with interesting offerings, which were previously not on our radar."
Work attachments spark unexpected passions in these students (22 November 2024)
"These Woodgrove Secondary School students swop desks for real-world experience in industries such as F&B, media, and tourism, thanks to the school’s collaborations with local businesses.
The teachers at Woodgrove Secondary School are not just prepping kids for tests, but for life’s ultimate pop quiz: working life.
The school offers a wide range of work attachment opportunities, thanks to close collaboration with the School Advisory Committee (SAC) and community partners, who come from a range of industries.
The Student Work Attachment Programme provides students with a better understanding of office operations, including intangibles such as workplace etiquette, social awareness, and relationship building, says Mr Christon Cher, Subject Head, Communications and Partnerships.
The stints can last from four days to two weeks and take place in November. They are offered to students from secondary 3. Students typically go alone or in groups, depending on the number of openings available at each company.
“Many of our SAC members had opportunities given to them in their early days and are happy to take the lead to pioneer such partnerships with the school to pay it forward. They are more than willing to provide their platforms to support our students. The programme has expanded to partners beyond SAC.” says Vice Principal, Mr Tan Boon Cheng."
This partnership sustains their passion for sustainability (22 November 2024)
"What can primary school students gain from an estate and property management company about its green efforts? Plenty, if the partnership between Kranji Primary School and EM Services is anything to go by.
The students at Kranji Primary School travelled across Singapore – quite literally – from Yew Tee to Tampines to Jurong Lake Gardens, to learn how they can play a part in Singapore’s sustainability efforts.
The school is in partnership with EM Services, an estate and property management company which currently serves nine town councils in Singapore. Its work with the People’s Association (PA) allows students to learn more about the facilities managed by PA.
New partnership, new perspectives
On this occasion in May 2024, the Primary 4 students received a guided tour of Our Tampines Hub (OTH), which PA manages. There, they witnessed innovative waste management approaches in practice. OTH collects food waste from the hawker centre, which are taken into an digester that breaks down the food through natural decomposition.
This ignited the curiosity of the young visitors.
“They asked many questions!” says Mr Andy Chew, a representative from EM Services. “Our guides were equally happy to provide in-depth explanations.”
By interacting directly with the facility and receiving in-depth explanations from expert guides, EM Services hopes students will gain significant insights into the complex operations, add Mr Chew."
Closing the gap: UPLIFT efforts connect students from disadvantaged backgrounds to support that helps them flourish (27 November 2024)
"To facilitate social mobility, it is crucial to bridge the gap between the help that ministries and community organisations offer, and those who need it. Mr Lim Yu Kee, the outgoing Director of MOE’s Uplift and Educational Support Branch, explains how MOE’s coordinated UPLIFT efforts support our students to achieve their fullest potential.
In 2018, the Ministry of Education (MOE) launched UPLIFT, an inter-agency collaboration to strengthen support for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. MOE reached out to educators, social workers, and community partners to better understand factors that were holding back these children. One key finding emerged from these conversations – for these students to benefit from community efforts and resources, better coordination was critical.
What does coordination have to do with levelling the playing field? Well, take for example, financial assistance. Schools, various ministries, and community organisations each offer different forms of assistance to students and families, but those in need may not know all their options. They may not realise that they qualify for certain schemes, or they could be daunted by the paperwork involved. “It’s one thing to have schemes and programmes, but it’s another to make sure these actually reach families in need,” explains Mr Lim Yu Kee, the outgoing Director of MOE’s Uplift and Educational Support Branch (UESB).
Bridging that gap to help disadvantaged students flourish is exactly what his team does. “Education has always been an important social leveller,” says Mr Lim. “How do we ensure this continues to be the case, and disadvantaged students can keep up and progress even as the world becomes more complex?”
Mr Lim’s passion for helping disadvantaged students stems largely from his own experience. He grew up in a rental flat for the first 10 years of his life, and remembers most of his lunches being rice, a fried egg and soya sauce. Despite money being tight, Mr Lim had a happy childhood. “Looking back, it’s quite amazing that I got to where I am now,” he acknowledges. “I didn’t speak a single word of English until I entered school. But thanks to education, I managed to get quite a lot of opportunities.”
When he became a teacher, and later a Principal, Mr Lim naturally gravitated towards student development. “I was very strongly motivated to put in place robust processes in school for student well-being. I remember spending much of my time working with Year Heads to identify students who needed help and counselling them,” he says. “It is the holistic student development that really makes a difference in how the child progresses in the future.”
Secrets to an award-winning school photo (4 December 2024)
"A school principal, MOE Kindergarten educator and a secondary school ICT manager sent the top staff entries to this year’s Our Schools, Our Stories (OSOS) Photo and Video Contest. What’s their creative process behind capturing the essence of school life?
By Lim Jun Kang
A principal’s fresh perspective
It has been a year of many ‘firsts’ for Ai Tong School Principal Wong Jia Wang. His first year as principal of the school, his first year participating in the OSOS contest, and his first year winning.
Mr Wong’s entry this year was inspired by his walkabouts as the new principal. “I really enjoy these moments, as I feel the school’s atmosphere and the energy of our students and staff,” he says.
The photographs were taken over a few days, capturing various PE lessons and classroom activities, like rehearsing for plays. “These photos remind me of how much effort our teachers put into their work, and I often share these images with my colleagues to uplift their spirits and affirm the good work they’re doing.”
Although he owns a DSLR camera, Mr Wong used his phone to capture the photographs – in the spirit of spontaneity. “The best camera is the one you have with you,” he muses. “It is less intrusive especially when I’m interacting with the students, and it makes processing and saving the photos much easier too.”
At this school, a STEM research programme paves the way to a poly diploma (4 December 2024)
"Instead of taking the O Levels, these students from the School of Science and Technology work with industry partners as part of an integrated diploma programme with Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Find out more about their capstone projects and why they signed up for this pathway.
By Arielene Wee
Research buffs rejoice! At the School of Science and Technology (SST), a through-train programme to Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) is offered to selected students at the Secondary 3 and 4 levels.
This allows them to bypass the O Levels and enter directly into one of the 21 STEM-related courses offered by NP. It is the first-of-its-kind STEM-related programme that provides students with direct entry to a polytechnic.
Known as the SST-NP Integrated Diploma Programme (IDP), students take on a wide range of STEM-related learning experiences which culminate in a capstone project – where they work, in groups, with industry mentors to get real-world industry experience.
Since its inception, there has consistently been a healthy interest in the IDP and only about 50 students per cohort are shortlisted.
Schoolbag speaks with three graduating IDP students to find out more about their experience."
Watch: What do these three Science teachers have in common? (5 December 2024)
"They break down the learning of scientific concepts using items like thread, balloons and dice, to make learning fun and accessible for their students.
By Arielene Wee
Creating light-up wristbands to learn about circuitry
At Queenstown Primary School, Mrs Chia Su Sze, Head of Department of Science, engages her students in an innovative lesson on electricity. Using LED bulbs, batteries, thread and fabric, her students apply electrical system concepts to design and create their own wearable soft circuitry that can light up.
Drawing inspiration from her personal interest in sewing, Mrs Chia developed this activity for her students as she wanted them to learn about science beyond their textbooks. By encouraging them to tinker and create their own soft circuitry, she ignites their curiosity and creativity for their learning to be enjoyable and relevant.
Blocked arteries? Let’s construct models to learn how to unclog them
Mrs Preeti Kulkarni, Subject Head of Biology at Compassvale Secondary School, excites her students to learn about coronary heart disease by involving them in designing and constructing a device that shows how blocked arteries can be unclogged through the use of materials such as balloons, plastic bottles, straws and plasticine.
Mrs Preeti highlighted that constructing these models are challenging for the students as it mirrors the complexity of a real coronary angioplasty, where there is no single, straightforward approach to unclog a blocked artery.
“Many of them use balloons to inflate the tubes and face difficulties doing that. There have been some mishaps, like when their balloons accidentally burst,” says Mrs Preeti. “By encountering these challenges, they understand the complexities that doctors face when removing plaque from a blocked artery.”
Through this activity, Mrs Preeti hopes to connect her students’ learning to real-world medical scenarios, making Science lessons more relatable to them."
Their kids have long left school so why are they still volunteering? (9 December 2024)
"Strong community spirit and a desire to sustain parental support for all students – these are just some reasons these two parents continue to serve in the Parent Support Groups of their children’s alma mater.
By Arielene Wee
‘The school feels like a second home
Mr Phua Wee Seng’s daughter was a shy and reserved child when she was much younger. When she entered Primary 1 at Kong Hwa School in 2012, Mr Phua decided to sign up for the school’s PSG, aptly named the “Very Supportive Parents”. He thought that by volunteering in her school, she would see him around more often and that would help to give her a little confidence boost.
Six years later, Mr Phua’s youngest son also enrolled in Kong Hwa. While both children have since graduated from the school, Mr Phua continues to serve as Honorary Advisor of the PSG, on the school and PSG Exco’s request.
“I wanted to be an active and involved parent,” he says. “Primary school was important for me because it was my children’s first time in a mainstream school, and it was a big transition from preschool to a much larger community. I wanted to be part of those formative years.”
By being part of the PSG and organising frequent events and activities in school, Mr Phua was able to appreciate his children’s school experiences and have more enriching conversations with them.
Aside from being able to deepen his relationship with his children, Mr Phua was also able to forge meaningful friendships with other PSG parents and even the school staff. “We grow together as a group, sharing topics from parenting tips to the challenges we face with our children,” he shares. “The school and the PSG have built strong partnerships over the years, and nurtured a school community that truly supports one another.”
DSA Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Nurturing students who have a knack for bringing new ideas to life (11 December 2024)
"Here’s how two schools design programmes to hone their students’ creative-thinking and problem-solving skills.
Secondary 2 student Kevin Chioh discovered his inclination toward entrepreneurship when he was in primary school. His first “venture”: little polymer spheres his Dad used in their garden to water plants when they go on vacation. Known as water babies, these colourful balls swell up when they soak up water, then shrink back down as they release that water slowly. They looked cute to Kevin, so he wondered if his classmates would be interested in buying them as toys rather than tools.
As it turned out, the answer was yes, and Kevin made a respectable $80 from this venture. He even paid back his Dad, who had initially gifted him his inventory. “I like seeing the potential in an idea and if it can meet a customer need,” Kevin says. Hoping to develop these skills more, he applied for Bowen Secondary School’s Direct School Admission (DSA) Entrepreneurship & Innovation programme, and talked about his experience selling water babies during his admissions interview.
His story made an impression on the interview panel because “we look beyond academic achievements and leadership skills to identify students who demonstrate passion and potential in their chosen areas of talent”, shares Mr Jason Yap, one of the teachers who steers this programme in the school.
Kevin’s sharing showed his sense of curiosity and initiative, which is what Bowen Secondary wants to see as the teachers recognise that younger students may not have extensive portfolios or prior experience in innovation and entrepreneurship. “People who have an entrepreneurial mindset tend to be resilient, adaptable and able to think out of the box, so we look out for these qualities in students’ applications,” he adds. “The ability to collaborate, persevere, and communicate confidently is also important.”
Edgefield Secondary School’s DSA Innovation programme first shortlists candidates who have participated in related competitions or demonstrated innovation potential with personal projects in their portfolios.
“We also conduct group interviews to see how they communicate in this setting,” says Ms Toh Si Qi, one of the teachers in charge of the programme at Edgefield Secondary. By directing questions to the whole group, Ms Toh says the interviewers can see their alertness to opportunity. “Are they the first to raise their hands to share, or are they a bit quieter?”
For these JC students, learning to thrive in school goes beyond just getting good grades (12 December 2024)
"Three JC students share how they have not only learnt new things in school, but also discovered more about themselves as they stepped into tertiary education.
School at the Junior College level can be tough. Having to acclimatise to a new environment, facing increased academic pressures and navigating newfound relationships can be stressful just as they can be exciting. But juggling these different aspects is not impossible, shares three students who have found their own way of managing such stresses, while learning from challenges to facilitate their personal growth.
1. Tanjim Rahman says the support from friends and teachers has been invaluable
A JC2 student at Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC), Tanjim Rahman was initially drawn to the school’s strong community spirit. After entering ACJC, he has learnt to find his own equilibrium managing his studies, duties as the Debate and Oratorical Society president, and friendships.
This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of his seniors from ACJC’s Debate and Oratorical Society who extended their friendship. They “never really let him feel alone”, says Tanjim, and he came to discover his own interests and found motivation through them. “I take physics, chemistry, maths and economics – all at the H2 level – and I really love the subjects. I quite enjoy seeing logical things play out, especially in the real world,” he shares.
He admits that school is not always easy, and that the schedule can get stressful. He recalls a period where he was part of the team for a major, international debate competition organised by his school. At the same time, he was also preparing for his exams and attending H3 physics lessons. After talking to his physics teacher and H3 physics tutor, and doing a good amount of self-reflection, he decided to step back from his H3 lessons. “I think I was quite fortunate to understand what I’m able to take off my plate,” he says."
‘I picked up parenting lessons from watching Kdrama’. Jinjja? (16 December 2024)
"Bingeing on a TV show need not be a totally mindless affair. While watching her favourite Korean drama and actor, this writer had an epiphany about how to better support her children’s learning needs.
By Linda Lee
Recently, I was forced to taking a hiatus from my jogging routine due to an ankle injury. Since I could not run, I decided to watch someone else run instead.
Enter Lovely Runner, whose story revolves around a time-slipping couple repeatedly running into each other in different multiverses. With a fascinating plot, I found myself stuck in Netflix’s wormhole as well.
Apart from an intriguing storyline, lead actor Byeon Woo-Seok has a big part to play in the show’s skyrocketing popularity. Now dubbed South Korea’s “No.1 boyfriend”, Byeon stole the hearts of many as a goofy yet charming boyfriend. As it turns out, Byeon, in real life, has an inspiring backstory, from which I found myself drawing lessons in – of all things – parenting.
1. It pays to hone your passion
Although blessed with a commanding height and good looks, the model-turned actor did not just sit around and wait for lady luck to knock on his door to launch his career. Byeon took acting classes and started out by playing unmemorable roles. When Lovely Runner came along, he was ready to catapult to success.
I told myself that I too could support my children in their learning pathways by looking out for areas they may be good at and help them hone their passion.
Knowing that my elder son, who is 13, likes all things football since primary school, and is inspired by the legends and legacies of famous football clubs, I pointed out the many ways people can turn their passion for the sport into a profession or hobby beyond becoming a player per se.
Enrolling him into a football academy as a starting point gave him the exposure and agency to uncover other opportunities on his own. For instance, he could ask his coaches what it takes to become a manager like them. That’s when he discovered that there are post-secondary courses such as sports science where one may train to become an allied health practitioner in future. Football became something that offered much more."
What if my child has trouble adjusting to Primary One? (20 December 2024)
"Stepping into a new environment is not always easy – just ask a seven-year-old. For some Primary 1 students, the TRANSIT programme makes the move from pre-school smoother.
What happens if your child has trouble adjusting to Primary 1?
Stepping into a new environment might not always be easy. Challenges that some Primary 1 students face include difficulty recognising personal space, understanding the emotions of others, or remaining calm in challenging situations.
Enter the TRANSIT programme, which is designed to guide Primary 1 students through their new experiences. Short for TRANsition Support for InTegration, the TRANSIT programme helps students get acquainted with the new environment and routines of primary-school life. Launched in 2020, the programme will be progressively rolled out to all primary schools by 2026.
Here, Mdm Quek Ai Hseng, Head of Department at Yishun Primary School, answers some questions parents may have about the programme.
How will teachers know if my child needs help?
Teachers are trained to identify students who struggle with self-awareness and emotional regulation.
Students’ needs are tracked using a Skills Assessment Checklist (SAC), for example. They are assessed based on essential classroom work habits – such as retrieving learning materials, following simple instructions, getting organised, and preparing for class. With such tools and training, teachers aim to get a stronger sense of how students are adjusting to school life, especially in their first month at school and during orientation activities."
Strengthening Leadership Development and Deepening Expertise in Special Education (3 October 2024)
"To enhance the quality of Special Education (SPED), the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Social Service Agencies (SSAs) which run SPED schools will introduce a SPED Leadership Development Programme (LDP) and establish SPED Communities of Practice (COP). These initiatives aim to cultivate a strong pipeline of school leaders and deepen disability knowledge across the sector respectively."
46 Schools to Welcome New Principals in 2025 (9 October 2024)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) will appoint 46 Principals at the annual Appointment and Appreciation Ceremony for Principals on 27 December 2024. Of these, 22 are newly appointed Principals."
Close to 400 Students Explore Singapore's Cultural Landmarks at 7th Cultural Heritage Walk (19 October 2024)
"Close to 400 students from 13 secondary schools embarked on the annual Cultural Heritage Walk on 19 October 2024, where they explored Singapore's culturally significant landmarks in Bukit Pasoh and Chinatown. The walk featured familiar sites like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, and Tea Chapter, as well as new additions such as the Siong Leng Musical Association, Nanyang Hakka Federation, Masjid Jamae, and Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple."
Open for Nominations: President's Award for Teachers and Outstanding Youth in Education Award (21 October 2024)
"Do you know educators who have made outstanding contributions in moulding the future of our nation? The Ministry of Education (MOE) invites you to nominate them for the following national awards:
President's Award for Teachers 2025
The President's Award for Teachers (PAT) recognises experienced educators who are role models for the teaching profession. These educators constantly adopt innovative approaches in their lessons, and are lifelong learners and mentors to their peers. They embody deep passion for teaching, and inspire their students and peers through their words and deeds.
The award is open to teachers from primary schools, secondary schools, Junior Colleges (JC) / Millennia Institute (MI), as well as educators from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnics and the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC). Since the establishment of the award in 1998, it has recognised over 130 educators for their teaching excellence, dedication and hard work."
Goh Keng Swee Centre for Education to Begin Construction in 2025 (22 October 2024)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) will begin the construction of the Goh Keng Swee Centre for Education (GKSCE) from 2025. This new building, located at North Buona Vista Drive, allows MOE headquarters staff from various sites to consolidate at a single location together with the adjacent MOE Building. This move will also free up land in various parts of the island for other uses. In addition to the Academy of Singapore Teachers and various MOE Divisions, the new building will house specialist academies and training facilities dedicated to the professional development of our in-service teachers."
Three Teachers Recognised for Contributions to Teaching and Learning of Malay Language (26 October 2024)
"Three Malay Language teachers were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the teaching and learning of the Malay Language at the Arif Budiman Malay Language Teacher Award Ceremony on Saturday, 26 October 2024. Guest of Honour Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, presented the awards to the recipients."
Second Minister for Education Dr Maliki Bin Osman to Attend the G20 Education Ministers' Meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil (29 October 2024)
"Second Minister for Education, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, will attend the G20 Education Ministers' Meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil, from 30 to 31 October 2024.
The Meeting is a platform for countries to share best practices and engage in collaboration in the professional development of educators, the digitalisation of education, and the promotion of school-community engagement. These efforts work towards achieving the G20 Education Working Group's goal of inclusive, equitable, and quality universal education. Singapore is one of eight non-G20 member countries invited to take part in the Meeting."
Release of 2024 PSLE Results and Secondary 1 Posting Exercise (13 November 2024)
"The results of the 2024 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) will be released on Wednesday, 20 November 2024 at 11.00am. Arrangements have been made for school candidates to receive their results from their respective primary schools."
Release of 2024 PSLE Results (20 November 2024)
"Students who sat for the 2024 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) received their results today. Arrangements were made for students to receive their results in their respective primary schools."
TIMSS 2023: Singapore Students Demonstrate Strong Foundations & Consistent Good Performance in Mathematics & Science (4 December 2024)
"Singapore's Primary 4 and Secondary 2 students continue to demonstrate strong Mathematics and Science competencies in foundational numeracy and scientific literacy, as well as problem-solving and scientific-inquiry skills, according to findings from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2023, a study by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)."
Release of the 2024 Singapore-Cambridge GCE N(A)- & N(T)-Level Examination Results on 16 December 2024 (9 December 2024)
"The results of the 2024 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Normal (Academic)-[N(A)] and Normal (Technical)-[N(T)] Level Examinations will be released on Monday, 16 December 2024, 2.00pm."
2024 Secondary 1 Posting Results (11 December 2024)
"The Secondary 1 (S1) Posting results will be released on Wednesday, 18 December 2024, at 9am."
Release of 2024 Singapore-Cambridge GCE N(A)- & N(T)-Level Examination Results (16 December 2024)
"Candidates who sat for the 2024 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education (GCE) Normal (Academic) [N(A)] and Normal (Technical) [N(T)] Level Examinations received their results today."
New Islamic college to offer full-time undergraduate degree programme (10 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: The new Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) will offer a full-time undergraduate degree programme allowing students to major in either Islamic Studies or Social Sciences, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Sunday (Nov 10).
The four-year degree programme will allow students to gain a foundation of knowledge to qualify as asatizah, or religious teacher, as well as practical skills to pursue careers in religious and adjacent sectors such as social work, Mr Wong said at a forum to mark the fifth anniversary of M³.
M³ is a tie-up between three community institutions – Mendaki, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and the People’s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council."
Ex-teacher loses appeal in sleepover molestation case; cited smart watch data as evidence he was asleep (11 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: A former teacher who was sentenced to jail and caning for molesting a 12-year-old girl who was at his home for a sleepover with his daughter has lost his appeal against conviction.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, had claimed trial in a district court and was sentenced in March to 23 months' jail and three strokes of the cane.
He filed the appeal while in jail, arguing among other things that evidence from his smart watch at the time showed that he was in a deep sleep and could not have molested the girl."
MOE discussing central kitchen model with schools that cannot fill vacant canteen stalls (12 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) is discussing a different canteen operating model with schools that face challenges finding stallholders to fill their vacant stalls.
Filling vacant stalls may become more challenging in the future as more stallholders retire, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing told parliament on Tuesday (Nov 12).
"In anticipation of such challenges, MOE is discussing with schools which are keen and ready to adopt a different canteen operating model," he said."
Police investigating deepfake nude photos of Singapore Sports School students (12 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: The police are investigating deepfake nude photos of Singapore Sports School (SSP) students that were created and shared by other students.
In response to CNA’s queries, principal Ong Kim Soon said on Tuesday (Nov 12) that the school is aware of the incident "involving the creation and sharing of deepfake photos by our student-athletes".
"The school does not condone such harmful behaviour," he added."
NSF takes father to court to pay S$1,000 per month in advance for his university course fees (13 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: A full-time national serviceman took his father to court in an attempt to get the latter to pay S$1,000 (US$747) a month while he is serving NS, in order to fund his future university course fees.
The Family Court rejected his application, noting that the father appeared "visibly and genuinely sad" that his son had turned to the law for this, and that the young man had not called him for a long time.
The NSF, who is now 22, had mounted the case as he was concerned that his father's funds might be depleted when the time came for him to begin his course at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)."
PSLE results to be released on Nov 20 (13 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: The results of the 2024 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) will be released on Nov 20 at 11am.
Students will be able to receive their results from their primary schools, with details on collection arrangements to be shared by the respective schools, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) said on Wednesday (Nov 13).
"School candidates who are unable to return to school to collect their results may appoint a proxy to do so on their behalf by Friday, Nov 22, 2024."
New Islamic college students can pursue degrees in religious studies, social sciences (14 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: Students enrolled in the upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) will have the option to attain either or both degrees in religious studies and social sciences, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli.
Speaking to reporters at Parliament House on Wednesday (Nov 13), Mr Masagos said this gives graduates the prospect of moving between a religious career and the field of social work.
SCIS will welcome its first cohort of 60 students to its four-year programme when it opens its doors in 2028 at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore’s (MUIS) learning campus near Bencoolen Mosque."
Fann Wong’s 10-year-old son inspired to master Chinese because she and Christopher Lee are 'really good at it' (14 November 2024)
"It’s no secret that many kids in Singapore struggle with the Chinese language. Even those whose parents are fluent in the language find learning Chinese challenging, and, as a result, dislike or are resistant to learning it.
Remember how Eleanor Lee once did so badly for her Chinese exams that mum Quan Yi Fong tore up her exam script and threw it out the window?
Fortunately for Fann Wong and Christopher Lee, their 10-year-old son Zed does not have such issues."
Youths' growing disdain for certain part-time work in F&B, retail leaves businesses desperate for staff (15 November 2024)
"Five years ago, Mr Vincent Seah had his first taste of work life when he worked as a part-time cook at a sushi bar.
It was earnest work that allowed the 16-year-old at the time to earn extra pocket money, while gaining some valuable work experience that he will need when he enters the workforce after he comes of age.
However, the work was also backbreaking, repetitive and involved long hours. He found it difficult to keep up with its demands, especially during peak periods."
Gaming addiction often brushed off as a lack of discipline, but it's a far deeper problem (15 November 2024)
"When Ms Tan tried to take away her younger sister’s devices in August, the 12-year-old, who had been playing the video game Genshin Impact non-stop, threatened to commit suicide.
The girl had been addicted to this particular game for more than a year and would be glued to it for 10 hours a day. Since she had been given an iPad as a toddler, she had been compulsively playing different games for a decade.
It was also not the first time she had threatened to harm herself, and she had tried to carry out her threats in the past."
A Letter to Myself Podcast: Driven by passion, Matthew Tay gave up university to drive buses (16 November 2024)
"For most, buses are simply a functional means of transport and we don’t even think twice about the person behind the wheel.
But for 25-year-old Matthew Tay, they’re a love affair that began when he was just a boy. As a bus interchange supervisor with Tower Transit, he’s the youngest in the role.
Matthew’s interest in buses began in childhood, sparked by the sight of them zipping past his house. He would sketch them on scraps of paper whenever he could and even started amassing a small collection of bus guides when these were still produced."
This Thai engineer makes AI robots and mentors local grads. Here’s how he helps our workforce (16 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: He had gone from a year exposed to the infinite possibilities of technology in the vibrant eco-system of Silicon Valley, to the Advanced Robotics Centre at the National University of Singapore, where he earned his master’s degree.
Krittin Kawkeeree, a Thai national, was well on the way to honing a particular set of skills and passions that just needed the right fit.
Around the same time, Singaporean technopreneur Chinn Lim was dreaming of “something big”. He and an acquaintance, who would become his chief technology officer, felt that the future was in robotics, coupled with the huge potential of artificial intelligence."
'A good gang for kids': She set up Tak Takut Kids Club for at-risk children to have a safe place to go (17 November 2024)
"It’s a weekday evening at Boon Lay. People are rushing home from a long day at work or are heading out to meet friends. Many walk past the ground-floor shop units of a certain HDB block, often without a second thought. But behind those doors, a world of activity is unfolding.
In one unit, the art studio, children are gearing up for an outdoor theatre performance slated to take place at the playground outside. In another unit nearby, kids who may not get regular meals at home are busy in the community kitchen preparing sandwiches for their dinner. A few steps away, some kids are tending to a community garden, caring for curry leaves, long beans and papayas.
These areas are all part of Tak Takut Kids Club (TTKC), a project under 3Pumpkins, a non-profit arts organisation. The club offers a nurturing space for kids from tough family backgrounds to play and grow holistically, regardless of their circumstances, through various developmental programmes."
Counterterrorism exercise involving more than 40 students and police officers conducted at ITE College West (18 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: Gunshots rang out in the air as police officers confronted armed terrorists at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College West on Monday morning (Nov 18).
Firing at the armed terrorists in a tactical formation, police officers were responding to a suicide bomb attack followed by a hostile vehicle attack.
The suicide bomber ran into a crowd before detonating the bomb in his backpack. Injured students fell to the floor bleeding amid the smoke and fire, and student volunteers trained by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in emergency skills rushed over to help those who were injured."
Commentary: The power of learning poetry by heart (19 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: Have you spotted poetry splashed across the train during your morning commute?
More than a hundred poems by Singapore writers are now featured on some SMRT trains and stations on the Circle, North-South and East-West lines. This initiative marks the largest display of Singapore literature for the public, showcasing poems in all four of Singapore's official languages. Commuters can scan QR codes to read these poems in full.
Such developments remind us of the power of poetry in our lives. One of my fondest memories is from my primary school days when my father, a teacher by profession, would quiz me about poetry each evening."
PSLE results: 98.5% of students can progress to secondary school (20 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: About 98.5 per cent of Primary 6 students who sat for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) made it to secondary school.
The PSLE results were released from 11am on Wednesday (Nov 20).
A total of 40,894 Primary 6 students sat for the PSLE this year, said the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) in a joint press release on Wednesday."
Singer Stefanie Sun attends 12-year-old son's primary school graduation, excited parents turn into starstruck fans (20 November 2024)
"When you’re as big a star as Stefanie Sun, you’re bound to draw attention everywhere you go.
The homegrown singer was approached by fans when she and her husband Nadim van der Ros attended their 12-year-old son’s primary school graduation ceremony last Friday (Nov 15).
According to reports, many excited parents approached the 46-year-old for photos, turning the event into a fan meet of sorts. They also swiftly shared the pics online."
Tuition teacher jailed and fined for molesting student during lesson (20 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: A 39-year-old tuition teacher was on Wednesday (Nov 20) jailed for six weeks and fined S$5,000 (US$3,700) for molesting a student during a lesson in his home.
Yew Yap Hon pleaded guilty to two charges of outrage of modesty, with a third similar charge taken into consideration for sentencing.
The victim, whose identity is protected by a gag order, was 18 and had started taking lessons with Yew several months before the incident on Oct 7, 2023."
All Singapore mainstream schools to have programmes for students to experience disability sports (20 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: In the coming years, students in all mainstream schools will have the chance to experience what it is like to play a disability sport.
The initiative is one of ten "strategic moves" under a revised Disability Sport Master Plan (DSMP).
Other upcoming initiatives include the launching of a new fund to support disability sports initiatives and the setting up of community hubs for para sports across Singapore."
ECDA to launch home-based childminding services pilot in December (21 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: Childminders will begin offering infant care services at their homes under a new pilot by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
Launching on Dec 1, the pilot will run for three years, said the agency in a press release on Thursday (Nov 21).
It will be open to infants who are between two months and 18 months old and are Singapore Citizens."
IMH launches 10-year study of youths to support and track their mental health development (22 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: A 10-year study to support and track the development of youths with certain mental health and neuro-development conditions was launched on Friday (Nov 22).
The project by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) will kick off with a two-year study called Building Resilience And Intervention (BRAVE). This will involve the screening and diagnosing of participants to establish the prevalence of mental health conditions among them.
The study will focus on autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and depression - which are the four most common conditions seen at the IMH Child Guidance Clinics, said the institute in a press release."
Commentary: Disciplinary measures like detention and suspension aren’t enough to solve school bullying (26 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: Recent viral bullying incidents and subsequent parliamentary discussions have brought school disciplinary and rehabilitation measures into the spotlight.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing’s emphasis on rehabilitating bullies rather than solely punishing them is a progressive step. However, the continued use of traditional measures such as detention, suspension and even caning raises questions about their effectiveness in correcting bullying behaviour.
Bullying is any form of behaviour that is carried out with the intention to harm, is repetitive, and where there exists a power difference between the bully and the victim. These acts can be physical, such as hitting or pushing; or verbal when the bully makes hurtful or mean remarks in person or online."
How chess can break barriers for children with disabilities, one game at a time (26 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: More youth with disabilities should be exposed to chess, given its ability to break barriers and build self-confidence, said the CEO of the Singapore Chess Federation.
“We should have kids with disabilities learning chess at a young age and growing to love the game,” Mr Kevin Goh said at a para-chess showcase held last week.
“We have seen many successful programmes (on chess for people with disabilities) in many countries. Singapore is not one of them. I feel like we should try to do more,” he added."
Commentary: No longer parents’ duty to pay for their child to go to university – but it’s still nice (28 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: A 22-year-old Singaporean recently took his estranged father to court in a bid to get monthly maintenance to fund his future university fees.
While the case was eventually dismissed, it ignited a public debate on the extent to which parents are expected to provide for their children.
In Singapore, the law requires parents to provide for their children’s basic education needs – but there is no clear legal mandate when it comes to funding a child’s tertiary education or further education aspirations."
A Letter to Myself Podcast: 'Don't beat up on yourself' - Photographer Russel Wong on overcoming academic struggles to find his talent (30 November 2024)
"SINGAPORE: Some people know exactly what they want to do in life, others still search for their “why” well into adulthood.
For acclaimed photographer Russel Wong, a simple going-away gift his father gave him before he embarked to study overseas, was the spark that set him on an unexpected journey.
“He bought it from a shop – I think they’re still around – on Northbridge Road. (It) cost him about $150,” he shared."
My social media habit is making me an anxious mum, and it’s time to stop (30 November 2024)
"It’s 11.30pm. My husband and five children are peacefully in bed. Work finally done for the night, I crawl into bed, limbs and eyelids heavy.
But instead of closing my eyes, I grab my phone. “Just one minute,” I tell myself.
I end up doom-scrolling on social media for the next hour. By the time I feel the phone slipping out of my hands, consciousness giving way under the sweet pressure of sleep, it’s 1am."
24 children at Little Seeds Preschool branch ill with gastroenteritis symptoms, 7 hospitalised (2 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE: Twenty-four children at the Little Seeds Preschool branch at Calvary Baptist Church have fallen ill with gastroenteritis symptoms.
Seven children were hospitalised. Of these, four have been discharged and the remaining three are in stable condition, said the Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) on Monday (Dec 2).
In response to queries from CNA, the authorities said they have not received reports of similar outbreaks in other Little Seeds preschools."
Commentary: High-scoring PSLE students may struggle with imposter syndrome later in life (2 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE: Following the release of Singapore’s Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results, parents of students who achieved stellar scores are no doubt filled with pride and excitement.
However, the unspoken expectations that follow a child’s academic success are often overlooked. For high-performing children, being placed on a pedestal at a young age can take a psychological toll.
I was one of those children. Through my own journey - and conversations with high-achieving peers - I’ve realised that we, as parents and society, need to be mindful that pegging young learners for greatness can inflict them with a lingering sense of inadequacy that follows into adulthood."
Commentary: If you’ve never touched your SkillsFuture credits, it’s time to start (3 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE: We all know how important upskilling and continuous learning is, especially in an increasingly competitive job market. Yet, how many times have we fallen back on the all-too-common “I don’t have time” excuse?
As part of Budget 2024, Singaporeans aged 40 and above received an additional S$4,000 SkillsFuture credit in May, with younger Singaporeans set to receive the same amount when they turn 40. Yet only a minority of all Singaporeans typically touch their SkillsFuture credits, reported SkillsFuture Singapore.
As a mum to a three-year-old, I know firsthand how the demands of work and life often leave little room for anything else."
'A flexible support line’? Parents welcome home-based childminding pilot but worry about safety and structure (3 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE: Stay-at-home mother Victoria Ng has set her mind to return to work when her eight-month-old son turns at least 18 months old.
Yet the former childcare educator also frets about what to do should she have a second child: On one hand, it would make it harder to head back to the office; on the other, she and her spouse would need the extra money to raise another kid.
A new pilot by the Early Childhood Development Agency, however, could be her "go-to choice" in future."
Commentary: Singapore Sports School case should shock us into addressing problem of deepfake porn (4 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE: In November, shocking news broke that the police were investigating teenage students from the Singapore Sports School for generating and circulating deepfake nude photos of their female schoolmates.
Later that month, five ministers in Singapore and over 100 public servants across 31 government agencies received extortionary emails, demanding cryptocurrency payment in return for not publishing doctored images of them in compromising positions.
These are Singapore’s latest cases of artificial intelligence (AI)-created deepfake sexual content – they will certainly not be the last, not here, not globally."
Studying for a degree while nursing and parenting full-time was no joke. But I’d do it again (6 December 2024)
"For me, being a nurse has never been about a job; it’s about answering a calling deep inside me to help people. More than tending to their medical woes, I wanted to be there for my patients at every moment with purpose and kindness.
I had always wanted to further my nursing career through education, but in my first few years of nursing, my children were young and they had to be my focus at the time.
In 2017, I had a hip replacement surgery that greatly restricted my mobility and I was forced to take a long break from nursing."
Meet the 25-year-old behind Chimbridge, the viral Singlish dictionary with new terms like ‘lao hong biscuit’ (7 December 2024)
"It was a weekend in November when Daniel Goh decided it was time to unveil his creation to the world.
For the past six months, the 25-year-old had poured himself into what he calls the most comprehensive Singlish Dictionary ever attempted. Building on earlier works like the Coxford Singlish Dictionary, the engineering professional wanted to fill the gaps by including etymologies and previously undocumented terms.
The result is Chimbridge, a collection of 2,500 entries he painstakingly researched, consolidated, and uploaded onto a website he created, despite having no prior experience in web design. (And if you're wondering, it's also a wordplay on Cambridge and "chim" or "cheem", which means deep or profound.)"
Jail for former NUS assistant professor who smoked cannabis, had drug utensils (11 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE: A former assistant professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) was jailed for a year on Wednesday (Dec 11) for smoking cannabis.
Jevdic Dorde, a 40-year-old Serbian, also admitted to having drug utensils that he used to smoke Ice, or crystal methamphetamine.
He pleaded guilty to two charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act, with a third similar charge considered for sentencing."
Creativity important in workplace, even in science and tech: Educators (13 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE: Educators are highlighting creativity as a crucial skill not just for students, but for success in the workplace as well.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Singaporean students came up top in an international benchmarking study on creative thinking.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 tested students on how well they generate creative ideas, as well as evaluate and improve on them."
NUS student accused of deflating car tyres by inserting green bean into their valve stems (17 December 2024)
"SINGAPORE: A man initially charged with causing public nuisance by deflating car tyres had his charge amended to one of committing mischief.
Benjamin Chia Yit Loong, 23, returned to the State Courts for a further mention on Tuesday (Dec 17), where his charge was amended. The National University of Singapore student also applied for and was granted leave to travel overseas.
Chia was first charged on Nov 21 with one count of causing public nuisance on Nov 19 by deflating the tyres of five cars and placing flyers on car windshields at the car park at Blocks 517A and Blk 519A Woodlands Drive 14. The alleged offences were committed between 10am and 12pm on Nov 19."