Latest news with #DesmondLee
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Food rescue initiative by FairPrice Group to expand to 60 distribution points
SINGAPORE - More vegetables and fruits will be shared with lower-income families and the elderly as FairPrice Group plans to expands its food rescue initiative to 60 distribution points by end-2025. The Neighbourhood Food Share (NFS) programme gives away vegetables and fruits that cannot be sold in supermarkets due to defects in their appearance but are not spoilt. It started in September 2023 with 15 distribution points and now has 51, providing more than two tonnes of fruits and vegetables a month. Since its launch, it has distributed close to 30 tonnes of fresh produce, and serves more than 25,000 beneficiaries a year. Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee said on July 23 that initiatives like this NFS are important because resources in Singapore are scarce. These programmes can only run because of the unspoken social compact in Singapore, where everyone is prepared to work together, he said at an event in Boon Lay to announce the expansion of NFS . For NFS, FairPrice Group leverages on its networks and supermarkets to provide good produce, on-the-ground groups work to publicise the events to those in need, and volunteers collect items and set up the distribution points, Mr Lee said. 'We think about ways to work together to benefit society and people, and many of us are prepared to step forward and volunteer,' he added. Other groups in Singapore that work towards reducing food wastage include Food from the Heart and The Food Bank Singapore, both of which collect unsold or excess food to be distributed to the public. FairPrice Group, which turns 52 in 2025, works with the People's Association and on-the-ground groups like social service agencies to connect disadvantaged residents or lower-income families with distribution events. They conduct outreach to ensure these families know when free produce is being given out nearby . In 2023, the National Environment Agency found that Singapore disposed of more than 755,000 tonnes of food waste, with a significant portion ending up in landfills. A portion of this waste is attributed to food nearing its expiry date or being deemed visually unappealing, even if it is still edible, the agency said. Madam Alice Lim, 89, was among more than 200 seniors who collected fresh produce at the July 23 event in Boon Lay. FairPrice Group has a distribution point near her home which gives out fruits and vegetables weekly. M ore than 1,400 families in Boon Lay benefit from the initiative. Madam Lim has lived in Boon Lay for 15 years. After her husband's death in 2020, she found it hard to leave her flat correct and would only walk nearby in the estate. 'I am glad there is something like this near me. I don't like wasting food, so at least these things are going to us and not a dustbin,' she said.
CNA
2 days ago
- General
- CNA
Commentary: Will cutting administrative work help schools recruit more teachers?
SINGAPORE: The need to recruit and retain good teachers is a constant in Singapore. The Ministry of Education (MOE) said it plans to hire more than 1,000 teachers annually, up from 700, to strengthen the teaching workforce in anticipation of more retirements. In a similar vein, the National Institute of Education (NIE) will shorten its postgraduate programme for teachers-in-training from 16 months to 12 months. It will give them more flexibility to take elective courses based on their interests, and upon graduation, more support for professional learning in classrooms. This is part of an ongoing review to meet the needs of a diverse teaching force and attract individuals with the right values and motivations to become teachers. But how successful will such efforts be when overwork is a chronic issue in the profession? TEACHERS DO MORE THAN TEACH Minister for Education Desmond Lee recently highlighted efforts made to reduce teachers' administrative workload, such as simplifying procurement processes and no longer requiring teachers to collate absentee records. This is so that teachers can 'focus on what matters most – helping our students to learn and grow well'. However, teachers do far more than just delivering content to students. They must assume various roles and responsibilities, which have morphed with MOE reforms. For instance, teachers must now meet individual learners' needs through differentiated instruction and inquiry-based learning. Artificial intelligence has made the tasks of planning and delivering lessons, as well as marking students' work, more complex than it was a decade ago. The avenues for students to learn have also expanded to include overseas immersion trips, cohort learning journeys and outdoor adventure learning camps, all of which require teachers to spend time on the planning and carrying out of these activities. THE CHALLENGING TASK OF CARING FOR STUDENTS Another major MOE focus is students' social and emotional well-being. All teachers have a shared responsibility to foster a 'caring and enabling school environment', which includes building positive teacher-student relationships and peer relationships among students. This task cannot be accomplished overnight, nor is it easily quantified. The idea of 'care' is a powerful and at times challenging one for teachers. For instance, teachers play a crucial role in detecting signs of student self-harm or domestic child abuse. Some teachers take on the task of patrolling the neighbourhood around the school after the school day has ended in a bid to ensure students' safety and well-being. In 2022, then Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing rejected the idea of imposing an upper limit on teachers' work hours as 'unrealistic' because teachers would still work 'way beyond' what is expected of them. Partnerships with parents are also an important aspect of teachers' work. Some teachers text parents with instructions regarding students' homework. Others conduct workshops for parents on topics such as supporting children in learning mathematics and enhancing children's English language skills. Here, as in the case of teacher-student relationships, the boundaries between work and personal time may get blurred at times. The MOE has issued two sets of guidelines, first in 2019 and then in 2024, in a bid to for non-urgent matters. Besides their work with students and parents, teachers must also dedicate time to their professional development through activities like mentoring colleagues and participating in workshops. NOT SO SIMPLE TO CUT A TEACHER'S WORKLOAD Calls to let teachers focus on teaching neglect the reality that working with students involves much more than lesson preparation and marking. Teachers, as frontline individuals who interact with students daily, will inevitably be roped into administrative work, and serve as the main point of contact for parents. Artificial intelligence is often held up as a promising tool for teachers in the tasks of teaching and assessment. However, teachers must still spend time interpreting and reviewing the output of AI assistants before providing feedback to students. Hence, current MOE initiatives to ease teacher workload, such as streamlining of administrative processes, the use of technology and allowing schools greater flexibility in implementing certain policy initiatives, can only go so far. Aspiring teachers must be aware that the moral purpose of 'care' underlies a teacher's work. As former Second Minister for Education Maliki Osman pointed out in 2024, 'a teacher is one who is there to guide the student, go through the education journey holistically so that students also understand the teacher is available at any point in time'. They therefore need to ask themselves whether their personalities and values are well-suited for the demands of teaching. Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew said in1966, 'If I have to choose one profession in which you give the most for the least, it is probably teaching – if you take it seriously'. These are sobering words to bear in mind as teachers' workload continues to grow more complex in response to changes in the wider education landscape.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Why hiring more teachers makes sense, even with falling student numbers
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The teaching workforce – like the rest of Singapore's working population – is growing older. SINGAPORE - With fewer students, why do we need more teachers? It's a fair question. On July 9, Education Minister Desmond Lee announced that his ministry will raise annual teacher recruitment to 1,000 – a significant jump from the recent average of 650 new hires a year since 2019. The number of teachers across primary schools, secondary schools and junior colleges dropped from 31,834 in 2021 to 30,396 in 2023. Figures for 2024 are not yet available. Despite falling student cohort sizes – from 428,600 in 2021 to 422,342 in 2023 – boosting the supply of teachers is not just timely, it is critical. It is no longer enough to be a classroom teacher, a subject expert with little knowledge of how the real world works. As educators support students beyond academics and prepare them for an increasingly uncertain world, their workloads have grown, along with the complexity of their responsibilities. A better-staffed workforce could help give teachers some breathing space to meet these demands. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Mindef, SAF units among those dealing with attack on S'pore's critical information infrastructure Singapore Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: Train service resumes after power fault affects 13-station line Asia Autogate glitch causes chaos at KLIA and Johor checkpoints, foreign passport holders affected Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died Singapore Who decides when you can't? A guide on planning for end-of-life care Singapore S'pore sees no baby boom in Year of the Dragon despite slight rise in births in 2024 Singapore New auto pet wash service in Buona Vista draws flak, but company stands by its safety Throughout the school day, and sometimes beyond, they wear multiple 'hats' apart from their formal teacher role – mediator, counsellor, disciplinarian, tech support and coach, among others. They design lesson materials and assessments to cater to students who learn at a slower or faster pace, plan activities to help their charges form friendships and learn in groups, and help them navigate online lessons. They are required, to some extent, to be well-versed with digital tools and artificial intelligence, and ensure students are using digital devices responsibly for learning, without getting distracted. More attention is also being placed on students' mental and emotional well-being, said Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education. Another important aspect of the job of an educator today is partnering parents, especially for families with more needs. With recent moves like full subject-based banding – where students can take subjects at different levels based on their ability – and the removal of mid-year examinations, teachers have more on their plate. Full subject-based banding could result in more teachers being deployed to teach, as one class now has students taking one subject at three different levels. And the removal of mid-year exams means that lessons go on as per usual for all teachers, instead of only a few teachers being deployed as exam invigilators. All these added roles have expanded what it means to be an educator today. Mr Mike Thiruman, general secretary of the Singapore Teachers' Union, said that with more teachers, schools will have more flexibility to spread out work and can implement the ministry's reforms more meaningfully. Just by having one fewer lesson, a teacher could use the freed-up time for professional development, said Mr Thiruman. This could mean engaging in online courses to help them hone teaching skills, or using that time to complete school or department projects. 'There are plenty of training opportunities that MOE has created, but it's whether teachers have time to partake in all of this,' he said. An older workforce; teachers on reduced workloads New teachers are needed to replace those who will retire in the near future. The teaching workforce – like the rest of Singapore's working population – is growing older. The median age of teachers was 43 as at December 2024, with about 11 per cent aged 55 and above. In 2019, the median age was 38. While hiring more teachers is on the right track, Mr Thiruman said it is not just about replacing teachers who retire. 'There are different schemes in service now, with teachers going on no-pay leave, taking breaks from service and doing flexi-adjunct work as well,' he said, and added that Singapore will need to recruit even more than 1,000 annually in the future. Flexi-adjunct teachers are typically assigned fewer teaching hours and may not have the same administrative or CCA responsibilities as full-time teachers. Currently, part-time and flexi-adjunct teachers likely make up a small proportion of the workforce, but if more choose to switch to such schemes to reduce their workload, it could put added strain on the profession. A boost for teaching digital literacy In the years ahead, teachers will be expected to use technology more meaningfully. Younger hires might have an edge over more senior teachers, who may not be as well-versed with digital tools. Students need to be equipped with digital skills, particularly in AI literacy – one of the areas of focus for the future. From 2021, all Secondary 1 students have received personal learning devices like tablets or laptops, underscoring this shift. Since then, more of classroom learning has shifted online. Students use online apps like Padlet and Google Classroom to learn with others and complete exercises on the Singapore Student Learning Space, an online portal with resources and tools that can give students targeted feedback. To guide students, teachers must first be comfortable with learning how to use such tools and platforms, which often falls outside the scope of their subject expertise. Hence, the news that more teachers are in the pipeline is welcome for a profession that is reckoning with growing demands and expectations. This is rightly so, as the task of preparing students for an ever-changing world has never been more crucial.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
NTU upholds zero grade for student penalised for academic misconduct; panel found 14 false citations or data
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The essay was part of a course on health, disease outbreaks and politics at NTU's School of Social Sciences. SINGAPORE - Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has upheld the zero mark given to a student penalised earlier for academic misconduct, following an appeal made by the student. In a statement on July 18, the university said the panel, which reviewed the student's appeal, found 14 instances of false citations or data in her essay, noting that these were not mere 'typos' or typographical errors. One example was the citing of non-existent sources. 'The panel stipulated that citing non-existent sources is a serious form of academic misconduct as the accurate citation of sources is the foundation of academic research and writing,' NTU said. 'Citing non-existent sources constitutes a serious form of academic misconduct.' The university added that such errors are commonly associated with factual inaccuracies generated by generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) tools. The assignment in question was part of a course on health, disease outbreaks and politics at NTU's School of Social Sciences. Three students enrolled in the module had earlier in Apri l received a zero grade for the same essay after their submissions were flagged for containing non-existent academic references and statistics, or broken web links. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore Who is UNC3886, the group that attacked S'pore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore Former NUH male nurse faces charges after he allegedly molested man at hospital Singapore Character counts as much as grades, Desmond Lee tells students The case has drawn attention to the growing use of AI in education, and sparked discussion about its impact on academic integrity and critical thinking. It came to light after a Reddit post by one of the students on June 19 went viral. In the post, she claimed she was accused of using AI in a final essay for a module because she had made errors in her citations and used a reference organiser. NTU had earlier confirmed that the use of Gen AI tools had been explicitly prohibited by the course instructor throughout the semester, with students warned that any AI-generated content would result in a zero grade. The assignment was worth 45 per cent of the final grade. The student whose appeal case was heard by the panel had said earlier that she had used only a reference organiser and had submitted updated citations to rectify her earlier mistakes. On the panel's decision to keep the zero mark, she told The Straits Times when contacted on July 18 that while she does not agree fully with its reasoning and conclusion, she was ready to move on. 'I respect NTU's decision and treat it as a case of bad luck on my end,' she said. Meanwhile, a request for an appeal by the second student, who was also penalised, was earlier rejected. The third student did not submit an appeal. All cases of academic misconduct are documented in the internal records of the students, NTU said on July 18. 'The outcome of the appeal panel is final,' said NTU. 'We urge everyone to respect the integrity of the appeals process and refrain from making personal attacks against any individual involved.' 'The university is committed to safeguarding the well-being of the university's faculty, staff and students.'
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
China quietly issues 2025 rare earth quotas, sources say
The government issued the first set of quotas for the year only in June, without the usual public statement, said the sources. China has quietly issued its first 2025 rare earth mining and smelting quotas without the typical public statement, sources with knowledge of the matter said this week, another sign of Beijing tightening its control over the crucial sector. The quotas are closely monitored as a barometer for the global supply of rare earths, a group of 17 elements used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, robots and missiles. China is the world's largest producer of the minerals and the government typically issues them twice a year to state-owned companies but they have been delayed in 2025. The government issued the first set of quotas for the year only in June, without the usual public statement, said the sources, with one of them saying the companies were told not to share the numbers for security reasons. These details are being reported here for the first time. The sources did not give the quota volumes. China is increasingly sensitive about rare earths and its control over the supply, which it has been willing to assert amid its trade discussions with the US and European Union. Beijing added several of the elements and related magnets to its export restriction list in retaliation for US tariff hikes, cutting off supply and forcing some automakers outside China to partially shutter production. In the previous four years, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the first batch of quotas in the first quarter of the year in an announcement on its website. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student who used AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore Former NUH male nurse faces charges after he allegedly molested man at hospital Singapore Character counts as much as grades: Desmond Lee tells students after a class on race and culture Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore at Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule Business DBS shares rally to a new record as STI clocks yet another high The Ministry did not immediately reply to a request sent by fax for a comment on why the information has not been publicly issued. In 2024, China issued two batches of mining quotas for 270,000 metric tons, with annual supply growth slowing to 5.9 per cent from 21.4 per cent in 2023. The smelting and separation quota in 2024 was also in two batches, totalling 254,000 tons, up 4.2 per cent from 2023. Beijing has used the quota system, first introduced in 2006, and corporate consolidation to tame the industry and give officials control over output. Beijing has narrowed access to the quotas, with only two state-owned groups - China Rare Earth Group and China Northern Rare Earth Group High-Tech - eligible in 2024, down from six previously. The quotas were delayed in 2025 partly because of a proposal in February to add imported ore into the quota system, which sparked opposition from companies that rely on imports and were concerned they could lose access to feedstock, according to the two sources and an additional source with knowledge of the matter. REUTERS
