Minister Indranee Rajah Emphasises Importance of
Skills-Based Education to ITE Students; Highlights SINDA’s Student Support

SINDA’s ITE Youth Dialogue also focused on the revision to SINDA’s Per Capita Income criteria which has increased available support to a greater number of ITE students.

1. 26 July 2024 – SINDA organised the ITE Youth Dialogue in collaboration with the Institute of Technical Education to emphasise to students the importance of doing well in the ITE pathway. The dialogue also reinforced the broader theme of Forward SG and its vision of redefining academic success for students from all educational backgrounds.

2. The dialogue offered students an opportunity to engage in an informative conversation with Minister Indranee Rajah, who shared insights and national perspectives, aimed at equipping them with the knowledge they require to excel in their educational and career pursuits. In her address to students, Minister Indranee touched on:

● The Government’s long-term vision for ITE education in Singapore;
● ITE-specific assistance and initiatives by the Government and SINDA; and
● The importance of life-long learning and upskilling.

3. Minister Indranee also highlighted the increase in SINDA’s Per Capita Income 1 (PCI) criteria, which was revised from $1,000 previously to $1,600 this year. Under this revised criteria, families and individuals with a PCI of up to $1,600 are now able to apply for SINDA’s financial and social assistance and receive full fee waivers when they enroll into any SINDA programme.

4. Minister Indranee stated that “through this increase, SINDA has been able to extend assistance to more students, youths and families in the community, and provide them with extended, impactful support to help them achieve their aspirations in life.” She noted that in the first half of 2024, this PCI increase has resulted in:

● 85% growth in enrolment into SINDA by families with a PCI within $1,600;
● Three-fold increase in enrichment programmes participation;
● 13% increase in enrolment into tutorial programmes;
● Over 40% increase in academic bursary schemes; and
● Over 60% increase in financial and social assistance, as more families qualify for support.

5. A larger number of ITE students now have access to SINDA’s support and assistance, following the PCI revision. Among those benefitting is 18-year-old Ameerjan Bin Sahul Hassan, who comes from a family with a PCI of within $1,600 and has recently joined SINDA’s ITEnable – a programme aimed to build confidence and resilience in ITE students through workshops and mentoring sessions. He shared: “Programmes like ITEnable provide students like me with the chance to grow personally with numerous resources that will support us throughout our ITE journey. Now that I have further access to the resources that SINDA’s youth programmes offer, I plan to fully utilise every opportunity that comes my way and make the most of it. This additional motivation has increased my confidence and reassured me of support as I pursue my aspirations even further.”

6. The event also featured two panel sessions which saw current ITE students and alumni share their experiences with their peers. The panel discussions covered:

● The benefits of SINDA’s ITE programmes; and
● Career paths available to students upon graduation from ITE and the opportunities to further their ambitions.

7. SINDA strives to ensure that all students are given opportunities to succeed in their chosen educational pathways, recognising the diverse talents and passions each student possesses.

8. Mr Anbarasu Rajendran, CEO of SINDA, highlighted the impact of the PCI revision upon students across all educational pathways: “As times change, more young people recognise the importance of exploring various educational pathways in Singapore. Through our various youth focused programmes, SINDA aims to continually inspire and support ITE students in our community by providing them with the key resources necessary for their educational journeys. The recent PCI revision has allowed us to extend our support to a greater number of ITE students and we are deeply committed to being more than just a support system; we strive to be a true companion in every student’s academic journey.”

9. SINDA’s ITE Youth Dialogue brought together 160 students from all three ITE campuses. This dialogue is one of SINDA’s many initiatives aimed at actively engaging post-secondary and tertiary education students in Singapore in the coming years.

Annex A

Increase in outreach due to increase in SINDA’s PCI for families within $1,600 PCI only (as of Q2 2024)

Annex B

About SINDA ITE Programmes

ITEnable:

ITEnable’s range of enriching workshops and mentoring sessions aim to build confidence and resilience in Indian ITE students. With activities running throughout the year, this campus-based motivational and mentoring programme imparts new and interesting skills in a fun environment.

ITEnable Career Mentoring:

As part of SINDA’s ITEnable programme, ITE students work with mentors to gain in-depth knowledge to explore and make informed decisions about their future careers.

ITE Allowance:

Aimed at easing their financial burdens and supplementing their families’ incomes, ITE students from low-income families receive a monthly allowance through the SINDA ITE Allowance.

ITE Leadership Programme (ITELP):

ITELP nurtures Indian ITE students into effective leaders. The three-month course shapes their development and presents opportunities for them to develop and execute projects that benefit our society.

Annex C

Panel Details