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Articles by Jane Ng
More nursing diploma holders enter NUS Medicine in recent years
(From left) NP nursing diploma holders Amir Aryan Danish Sudirman, Ng Xiao Jun, Mel Cheryl Yang, Yang Soohye and Kou Zi Qian entered NUS Medicine in 2026. PHOTO: NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC More nursing diploma holders are entering NUS Medicine. Ngee Ann Polytechnic had a record five in 2026. NUS said nursing diploma holders are still a small part of each cohort. In 2026, 17 of 286 NUS students came from polytechnics. NTU admitted four polytechnic graduates out of 190, but none had a nursing diploma.
How Singapore universities are preparing undergraduates for work
SINGAPORE – As the graduate job market grows increasingly competitive, Singapore’s six autonomous universities are expanding efforts to help students get a head start in their careers. From career readiness programmes to new courses emphasising interdisciplinary skills and familiarity with artificial intelligence, undergraduates are getting more support. This shift reflects a growing emphasis on hands-on experience across local tertiary institutions.
What it takes for fresh grads to land a job
SINGAPORE – Landing a first job has become an increasingly uphill task for fresh university graduates navigating today’s economic landscape. Amid global uncertainty, employers facing tighter budgets and evolving skill requirements are becoming more cautious in their hiring.
Which rule made the biggest difference in managing my children’s screen time?
SINGAPORE – I am generally a relaxed parent. I don’t impose a curfew on my teenagers, trusting that they will return at a reasonable hour. When they bring home less-than-ideal test scores, I calmly ask what went wrong and offer to get them help. But the one area I am not chill about was their screen time when they were younger. My children are now 20, 17 and 10.
How SJI shapes character through holistic education
(From left) St Joseph’s Institution students Darren Lee, Sakthi Muralikrishna, Rickey Khine and Luke Low. ST PHOTO: JASEL POH Parents should choose the best fit for their child when it comes to secondary school selection, rather than just going for the IP route. With the extra time from not taking the national exam in Secondary 4, students have programmes for broader learning. SJI offers its students overseas learning journeys and work experience programmes.
One man’s journey to medicine: He pivoted from architecture to nursing to medicine
Uzer Danial Sukari is a second-year student at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Uzer Danial Sukari switched from architecture to nursing after a National Service deployment showed him he enjoyed helping people and healthcare work. His nursing path was delayed by the pandemic, but he worked at the Institute of Mental Health, then excelled at Nanyang Polytechnic with a 3.90 GPA and top student awards.
The simple joys of unhurried days and forest trails during a family holiday
SINGAPORE – During a recent holiday with my daughters, I rediscovered the simple pleasure of slowing down. It is not always easy to do that while travelling with children. But instead of ticking off popular tourist spots, we enjoyed relaxed mornings, scenic walks and home-cooked dinners.
From Bali to Hoi An, how a family turned the world into their classroom
The Ongs on a jeep tour to explore Mount Batur’s black lava fields in Bali. PHOTO: COURTESY OF JULIANA ONG The Ong family uses "worldschooling" to educate their four daughters through living in local communities in Bali and Hoi An, embracing cultural immersion instead of traditional schooling. They balance homeschooling, an online business and daily life by settling in one place, budgeting carefully and avoiding tourist hot spots to experience authentic local life.
The final stretch: Essential listening tips for PSLE pupils
Writer’s Guild founder and academic director Trinity Wang, pictured above with her daughter, Emma Hong, says improvement in the listening comprehension section of the PSLE often comes from understanding why errors are made rather than simply completing more practice papers. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Parents should focus on understanding why children make mistakes in Listening Comprehension instead of just drilling more practice papers.
From potlucks to parades, celebrating Singapore’s birthday our way
SINGAPORE – My 10-year-old daughter has been counting down to Aug 9 on her white board. She took the Singapore flag out of our cupboard weeks ago and reminded her papa to put it up. She has been listening to the National Day Parade (NDP) 2026 songs on repeat: Giants, Sparkle and You’ll Be Okay.
ST documentary traces national service journey of four Singapore recruits
(From left) Aniq Afhami Hamir, Haravin Shaun Sivakumar, Connor Francis Foster and Javis Goh did eight more weeks of physical training before basic military training. PHOTO: ST FILE Four Singaporean recruits who did not pass their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) underwent an extra eight weeks of physical training before starting their nine-week basic military training.
University of the Arts Singapore marks first batch of graduates
SINGAPORE – With the graduation of the pioneer cohort from Singapore’s first arts university on Aug 7, a new generation of multidisciplinary artists will enter the workforce. A total of 135 students will graduate from the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), formed by an alliance between Lasalle College of the Arts and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).
Pioneer cohort to graduate from the University of the Arts Singapore in August
SINGAPORE – Singapore’s first arts university will see its inaugural cohort of students graduate in August, two years after it opened. The University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), formed by an alliance between Lasalle College of the Arts and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), is a private university supported by the government. A total of 135 students will graduate on August 7, comprising 102 from Lasalle and 33 from NAFA.
8 common science exam mistakes even high achievers make
Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. SINGAPORE – A student, who was consistently scoring above 85 per cent in science exams, floundered during his preliminary exams and scored just over 50 marks, to his teachers’ shock. It turned out that he had missed shading one multiple-choice question on the Optical Answer Sheet (OAS). As a result, the subsequent answers were moved by one row, costing him a significant number of marks.
How I supported my children through major exams, World Cup or not
SINGAPORE – The FIFA World Cup 2018 kicked off a few months before my firstborn sat his PSLE. As a die-hard football fan, he was far more enthusiastic about tracking every score than tackling his revision. He would pore over sports sites and devour newspaper coverage instead of working through the practice papers. Navigating a national exam for the first time as a parent, I was concerned that he was watching matches when he could be brushing up on, say, his Chinese.
Do informal debates help prepare students for the PSLE oral exam?
Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. Apparently, they do, as engaging pupils in debates and recording them reading aloud can help them own the preparation better than just memorising points on what to do, teachers say. Other practical activities in school and at home can also hone students’ skills in reading aloud and speaking well, skills that will stand them in good stead in life too.
Preparing for the PSLE is a lot more than just hitting the books
Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. While the main focus is on studying, what can give students an edge is also knowing how to organise, plan, and even manage time during the actual examination. Not dwelling on the results of practice papers, focusing on learning lessons from mistakes made, and knowing when to stop attempting new questions can be key.
A chance to get full marks in PSLE listening comprehension, so pay attention to this section
When listening, focus your attention on what is being said, paying attention to the speaker’s tone and emphasis. Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. This should come as music to many parents’ ears as the PSLE listening comprehension is one segment that can give their child a leg-up in their English language score. And the preparation can be as doable as listening to audio materials and reading more.
Common errors in maths exams and how to avoid them
Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. SINGAPORE – Careless mistakes are a common reason marks are lost during an examination, but they can be prevented, say educators. Some parents may think their child is lazy when they are prone to such errors, but carelessness could be because of factors such as a lack of exam stamina, anxiety or a shaky foundation, says Zhou Shicai. The founder of NickleBee Tutors coaches pupils in PSLE and Olympiad mathematics programmes.
Making memories that matter during the June school holidays
SINGAPORE – School holidays look different now that my children are 20, 17 and 10. While the youngest has four weeks free as she does not have enrichment activities, the older two are busier. This June, we will take our first family holiday without our eldest. Travelling without one child is an inflection point that was bound to happen as the kids grow up and no longer have as much free time for the family, but it makes me nostalgic for the time when they were younger.
May is a good time to identify areas of weakness and analyse errors
Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. The mid-year assessment results are in, and it is a good time to take stock of what needs to be done for each subject, say teachers. This will help provide a structure for revision in June. This edited version of the article published in The Straits Times on May 14, 2023, details how a child can revise for each subject.
How one resort in Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands breeds and returns bamboo sharks to the wild
PHI PHI ISLANDS, Thailand – Bobbing on the teal waters of the Andaman Sea, I transfer from a speedboat to a diving support vessel that is carrying precious cargo of seven bamboo sharks – five juveniles and two adults. We are at Koh Ma, or Dog Island, where the sharks will be released into their natural habitat. I am visiting the Phi Phi Islands, which are made up of six islands known for their picture-perfect beaches and dramatic limestone cliffs.
Honing a talent in a specialised school
Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. SINGAPORE – Yee Hong Shyan’s fascination with how vending machines work led him to build his own versions using different materials and mechanisms. “I like to understand how something works by taking it apart. When I cannot do that, I try to build it myself,” says the 15-year-old Secondary 3 student. His interests were clear since pre-school.
What my daughter thinks about being given access to social media at 17
SINGAPORE – I did not allow my daughter to have access to social media when I gave her a mobile phone at age 13. She was in the minority among her peers, as someone without an Instagram account. I had read about the risks of social media, including mental health and body image issues, on adolescents and decided to delay giving her access.
How to nurture a self-motivated child?
Ms Chrishirl Campos-Chua and her son, Elliot Lee, studied together during his PSLE year. Children's motivation varies; understand their individual needs and adapt strategies to foster ownership over learning. Self-Determination Theory highlights that for autonomous motivation, nurturing competence, autonomy, and relatedness is crucial. Parents should offer choices within boundaries, focus on effort not just results and create a supportive learning environment.
Record 16,000 pupils in Dragon Year cohort apply for Direct School Admission in 2024
Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. A record number of 16,000 Primary 6 pupils have applied for the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise in 2024, up from 14,500 in 2023. They submitted a total of 42,500 applications, an increase from 38,000 in 2023. In 2022, 12,200 pupils sent in 31,800 applications.
Neighbourhood schools seeing more students apply through DSA
Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. Neighbourhood secondary schools are attracting more students via the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise, with schools saying they have been seeing rising interest and an increase in application numbers. The Ministry of Education (MOE) says that the proportion of DSA applications for the non-integrated programme (IP) track has gone up.
Sunset yoga, meditation and a 6am ‘fun run’: What it’s like to join a wellness retreat in Phuket
PHUKET, Thailand – I arrive in SAii Laguna Phuket resort for my first wellness retreat with a stiff neck, the culmination of months spent hunched over my laptop. The timing for a trip that focuses on well-being feels serendipitous.
Planting rice, outreach efforts: How teens are going green at school
SINGAPORE – When Ignatius Tang was in Secondary 1, he joined his school’s sustainability efforts because he wanted to be with his friends. In the process, he developed a genuine passion for the cause. From Secondary 2, he championed several programmes in St Andrew’s Secondary School, including collecting discarded red or green packets after Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa to be recycled. “We realised there were a lot of discarded red and green packets after the festive periods.
8 x 5 is right, 5 x 8 is not wrong, but 5 x 8kg is incorrect
For subscribers Sign up now: Get tips on how to help your child succeed Parents of pupils who will soon sit the PSLE are concerned their children will be penalised for not giving the textbook answers. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. There are textbook answers, which some pupils may memorise, and then there are answers from students who use their own words.
How to set up a conducive revision space at home
SINGAPORE – When Zachary Wong, now 13, was sitting his PSLE in 2025, he did his revision at the family dining table as he does not have his own study table. What worked for him was a clutter-free surface with just his revision materials and stationery on the table, says his mum, Ms Fynn Sor, 43. She is the author of books such as the Happy Learning Math series, and founder of Happy Tot Shelf, an educational platform that shares learning activities for children.
How to reduce your child’s screen time without straining your relationship
SINGAPORE – I realised my mistake too late when I handed my son a mobile phone without restrictions or parental controls when he was 13 and in Secondary 1. Not setting defined boundaries meant he was on his phone more often than I felt comfortable with. Sleep time was pushed back, as he was still replying to messages way past his bedtime. We had arguments about how much time he was spending on the phone.
Sweat, mud and tears
Field camp, or outfield training, simulates operational conditions and is designed to provide recruits with five days of practical experience in the field. The three main activities are digging a shell scrape (a shallow trench), often under the sweltering sun; fire and movement (learning to advance towards or retreat from targets); and a situational test that aims to assess leadership ability under stress via a simulated mission.
The BMT Journey: Inside Basic Military Training Centre’s School 2
What he heard from past recruits did not help either. “The stories my relatives told me were scary. They shared stories about screwing up and getting punished,” he says. Six months before his enlistment, he decided to do something about his physical fitness. “I knew that if I didn’t prepare myself, I would suffer,” he says. He picked up running and started going to the gym. He also changed his diet, avoiding sweet food and carbs. His efforts worked.
Pre-enlistment medical checks and tests to determine NS training and vocation
SINGAPORE – Pre-enlistees go through a medical screening and psychometric test to determine their level of fitness and suitability for national service (NS). This determines the type of basic training and vocation they can be assigned to. The Medical Classification Centre – formerly located in Depot Road – moved to the new Central Manpower Base (CMPB) opposite Cashew MRT station on June 23, 2025. The full medical screening journey takes up to half a day and involves 12 stations.
‘I feel lonely in real life’: Teenage girl finds solace in online friends on Roblox
SINGAPORE – Years of concern over Mary’s (not her real name) phone use came to a head in June 2025, when her parents discovered she had an online boyfriend. Now 16, she has had two such relationships since she was 15, meeting both boys through Roblox, an online game platform hugely popular among the young.
JC or poly: How I guided my daughter to make a choice
SINGAPORE – With the O-level results due to be released on Jan 14, some parents and students will soon be grappling with the junior college (JC) or polytechnic dilemma. When I mentioned to a friend that my 16-year-old daughter, who took her O-level exams in 2025, was considering the polytechnic route over the JC one, I was asked: “Why? She is doing okay in school.” ST Smart ParentingST Minor IssuesO levelsJunior collegePolytechnics
Pick up strategies to manage PSLE stress
Explore the PSLE Companion microsite for more insights and tips. SINGAPORE – Even if a child has prepared well for his exam, his performance can be affected if he is unable to manage stress well. High levels of stress can overload a child’s brain, reducing their ability to focus and make it harder to recall information during the exam.
AskST: What should I know before giving my child a mobile phone?
SINGAPORE – Many students get their first mobile phone when they start secondary school. But things will look slightly different in 2026, with schools tightening rules on the use of smartphones . From January, secondary school students will not be allowed to use smartphones and smartwatches during school hours, including during recess, co-curricular activities (CCAs) and remedial lessons. Current guidelines disallow use only during lessons.
Taking fewer subjects in upper secondary frees up time for personal interests
Take one subject less, and have more time for kendo, dance or volunteering. Students are happy to have this choice now that JC admission will require five subjects instead of six from 2028. Among the first batch of students impacted - those in Secondary 2 in 2025 - those thinking of taking seven subjects instead of eight will use the freed-up time for hobbies, rest and mental well-being, and spending quality time with family. PSLE CompanionPSLEST Smart ParentingEducation and schools
How to get ready for Primary 1 without preparatory classes or assessment books
SINGAPORE – Madam Nasrin Shah Beevi has been role-playing as a cashier, selling food items to her six-year-old daughter and getting her to use actual coins for the transaction. She says getting her daughter, Nur Zahirah Nizamudheen, to do simple mathematics will help with recess meal purchases when she has to handle money. ST Smart ParentingPrimary schoolPrimary 1 registrationParentingChildren and youth
What I wish I knew before my children entered primary school
SINGAPORE – When my eldest child, now 19, was about to enter Primary 1, I enthusiastically bought him a Chinese assessment book after I heard how much his pre-school classmate had enjoyed working on it. We barely made it through the first few pages before he questioned me repeatedly why he had to do it. I gave up on making him do the extra work when I realised what an uphill task it was. ST Smart ParentingST Minor IssuesPrimary schoolPrimary 1 registrationChildren and youth
All aboard: Make memories at Gardens by the Bay’s Christmas Train Show
NEW YORK/SINGAPORE – Singaporeans will soon experience the magic of one of America’s winter traditions: a Christmas Train Show. Imagine model trains chugging along rail tracks that wind through luminous landscapes, crossing bridges and passing by miniature versions of American monuments. Look for fun twists when the show opens at Gardens by the Bay on Nov 23.
Want a child to learn better? Get him to do active learning
SINGAPORE – Mum-of-two Nurul Aqilah Zakaria has been teaching families to concoct “magic soup” with ingredients like leaves, fizzy “rocks” and vinegar. The 32-year-old founder of Playfully Grounded, who organises outdoor playdates, is passionate about nature and turning everyday moments into learning opportunities.
Fewer upper secondary subjects for student well-being
SINGAPORE – Secondary 2 student Ryan Kee had already decided to take eight subjects in Secondary 3, including the three sciences, when he heard about a new directive encouraging students to take seven subjects instead. With the number of subjects required for junior college (JC) admission reduced from six to five in 2028, students are encouraged to take one fewer subject in upper secondary and use the freed-up time to pursue other interests.
Revised JC admission criteria & subject choices
SINGAPORE - More Secondary 3 students are likely to take seven instead of eight subjects, with fewer subjects required to enter junior colleges (JCs) from 2028. Only five subjects will be needed by then, instead of the current six. ST Smart ParentingJunior collegeSecondary schoolO levelsEducation and schools
Dyscalculia: Is it a learning difficulty or math struggles?
SINGAPORE – When Mr Jason Wang’s daughter failed all her tests in Primary 3, he was worried and got her tuition for all the subjects. When her grades did not improve by the end of that year, Mr Wang, 48, who is head of Asia-Pacific in a fintech company, started to help her in mathematics and noticed that she was not able to grasp the basic patterns of numbers. ST Smart ParentingParentingChildren and youthMathematics
Secondary School: Preparing for Life, Not Just Exams
For subscribers Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox No matter your O-level results, the values you picked up in the last four years will guide you through life. ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA The author reflects on her daughter's secondary school journey, highlighting her growth in art, dance, and academics despite initial struggles. She is glad her daughter prioritises real-life connections and still enjoys reading.
Collecting Past Due Rent after Eviction
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School Spotlight: Xingnan Primary pupils partner industry experts to design learning space
SINGAPORE – A group of pupils at Xingnan Primary School in Jurong West helped to design a multi-purpose room in their school, something which even most adults might not have done before. They worked with coaches to turn their sketches into reality, learning lessons beyond the classroom in the process. When the school leadership wanted to redesign an empty classroom with a sustainability theme, it approached Ms Sim Shoo Shyuan to tap her team’s expertise.
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