There are about 300 private schools in Singapore offering around 5,000 courses, from general certificates to degrees.
Do thorough research before you decide if you should enrol with a private school. It can help mitigate some of the risks of enrolling in a private school.
To help you along, here are the 8 things that you should know as you research your choices:
The 13th edition of the festival will span three weekends. Highlights include pop-up hawker stalls, outdoor film screenings and a heritage trail in Bedok.
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This article was originally on GET.com at: 4 Things Unwed Mothers In Singapore Are Still Missing Out On
It has recently been announced that unwed mothers will soon be entitled to the same 16-week maternity leave that married mothers here in Singapore enjoy, double that of the 8-week paid maternity leave that unwed mothers currently enjoy.
Slated to kick in by September 2016, their children will also receive a Child Development Account (CDA) – a savings account that will come in handy when it comes to paying for their childcare and healthcare needs where the Singapore government matches deposits that parents make by up to $6000 for their first and second child.
The CDA is currently not available for children born to unwed mothers.
Just last month, the government said it would deposit $3000 into the accounts of children born from March 24 2016, even before parents who are married or unwed make a deposit.
I can only imagine how much more helpful that would be for parents, and especially for those who make less money and have less to chip into the CDA.
These measures that seek to lessen discrimination against children born to unwed mothers are of course good and meaningful in nature as they give additional support for these children and help their mothers have an easier life.
Here at GET.com, we list the 4 things unwed mothers in Singapore will still be missing out on despite the jolly news revolving around changes to maternity leave entitlement and the CDA.
4 Things Unwed Mothers In Singapore Are Still Missing Out
1. Baby Bonus Cash Gift
Unwed mothers will still not receive baby bonus cash gift of up to $8000 unlike their married counterparts for their first and second child. This money would have come in handy to alleviate unwed mothers’ financial burden by quite a bit.
Photo: Ministry of Social and Family Development
2. Parenthood Tax Rebate
Income earners who make enough money are supposed to file and pay income taxes whether one is married or not. One caveat of the well-meaning Parenthood Tax Rebate is the fact that unwed mothers do not qualify for it though they are technically playing the roles of parents to their little one(s).
According to the IRAS, parents who are married, divorced or widowed can claim tax rebates of up to $20,000 per kid.
3. Eligibility To Buy An HDB Flat
But of course, housing is and always will be an issue for unwed mothers, unless something miraculous happens in lieu of their plight of not being regarded as a legitimate family nucleus as yet. Rental units can be costly and that will inevitably weigh down on their finances even more.
Unwed mothers who are below the age of 35 will have to till they turn 35 before they are eligible to buy an HDB flat under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme.
4. Acceptance
What else can I say besides throwing out the words “prejudice” and “social stigma”? The majority of conservative Asians, Singaporeans included, discriminate against women who have children out of wedlock whether they genuinely mean to, or not.
Of course, that’s not to say that I’m undermining the traditional family unit that happens to be the social norm that we have come to accept for what it is.
But unwed mothers who choose to keep their babies in spite of the conscious knowledge that everything is going to be an uphill battle for them are only human just like you and I.
And surely they deserve more support and faith than what they’re getting now from the state, their co-workers, their friends, and even their own family.
Masyarakat Islam Singapura dapat hidup dalam suasana beragama dengan selesa walaupun Singapura adalah negara yang mengamalkan dasar sekularisme.
Ini kerana proses sekularisme tidak digunakan dalam semua aspek dan hanya digunakan dalam bidang yang diperlukan, kata Duta Besar dan juga Presiden Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis), Encik Mohd Alami Musa.
Malah terdapat banyak tanda dan bukti yang menunjukkan bahawa kehidupan beragama adalah amat tinggi dan sangat positif dari segi nilai-nilai sosial di Singapura.
“Kita boleh hidup sebagai umat Islam. Kita mempunyai fakta empirikal yang menunjukkan mereka boleh hidup selesa, sebagai Muslim yang beriman dan beragama, sebagai rakyat yang baik dalam satu sistem sekular, walaupun ada juga masalah dan isu yang belum diselesaikan, yang masih lagi dibincangkan,” kata beliau semasa menyampaikan ucaptama satu persidangan antarabangsa semalam.
Persidangan ‘Sekularisme Negara dan Integrasi minoriti Muslim dalam konteks berbilang kaum dan berbilang agama: Pengajian Perbandingan Singapura dan Perancis’ itu anjuran Bersama Universiti Sorbonne Paris Cite dan Universiti Nasional Singapura, di Persatuan Universiti Nasional Singapura (NUSS) di Guild House.
Membentangkan topik ‘Prospek dan cabaran bagi masyarakat Muslim di negara sekular dan masyarakat majmuk’, Encik Mohd Alami berkata walau Singapura sebuah negara sekular, proses sekularisme ini tidak digunakan melebihi keperluan. Ia hanya digunakan pada perkara yang diperlukan.
“Singapura bukan dogmatik dan tidak terlalu pragmatik tetapi bijak dan seimbang dalam melaksanakan sekularisme sebagai satu sistem untuk tidak melibatkan agama dalam hal ehwal kenegaraan dan dalam sistem politiknya.
“Ini kerana negara tidak mahu melihat masalah-masalah yang akan dihadapi jika agama bercampur aduk dengan persaingan politik dan kuasa.
“Singapura mengamalkan apa yang dipanggil sebagai sekularisme bercorak prosedur, buka sekuralisme programatik.
“Negara ditadbir dan dipimpin melalui idea-idea yang boleh diterima umum tanpa menggunakan kitab agama atau teks agama kerana ini adalah sistem sekularisme.
“Singapura mengaplikasikan sekularisme dalam bidang tertentu yang diperlukan untuk mencapai ketenteraman umum, untuk kemaslahatan umum dan untuk mencapai keamanan sosial dalam suasana majmuk di Singapura,” kata Encik Mohd Alami kepada sekitar 100 peserta.
Walaupun Singapura negara sekular dan negara paling majmuk dari segi agama, beliau berkata kehidupan agama stabil dan malah berada di peringkat tinggi.
“Kalau kita lihat impak sekularisme dari segi penglibatan agama, nilai-nilai agama dan pengamalan agama, semua ini berada di tahap tinggi. Ia bermakna sekularisme di Singapura tidak menghambat agama.
“Malah agama itu wujud seiring dengan sistem sekularisme.
“Bagi masyarakat Islam Singapura, banyak tanda yang menunjukkan bahawa dari segi keagamaan ia amat tinggi, dari segi nilai-nilai sosial dalam negara Singapura ini sangat positif,” ujar beliau.
Namun terdapat kekurangan dari segi pandangan hidup yang dipegang oleh umat Islam untuk hidup dalam sistem sekularisme, kata Encik Mohd Alami, yang juga Ketua Pengajian Perhubungan Antara Agama dalam Masyarakat Majmuk di Sekolah Pengajian Antarabangsa S. Rajaratnam, Universiti Teknologi Nanyang.
Turut menyampaikan ucaptama ialah Duta Besar Perancis yang juga Kaunselor bagi Ehwal Angama Kementerian Ehwal Luar Perancis, Encik Jean-Christophe.
Beberapa pembentangan sepanjang hari membincangkan beberapa isu berhubung masyarakat minoriti Islam di Singapura dan Perancis.
This article was first published on April 19, 2016.
Go to beritaharian.sg for more stories.
The number of fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles fell last year to 34, from 44 in 2014, but cases of non-fatal accidents and traffic violations rose from 795 to 843, Traffic Police (TP) figures show.
These numbers came up at a road safety seminar on heavy vehicles yesterday. It was held at the ComfortDelGro auditorium in Braddell Road, and was attended by 180 owners, as well as safety and operations managers of heavy vehicle fleets.
In his opening address, TP Commander Sam Tee described the statistic as “disturbing”. Speaking to media later, he said heavy vehicles are essential to the economy, and the TP has plans to educate drivers to respond to their presence on the roads.
Organised by the TP and Singapore Road Safety Council, the seminar is part of a two-year programme, Use Your RoadSense, that engages road user groups in dialogues to understand their concerns and develop a safer road culture.
Heavy vehicles, numbering about 47,000, make up roughly 5 per cent of the vehicle population in Singapore and their drivers face heavier penalties for traffic offences. In the accidents heavy vehicles were involved in, their drivers were found to be at fault half the time, TP said.
During the seminar, a panel of seven experts from various fields, including policy, operations and workplace safety, made suggestions such as changing company processes, training and educating drivers and investing in technology to reduce heavy vehicle accidents.
Several panellists also agreed on the potential of switching driver remuneration from the current pay-per-trip system to one that considers “total useful distance travelled”, thus reducing accidents due to drivers speeding to complete as many trips in a day as possible.
One of the panellists was Mr Daniel Chew, author of logistics book Land Transport: A Definitive Practitioner’s Guide.
He told heavy vehicle owners: “Leaders should set a culture to celebrate small wins. Every time your drivers complete a delivery or a day’s work safely – they did not violate any traffic rules or they did not get themselves into any traffic accidents – you praise them and you celebrate the safe driving.”
This article was first published on April 19, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
The hype is real.
Descendants Of The Sun has stolen everyone’s heart and I’m betting your heart is one of them (even my 58-year-old dad is addicted to the popular idol drama). But let’s not kid ourselves, the main reason why you’re following the show is because of Song Joong Ki-the dashing actor who’s recently promoted to a Hallyu celebrity.
Originally written by Kim Won Suk, the script was given to Kim Eun Sook to edit and expand the love plot between these endearing characters. Had it not been for this bold move, Descendants of the Sun might not be the most talked about TV show in 2016.
Think you know everything about your new favourite series? I’m here to prove you wrong.
1. Descendants of the Sun was originally meant to show on SBS
Photo credit: parcklee
Descendants of the Sun screenwriter Kim Eun Sook had a long-term work relationship with broadcasting company SBS. After the success of Kim’s previous works (Lovers in Paris, Secret Garden and The Heirs), you would think that SBS would welcome her back with open arms.
But that wasn’t the case, at all.
There were a number of reasons why SBS gave the show a miss. According to Soompi, aside from failing to reach an agreement while discussing production, SBS was also worried about wardrobe sponsorship and the themes of disaster and war.
The show was ultimately handed over to SBS’s rival, KBS2.
In your face, SBS. You had a gold mine sitting next to you, and you let it slipped away.
2. Song Joong Ki left a love message to Lee Kwang Soo while he was filming the show
Photo credit: Allkpop
Before he was Big Boss Yoo Si Jin, Song Joong Ki was known as the eye candy of Running Man.
He instantly hit it off with Lee Kwang Soo while filming the popular variety show, often poking fun at the latter’s unattractive appearance. Even though Joong Ki left to focus on his acting career, the two still remained close pals. Word is, he took military leave to attend his sister’s wedding!
While he was filming Descendants of the Sun in Greece, Joong Ki wrote a sweet message on a rock that solidified their friendship. The message states: Joong Ki ♥ Kwang Soo (with the phrase Asian prince underneath it).
Bromance has taken on a whole new meaning.
3. The show has been viewed more than 440 million times
Photo credit: Drama Fever
The finale has the highest rating as of yet. It clinched the top spot, with 41.6 per cent in the Seoul National Capital area and 440 million views on iQiyi, an online video platform based in China.
And the Chinese government is none too pleased about it. The reason: they believe these idol dramas are the culprits behind legal and marriage troubles in their country.
According to The Korea Herald, there was a couple who went through a bitter divorce and a man who underwent numerous plastic surgeries to win back his wife, who was infatuated by the male protagonist.
Silly.
4. Thanks to the show, sales of South Korean products are rising
Photo credit: Laneige
According to The Straits Times and cosmetics company AmorePacific, the Laneige Two-Tone Lip Bar Song Hye Kyo used in Descendants of the Sun became the company’s best-selling product in March. It has even sold out in some stores.
And get this-the show is expected to earn more than three trillion won worth of “economic effects in terms of exports, domestic spending and tourism”.
Not too shabby, considering KBS forked out 13 billion won to produce it.
5. Song Joong Ki was a fantastic student
Photo credit: Soompi
During his schooling years, Joong Ki was a competitive short track speed skater, having won multiple awards. Sadly, he was forced to quit when he got injured.
It was during this time when the talented lad decided to focus more on his studies. He got many As and scored an impressive 380 points out of 400 on his national college entrance exam. He then enrolled in Sungkyunkwan University and studied business administration.
In case you’re wondering, his acting career wasn’t by fluke. His parents had already sent him to acting classes, in hopes of improving his social skills. (Fun fact: he was a lot shyer in his teens!)
It paid off. He decided to pursue acting and made his debut on the historical erotic film A Frozen Flower (coincidentally a film Running Man cast member Song Ji Hyo also starred in). He also made his television debut as a contestant on KBS’ Quiz Korea.
Goes to show that you can have both brains and brawn.
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SEOUL – Bromance was in the air when actor Song Joong Ki kicked off his Asia fan meeting tour in South Korea on Sunday, and his good friend, comedian Lee Kwang Soo, made a surprise appearance.
The event, held in Kyung Hee University three days after the finale of the hit drama Descendants Of The Sun, which shot Song to superstardom in Asia, had been sold out almost immediately on March 31 and was attended by some 4,000 fans, said The Korea Herald.
The fan meeting was Song’s first since 2013, after he did his military service and returned to television in a spectacular way in Descendants. In May and June, he will meet fans in countries including China and Thailand. His next stop is Thunder Dome in Bangkok on May 7.
A lot of his friends, including Running Man star Lee, cheered for him in videos that were played on Sunday, said Apple Daily. Then Lee surprised Song by showing up in person with flowers.
The two go back to 2010, when Song was an original member of the cast of Lee’s hit variety show. The comedian, who had a cameo in Descendants Of The Sun, shared a story of the actor onstage on Sunday, said Apple Daily.
Revealing one of Song’s drunken episodes, Lee said: “Once, after drinks, Song Joong Ki dropped his mobile phone into soup. He didn’t remember this the next day, but asked why his mobile phone didn’t seem to be working.”
Song recalled that he missed his elder brother’s wedding when he was in the army and that Lee stepped up to help his family out on the big day. Lee even got another Running Man colleague, Kim Jong Kook, to sing at the nuptials.
Song praised Lee, saying he is the purest person he knows.
Reply 1988 star Park Bo Gum also appeared at Song’s fan meeting, said The Korea Herald. Both actors are represented by Blossom Entertainment.
Getting down to business, Song charmed fans by putting lip balm on them, giving them back hugs and singing a song, as screams erupted around the hall, said Apple Daily.
He said he had reservations about sex scenes but would not rule out filming one, if the script was good. But the fans cried no.
They also protested when Song, 30, said he wanted to marry and start a family.
This article was first published on April 19, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
SINGAPORE – A car mounted a centre divider this morning (April 19), bringing traffic to a standstill along Braddell Road towards Bartley, after Toa Payoh.
It is unclear what caused the accident.
The Land Transport Authority posted an update on Twitter about two hours ago, advising motorists to avoid the right lane.
It later informed the public at 8.55am that the jam has stretched until the Pan Island Expressway.
The Straits Times reported that the Singapore Civil Defence was alerted to the accident around 6.48am and dispatched an ambulance to the scene.
SDCF added that one person was sent to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Photos from citizen journalism website Stomp reveals that the car was a Mercedes.
debwong@sph.com.sg
THOUSANDS of people in Chiang Mai province have developed symptoms this month that can be linked to air pollution.
Air-quality tests yesterday also confirmed that pollutants in the northern province had hit unhealthy levels.
Conducted by the Chiang Mai University, the tests showed the amount of small dust particles measuring less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) had gone past the safe limit of 120 micrograms per cubic metre of air.
Tests conducted at four spots reported the PM10 amount ranging between 131 and 163 cubic metres of air. Smog was clearly visible again |yesterday.
Authorities have now asked people to wear facial masks while going outdoors.
From April 3 to 9, a disease-control office found 447 patients had inflamed eyes, while 8,747 had heart or blood-|vessel problems, 4,638 had respiratory disorders, and 539 had skin issues.
SINGAPORE – Apple’s mobile payment and digital wallet service, Apple Pay, launched in Singapore on Tuesday (April 19).
It is, however, only available for American Express card members currently. Apple is working with other banks, including DBS, UOB and…
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