WHY INCREASE SUBSIDIES FOR STUDENT CARE BUT NOT CHILDCARE?

Higher student-care subsidies for financially needy children

I refer to the article ”Higher student-care subsidies for financially needy children” (Channel NewsAsia, Oct 12). It states that ”There will be higher subsidies for financially needy children attending Student Care Centres next year, in tandem with a projected increase in fees. Student Care Centres provide before- and after-school care for children aged seven to 17 years.”

Wayang Act 1?

Why is it that subsidies are only increased for student-care, but not for childcare? Is the quantum of the typical increase in childcare fees more than student-care fees? Aren’t there more children in childcare than student-care?

Wayang Act 2? 

As to “Of the 15 Student Care Centres TODAY contacted, three said they plan to raise monthly fees next year due to higher operating costs, including staff salaries” – compared to the two largest childcare centres and others increasing fees – aren’t there relatively more childcare centres that are increasing fees, compared to student-care?

Don’t you find the above very strange?

Why increase student-care subsidies “in tandem with a projected increase in fees”, against no increase in subsidies for an actual increase in childcare fees that have already been announced, instead of just “projected” for student-care?

Don’t you find the above perhaps even more strange?

Wayang Act 3?

What’s the point of increasing subsidies and then allow fees to increase more than the subsidies? If we really want to help parents, especially needy families – we should increase subsidies in tandem with fee increases.

Reciprocate trust with more transparency?

Since the people have given their trust and mandate – shouldn’t we reciprocate by being more transparent? We should also spend more to help Singaporeans.

LeongSzeHian