On Sunday, April 13th, the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) announced its commitment to providing free education, school meals, and healthcare for every Singaporean child. The party stated these policies would be implemented if they were elected into parliament.
PAR secretary-general Lim Tean presented these proposals during a walkabout at the Woodleigh Village Hawker Centre in Potong Pasir. While outlining the initiatives, he did not specify the funding mechanisms. He indicated that a comprehensive cost analysis of the proposals would be released shortly.
Mr. Lim also addressed the declining total fertility rate in Singapore, which he described as "alarming," noting a rate of 0.97. He emphasized that the PAR does not support increasing net migration as a solution to this issue.
The PAR aims to ease the financial burdens faced by young parents by offering free education for children, encompassing all levels from pre-nursery to university. The party believes that the high cost of raising children is a significant factor deterring people from starting families.
The party believes that education should be accessible to all, regardless of financial constraints. They argue that an educated populace is essential for national prosperity, and that investing in children will benefit all Singaporeans.
5 Comments
Matzomaster
Finally, a party thinking about the needs of young families! This is huge for Singapore's future.
Rotfront
0.97 fertility rate is a serious problem, but refusing immigration as a solution is short-sighted. It’s a complicated issue, and this feels like a simplistic answer.
Karamba
Free education, meals, and healthcare sound amazing, but WHERE'S THE MONEY COMING FROM? Empty promises without a solid plan are just that… empty.
Rotfront
Focusing on domestic solutions, such as providing free services, instead of bringing in foreign labor is a great move.
Karamba
Another politician throwing out pie-in-the-sky promises. Cost analysis 'shortly'? That's a red flag! They clearly haven't thought this through.