CDAC to double places for its programmes to over 30,000 by 2030
Ms Sabrina Ng, who mentors Primary 4 pupil Nikki Ong as part of the Go the Extra Mile mentoring programme, playing a game of dominoes with the 10-year-old. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
CDAC to double places for its programmes to over 30,000 by 2030
SINGAPORE - The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) will significantly increase access to its academic, enrichment and learning support programmes in the next five years.
By 2030, the self-help group aims to more than double the number of places for such programmes, from over 15,000 today to over 30,000 spots , said CDAC chairman Ong Ye Kung.
Mr Ong, who is also Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, was speaking to the media after CDAC's 33rd Annual General Meeting at its Tanjong Katong headquarters on June 18.
The council said it spent over $37 million to help 15,700 households in 2024 , up from $34 million and 15,300 households in 2023.
In 2024 it offered 15,000 tuition and enrichment places, awarded 12,000 student bursaries, and had 8,000 places for family support programmes.
With the income criteria raised in 2024 to help families, there was a 12 per cent increase in successful applicants compared to 2023.
From Jan 1, 2024, applicants with a gross monthly household income of below $4,800 (up from the previous ceiling of $2,400) or a gross per capita income of $1,400 (up from the last limit of $800) could apply for bursaries for their primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
Mr Ong said CDAC has a team of case managers who looked after about 1,400 families in 2024, providing all-rounded support like financial and emotional support.
It also provided mentorship for 320 students through its Go the Extra Mile (GEM) mentoring programme, supervised homework group and Project YOUth Can Shine.
Enrichment programmes covering areas such as arts and crafts, speech and drama, coding, and robotics, were also offered to over 3,500 students. In addition, a new Tinkering Space area at the newly renovated CDAC@Bukit Panjang held activities to cultivate in the young a love for learning beyond their school curriculum.
The self-help group had a net deficit of $1.02 million in 2024, the first year that it has accumulated a net deficit since 2014.
Mr Ong said this was mainly driven by higher expenditure as CDAC expanded its programmes and extended assistance to more families and students in need. Going forward, it will tap on its operating surpluses accumulated over the years and donations.
'The immediate priority for the next one, two years is to make sure we can expand our programmes without compromising the quality,' he added.
Agreeing, CDAC board member and Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said the goal is to ensure CDAC's programmes reach families and students, and doing so will help it bring on more sponsors, partners and donors.
CDAC is also strengthening partnerships and streamlining resources to do more with less, and without compromising impact, said its executive director Tan Yap Kin.
For instance, he noted that digitalisation efforts saved over 6,000 staff hours in 2024.
'We will continue to drive ground-up initiatives to enhance productivity and scale our programmes cost-effectively,' he added.
On the council's 2030 target of doubling to 30,000 places for its programmes, Mr Ong said this will largely be through increased capacity in the tuition and enrichment programmes.
Beyond these, he said students also need role models, and CDAC has a suite of programmes to support their social and emotional development.
Mr Tan added: 'While tuition remains a key pillar, we are expanding enrichment programmes to nurture curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning,' he said. 'Together, they support our holistic approach to uplifting students from all backgrounds.'
CDAC mentor Sabrina Ng, 36, said there are many students who can benefit from the council's mentorship programmes as school teachers may not have enough time to support them in their social and emotional development.
'With the expansion of our programmes, what remains very important is the quality of the relationship between the mentors and mentees,' she said.
'We are not looking for big leaps, but we celebrate every baby step of improvement.'
Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage.
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