Challenges persist for families in attending early childhood education consistently.
A report released by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on Nov 19, 2024, reveals that only 26% of children from families on the ComLink+ scheme, designed to support low-income households, attended pre-school regularly in 2023. This scheme, introduced in 2023, offers financial incentives and other support to help these families improve their living conditions. Despite the enrollment of 85% of children aged three to six in pre-school, regular attendance—defined as 75% or higher monthly—is still a challenge for many.
The report highlights that while the majority of families have enrolled their children in pre-school, only a fraction maintain consistent attendance. This can be attributed to various factors, including health issues, financial difficulties, and the overall strain of managing multiple responsibilities. The MSF’s initiative is part of a broader effort to assist these families across four areas: early education, home ownership, employment, and debt clearance.
The ComLink+ Progress Package offers incentives such as top-ups to the Child Development Account (CDA), with up to $200 provided every three months for children who attend pre-school regularly. While there has been some progress, only a small percentage of these families have managed to buy a flat and move out of public rental housing.
The report also indicates that many families face ongoing challenges in securing stable employment or saving enough for housing. However, there are some positive signs, with 61% of families having at least one member in stable employment and 51% seeing an increase in real income. Still, the report stresses the need for continuous support, particularly in the realm of early childhood education, where regular pre-school attendance is crucial for a child’s development and future success in primary school.
