DOCSLIB.ORG

Review of the Group's Business & Operations

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Review of the Group's Business & Operations S6.79478 corporate final F3 Dn 16/6/04 12:59 PM Page 14 “SINGTEL HAS TRANSFORMED ITSELF INTO A MAJOR PLAYER ON THE WORLD’S TELECOMMUNICATIONS STAGE. AT ITS CORPORATISATION IN 1992, THE COMPANY HAD REVIEW OF THE GROUP’S ALMOST A PURELY DOMESTIC BUSINESS. TODAY, IT HAS OPERATIONS AND INVESTMENTS IN MORE THAN BUSINESS & OPERATIONS 20 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES AROUND THE WORLD.” services. For example, push-button phones and a fully digital network installed by SingTel more than a decade ago have made possible services such as phone-banking and broadband Internet The SingTel Group had a year of robust financial results delivering record revenues and profits. that many in Singapore have been enjoying over the years. Operating revenue for the year was a record S$12.0 billion while net profit (pre-goodwill), even after excluding exceptional gains from divestments, was at an all-time high of S$2.85 billion. Technology advancements in the wireless world saw the introduction of mobile communications – alert tone and automatic paging in 1973 and 1983 respectively, as well as mobile phone services Reflecting SingTel’s multinational profile, operations outside of Singapore contributed 75 per in 1977, with a handheld version in 1988. In 1989, Singaporeans became the first in the world cent of the Group’s enlarged revenue (including its proportionate share from associates) and to enjoy paging and mobile phone services underground on the Mass Rapid Transit system. 66 per cent of its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. SingTel’s introduction of the digital GSM cellular system in 1994 was a milestone in its history; The Group’s strong performance was driven by a three-pronged strategy – maintaining its it set the stage for the widespread use of mobile phones, very much an integral part of today’s leadership position in Singapore, increasing its market share in Australia and growing its regional lifestyle. In the same year, SingTel introduced its customers to the captivating world of the mobile franchise. Internet through SingNet. Despite intense competition and pricing pressures, SingTel continued to generate strong cash With the immense popularity of the mobile phone and the Internet, it is perhaps not surprising flows and keep its operating margin at 50 per cent in Singapore. Revenues were however affected that the industry buzz presently is about more convergent services such as next-generation by the outbreak of Sars and the start of the war in Iraq at the beginning of the financial year. mobile services, including 3G and wireless broadband Internet. The company benefited from the growing popularity of broadband and mobile data services LOOKING BEYOND SINGAPORE among consumers. In the corporate market, SingTel continued to expand its global customer In the late 1980s, SingTel began to actively seek investment opportunities beyond its shores as base, especially from among multinational corporations in Hong Kong, Japan, Europe and the part of its strategy for long-term growth, given the small size of its home market. United States. Examples of early investments included a mobile phone company in Norway and cable TV In Australia, SingTel Optus sustained its revenue momentum, growing approximately three operations in the UK and Sweden. At that time, investment opportunities were more abundant times faster than the market as a whole. For the year, operating margins for all three of its divisions in Europe compared to Asia, where there were more regulatory hurdles. expanded and net profit for the company rose 38 per cent. In the late 1990s, as Asia began liberalising its telecommunications industries, SingTel focussed Optus’ sterling performance was a result of the company’s focus on market differentiation, its investment efforts in the region where it had a comparative advantage in terms of geographic high value and high margin customers, aligning costs to revenues, strong capex management proximity, and understanding the local culture and language. and leveraging the scale of the SingTel Group. SingTel has transformed itself into a major player on the world’s telecommunications stage. SingTel’s mobile associates in Asia also delivered solid results. The Group’s share of ordinary At its corporatisation in 1992, the company had almost a purely domestic business. Today, it earnings from its regional mobile business – Advanced Info Service (AIS), Bharti, Globe has operations and investments in more than 20 countries and territories around the world, and Telkomsel – rose 70 per cent during the year. SingTel and its partners now serve more than deriving more than two thirds of its earnings from abroad. 47 million customers in six markets – Australia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. SingTel and telecommunications in Singapore have come a long way since 1879. The first private telephone exchange back then had just 50 lines. Today, SingTel and its associates serve close to Mobile communications is now the most important part of the Group’s business. Mobile services 50 million mobile phone users in the Asia Pacific. contribute 38 per cent of its operating revenue compared to just 18 per cent three years ago. The SingTel story does not end here. It continues with the 19,000 dedicated employees of the During the year, SingTel took significant steps to rationalise its investments and focus on its Group located around the world. They are committed to the Group’s mission of providing the core telecommunications business in the Asia Pacific. Following a strategic review, it divested best in communications to help people bridge boundaries and develop relationships, and a number of major non-core assets including its investment in Belgian telco, Belgacom, doing their best for our customers, shareholders and the community. a 69 per cent stake in Singapore Post and the Yellow Pages directories business in Singapore. These divestments and related transactions raised net proceeds of close to S$3.3 billion. 14 15 S6.79478 corporate final F3 Dn 16/6/04 12:59 PM Page 16 IN SINGAPORE Although Singapore is a highly developed telecommunications market with high penetration rates for many services, SingTel still enjoyed strong growth in demand for its broadband and mobile data services. The number of users on SingTel’s broadband ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) network jumped close to 60 per cent as more people discovered the benefits of faster Internet access. Demand was boosted by SingNet’s compelling price plans such as the 512kbps JetP@ck plan, the most affordable broadband package in the market with a basic plan at just S$19.95 per month. To offer customers more value and usage flexibility, SingNet BroadBand introduced a Bandwidth-On-Demand service to enable customers to enjoy a dedicated download speed of up to 1.5 Mbps as and when needed, paying only for what has been used. Demand for SingNet BroadBand was also driven by a wide range of business products and value-added services such as islandwide high-speed outdoor wireless surfing (Outdoor Wireless Surf). Collaborations with organisations such as the National Library Board – which runs 23 public libraries – increased the number of SingTel wireless surf zones in Singapore to more than 230. To enable wireless surfing for mobile customers who travel frequently, SingTel introduced the Overseas Wireless Surf service, allowing postpaid mobile customers to access more than 4,000 wireless hotspots worldwide. SERVING MOBILE CUSTOMERS Data services on mobile phones – such as SMS, downloads and e-mail – continued to be popular, accounting for 17 per cent of the average revenue per user, up from 14 per cent the previous year. The popularity of SMS has extended to businesses, where many, including small and medium sized enterprises, are using SingTel’s BizLive SMS service to distribute permission-based information to their own customer database. Uses of this SMS platform include alerts of promotions, appointment reminders, restaurant bookings and customer surveys. Despite the introduction of mandatory Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in August 2003, SingTel has maintained its customer base at above 1.5 million. The introduction of new price plans – with features such as free incoming calls, extra bundled talktime and calls to a home or mobile number from just one cent a minute – helped SingTel to maintain its monthly postpaid churn at a low 1.5 per cent. SingTel continued to pioneer developments for mobile applications during the year. An SMS portability solution conceptualised by SingTel’s engineers was adopted by all mobile operators for the implementation of MNP in Singapore. In October 2003, SingTel became the first operator in the world to offer General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) roaming services in India through Bharti Cellular. Later in the year, it launched CitySim, the first prepaid mobile service for visitors to Singapore, and Gunslingers, Asia’s first location-based multi-player mobile game. 17 S6.79478 corporate final F3 Dn 16/6/04 12:59 PM Page 16 IN SINGAPORE Although Singapore is a highly developed telecommunications market with high penetration rates for many services, SingTel still enjoyed strong growth in demand for its broadband and mobile data services. The number of users on SingTel’s broadband ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) network jumped close to 60 per cent as more people discovered the benefits of faster Internet access. Demand was boosted by SingNet’s compelling price plans such as the 512kbps JetP@ck plan, the most affordable broadband package in the market with a basic plan at just S$19.95 per month. To offer customers more value and usage flexibility, SingNet BroadBand introduced a Bandwidth-On-Demand service to enable customers to enjoy a dedicated download speed of up to 1.5 Mbps as and when needed, paying only for what has been used. Demand for SingNet BroadBand was also driven by a wide range of business products and value-added services such as islandwide high-speed outdoor wireless surfing (Outdoor Wireless Surf).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • MEDIA FACTSHEET Our Digital Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information Work Plan Seminar 2019 As Singapore Transforms
    MEDIA FACTSHEET Our Digital Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information Work Plan Seminar 2019 As Singapore transforms digitally, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and its family of agencies1 remain committed to ensuring inclusive growth. This means working together so that all segments of Singapore society – businesses, workers and our people – are on board the digital transformation journey, and to seize the many exciting opportunities in Our Digital Singapore. The initiatives in this factsheet outlines some of our continued digital transformation efforts as announced at the MCI Work Plan Seminar on 10 July 2019 by Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information. 1. HELPING LOCAL SMEs DIGITALISE More SMEs taking up Start Digital Packs Start Digital is an initiative under the SMEs Go Digital programme for new SMEs to start their business right with foundational and competitively-priced digital solutions. IMDA and Enterprise Singapore work with Start Digital partners (DBS, Maybank, OCBC, Singtel, Starhub and UOB) as new SMEs typically require banking and telecommunication services. The partners curate a suite of digital solutions that are suitable for newly incorporated SMEs, in five categories: Accounting, HR Management System & Payroll, Digital Marketing, Digital Transactions and Cybersecurity. [NEW] Within 6 months of the launch of Start Digital in January 2019, more than 4,000 SMEs have taken up Start Digital packs. This brings to a total of 10,000 SMEs who have benefited from the SMEs Go Digital programme by taking up pre-approved digital solutions that are supported by a government grant. With these packs, SMEs are able to better manage their finances, workers, sales and capture new growth opportunities.
    [Show full text]
  • CRC/C/SGP/4-5 Convention on the Rights of the Child
    United Nations CRC/C/SGP/4-5 Convention on the Distr.: General Rights of the Child 3 November 2017 Original: English Committee on the Rights of the Child Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under Article 44 of the Convention Fourth and fifth periodic reports of States parties due in 2017 Singapore 1 FOREWORD Every child is precious, and deserves to grow up in a safe and loving environment. Singapore is committed to protecting and promoting the wellbeing of our children. Since our independence in 1965, Singapore has continually refined its policies to better meet the needs of our children. We are pleased to report our efforts since the last report in 2009. Singapore has strengthened legislation, systems and policies to improve protection for our children. We amended three pieces of legislation to do so: the Children and Young Persons Act to enhance the welfare and care of children, and the Women’s Charter and the Administration of Muslim Law Act to better support children from divorced families. In 2014, Singapore also established the Family Justice Courts, which takes the best interests of the child into account in familial disputes. We have increased our support for families with young children. We enhanced the Child Development Co-Savings Act in 2016 to provide more financial support for child-raising and improve leave schemes to enable working parents to manage both work and family responsibilities. We also provided assurance to parents with young children on the accessibility, affordability and quality of early childhood services. These measures reflect the commitment of the Singapore Government to give every child a good start in life, regardless of their background.
    [Show full text]
  • Closing of the Advertisement Licensing Service Counter
    Our Ref : APPBCA-2016-03 Building Plan & Management Group 01 Jun 2016 See Distribution List Dear Sir/Madam CLOSING OF THE ADVERTISEMENT LICENSING SERVICE COUNTER This circular is to inform the industry that the Advertisement Licensing Service Counter, which is located within the BCA Service Centre at JEM (52 Jurong Gateway Road, #06-01, Singapore 608550), will be closed with effect from 1st August 2016 . 2 All consultations and applications for advertisement licences can be done via the online Advertisement Licensing System (ALS), which was introduced since 1 st December 2014. You can access the ALS from this website: https://www.bca.gov.sg/AdvertisementLicence . The ALS user manual is also available at http://www.bca.gov.sg/AdvertisementLicence/PDFTemplate/UserGuide.pdf. Three Simple Steps to Apply for Licence using ALS 3 Applicant only needs to go through three simple steps to obtain a licence for the display of an outdoor advertisement sign or a signboard. a) Step 1: Log in to ALS An applicant needs to log in to the ALS. First-time users can register online for a user ID and password or log in using their SingPass. b) Step 2: Submit Proposal for Consultation The applicant is required to submit his/her proposal online via the ALS for consultation. When submitting the proposal, the applicant may choose to indicate in ALS that he/she wishes to proceed with the licence application directly upon approval of the proposal. 52 Jurong Gateway Road #11-01 Singapore 608550 Tel: 1800 3425222 Email: [email protected] www.bca.gov.sg An MND Statutory Board c) Step 3: Pay Licence Fee Upon receipt of the in-principle approval for the proposal, the applicant will receive an email informing him/her to log in to ALS to submit all relevant documents and make payment for the licence application.
    [Show full text]
  • November 2016 OUR PICK for THIS MONTH
    November 2016 www.nlb.gov.sg/golibrary OUR PICK FOR THIS MONTH Mother Tongue Language Reading Festival 26 Celebrate the joy of reading in mother tongue languages. Reading Festival 11 Nov – 20 Nov 2016 我们的母语，我们的根源 Jejak Semula Asal Usul Kita Retracing Our Roots Opening Festival Celebrations Parti Buku bersama Nur-El-Hudaa Friday 11 November, 2pm – 4pm 19 Nov, Saturday, 3pm – 5pm Jurong Regional Library, Programme Zone Playhouse, Tampines Regional Library Gig Puisi 19 Nov, Saturday, 4.30pm – 6.30pm 13 Nov, Sunday, 1pm - 2pm The Pod, National Library Building Programme Zone, Woodlands Regional Library 情诗·情歌·情文 20 Nov, Sunday, 2pm – 4pm 电影赏析：《阅读时光》 Possibility Room, National Library Building 16 Nov, Wednesday 6.30pm – 8.30pm Programme Zone, library@chinatown 20 Nov, Sunday, 2pm-4pm ‘Bongkar Beg!’ Programme Zone, Bishan Public Library Dramatisation Workshop 12 Nov, Saturday, 9am – 12pm 《Love阅读》分享会 Programme Zone, Pasir Ris Public Library 20 Nov, Sunday, 12pm – 12.30pm Programme Zone, Jurong West Public Library All Rights Reserved. Please register at library eKiosks or www.nlb.gov.sg/golibrary and search under[MTL Read Fest’16] ARTS 04 The National LibraryGrab a copy Board, of the Festival Singapore Brochure fromdisclaims your nearest all library today! liability and responsibility for any loss caused to any person by any act or omission due to the material READ 08 contained herein. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted BUSINESS 15 in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, the National Library WELLNESS 16 Board, Singapore.
    [Show full text]
  • Planning for Tourism: Creating a Vibrant Singapore
    Planning for Tourism: Creating a Vibrant Singapore A common misconception is that tourism policy primarily focuses on promotion and marketing campaigns. While these activities are essential, another important but STUDIES URBAN SYSTEMS sometimes overlooked aspect is how creative city planning can support tourism promotion, and consequently, how the needs and goals of tourism policy can influence development and planning decisions. In Singapore, tourism has shaped the built environment, influenced conservation and heritage policies, and enhanced quality of life for Singapore’s residents. The industry has also helped to anchor Singapore’s global reputation and attractiveness as a place to conduct business, study and live. a Vibrant Singapore Planning for Tourism: Creating This book will examine how Singapore’s tourism strategies Planning and city planning support each other. It should be noted that even though the Singapore Tourism Board does for Tourism: not typically own the tourism assets in Singapore, it nonetheless plays an integral part in aligning government agencies, private firms and civil society to Singapore’s Creating long-term tourism plans. a Vibrant “ No one ever dreamed tiny Singapore could accommodate millions of tourists. Yet, we made it happen. Singapore We did not build castles in the sky. Based on calibrated decisions, made hand in hand with the urban planners with inputs from private sector developers, we built what we needed. The pages of this book share how it all happened.” Pamelia Lee, Former Senior Consultant to
    [Show full text]
  • National Library Board Annual Report 2017/2018
    A Year in Review Our Shared Stories National Library Board Annual Report 2017/2018 OUR SHARED STORIES • NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 17/18 1 PG 03 01 Introduction PG 04 02 Our Story PG 21 Our Board and 03 Management PG 26 04 Acknowledgement PG 30 05 Corporate Governance OUR SHARED STORIES • NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 17/18 2 PUBLIC NATIONAL NATIONAL ARCHIVES LIBRARIES LIBRARY OF SINGAPORE 01 The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures readers for life, learning communities and a knowledgeable nation through our network of 26 public libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. We also build awareness and promote greater discovery of Singapore’s history and heritage through strategic partnerships and our rich collections. OUR SHARED STORIES • NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 17/18 3 02 What have we achieved over the Our Story past year? OUR SHARED STORIES • NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 17/18 4 Our Story Joint Message from Our Chairman & CEO In this year’s joint message, our Chairman, Mr Chan Heng Kee, and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Elaine Ng, look back at 2017 and some of its most memorable events. They also talk about how NLB is continuously innovating in a world where trends and needs are ever-changing. OUR SHARED STORIES • NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 17/18 5 Our Story What was the biggest highlight Heng Kee: In 2017, we took another big step towards for NLB in 2017? fulfilling our vision to create readers for life, learning communities and a knowledgeable nation. Elaine: We had many key happenings, including the reopening of four libraries in Bukit Panjang, Tampines, Bedok and Yishun.
    [Show full text]
  • Riverside Secondary School 104
    Updated to include videos! Written and edited by: Cheryl Anne Lee Jia Lin, Christabel Sim Poh Ling, Gan Siew Lee, Heng Huey Bin, Raneetha Rajaratnam, Siti Aisyah Binte Abdul Nasir, Teo Xing Zhi, Yeo Si Hwee Designed by: National Library Board, Singapore & Graphic Masters Pte Ltd Printed by: Paddyfield Pte Ltd Published by: National Library Board, Singapore 100 Victoria Street #14-01 National Library Building Singapore 188064 www.nlb.gov.sg All rights reserved. © National Library Board, 2017. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as expressly permitted by the law, without the prior written permission of the Publisher and copyright owner(s). Whilst reasonable care has been taken by the Publisher to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the Publisher accepts no legal liabilities whatsoever for the contents of this publication. ISBN: 978-981-11-2984-1 National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Name(s): Singapore. National Library Board, editor, issuing body. Title: For the love of reading : a compilation of best practices in Singapore schools / written and edited by National Library Board Singapore. Description: Singapore : National Library Board, Singapore, [2017] | Book is a compilation of the best reading practices from the winning and shortlisted Singapore schools from the Reading Excellence Award (REA) 2016 - 2017 by the National Library Board and the Ministry of Education. Identifier(s): OCN 974421920 | ISBN 978-981-11-2984-1 (hardcover) Subject(s): LCSH: Reading. | Books and reading -- Singapore | School children -- Books and reading.
    [Show full text]
  • Subsidiary of Singtel About
    The views expressed in this paper are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Directors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequences of their use. Terminology used may not necessarily be consistent with ADB official terms. NCS Corporate Presentation Competitive environment. Competitive edge. - NCS CONFIDENTIAL Copyright © 1996-2006 NCS Pte. Ltd. Reg. No. 198101793G. All Rights Reserved. YourYour PartnerPartner InIn InformationInformation TechnologyTechnology andand CommunicationsCommunications EngineeringEngineering (Brief(Brief IntroIntro toto NCS)NCS) Presented by Ms Catherine Quek Senior Manager, Business Development Government Administration 24 Jan 2006 NCS Corporate Presentation - NCS CONFIDENTIAL Copyright © 1996-2006 NCS Pte. Ltd. Reg. No. 198101793G. All Rights Reserved. :: About NCS Synergy with SingTel Overview of NCS Key Businesses :: Partner for Growth :: Business Innovation :: Value Creation NCS Corporate Presentation - NCS CONFIDENTIAL Copyright © 1996-2006 NCS Pte. Ltd. Reg. No. 198101793G. All Rights Reserved. About NCS Subsidiary of SingTel Profile of SingTel Group 126 years of heritage Best Telco by Telecom Asia for six consecutive years Region's top telco in FinanceAsia’s fifth annual Asia's Best Companies Poll In top 10 position for Singapore Top 500 companies, with revenue of S$12.62 billion Most profitable company in Singapore (S$4.62 billion) Largest company in Singapore by market capitalisation (S$43 billion) 74 million mobile subscribers globally (70% overseas) Extensive global connectivity and network of 35 global offices in 17 countries and territories NCS Corporate Presentation - NCS CONFIDENTIAL Copyright © 1996-2006 NCS Pte.
    [Show full text]
  • Working with The
    Working With the Kaizad Heerjee Assistant Chief Executive www.ida.gov.sg Confidential © IDA Singapore 2000 • Ministries: Ministry Of Communication And Information Technology, Ministry Of Community Development And Sports, Ministry Of Defence, Ministry Of Education, Ministry Of Finance, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Ministry Of Health, Ministry Of Home Affairs, Ministry Of Information And The Arts, Ministry Of Law, Ministry Of Manpower, Ministry Of National Development, Ministry Of The Environment, Ministry Of Trade And Industry, Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister's Office, Public Service Division • Organs of State: Attorney-General's Chambers, Auditor-General's Office, Istana, Judiciary, Industrial Arbitration Court, Judiciary, Subordinate Courts, Judiciary, Supreme Court, Legal Service Commission, Parliament House, Public Service Commission, The Cabinet • Statutory Boards: Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority Of Singapore, Board Of Architects, Board Of Commissioners Of Currency, Building And Construction Authority, Central Provident Fund, Civil Aviation Authority Of Singapore, Commercial And Industrial Security Corporation, Contact Lens Practitioners Board, Defence Science & Technology Agency, Economic Development Board, Hotels Licensing Board, Housing And Development Board, Info-Communications Development Authority Of Singapore, Inland Revenue Authority Of Singapore, Institute Of Southeast Asian Studies, Institute Of Technical Education, Jurong Town Corporation, Laboratory Board, Land Transport Authority, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura,
    [Show full text]
  • 1 S Media Release PUBLIC LIBRARIES
    s Media Release PUBLIC LIBRARIES HELP SENIORS ACCESS DIGITAL RESOURCES AND PUBLIC SERVICES WITH SDO@NLB Collaboration by NLB, PSD, IMDA and SDO to introduce senior-focused services at public libraries, aimed at ensuring digital inclusion and outreach Singapore, 23 December 2020 – The National Library Board (NLB), the Public Service Division (PSD), the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the SG Digital Office (SDO) have collaborated to make digital resources and public services more accessible for our seniors. The pilot SG Digital Office (SDO@NLB) at Geylang East Public Library serves as a digital satellite to bring various public services to the doorstep of seniors in the community. 2 The SDO@NLB hosts digital kiosks help seniors access over 200 selected digital government services, such as Central Provident Fund (CPF) nominations and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) applications. Since the pilot started in early November 2020, seniors have made about 1,200 online transactions with various public agencies at this digital integrated public services satellite centre. 3 While all the 25 public libraries have Digital Ambassadors (DAs) to provide seniors with personalised assistance, Geylang East Public Library is the only library that offers both an SG Digital community hub and the pilot one-stop access point to public services together. This is part of the Government-wide effort to integrate and focus services around citizens, as well as foster digital inclusion. 4 Those who wish to access public services digitally can use any of the three self-service kiosks at the SDO@NLB, located on Level 1 of the Geylang East Public Library.
    [Show full text]
  • Education in Singapore Enabling Students to Have an Equal
    Cabinet B- Education in Singapore Enabling Students To Have An Equal Chance At Succeeding Improving Pre-School Education 1 Table Of Contents ENSURING EQUALITY IN EDUCATION 4 Historical Overview 4 Current situation 7 Previous Solutions 8 Challenges 10 Social Equity Gap 10 Stigmatisation 13 Projecting into the Future 14 Conclusion 16 Questions for Discussion 17 Bibliography 18 IMPROVING PRESCHOOL EDUCATION 23 Background Information 24 Premium 24 Anchor Operators 25 Partner Operators 25 Development of Preschool Education in Singapore 26 The Birth of PAP Kindergartens 26 PCF Kindergartens 26 Nurturing Early Learners Framework 27 Early Childhood Development Agency 27 The Birth of MOE Kindergartens 27 Early Childhood Development Centres Act 2017 28 National Institute of Early Childhood Development 29 Heightened Support for Preschool Education 29 Current challenges 30 Providing the capacity to accommodate diverse needs 31 Resource constraints 31 Standardisation vs. Flexibility 32 2 Conclusion 33 Questions for Discussion 34 Bibliography 35 3 ENSURING EQUALITY IN EDUCATION Singapore has long prided itself on meritocracy. This belief that the brightest perform the best permeates into our world-class education system as well, one that constantly places at the top in overall PISA scores (The Economist, 2018). Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) has expressed commitment in ensuring all students get equal opportunities to succeed in the system, from the very start of students’ education journey in kindergarten (MOE, 2017). However, a growing class divide has raised questions on whether all Singaporeans have equal chances to succeed in the current system (Channel NewsAsia (CNA), 2019). Much like the Matthew Principle where the haves will have even more and the have-nots will have even less, the affluent appear to be increasingly going to more ‘elite’ schools, while the less affluent go to so-called regular ‘neighbourhood’ schools, fostering a sense of elitism (CNA, 2019).
    [Show full text]
  • Metropolitan Libraries Section of IFLA (Formerly INTAMEL)
    Metropolitan Libraries Section of IFLA (formerly INTAMEL) Conference, Singapore 26 September – 1 October 2004 Library as a Fusion Space – Possibilities and Opportunities FINAL PROGRAMME Date/Time Programme Details Sunday, 26 Sep 6.45 pm Pick-up from Hotel 7.00-9.30 pm Welcome dinner reception Tour of library@esplanade Monday, 27 Sep 8.15 am Pick-up from Hotel 9.00-9.30 am Welcome Address & Presentation: “The Big Change in the Public Library: the Rotterdam Story” by Frans Meijer, Interim Chair, Metropolitan Libraries Section A presentation on the transformation of Rotterdam Public Library; its review and renovation programme and new services that are being incorporated. 9.30-10.15 am Presentation by National Library Board Singapore “Re-imagining Possibilities: Value Innovating Libraries in Singapore — Options and Opportunities” by Ms Ngian Lek Choh, DCE, National Library Board, Singapore The paper will discuss value options for libraries in offering new services to the emerging generation of library users. 10.15-10.30 am Group Photo 10.30-11.00 am Tea Break 11.00-11.30 am “The New National Library Building (NNLB), Singapore” by Mr Lim Theam Siew, Senior Director, Management Services Group, National Library Board, Singapore A presentation on the concept and design of the new and largest flagship building of the National Library Board. It will mark a significant milestone in Singapore’s journey to transform its network of public libraries and National Library. The building when completed in 2005 will be the people’s library in the knowledge age. It will be a 1 of 5 Date/Time Programme Details meeting point for new opportunities and ideas while creating value and providing knowledge.
    [Show full text]