Schools organise enrichment programmes to widen their students' learning opportunities. Schools consider their students' needs carefully for such programmes. Although there are some programmes that students are strongly encouraged to attend, parents can decide not to allow their child to participate. If the programmes are held during curriculum time, schools must have alternative programmes for pupils who choose not to participate.

Many of these enrichment programmes are subsidised by the schools using funds given by MOE, and parents need to only make some co-payment. Parents can pay in cash or tap their child's Edusave funds to pay for their share of the cost. Parents must approve the use of their child's Edusave funds before the school can withdraw the funds from the student's account.

In sourcing for service providers for enrichment programmes, schools consider many factors, such as the experience and expertise of the instructors. Schools must also comply with financial guidelines which stipulate, among other things, that services and goods procured should take into consideration that they are value for money. Schools also constantly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of such programmes through observations by teachers and feedback from pupils.

We invite Mr Tan to provide feedback to his child's school to help the school in its evaluation of the specific enrichment programme.

Chua Kwan Ping
Director, Finance and Development
Ministry of Education