I successfully applied for a master's programme at the Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore.

The course fee is about $40,000 - quite a big sum.

Although I can afford it, I would rather save this money for a rainy day, and utilise my Central Provident Fund (CPF) to pay for this part-time postgraduate course instead.

Unfortunately, the CPF Board does not allow this. I can do so only if I were an undergraduate doing a full-time course.

There is so much prompting from the Government for professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), like myself, to upgrade our skill sets and knowledge.

It is time for the CPF Board to review its policy and ensure it stays relevant. As a safeguard, it can always set a cap on the amount one can withdraw for part-time courses.

Alan Tan Teck Keong