SINGAPORE - The way Singaporeans learn and how it has to change will be a key theme Education Minister Heng Swee Keat will be speaking about during Friday's debate on his ministry's budget.

In a Facebook post on Thursday night, Mr Heng wrote: "I will be talking about three major shifts we must make in the way we learn, so that we can adapt to the changes in the world, and bring out the best in our people. If we make these 3 major shifts well, we will be the new pioneers to take Singapore forward."

He added: "We are making very important moves in education. We are at a crossroads - just as our pioneer generation made hard choices to bring us to where we are today, now we must take that pioneering spirit forward to pioneer a new path of learning."

Observers also expect Mr Heng to touch on topics such as meeting growing aspirations for higher education and better career counselling.

On Friday, MPs will also debate the spending plans and policies of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.