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Shermaine Ang

Shermaine covers a range of social issues in Singapore for The Straits Times, from disability, inequality and mental health matters to those affecting youth and families. She also writes columns on culture and relationships, and the odd book review. She likes movies, music and tea.

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Pathlight officially opens Tampines campus, preparing for new one in Punggol in 2032

smpathlight18

Interior of the Pathlight School (Tampines), taken on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025. 


Pathlight School will celebrate its 21st anniversary and the official opening of Pathlight School (Tampines) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025. Themed ?Coming of Age?, the celebration will be held at Pathlight School (Tampines) graced by the Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee. More than 200 guests are expected at the celebration, which will feature a mini musical tracing Pathlight School?s 21-year journey and showcasing the signature 
offerings and talents of its students.

Since its founding in 2004, Pathlight has blazed new trails. It is Singapore?s first autism-focused school offering the national curriculum alongside life-readiness skills, vocational training, and real-world 
experiences to maximise the potential of students on the autism spectrum. It pioneered the model of placing its secondary school students in satellite classrooms in neighbouring mainstream schools. Its students did well in both academics and life skills training.

Pathlight School (Tampines) is the second purpose-built Pathlight school and marks the latest milestone in this journey of growth, serving the eastern region of Singapore. The school?s leadership will also share the aspiration of building Pathlight?s third school in Punggol Digital District. 
Slated to open in 2032, it is envisioned as Singapore?s first Inclusive Lifelong Learning Education Village where individuals on the autism spectrum can learn and thrive beyond their school years.


STPHOTO KELVN CHNG
smpathlight18

Interior of the Pathlight School (Tampines), taken on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025. 


Pathlight School will celebrate its 21st anniversary and the official opening of Pathlight School (Tampines) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025. Themed ?Coming of Age?, the celebration will be held at Pathlight School (Tampines) graced by the Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee. More than 200 guests are expected at the celebration, which will feature a mini musical tracing Pathlight School?s 21-year journey and showcasing the signature 
offerings and talents of its students.

Since its founding in 2004, Pathlight has blazed new trails. It is Singapore?s first autism-focused school offering the national curriculum alongside life-readiness skills, vocational training, and real-world 
experiences to maximise the potential of students on the autism spectrum. It pioneered the model of placing its secondary school students in satellite classrooms in neighbouring mainstream schools. Its students did well in both academics and life skills training.

Pathlight School (Tampines) is the second purpose-built Pathlight school and marks the latest milestone in this journey of growth, serving the eastern region of Singapore. The school?s leadership will also share the aspiration of building Pathlight?s third school in Punggol Digital District. 
Slated to open in 2032, it is envisioned as Singapore?s first Inclusive Lifelong Learning Education Village where individuals on the autism spectrum can learn and thrive beyond their school years.


STPHOTO KELVN CHNG

ECDA will use AI to review CCTV footage in pre-school investigations, detect potential misconduct

Preschoolers from NTUC My First Skool engaging in a jigsaw puzzle activity on 5 May 2017.
Preschoolers from NTUC My First Skool engaging in a jigsaw puzzle activity on 5 May 2017.

NUS students with fake admissions will be expelled; NTU students will face disciplinary action

Observers said the high-ranking of both universities is a contributing factor for fraudulent applications.
Observers said the high-ranking of both universities is a contributing factor for fraudulent applications.

Lower fees at more pre-schools from Jan 2026 as more centres join partner operator scheme

Madam Norliza Amin (left), Kidz Meadow’s head of operations and quality assurance, and Madam Siti Shahidah Samat, a centre leader at Kidz Meadow Childcare and Development Centre (Yew Tee).
Madam Norliza Amin (left), Kidz Meadow’s head of operations and quality assurance, and Madam Siti Shahidah Samat, a centre leader at Kidz Meadow Childcare and Development Centre (Yew Tee).

‘Common’ for SkillsFuture training providers to use external marketing agents, say industry players

ST20250108-202505200839-Lim Yaohui-pixgeneric/
Generic photograph of SkillsFuture Festival signboard at Lifelong Learning Institute on Jan 8, 2025.
Can be used for stories on employment, career, skill, upskill, jobseeker, training, skill set, job, money, budget, upskilling, upgrading and salary.
(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)
ST20250108-202505200839-Lim Yaohui-pixgeneric/
Generic photograph of SkillsFuture Festival signboard at Lifelong Learning Institute on Jan 8, 2025.
Can be used for stories on employment, career, skill, upskill, jobseeker, training, skill set, job, money, budget, upskilling, upgrading and salary.
(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)

Four training providers warned or penalised by SkillsFuture Singapore for marketing malpractices

ST20250108-202505200839-Lim Yaohui-pixgeneric/
Generic photograph of SkillsFuture signboard at level three of Lifelong Learning Institute on Jan 8, 2025.
Can be used for stories on employment, career, skill, upskill, jobseeker, training, skill set, job, money, budget, upskilling, upgrading and salary.
(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)
ST20250108-202505200839-Lim Yaohui-pixgeneric/
Generic photograph of SkillsFuture signboard at level three of Lifelong Learning Institute on Jan 8, 2025.
Can be used for stories on employment, career, skill, upskill, jobseeker, training, skill set, job, money, budget, upskilling, upgrading and salary.
(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)

Programmers, assemble: 400 compete in 24-hour hackathon by AI firms like Cursor, OpenAI

Among the youngest participants was 13-year-old Usman Asif, who took part along with his father Asif Saleem and sister Shanzey Asif.
Among the youngest participants was 13-year-old Usman Asif, who took part along with his father Asif Saleem and sister Shanzey Asif.

PMD fires becoming more of a concern; don’t use illegal PMDs bought online: Chee Hong Tat

National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat (left) and his fellow Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MPs, Mr Cai Yinzhou (third from left) and Ms Elysa Chen (fourth from left), viewing a burnt PMD at a Community Resilience Day event on Oct 19.
National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat (left) and his fellow Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MPs, Mr Cai Yinzhou (third from left) and Ms Elysa Chen (fourth from left), viewing a burnt PMD at a Community Resilience Day event on Oct 19.

More pre-schools to join programme to detect developmental needs in young children

CMG20251016-ThongKH01唐家鸿/张佳莹/Mission I’mPossible 2 (MIP2) Press Conference [PCF Punggol, 50 Edgefield Plains, Singapore 828717]
-   Parent profile for child Audi Bin Azirwan. The caregivers are father Azirwan Bin Mastan (left) and mother Nurfiana Binte Abdul Rahim. 

- embargoed till 1pm, 16 Oct 2025.
CMG20251016-ThongKH01唐家鸿/张佳莹/Mission I’mPossible 2 (MIP2) Press Conference [PCF Punggol, 50 Edgefield Plains, Singapore 828717]
-   Parent profile for child Audi Bin Azirwan. The caregivers are father Azirwan Bin Mastan (left) and mother Nurfiana Binte Abdul Rahim. 

- embargoed till 1pm, 16 Oct 2025.

Micro-jobs programme for seniors launched with $1.47m donation from DBS Foundation

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung taking a wefie at the DBS Foundation X Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities partnership launch event on Oct 13.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung taking a wefie at the DBS Foundation X Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities partnership launch event on Oct 13.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.