Forum: Can students work for extra cash while on SGUnited Skills scheme?

Students at the Singapore Institute of Management on March 12, 2020. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

During an SGUnited Skills Programme preview I attended, one of the participants inquired if students could work ad hoc to supplement their $1,200 monthly allowance outside course hours.

The course provider responded ambiguously that there may be repercussions if an audit is carried out.

I interpreted this as students having to pay back the full course fees (amounting to $34,500 for that course), plus any allowances that they might have received if they were subsequently found to be ineligible.

The $1,200 allowance is insufficient to meet the living expenses of many families. Stopping those on the course from taking on ad hoc employment - if the additional commitments do not affect academic performance - seems to go against the spirit behind these programmes.

I appeal to the relevant authorities to clarify this stand.

Eric Chen Yixiong

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 24, 2020, with the headline Forum: Can students work for extra cash while on SGUnited Skills scheme?. Subscribe