CDAC to double places for its programmes to over 30,000 by 2030

SINGAPORE – The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) will significantly increase access to its academic, enrichment and learning support programmes over the next five years.

By 2030, the self-help group aims to more than double the number of places for such programmes, from over 15,000 today to over 30,000 spots, CDAC chairman Ong Ye Kung said.

Mr Ong, who is Coordinating Minister for Social Polices and Minister for Health, was speaking to the media after CDAC’s 33rd annual general meeting at its Tanjong Katong headquarters on June 18.

The council said it spent more than $37 million to help 15,700 households in 2024, up from $34 million and 15,300 households in 2023.

In 2024, it offered 15,000 tuition and enrichment places, awarded 12,000 student bursaries and had 8,000 places for family support programmes.

With the

income criteria raised in 2024

to help families, there was a 12 per cent increase in successful applicants compared with 2023.

From Jan 1, 2024, applicants with a gross monthly household income of below $4,800 (up from the previous ceiling of $2,400) or a gross per capita income of $1,400 (up from the last limit of $800) could apply for bursaries for their primary, secondary and tertiary education.  

Mr Ong said CDAC has a team of case managers who looked after about 1,400 families in 2024, providing all-rounded support such as financial and emotional assistance.

It also provided mentorship for 320 students through its Go the Extra Mile mentoring programme, supervised homework group and Project YOUth Can Shine.

Enrichment programmes covering areas such as arts and crafts, speech and drama, coding and robotics were also offered to more than 3,500 students.

In addition, a new Tinkering Space at the newly renovated CDAC@Bukit Panjang held activities to cultivate a love for learning beyond the school curriculum.

The self-help group reported a net deficit of $1.02 million in 2024, the first time since 2014 that it has accumulated a net deficit.

Mr Ong said this was mainly driven by higher expenditure as CDAC expanded its programmes and extended assistance to more families and students in need.

Going forward, it will tap its operating surpluses accumulated over the years and donations.

“The immediate priority for the next one, two years is to make sure we can expand our programmes without compromising the quality,” Mr Ong said.

Agreeing, CDAC board member and Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said the goal is to ensure CDAC’s programmes reach families and students, and doing so will help it bring on more sponsors, partners and donors.

CDAC is also strengthening partnerships and streamlining resources to do more with less, without compromising impact, its executive director Tan Yap Kin said.

For instance, he noted that digitalisation efforts saved more than 6,000 staff hours in 2024.

“We will continue to drive ground-up initiatives to enhance productivity and scale our programmes cost-effectively,” he said.

On the council’s 2030 target of doubling to 30,000 places for its programmes, Mr Ong said this will largely be through increased capacity in tuition and enrichment programmes.

Beyond these, he said students also need role models, and CDAC has a suite of programmes to support their social and emotional development.

Mr Tan said: “While tuition remains a key pillar, we are expanding enrichment programmes to nurture curiosity, creativity and a love for learning.”

He added: “Together, they support our holistic approach to uplifting students from all backgrounds.”

CDAC mentor Sabrina Ng, 36, said many students could benefit from the council’s mentorship programmes, as school teachers may not have enough time to support them in their social and emotional development.

“With the expansion of our programmes, what remains very important is the quality of the relationship between the mentors and mentees,” she said.

“We are not looking for big leaps, but we celebrate every baby step of improvement.”