Mendaki to expand initiatives in next 5 years to further boost success among Malay/Muslims

SINGAPORE – Malay/Muslim students will get more support in the next five years with Mendaki expanding its flagship initiatives to further the community’s success.

The Mendaki Tuition Programme, which has supported almost 35,000 students to date, will shift its focus beyond academic support to include enrichment activities like robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) exploration from March.

Mendaki will also increase the number of scholarships and bursaries by 25 per cent annually, to give more Malay/Muslim students better access to quality higher education. Currently, the group gives out about 30 scholarships yearly.

The community self-help group will launch a new programme targeted at parents with children aged 16 and below, to encourage them to play a more active role in at-home learning.

As part of the new ReadySetLearn (RSL) programme, parents will receive a selection of books every three months to encourage reading in their children’s daily routine.

Mendaki chairman and Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad announced the efforts on Jan 15 as part of the group’s five-year work plan to strengthen educational support, expand outreach and deepen partnerships.

He said the group has made significant progress over the past five years, and it will build on the strong foundations laid by pioneers.

“Over the next five years, Mendaki’s work plan is not just about programmes or initiatives, but about shaping lives and strengthening the foundations of our community,” he said.

The Mendaki Tuition Programme, which has improved participants’ PSLE maths pass rates from 56 per cent to 68 per cent, will be renamed the Mendaki Achievement Programme to signal the shift beyond academic outcomes to include enrichment and engagement.

Engagement sessions with students will be held during the March, June, September and November school holidays to raise awareness of various education and career pathways.

Enrichment activities will be held during the fourth lesson every month, and will include robotics, tech and AI exploration, and numeracy and literacy.

The engagement sessions and enrichment activities will begin from March.

Mendaki will incorporate AI-powered tools in the programme to help tutors tailor their lessons and activities and leverage interactive tools to match each student’s pace and track progress.

To strengthen home learning environments for the Malay/Muslim community, the new RSL programme will roll out roadshows throughout the year to equip parents with tips and resources to help them nurture their children.

Mr Zaqy said: “We recognise that learners thrive when they have stable and supportive home environments, and we are committed to building stronger families that nurture their children’s success.”

Mendaki’s flagship programme, KelasMateMatika, will be renamed RSL Maths Explorer. The initiative, which offers maths support for children preparing to enter Primary 1, has helped more than 11,000 parents and children so far.

In 2026, RSL will also roll out a reading programme to encourage parents to cultivate a love for reading among their children. Parents will be guided on how to weave both English and Malay into their daily routines at home, such as reading bedtime stories in English or practising Malay in everyday conversation.

Mendaki is also developing kits for parents to support their children through different milestones. For example, a baby playkit with learn-through-play materials will be given to parents with children up to three years old, while those entering Primary 1 will get a kit with essential learning supplies.

The self-help group will also expand its mentoring efforts to start at the Secondary 1 level. Currently, its Youth Mentoring Office has helped more than 7,900 young people, from Secondary 3 students to undergraduates.

The new initiatives also include support for Malay/Muslim workers. The Ready At Work programme will offer sessions and workshops to help workers gain exposure to growth industries and equip them with insights to navigate their careers.

Mendaki has achieved milestones in the last five years, including an 80 per cent increase in beneficiaries. In 2024, the group reached 130,000 beneficiaries.

Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said the Malay/Muslim community has made remarkable strides over the years, particularly in education. When Mendaki was founded in 1982, many students faced significant barriers to completing even basic education, he added.

Today, the community is better educated and more confident in taking on new challenges, thanks to the hard work of the self-help group and other community partners, he said.

“This progress has not only improved the lives of individuals, but serves as a source of inspiration for many others in the community to stretch their potential to the fullest,” he added.

“Ultimately, the progress of the Malay/Muslim community is an integral part of Singapore’s success.”