About this episode

The episode discusses the perception of having children among young Singaporeans and the impact of the education system on fertility rates.

Would changes to Singapore’s education system fix our low fertility rate? A new work group, comprising political office holders from various ministries, has been set up to encourage Singaporeans to marry and have children, with broader support from society. In this podcast episode, I chat with Minister of State for Education Jasmin Lau and stay-at-home mother Vivien Lim, who has three children. We discuss the “education arms race” and whether the Primary School Leaving Examination really needs to be a such high-stakes exam for 12-year-olds. With the big question looming - whether we can get the total fertility rate back up - Jasmin and Vivien talk about steering children on the best pathways, the pressures of juggling careers and motherhood, and finding joy in parenting. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:53 Will this new work group change anything? 5:45 Jasmin on the education arms race 9:04 Preschool: the “honeymoon’ years 14:33 Stressful education system or anxious parents? 17:53 “This is not something to look forward to.” 23:12 PSLE reflects on everyone from children to teachers 27:02 What’s the point of the PSLE if it…

People in this episode

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah

Guests: Jasmin Lau, Vivien Lim

Topics covered

• fertility rate
• education system
• parenting
• career pressures
• PSLE

Keywords

• fertility
• education
• Singapore
• parenting
• PSLE
• career
• motherhood

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Straits Times

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