SINGAPORE: The array of services the new S$275,000 Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) centre at Bukit Panjang will offer include tuition for kids, job matching for adults and IT training for seniors.

More of such centres are planned if this one takes off.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is also Patron of the Council, did the honours as he unveiled the plaque on Saturday.

The council said that as it looks forward to turning 20 in 2012, it has a vision to do more to help the community.

This year alone, the number of needy students receiving financial support from the Chinese self-help group has risen 56 per cent to 7,500 this year, from 4,800 last year.

CDAC said it has also helped more job seekers this year, up 30 per cent from last year. - CNA/vm