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Deep Dive - Why MRT disruptions feel extra frustrating and what can a new task force do?

Deep Dive

In just the last few months, Singapore has seen at least 15 disruptions to the rail network. At the same time, rail reliability according to a key measure is at its lowest point since 2020. Is it time for the authorities to rethink the way they measure our network's reliability and find new connectivity solutions when the when train services are down? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia speaks with transport economist Walter Theseira and Tin Pei Ling, chair of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, on what needs to be done to get our trains back on track.

Steven Chia

Steven Chia

Resume Pause 32 min

Deep Dive - Primary 1 registration: Can we stop parents from gaming the system?

A mother was recently sentenced to jail for faking her home address to get her child into a primary school, raising the question - just how far will parents go to secure a spot in their school of choice and how can we tighten the process? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang unpack the pressures some parents face with Primary 1 registration with Junda Ong, founder of SG Schooling and Assistant Professor Jacqueline Ho from Singapore Management University.

Resume Pause 20 mins

Deep Dive - With new 2035 targets, can Singapore farm its way to improved food security?

Singapore has revised its ambitious "30 by 30" goal, now aiming to produce 20 per cent of its fibre needs and 30 per cent of its protein requirements by 2035. But with high costs, limited land and a small farming base, how realistic are these farming targets? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang unpack what it’ll take to build a resilient food supply chain and get Singaporeans to buy local with Professor Paul Teng from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Ray Poh from Artisan Green.

Resume Pause 27 mins

Deep Dive - Do parents hold the key to their kids being comfortable with mother tongue languages?

With English dominating daily life in Singapore, some parents say they lack the confidence or motivation to speak and teach their mother tongue at home. So how can we help children appreciate and learn their mother tongue languages — and can we see them as more than just another school subject? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Dr Tan Ee Ling, owner of Shiawase Books and Hayati Abdullah from NUSA Malay Language Tuition and Enrichment Centre on this week’s episode of Deep Dive.

Resume Pause 27 mins

Deep Dive - Megan Khung’s fatal abuse case: How can we better protect vulnerable children?

An independent review panel into the death of 4-year-old Megan Khung revealed multiple lapses and shortcomings across agencies. The findings cited a “lack of clear understanding and communication” among officers, child protection specialists and social workers. What must change to strengthen the child protection sector? How can society as a whole prevent another tragedy like Megan’s? Steven Chia sits down with Cindy Ng-Tay, director of Melrose Home at Children’s Aid Society and Dr Hana Alhadad, adviser at EveryChild.sg. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, contact the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline at 1800-777-0000 or report it online.

Resume Pause 33 mins

Deep Dive - Teaching is planning, grading, caring and everything in between

A recent survey showed that teachers in Singapore work longer hours and grapple with more stress than their global peers. Besides teaching, they also plan learning journeys and school events, break up arguments and counsel students, and sometimes field after-hours messages from parents. Steven Chia speaks to former teacher Heidi Tan and Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education to find out what can be done to ease our educators' workloads.

Resume Pause 28 mins