Skip to main content
Advertisement
Advertisement

Deep Dive - WP's Jasper Kuan on the 3-hour chat with former chief Low Thia Khiang that convinced him to run for GE2025

East Coast GRC candidate for the Workers’ Party Jasper Kuan admits this may not be the right “season” for him to jump into politics because of his three young children. But he tells Steven Chia how a three-hour conversation with Low Thia Khiang changed his mind and why as a former Gifted Education Programme teacher, he believes the education system needs structural changes.

Steven Chia

Steven Chia

Otelli Edwards

Otelli Edwards

Resume Pause 20 min

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

Deep Dive - More isn’t necessarily better when it comes to private health insurance: Ong Ye Kung

Insurance riders that cover nearly all private hospital bills have created a situation where patients go for tests they may not need, insurers lose money and premiums spiral upward. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung tells Steven Chia how the government is looking into setting benchmarks for private hospital charges - similar to what has been done for surgeon fees.

Resume Pause 30 mins

Deep Dive - Are central kitchens the future of school meals?

Thirteen primary and secondary schools will adopt a central kitchen model from January 2026, in a move aimed at addressing a shortage of canteen stall operators. What does this mean for students? And what parts of the traditional recess experience might get left behind? Steven Chia speaks to school canteen stall owner Rayner Tan and Ben Airey of Victus Catering.

Resume Pause 25 mins