Why young Singaporeans see having kids as a loss and not something to be gained

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 doesn’t test real-world skills?

34:05 The PSLE parent: why some women leave their jobs

36:10 Jasmin would leave her role if her kids aren’t doing well

43:07 Are we raising kids for the future?

47:40 Will changing the education system encourage couples to have kids?