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Header: Responses of citizens

Question: In you opinion, what can be done to reduce income inequality in Singapore?

Answer: Income inequality can be reduced when Singaporeans take the intiative to volunteer and meet the needs of the less fortunate. The video shows a man, Nizar Mohamed Shariff, who pioneered the making of Free Food For All which provides low income families with free meals. This reduces their burdens as it makes sure that they are provided with nutritious food. In doing so, Mr Shariff builds the community spirit by caring and looking out for the needs of his neighbours.

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Case Study 2- Ms Fiona Ke

IN your opinion, what can be done to reduce income inequality in Singapore?

Income inequality can be reduced by donating to charities for the lower income families. For example, "ray of hope" helps single parent families, children with disabilities, elderlies and migrant workers. this helps to increase the quality of life of the people with lower income

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qn: Explain how community groups help to promote social mobility.

community groups social mobility the example of daughters of tomorrow (DOT) help promote social mobility by offering support to underprivileged women to give them support in building financial independence. DOT uses their resources to help each women individually by providing courses and support programmes to these underprivileged women. this helps to give these women an equal standing in their financial stability as compared to other women and motivates them to work harder for their families which improves their overall physical and mental health as well as their bonds. this leads to many women being given a chance and therefore improves the social mobility for women.

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Do you think the governments or individuals should have the greater responsibility for healthcare costs? Explain your answer.

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Do you think the governments or individuals should have the greater responsibility for healthcare costs? Explain your answer.

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Shared responsibility approach in Singapore

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Shared responsibility approach in Singapore

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1. Each pair is to read and work on one factor/example/case study.

2. You are to construct a paragraph to answer the SRQ question using the format learnt.

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In your opinion, what can the government do to address the needs of those in the lower-income groups in Singapore? Explain your answer using 1 way.

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Explain how government financed approach meet the healthcare needs of the people.

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In your opinion, what can be done to reduce income inequality in Singapore?

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Singaporean of the Year 2018 finalist: Nizar Mohd Shariff | ST Singaporean of the Year 2018: Mr Nizar Mohd Shariff is the founder of Free Food For All, a charity that provides free halal meals for the less... | By The Straits Times | Facebook

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ST Singaporean of the Year 2018: Mr Nizar Mohd Shariff is the founder of Free Food For All, a charity that provides free halal meals for the less...

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b. Social and community assistance to provide support for lower-income singaporeans

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b. Social and community assistance to provide support for lower-income singaporeans

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In your opinion, what can the government do to address the needs of those in the lower-income groups in Singapore? Explain your answer using 1 way.

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Explain how government financed approach meet the housing needs of the people.

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In your opinion, what can be done to reduce income inequality in Singapore?

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The Straits Times (24 July 2019)

The poverty she experienced growing up filled Fiona Ke, 32, with compassion for the less fortunate, as did an unexpected heart operation at the age of 22. This is her story in her own words.

"My dad abandoned us when I was around five or six years old and my mum struggled to raise the three of us. I was the youngest.

She also had to support our grandfather, my dad's elderly father, who lived with us. So my mum rented out two rooms in our four-room flat while we squeezed into the master bedroom, and my grandfather slept in the kitchen.

I remember my dad, who was a businessman, fighting with my mum over money. When they quarrelled, he would hit her and, the next day, she would have bruises.

I felt threatened all the time. Having to witness domestic violence as a kid was frightening. I felt that I hated my dad. Why did he bring so much misery to us? Why did he not give us a single cent? Why was he violent? We struggled, financially.

Every few months, there would not be enough money to pay the electricity bills and the power supply would suddenly be cut off. We would have to light candles at night and I would study by the window next to the common corridor to catch the light.

To get the electricity back, my mum would borrow money to pay the bills.

I had a constant feeling of insecurity because our family situation was so unstable. And the tenants were always changing.

My mum babysat in the day before working as a cleaner at night.

Sometimes, I had to help her babysit when she had to rush off to work and the baby's parents had not come for their child yet.

Fortunately, we had some help. Touch Community Services tutored me for free and we had financial aid from other groups.

Since when I was in primary school, I've wanted to give my mum a comfortable life so I studied hard.

I would also hurry home after school to help her with babysitting or housework.

My brother, who is an engineer, encouraged me to study nursing.

He said it's a stable job and I can help others. But my mother was against it. She said nursing was a dirty job as I have to clean other people's backsides.

Still, I decided to become a nurse as I liked the thought of helping other people and I knew I wouldn't be short of a job. Tan Tock Seng Hospital sponsored my diploma in nursing from Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

I am now a senior staff nurse at the hospital.

In my second year of working as a nurse, I started to experience chest discomfort and it felt like my heart was pumping very hard. The doctors found a hole in my heart.

The medicine I was prescribed didn't seem to help so I did something I would never recommend that patients do - I stopped taking it. As a result, I got worse. The hole in my heart grew to between 2.3cm and 3cm.

The doctor advised me to have surgery, but I wasn't keen as I was afraid of dying on the table. There were still so many things I wanted to do, like getting married and travelling the world.

But the doctor said if I did not have the surgery, my condition would worsen and I might have heart failure by the age of 40. So I felt I had no choice but to do it. I was 22.

It was a good decision. Not only did it cure me, but it allowed me to experience, as a patient, what a difference we nurses can make with our care.

I also gained more empathy for patients. After my recovery, I tried to be more patient and to understand them, especially when they behaved unreasonably.

(Ms Alynn Lim, a senior nurse manager, described Ms Ke as a dedicated and selfless nurse who works well in a multi-disciplinary team and is happy to offer help in any situation. Ms Ke was also one of 10 people who received an Honourable Mention at the Healthcare Humanity Awards, given out in April to salute healthcare professionals who go beyond the call of duty to help others. The Honourable Mention is the awards' highest accolade.)

Growing up, I was angry with my dad, but now I no longer am. Nursing changed the way I see life.

You see many people in worse situations and you realise your problem is nothing compared with theirs.

A patient who is here today may be dead tomorrow. So why make myself unhappy over a person? I have seen a lot of death as a nurse, and the fragility of life.

My dad died about nine years ago. We heard about it from a distant relative, and I felt sad.

After he abandoned us, I still saw him once in a while and I last met him while I was at the polytechnic.

What helps me cope with difficulties in life is to keep telling myself that this will pass - that no matter how difficult it is now, the bad times will pass.

The greatest thing we can do is to help one another.

I wouldn't say I'm a dedicated volunteer but I help whenever I can. For example, I sometimes use my days off work to help out at a mobile clinic for the elderly.

I also volunteer with Happy People Helping People, which gives elderly cardboard collectors free food. Recently, I saw an elderly person fall as she was rushing to get her free meal.

So I raised funds to buy first-aid kits for the cardboard collectors. I also hope to start a mobile clinic for these impoverished seniors.

When I was young, I benefited from the help given to us by various charities. Now that I'm able to do so, I want to give back.

I met my husband, a 29-year-old audiologist, through work. We are in the same department. I was drawn to his caring nature and he treats me very well. Our values are also aligned - we are both giving people and we treasure time with our families.

He suffered hearing loss after a throat infection as a child. He wears a hearing aid.

When I was younger, going to Mc- Donald's for a meal was a luxury. I felt envious when my friends went travelling with their parents. But over time, I realised material things are not that important. You can have a lot of money but still not be truly happy or have a life purpose.

Now, my purpose is to infect others with a spirit of doing something to help others. I may not be able to do a lot but, as long I can help a little, I'm happy."

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Nurse puts her heart into helping those in need

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The Straits Times (24 July 2019) The poverty she experienced growing up filled Fiona Ke, 32, with compassion for the less fortunate, as did an unexpected heart operation at the age of 22. This is her story in her own words.

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c. Vouchers to provide more support to lower- to middle income Singaporean households

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c. Vouchers to provide more support to lower- to middle income Singaporean households

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In your opinion, what can the government do to address the needs of those in the lower-income groups in Singapore? Explain your answer using 1 way.

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Explain how government financed approach meet the education needs of the people.

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d. Opportunities for upskilling and training

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d. Opportunities for upskilling and training

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In your opinion, what can the government do to address the needs of those in the lower-income groups in Singapore? Explain your answer using 1 way.

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Case study 3: Daughters of Tomorrow (DOT)

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Case study 3: Daughters of Tomorrow (DOT)

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Explain how community groups help to promote social mobility.

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charity "underprivileged women" volunteer non-profit ngo enable empower poverty

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Daughters Of Tomorrow (DOT) is a Singapore-based organization that facilitates livelihood opportunities for underprivileged women and support them in achieving financial independence and social mobility for their families. We are a registered charity under the Charities Act of Singapore. Find out more at: http://daughtersoftomorrow.org/

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Explain one challenge adopted by Sweden in managing socio-economic diversity.

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Explain how community groups help to promote social mobility.

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Keeping Hope Alive works with the less privileged Singaporeans focusing on providing better quality of life and most importantly, to keep hope alive for them.

This voluntary platform conducts frequent door-to-door knocks on 1 and 2-room HDB flats to lookout, listen and take action for people who are in need, most times, in dire strait eg. unable to pay for over-due electricity / medical bills, providing daily needs and groceries, milk powder or bus fare for school children, refurbishing bug-infested homes and also visits to the sickly elderly living on their own without help or care.

让希望活下去（Keeping Hope Alive）欢迎您！它原本是由个人创办的私人倡议，但如今已成长为一个大团体。大家本着尊重生命的热爱为目标，主要为新加坡的弱势群提供各种援助，帮助改善他们的生活质量，最重要的是，让他们感受到人间有爱，从而让他们的希望活下去！

这支义工小组经常到1或2房式政府组屋区进行沿家挨户敲门，寻找真正需要帮忙的家庭，倾听他们的心声再给予援助，例如呼吁善心人士慷慨解囊解决无法缴付拖欠已久的水电/医药费账单，提供日常所需及杂货、婴儿奶粉或学童交通费，打扫卫生，甚至翻新整间臭虫出没的问题住屋及探访无依靠的患病老人剪指甲。如果您也与我们共享助人为快乐之本的心态，愿意腾出时间，精力，也想成为这项意义非凡的公益活动的一份子，请加入我们吧！

Selamat datang ke Menyimpan Harapan Hidup.Inisiatif ini ditubuhkan oleh individu yang akhirnya telah berkembang kepada masyarakat-masyarakat berkongsi matlamat yang sama kerana prihatin kepada yang kurang upaya.Kita menghulur bantuan kepada rakyat Singapura yang kurang bernasib baik, memberi tumpuan,menyediakan kualiti hidup yang lebih baik dan yang paling penting, untuk menjaga harapan hidup untuk mereka.

kumpulan sukarelawan ini kerap mengendalikan mengetuk pintu-ke-pintu di kawasan perumahan sewa 1 dan 2-bilik HDB untuk mencari, mendengar dan mengambil tindakan bagi orang-orang yang memerlukan seperti tidak mampu membayar bil-bil perubatan/eletrik,menyediakan keperluan harian dan barangan dapur,susu tepung atau tambang bas untuk kanak-kanak bersekolah, mengubahsuai rumah dipenuhi pijat dan juga lawatan ke rumah warga emas yang uzur dan tingal sendirian tanpa bantuan atau penjagaan yang rapi.

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Keeping Hope Alive works with the less privileged Singaporeans focusing on providing better quality of life. Together, we keep hope alive.

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Explain one challenge adopted by Singapore in managing socio-economic diversity.

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Explain one challenge adopted by Sweden in managing socio-economic diversity.

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Explain one challenge adopted by Singapore in managing socio-economic diversity.

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c. High immigrant unemployment rate (Case study 10)

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c. High immigrant unemployment rate (Case study 10)

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Explain one challenge adopted by Sweden in managing socio-economic diversity.

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c. Limitations in upskilling and training

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c. Limitations in upskilling and training

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Explain one challenge adopted by Singapore in managing socio-economic diversity.

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Do you think an ageing population is a more significant challenge than limitations in upskilling and training in Singapore's shared responsibility approach?

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Do you think an ageing population is a more significant challenge than limitations in upskilling and training in Singapore's shared responsibility approach?

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Header: Keeping hope alive

Question: Explain how community groups help to promote social mobility

Keeping Hope Alive helps the underprivileged with social mobility by providing them with upskilling and meeting their needs. For example, for those that have monetary problems, Keeping Hope Alive can help them ask for donations to pay off their outstanding utilities bill. From this, the children of these families will be further encouraged to improve on their own life to ensure that later on, as teenagers and adults, they will be able to secure a safe and usable home that will allow them to live properly.

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Healthcare case study 5

Question: Explain how Government financed approach meet the healthcare needs of the people.

P: Sweden government met the healthcare needs of the people by making healthcare in Sweden free or subsidise for all local residents. In Sweden, all families are covered by a medical protection scheme where household's with children can claim up to 2466 Swedish kronor from the government, furthermore since 2019 dental acre fees are free for local residents up to the age of 23 while the age beyond 24 is subsidised. Hence, the Swedish government has been able to provide a affordable healthcare to all the residents

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Case Study 6: Charlyn , Shannon , Ashlynn

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Case Study 6: Charlyn , Shannon , Ashlynn

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Header: Sweden Housing ( Case study 6 )

Qn: Explain how government financed approach meets the housing needs of the people.

Ans:

Government finance approach allow lower-income individuals or families to pay for housing fees for their own home. This is through “ Families may receive housing allowance if they live with children and pay more than 1,400 Swedish kronor for their housing” and “For the elderly with low or no income, they are entitled to a housing supplement which acts as a form of financial support”. This tells us that provision of substantial assistance and financial support ensures that citizens and individuals of different socio economic backgrounds have access to housing. This allows these low income families to be able to sustain themselves, reducing their worries about paying rent on time and decreasing the rate of homelessness, improving the citizens livelihood and wellbeing.

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Header: Education

Question: Explain how Government financed approaches meet the educational needs of the people.

Answer: Government financed approach allows for inclusivity of the less fortunate to be able to attend school regardless of their gender, where they live or their social/economic factors. Through this, everyone would be able to have equal opportunities to receive proper education. For example, PhD courses at Swedish public universities for students who are citizens of EU/EEA are not required to pay for tuition for Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Through this, it is evident that the Sweden Government provides its citizens with affordable school fees regardless of their socio-economic statuses.

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Case Study 8: Megan and Kymberly (high taxation)

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Case Study 8: Megan and Kymberly (high taxation)

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Sweden adopts high taxation to provide lengthy parental leave, unemployment allowances, healthcare and free education however those with high income have to pay 57.2% of their income as tax and the low income have to pay high taxes that they cant afford, meaning the lower income do not gain any benefit and because of the tax they won't have enough money for themselves.

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b. ageing population in Sweden

As more people retire, it will be a smaller working population to bear this increased cost.

There will be a need to increase employment rates, lengthen the employment years of those still working, or raise taxes on the working population.

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Header: High immigrant unemployment rate in sweden

question: Explain one challenge adopted by sweden in managing social economic diversity

There is a mismatch between skills and jobs. Since immigrants may not have received educational opportunities in their home countries, leaving them unable to take up unfilled jobs in sweden. It resulted in high unemployment for low skilled workers and immigrants. Since sweden has one of the larger immigrant population among the European countries it is difficult for all these immigrants to find a job which then causes an income gap between them and other citizens. This would lead to low income immigrants

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the government can subsidise payment for housing to low income families. e.g the government provides low income families with a one room rental flat that has around 10 - 20$ depending on the situation

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SG Case Study: (c) Ying Rui, Lesley, Feivel

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SG Case Study: (c) Ying Rui, Lesley, Feivel

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Headers: Responses of governments- Singapore

Question: In your opinion, what can the government do to address the needs of those in the lower income groups in Singapore? Explain your answer using 1 way

Answer:

The government can provide vouchers to support the needs of the lower income groups by handing out GST vouchers in the permanent GST Voucher scheme. Cash payouts in August every year are given to support lower-income Singaporeans with immediate needs, along with quarterly U-save rebates to help these HDB households offset their utilities bills. This helps reduce the financial stress and strain on these households to meet their daily needs and provides more assistance so they can utilize their money on other necessities to improve the quality of their lives and save money. Hence, helping these families achieve social mobility.

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Header: Opportunities for upskilling and training

Question: what can the government do to address the needs of those in the lower-income groups in SG

Answer: The programs and initiatives under SkillsFuture Singapore give students and working adults access to training and courses to continually upskill and equip themselves with industry-relevant skills. The Workfare Skills support scheme provides training allowance and cash awards to encourage low-wage Singaporeans to upgrade their skills

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Alethea and Zhiqi [Singapore's challenge - Ageing Population] (a)

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Alethea and Zhiqi [Singapore's challenge - Ageing Population] (a)

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Header: Response of government- Singapore

Question: Explain one challenge adopted by Singapore in managing socio-economic diversity

Answer: One challenge Singapore has faced in managing socio-economic diversity is the aging population in the country. By 2030, the percentage of seniors will be doubled , while citizens aged 20 to 64 will decrease. As show in the demography shown, the percentage has increased to 23.8. Because of this, the government tripled it healthcare expenditure to $11.3 billion to meet the needs of the seniors and eventually affect the working population. There willbe lower productivity , which decrease economic growth for the country.

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Germaine huijing charis (a) Responses of gov

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Germaine huijing charis (a) Responses of gov

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The government should provide subsidies for essential services for those of lower-income groups in Singapore to provide affordable healthcare for them. This ensures that these individuals get financial support as the government subsidies help to reduce costs for patients of lower income who are in need of medical help. For example,the government implementation of schemes like Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) to offer subsidised healthcare services at participating clinics to lower income families who face difficulties in paying their medical bills. Hence, they would feel assured that their basic needs are well taken care of to ensure accessible healthcare for Singaporeans.

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The government should have greater responsibility for healthcare costs. Because when the government is able to subsidise the medical fees, it benefits those of lower socio-economic status, as not every individual is able to afford medical attention.

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we think the government have greater responsibility for healthcare costs, due to the limited resources that individuals might have as well as the limited reach. Government has the ability to make policies and regulations to offset cost for people of different socio-economic status, enabling them to receive quality healthcare.

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I think everyone has a part to play. Government has the ability to implement rules and actions such as wearing masks during the pandemic. While individuals have to take responsibility for their own actions and do what is best for them and their country. However i think individuals have a bigger part to play because even if the government implements rules, and individuals do not follow them causing everyone to be at risk.

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government have a greater responsibility for healthcare cost.

Due to high living cost, citizens have to spend a large portion of their income on their basic needs. Government should ease the load of individuals by providing them subsidies to pay for their own needs without worry too much about the hefty healthcare cost.

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I think that both have equal responsibility for healthcare costs. While the government provides subsidies for the people living in the country as they are the overseers of said country, the people themselves should not just solely rely on the government to provide them funds for their healthcare and should take responsibility by maintaining their health to the best they can. Both parties can strive for a better future by equally sharing responsibility for one’s healthcare.

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We think that the government should bear greater responsibility for healthcare since it helps the people who have lower income status. So that if they cannot afford sufficient healthcare, the government can help them get what they need.

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I think the governements should have a greater responsibility for healthcare costs. Healthcare services are a neccessity for the survival of people. The government should take care of the country's citizens considering the taxes they collect.

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The responsiblitles is not put on a specific party, as we all have a role to play!

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I think that both the government and individuals should share the responsibility for healthcare costs. While the government ensures that there is targeted assistance and subsidised social services on healthcare, they provide more affordable healthcare for everyone which reduces the burden on certain individuals, but also emphasises individual responsibility as individual learn to be dependent on themselves and save up for a better quality of life.

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I think that the government should have a greater amount of responsibility for healthcare costs as healthcare is a necessity and the government should make it more affordable for everyone to be able to access it.

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the government should have a greater responsibility for healthcare costs, as some individuals may not have enough resources to care for themselves and their family, so the government can help these families by providing subsidies, financial assistance and skills training.

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I think the government should have greater responsibility for healthcare costs, people living already need to pay for other expenses like food, electricity, water and education. The government should provide subsidies so that individuals with low income will be able to afford medical help

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the government has a greater responsibility for healthcare as they have the money and resources to ensure that the best healthcare is provided for citizens. Moreover, the government is able to implement measures and protocols to ensure that the best quality healthcare is provided for.

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I think that the government should have a greater amount of responsibility for healthcare costs. This is because healthcare is essential and not everyone is able to afford it