Three top leaders in the Singapore government have called on parents not to compromise on their children’s education even as the going gets tough in 2009.

14-year-old Sudhisha Pillay’s love for the piano costs her father S$200 in course fee every month. Despite expected bad times this year, Mr Pillay said he would not take away her piano lessons because they contribute to her overall education.

“For education, I will not cut anything back. My spending will be lessened, especially for overseas trips or anything like that,” he said.

Such sentiments are encouraged by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who gave out some 170 Edusave scholarships in Ang Mo Kio on Saturday.

He said: “While we encourage companies to look after their workers and we encourage workers to prepare themselves to tighten their belts, we also encourage families to look after their kids, don’t compromise on their education… If you need any help, come to see us.”

Over S$220,000 worth of bursaries and scholarships were given out to 950 students at the ceremony in Ang Mo Kio. Nearly half the amount handed out was from the Teck Ghee Grassroots Committee.

The total amount of bursaries given out by the grassroots committee went up by 30 per cent this year.

Besides increasing the individual amount given out to each student by an average of S$50, the organisers also lowered the income criteria to allow more middle-income households to apply for the bursaries.

More help is also offered to needy families in Bishan-Toa Payoh by its Member of Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng. The grassroots committee there is giving out another round of bursaries in June.

In Marine Parade, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong called on parents and students to continue to invest in education even as things get worse.

“Education allows us to learn more skills. When you have the skills and you’ve got the knowledge, you have the whole world of jobs before you. So when the economy recovers, those with good education and skills will stand a better chance of getting a job,” the senior minister said.

Mr Goh was speaking to more than 160 students and parents at his constituency’s Edusave Merit Bursary and Scholarship Presentation Ceremony.

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