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Shermaine Ang

Shermaine covers a range of social issues in Singapore for The Straits Times, from disability, inequality and mental health matters to those affecting youth and families. She also writes columns on culture and relationships, and the odd book review. She likes movies, music and tea.

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Latest articles

Inaugural batch of 11 graduates from first S’pore boarding school programme for disadvantaged teens

(From left) Xavier Ng,  Dyan Nurul Qaseh Puteri Azman and Vivian Tan are students at =Dreams, Singapore’s first residential programme for disadvantaged teens.
(From left) Xavier Ng,  Dyan Nurul Qaseh Puteri Azman and Vivian Tan are students at =Dreams, Singapore’s first residential programme for disadvantaged teens.

Virtual world can be a gateway to radicalisation for lonely youth: Faishal Ibrahim

Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim taking a wefie with youths on Nov 29.
Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim taking a wefie with youths on Nov 29.

New police initiative to engage community in crime prevention and improving public safety

Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong (second from right) and Senior Minister of State of Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad (right) at the “SaferSG, Together” movement on Nov 29.
Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong (second from right) and Senior Minister of State of Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad (right) at the “SaferSG, Together” movement on Nov 29.

Singapore’s largest polyclinic opens near Serangoon MRT station

The polyclinic is designed to serve the growing senior population in Serangoon, where about one in five residents is aged 65 and above.
The polyclinic is designed to serve the growing senior population in Serangoon, where about one in five residents is aged 65 and above.

Mountbatten Vocational School closes after 50 years of training students with special needs

smmountbatten/ST20251120_202596800176/Ng Sor Luan/Mountbatten Vocational School (MVS) for special needs students will close by end of 2025. MVS holds its final year-end prize-giving ceremony and carnival on Nov 20, 2025. Educator Doreen Lim, 54, whose son is a student at the school takes photos with her son's classmate, Huang Meiru, 19.
smmountbatten/ST20251120_202596800176/Ng Sor Luan/Mountbatten Vocational School (MVS) for special needs students will close by end of 2025. MVS holds its final year-end prize-giving ceremony and carnival on Nov 20, 2025. Educator Doreen Lim, 54, whose son is a student at the school takes photos with her son's classmate, Huang Meiru, 19.

Pathlight officially opens Tampines campus, preparing for new one in Punggol in 2032

smpathlight18

Interior of the Pathlight School (Tampines), taken on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025. 


Pathlight School will celebrate its 21st anniversary and the official opening of Pathlight School (Tampines) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025. Themed ?Coming of Age?, the celebration will be held at Pathlight School (Tampines) graced by the Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee. More than 200 guests are expected at the celebration, which will feature a mini musical tracing Pathlight School?s 21-year journey and showcasing the signature 
offerings and talents of its students.

Since its founding in 2004, Pathlight has blazed new trails. It is Singapore?s first autism-focused school offering the national curriculum alongside life-readiness skills, vocational training, and real-world 
experiences to maximise the potential of students on the autism spectrum. It pioneered the model of placing its secondary school students in satellite classrooms in neighbouring mainstream schools. Its students did well in both academics and life skills training.

Pathlight School (Tampines) is the second purpose-built Pathlight school and marks the latest milestone in this journey of growth, serving the eastern region of Singapore. The school?s leadership will also share the aspiration of building Pathlight?s third school in Punggol Digital District. 
Slated to open in 2032, it is envisioned as Singapore?s first Inclusive Lifelong Learning Education Village where individuals on the autism spectrum can learn and thrive beyond their school years.


STPHOTO KELVN CHNG
smpathlight18

Interior of the Pathlight School (Tampines), taken on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025. 


Pathlight School will celebrate its 21st anniversary and the official opening of Pathlight School (Tampines) on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025. Themed ?Coming of Age?, the celebration will be held at Pathlight School (Tampines) graced by the Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee. More than 200 guests are expected at the celebration, which will feature a mini musical tracing Pathlight School?s 21-year journey and showcasing the signature 
offerings and talents of its students.

Since its founding in 2004, Pathlight has blazed new trails. It is Singapore?s first autism-focused school offering the national curriculum alongside life-readiness skills, vocational training, and real-world 
experiences to maximise the potential of students on the autism spectrum. It pioneered the model of placing its secondary school students in satellite classrooms in neighbouring mainstream schools. Its students did well in both academics and life skills training.

Pathlight School (Tampines) is the second purpose-built Pathlight school and marks the latest milestone in this journey of growth, serving the eastern region of Singapore. The school?s leadership will also share the aspiration of building Pathlight?s third school in Punggol Digital District. 
Slated to open in 2032, it is envisioned as Singapore?s first Inclusive Lifelong Learning Education Village where individuals on the autism spectrum can learn and thrive beyond their school years.


STPHOTO KELVN CHNG

ECDA will use AI to review CCTV footage in pre-school investigations, detect potential misconduct

Preschoolers from NTUC My First Skool engaging in a jigsaw puzzle activity on 5 May 2017.
Preschoolers from NTUC My First Skool engaging in a jigsaw puzzle activity on 5 May 2017.

NUS students with fake admissions will be expelled; NTU students will face disciplinary action

Observers said the high-ranking of both universities is a contributing factor for fraudulent applications.
Observers said the high-ranking of both universities is a contributing factor for fraudulent applications.

Lower fees at more pre-schools from Jan 2026 as more centres join partner operator scheme

Madam Norliza Amin (left), Kidz Meadow’s head of operations and quality assurance, and Madam Siti Shahidah Samat, a centre leader at Kidz Meadow Childcare and Development Centre (Yew Tee).
Madam Norliza Amin (left), Kidz Meadow’s head of operations and quality assurance, and Madam Siti Shahidah Samat, a centre leader at Kidz Meadow Childcare and Development Centre (Yew Tee).

Four training providers warned or penalised by SkillsFuture Singapore for marketing malpractices

ST20250108-202505200839-Lim Yaohui-pixgeneric/
Generic photograph of SkillsFuture signboard at level three of Lifelong Learning Institute on Jan 8, 2025.
Can be used for stories on employment, career, skill, upskill, jobseeker, training, skill set, job, money, budget, upskilling, upgrading and salary.
(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)
ST20250108-202505200839-Lim Yaohui-pixgeneric/
Generic photograph of SkillsFuture signboard at level three of Lifelong Learning Institute on Jan 8, 2025.
Can be used for stories on employment, career, skill, upskill, jobseeker, training, skill set, job, money, budget, upskilling, upgrading and salary.
(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.