Funding for NTUC's "Back to School" Programme Doubled
19 October 2005
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) had earlier announced the $1.15 million “Back to School” programme on 26 September 2005. This programme is aimed at helping low income union members to meet the expenses of their children at the start of the new school year.
2 Union members with school-going children, and who meet the income criteria will be given $100 worth of “Back to School” vouchers. (The family income should not exceed $1,500 per month or $450 per person per month). These vouchers can be used to purchase textbooks, shoes, uniforms and other items in preparation for a new school term.
3 The “Back to School” programme will also be held in conjunction with NTUC FairPrice’s “Used Textbooks Project” so that students can get choose to use their textbooks at the “Used Textbooks Project”, and use the vouchers for other items.
4 To-date, NTUC and the unions have received applications from union members for more than 11,000 children for the “Back to School” vouchers. This has already exceeded our earlier target of helping at least 10,000 children of union members. In view of the response, NTUC and SLF have decided to increase the funding for the “Back to School” programme by another $1 million so that more children can benefit. The closing date of the application of the vouchers has also been extended for an additional week to 28 October 2005. From November onwards, unions will be giving out the vouchers to members who are eligible.
5 The vouchers can be used during the “Back to School” Fairs which will be held on 10 and 11 December 2005, 10am to 5pm at Downtown East, Yio Chu Kang Community Club, Woodlands Community Club and JTC Summit.
6 There will be booths selling essential school items like assessment books, stationeries, water bottles, school bags, shoes and socks. Recipients of the “Back to School” vouchers can purchase good value-for-money items at these Fairs, to maximise the value of their vouchers.
7 As a bonus for the children participating in the “Back to School” programme, the NTUC Club will also offer each family four passes for free entrance to Escape Theme Park from 10 to 12 December 2005. The passes would also allow them to enjoy all rides in the Park. Tenants at Downtown East will be offering good discounts to the participants during the period. NTUC Club’s package is worth about $800,000.
8 The vouchers can also be used to buy textbooks and school uniforms at schools. Please refer to Annex A for more details of the “Back to School” programme.
Lim Boon Heng
Secretary-General
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Annex A
Details of NTUC’s "Back to School" Programme
Mechanism
1 Successful applicants will receive “Back to School” vouchers, which can be used to purchase shoes, school uniforms and other necessary items in preparation for the start of the new school term. The vouchers will be valid till 31 January 2006, and will be awarded as follows:
a) Successful applicant with one school-going child will receive $100 worth of vouchers.
b) Successful applicant with two school-going children will receive $100 worth of vouchers for each child.
c) Successful applicant with three or more school going children will receive $300 worth of vouchers.
2 In order to reach out to a larger group of union members, there will be a cap of $300 per family.
Eligibility Criteria
3 Union members who fulfill the following income criteria can apply for assistance under “Back to School” Programme:
a) Monthly household income not exceeding $1,500 or
b) Per capita household income not exceeding $450, if monthly household income exceeds $1,500
Application Process
4 The application for “Back to School” vouchers will open from 26 September 2005 and close on 28 October 2005. Ordinary branch members can obtain application forms from their union leaders. The unions will process their applications and issue vouchers to successful families in November 2005.
5 For General Branch members, they can apply directly to NTUC Customer Services Centre. The Centre’s hotline is 6213 8008 or they can also access the website www.ntuc.org.sg for more information.
“Back to School” Fairs and “Used Textbooks Project”
6 There will be special deals offered by the vendors during the “Back to School” Fairs, these are as follows:
1. NTUC FairPrice - Special backpack sets (with stationery) at $5 each
- Stationery between 20-40% discount
2. Pacific Bookstores - 5% Discount off Published Price for MOE's Approved Textbooks,
- 20% to 40% Discount off Published Price for General & Reference Books such as Dictionary, Assessment
- For every purchase exceeding $100, customers will be entitled to a FREE GIFT worth about $10
3. Bata Shoes - A bottle of shoe white free for every purchase of a pair of school shoes using the voucher. Offer is valid till 31 Jan 06.
7 The “Used Textbooks Project”, which has been organised by NTUC FairPrice since 1983 will also be incorporated under the “Back to School” programme. More used textbooks are expected to be available for needy students to pick and select those that they will need for schools.
8 “Used Textbooks Project” will be open to needy students and union members on 10 December 2005. Public can also take their pick of the re-used textbooks on 12 December 2005. The two venues for this project are Downtown East and Yio Chu Kang Community Club. For the convenience of those who are selecting textbooks on 12 December 2005, “Back to School” Fairs at Downtown East and Yio Chu Kang Community Club will also be extended till 12 December.
9 As a bonus for the children participating in the “Back to School” programme, NTUC Club will also offer each family four passes for free entrance to Escape Theme Park from 10 to 12 December 2005. The passes would also allow them to enjoy all rides in the Park. Tenants at Downtown East will be offering good discounts to the participants during the period. NTUC Club’s package for the needy is worth about $800,000.
10 As for children who love colouring, NTUC FairPrice will be setting up colouring corners where freebies will be given to children. There will also be barbers and hairdressers at Downtown East and Yio Chu Kang Community Club, who will give free haircut services to needy children.
Participating Schools and Vendors
11 Besides organising the “Back To School” Fairs, we have also arranged with the Ministry of Education (MOE) for the 362 government and government-aided schools, 15 Junior Colleges and 1 Centralised Institute, to accept our vouchers for purchases of school textbooks, stationeries and related items at the school bookshops or school-authorised suppliers.
12 To allow members and their children more convenience and flexibility in utilising the vouchers, the following outlets will accept the redemption of vouchers for school related items from 12 December 2005 onwards:
- Three NTUC FairPrice Homemarts (Bukit Merah, Sembawang MRT and Simei MRT outlets)
- Seven NTUC FairPrice outlets (Tampines Mall, Junction 8, Jurong Point, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Woodlands Civic Centre, Bedok Central and Lot 1) (For purchase of $5 backpack sets only)
- All Bata shoe retail stores
- All Pacific Bookstores
- All POPULAR Bookstores
