Poll shows 2 in 3 respondents resonated with PM's vision in rally speech

Results from a REACH Quick Poll showed that two in three respondents agreed with the Prime Minister's vision of Singapore as a Home with Hope and Heart. 

The results were shared at the REACH National Day Rally public forum chaired by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen last night.

The poll on the Prime Minister's NDR speech hosted on the website of REACH, the government feedback channel closed at 5pm on Thursday evening.

The majority of respondents (77% of 178) also welcomed ideas on promoting parenthood such as work-life balance and giving couples with young children housing priority, paternity leave and Medisave account for each newborn to defray childhood medical expenses. 

71% of respondents agree that having a new statutory board to oversee pre-school education, raising the quality of programmes for pre-schoolers, upgrading pre-school teacher gaining and giving more support to children from middle and lower income families CAN help improve the standard of pre-school education.

The most discussed topic was having more babies. 

While many voiced support for paternity leave, there were concerns on the impact of its actual implementation. 

Contributors pointed to underlying issues such as employers mindset towards appraisal and expectations of improved annual performance which may place men at a disadvantage in the workforce if they take paternity leave.

Dr Ng stressed the government will not dismiss any negative reactions and will work towards addressing all concerns. 

"The reason why some of the participants said 'they feel pressure about my jobs, I feel there's too much competition, I feel I have to work hard and I feel that my employers are unsympathetic, that's why I'm not having children.' These are serious concerns that we need to take into account and the best way to try to reduce some of this pressure is to provide better care - whether its childcare, pre-school education, housing, transport, healthcare. It will take time for all the various measures but I think if we work hard at it, I'm confident the government can deliver in the next five to seven years concrete changes."