Fewer people sought help from CDAC last year

SINGAPORE: Fewer people sought help from the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) last year - 63,500, compared to 65,500 in 2009.

Labour chief Lim Swee Say, who is also the CDAC's chairman, said this was the result of a better economy.

The CDAC helps underprivileged students, workers and families with various social assistance and mobility programmes.

These include financial assistance for education and upgrading of skills.

Mr Lim said more help for the needy within the Chinese community is on the way.

Last year, S$18 million was committed for the CDAC's social assistance and mobility initiatives.

"We'll maintain the social assistance programmes at about S$18 million for this year. But more importantly, we're going to set aside another S$3.75 million to skill up our social mobility programmes," said Mr Lim, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.

The CDAC also wants to continue exploring ways to help its target groups to progress.

For instance, it is collaborating with the British Council to pilot an English Excellence Programme to develop students who demonstrate potential in the language.

Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is also the CDAC Student Education & Development chairman, said: "The first batch of students have already been selected. There are 11 of them. They will attend programmes provided (and) run by the British Council, with the aim of helping them to achieve outstanding results in their 'O' Level English."


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