Singapore — More than 1,000 Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students from low-income families will get monthly allowances, thanks to a donation by the philanthropic Teochew foundation, Ngee Ann Kongsi.
ITE announced in a Facebook post that Ngee Ann’s S$1 million donation will provide students with S$150 a month to help them pay for their meals, transport, and learning materials.
Ngee Ann and ITE sealed the deal in a signing ceremony at ITE College West on Tuesday afternoon (Nov 23).
“Many ITE students work part-time to alleviate the very tight financial circumstances at home,” said ITE chief executive Low Khah Gek.
“The support from NGEE ANN KONGSI will be very helpful in enabling these students to reduce their part-time work burden.”
Ms Low thanked the foundation for “standing together with ITE in supporting and enabling ITE students to rise above their circumstances to focus on their education and build their future”.
Starting in 2022, the allowances will be paid out over the next five years. The Straits Times reports that this is the third such donation by Ngee Ann Kongsi.
The foundation had also given S$1 million to ITE in 2012, benefiting 450 students.
Full-time students taking courses leading to the National ITE Certificate (Nitec) or Higher Nitec may apply for these allowances if they come from households earning no more than a combined monthly income of $2,750, or a per capita income of not more than S$690.
Eligible students must display good conduct and maintain a positive attitude towards their studies, said ITE.
Since 2018, the top three ITE graduates each year receive the Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal, which comes with a S$6,000 cash award for each student. The foundation had committed to continue giving the award until 2027. /TISG