Written Answer to PQ on S Pass Holders in the Public Sector

NOTICE PAPER NO. 9 OF 2025 FOR THE SITTING ON 25 SEPTEMBER 2025
QUESTION NO. 41 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) how many S Pass holders are employed across statutory boards and Government agencies; (b) what hiring practices ensure such roles are not filled by S Pass holders when suitable local polytechnic or ITE graduates are available; and (c) whether the Ministry will publish disaggregated public sector S Pass employment data for transparency and accountability.

Answer:

There are about 550 S Pass holders employed in Ministries and Statutory Boards, making up roughly 0.35% of the 154,000 public officers. They take on roles that require skills that are in shortage among our local workforce. As the number of S Pass holders is small, further breakdown would be of limited public interest.

2. The Public Service adopts the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, and fairly considers all local candidates for job positions.