For someone's better use.

In yesterday's papers there was half a page notice entitled "Silver IT Fest", alerting seniors of courses to pick up some IT skills. Of special interest to me is the iLive courses which will include in its syllabus digital photo/video management, e-entertainment, e-travel, cloud computing and social networking (Facebook).  There were some highlighted words: "Use your skillsfuture credit here".

Sometimes I can not really comprehend what this Skillsfuture Credit ($500 for every Singapore citizen above 25 ) hopes to achieve and how much of it is spent superfluously. For example I have  friends who made use of the skillsfuture credit to attend all kind of classes just to pass time being  fairly rich retirees. Not that I am against this scheme but I feel that there should be some criteria based on needs to ensure the money is well spent. So far only 6+% of the eligible citizens have made use of it and the biggest age group making use of it is those above 50 years of age (44%). The objective as the government puts it is to let every individual be responsible for their lifelong learning. Well said but $1.1billion is a lot of money and part of such limited resources can be freed for better social spending if we exclude the well heeled who treat the credit like an unexpected box of chocolates from Santa. Honestly, if you used the $500 to attend some short courses it will only land you with a certificate unlikely to prepare you for a career change. Perhaps more should be channeled to deserving people who really needs assistance to upgrade their skill for a living or more subsidy should be given to people taking longer courses.

I am often bewildered when people who need the least help are supported all the way. I am attending a bone building exercise class run by KKH and I pay only $125 for 5 sessions led by a physiotherapist. I always feel very appreciative every time I pay up because it is just a fraction of what one pays for a private yoga or pilate class. To qualify for the class you need to be seen by a doctor in KKH who diagnose you with osteopenia or osteoporosis. Yet in my class among the participants I hear conversations like:
  "Hey I didn't see you for a while" "Yea I was travelling in Europe" or
"Hey nice shoes you have on" "Yea I bought them in the States"
Nothing wrong, it could jolly well be me talking, me who am prepared to pay more for the class.

The classes are dominated by English speaking retirees. Mandarin or dialect speaking housewives are rare. They may not even go for bone density check in the first place. What I am leading to is that people who need help are often least aware of the assistance available. I guess it will always be a challenge for social spending to be more systematic and effective.

Meanwhile I am prepared to pay more or forgo the $500 credit for someone's better use.