| School-leaving age |
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417. Although Singapore currently does not practise compulsory education, education at the primary and secondary levels is almost universal.
419. In view of this, the Government has, after extensive discussions with community leaders, interest groups and members of the public, decided to make the six-year primary education in national schools compulsory with effect from January 2003, starting with the cohort entering primary 1 that year. The Compulsory Education (CE) Bill was passed by the Singapore Parliament in October 2000 to effect this change.
421. However, in view of the reality of the situation in Singapore, exemptions from CE are given to four categories of pupils. These categories are:
(a) Pupils of madrasahs. […]
(b) Pupils of San Yu Adventist School. […]
(c) Children receiving home schooling. […]
(d) Children with special needs. […]
424. […] the number of pupils exempted from CE is very small. To a large degree, therefore, Singapore is meeting the requirements of article 28 (1) (a) of the Convention, although a reservation on it has been entered.
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| Minimum age of employment |
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85. Singapore prohibits the employment of children below the age of 12 years. While a child or a young person is allowed to work under the law, Singapore's labour legislation restricts the type of work the child or young person can engage in and the maximum hours he or she may be employed. A "child" may be employed in industrial work when such undertaking is one which only members of the same family are employed in, and as a workman on any vessel which is under the personal charge of the parent of the child (save for a child employed under an approved apprenticeship scheme). A "child" can only engage in light work in a non-industrial undertaking which is suited to his capacity. A "young person" may be employed in an industrial undertaking provided that the Commissioner of Labour is notified within 30 days from the date of employment. Children and young persons are not allowed to work:
(a) In any occupation, place or working conditions injurious or likely to be injurious to their health; or in any service involving management of, or attendance to, machinery in motion; or in any service involving management of, or attendance to, or proximity to, any live electrical apparatus which is not effectively insulated; or in any underground work;
(b) During the night between 11.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m.;
(c) On their rest days without the permission of the Commissioner of Labour;
(d) More than three hours without a break of 30 minutes or six hours in any one day in the case of a child; and four hours without a break of 30 minutes or seven hours in any one day, inclusive of the period of school attendance (if he/she is attending school) in the case of a young person; and
(e) Unless certified medically fit by a medical practitioner.
510. Singapore employment legislation grants protection to children up to the age of 16 which may not be in line with the Convention which envisages protection granted to children up to the age of 18 years. Singapore has entered a reservation on this article, stating that "the employment legislation of the Republic of Singapore prohibits the employment of children below 12 years old and gives special protection to working children between the ages of 12 years and below the age of 16 years. The Republic of Singapore reserves the right to apply article 32 subject to such employment legislation". The current minimum age restriction on the employment of children and young persons in Singapore was set based on the duration of primary and secondary education in Singapore. Students complete their secondary education usually at 16 years. Those who do not wish to pursue further studies may thus join the labour force at 16 years. In practice, most youths between the ages of 16 to 18 years are either pursuing higher education or vocational training in technical institutes. Notwithstanding this, our employment legislation does provide for the protection of the child in respect of the maximum number of hours that he/she may work, working hours and types of work. The types of employment Singaporean children would likely be engaged in would be fast-food restaurants, clerical or other support services in offices or sales in department stores during the school holidays.
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| Minimum age for marriage |
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88. The Women's Charter governs civil marriages in Singapore. The minimum legal age of marriage in Singapore is 18 years with parental consent. A person below 18 years of age wishing to get married has to apply for a Special Marriage Licence from the Minister of Community Development and Sports before he/she can marry. Any person above 18 years but below 21 years of age is required to furnish his/her parent's/guardian's written consent for marriage.
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| Minimum age for criminal responsibility |
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92. Section 82 of the Penal Code states that nothing is an offence which is done by a child under 7 years of age. The age of criminal responsibility therefore starts at 7 years of age. Though the age of criminal liability is 7 years, there are safeguards for children up to 12 years. Section 83 of the Penal Code qualifies that in the case of a child between 7 and 12 years, there would be no criminal responsibility if the child has not attained sufficient maturity of understanding to judge the nature and consequences of his conduct on that occasion. […]
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