World · Singapore Bureau
Singapore to distribute mother tongue publications to 72,000 kindergarteners from 2027
The initiative will see all K1 and K2 children receive monthly magazines in Chinese, Malay or Tamil to support early language development. The publications, produced by SPH Media, aim to strengthen mother tongue proficiency among young learners.
LSN Singapore ·
Singapore's education system will introduce a new programme to boost mother tongue learning among kindergarten students beginning in 2027. All children in K1 and K2 classes—approximately 72,000 students—will receive complimentary monthly publications tailored to their designated mother tongue language.
The publications include Thumbs Up Little Junior for Chinese language learners, Cilik Cerdik for Malay language students, and Balar Murasu for Tamil language pupils. The magazines are developed by SPH Media and designed with age-appropriate content to engage young readers while reinforcing language skills.
The initiative represents a coordinated effort to strengthen foundational language competency during critical early childhood years. By providing consistent, engaging reading materials across all three official mother tongue languages, the programme aims to support the government's broader objectives in maintaining multilingual capability among Singapore's student population.
Details regarding distribution mechanisms and any associated funding arrangements have not been disclosed. The 2027 implementation date allows time for preparation and coordination across kindergarten institutions nationwide.