Denied Access to Education

Taiba’s family has called Singapore home for generations, with her grandfather and great-grandfather being Singaporean Citizens and her parents being Permanent Residents. Despite this deep connection to the country, Taiba and her husband have struggled to obtain citizenship, leaving their children vulnerable to educational barriers.

The Children’s Educational Challenges: Facing Expulsion and Denied Opportunities

Mydin (8), a bright and sociable Primary 2 student, faces expulsion if his outstanding arrears are not paid in full. Mydin holds a Long-Term Visitor Pass.

Irfana (13), a Secondary 1 student, was asked to leave school after just two days due to outstanding fees. Despite Taiba’s efforts to pay off the arrears, Irfana has already accumulated new arrears. Irfana holds a Long-Term Visitor Pass.

Safia (17), who dreamed of pursuing Aerospace Missioning in ITE, was denied entry for the same reason. Safia is a Permanent Resident.

Imran (18), in his final semester of ITE studying Aerospace Missioning, hopes to support the family after completing National Service. Imran is a Permanent Resident. 

Ensuring Access to Education and Stability 

Taiba and her husband work tirelessly to support the family and actively engage with community social service agencies to improve their living situation. They recognize that clearing Irfana and Mydin’s school arrears and providing the family with a six-month reprieve will be a crucial first step in securing stable employment, seeking additional assistance, and applying for Irfana and Mydin’s PR status.

Ray of Hope aims to raise $31,037.96, with $25,457.96 going towards clearing the outstanding school arrears of Irfana, Mydin, and Safia, and $5,580 providing six months of support for the children’s monthly educational expenses, inclusive of food and transport allowances. 

A Family of Lifelong Learners: Dreams and Aspiration

Mydin enjoys learning both inside and outside of school. His favourite subject in school is mathematics, and he spends his free time on the weekends finding new methods to solve mathematical problems. He shares his knowledge readily with his peers and has been singled out by his teachers as a good role model in class.

Mydin dreams of becoming a pilot, but Taiba fears planning for his higher education due to financial uncertainties. 

Irfana is a bright and eager teenager who flourishes in the school environment. While deeply saddened and disappointed when she was asked to leave school on her second day, she courageously took the initiative to visit her MP with her siblings to appeal for help. She sees herself as a person who “can study”. Irfana aspires to be an immigration officer, recognizing that only citizens can hold this position.

Safia, unable to pursue her passion for Aerospace Missioning, now focuses on helping her mother provide for her younger siblings. 

Imran hopes to support the family after NS and take up part-time tertiary studies in aerospace once the family’s financial situation stabilizes. 

Taiba continues to upskill herself, completing a diploma in Human Resources and obtaining a Certificate of Employment Intermediaries. She plans to enroll in a security course to seek better opportunities.

Despite their financial worries and challenges, Taiba’s family remains close-knit, supporting one another through difficult times. While the children cannot contribute financially to the family’s living and schooling expenses, they actively step up to assist Taiba with caregiving and household chores, allowing her the breathing space she needs to focus on her work and the family’s financial stability.

The Family’s Resilience: Tireless Efforts to Overcome Obstacles

Throughout her life, Taiba has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting her family and improving their circumstances. After completing her N levels, she married her husband. She immediately began working to support the family, taking on various roles, including running her own business, working with CISCO, and engaging in freelance jobs to supplement the family’s income.

In her pursuit of better opportunities, Taiba has continuously invested in her own education and professional development. Last year, she completed a diploma in Human Resources with NTUC LearningHub and obtained a Certificate of Employment Intermediaries as a key appointment holder with MOM. 

Despite losing her full-time job as a CISCO officer in June, Taiba remains resilient and determined. She works part-time and freelance jobs to make ends meet while actively seeking stable employment.

As part of her ongoing efforts to secure a better future for her family, Taiba plans to enroll in a security course to expand her skill set and increase her employability. Although Ray of Hope offered to fundraise for the course fee, Taiba selflessly requested that all funds raised through this campaign be directed towards her children’s education, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to their well-being and future.

How Your Support Can Make a Difference 

By contributing to this campaign, you can help alleviate the immense pressure Taiba faces as she works to provide for her family and ensure her children’s access to education.

Your generosity will address the immediate need to clear the outstanding school arrears and provide the family with much-needed breathing space to focus on long-term solutions.

Your support will give Taiba the time and space she needs to secure stable full-time employment, explore community financial assistance for ongoing schooling needs, and work towards a more sustainable future for her family. 

With your help, Irfana and Mydin will have the opportunity to complete their basic education, setting them on a path to better opportunities and a brighter future. Clearing their school arrears will also improve their chances of obtaining Permanent Resident status, potentially lowering their ongoing school fees to a more manageable level. 

Your contribution will also allow Safia to pursue her passion for Aerospace Missioning in ITE, ensuring that financial constraints do not derail her dreams.

“I hope to give my children good opportunities in their studies. Thank you for supporting my family.”

– Taiba

Your generosity will impact their lives and serve as a testament to the power of compassion and the belief that everyone deserves access to education, regardless of their citizenship status.

* Names are changed for privacy.