The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth also noted that a 'significant proportion of Singaporeans throughout our history' have not been able to speak English well.
SINGAPORE: While there is value in being proficient in English, it should not be the single criterion when deciding if someone should become a Singapore citizen, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said.
Mr Tong noted that a “significant proportion of Singaporeans throughout our history have not been able to speak English well”. He pointed to the country’s immigration framework, which was “tightened significantly in 2009”, that considers a broader range of factors, including family ties to Singapore, whether the applicant has studied here or has done National Service.
“So I would say not that English proficiency is not important – I think there's value in that – but not make it a single qualifying test and don’t make it a single point assessment for citizenship."Mr Singh clarified that he did not say that English proficiency should be a single point of consideration for new permanent residents and citizens.
He pointed out that the Workers’ Party’s 2020 manifesto called for the “fast-track naturalisation” of foreign spouses on long-term visit passes, subject to conditions such as having at least one Singaporean child.
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