If your child is in a neighbourhood secondary school, you might soon hear something new:
“Our school now has CEOs and high-net-worth individuals on our board.”
It sounds like a corporate headline, but it’s actually part of a growing effort in Singapore to give neighbourhood school students more social capital – not just more funding, CCA options, or enrichment classes.
This blog post breaks down what’s happening, why it matters for your child, and what you, as a parent, can do.
What’s Going On?
A local charity called ImpactSG is working with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to bring CEOs and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) onto the committees of neighbourhood schools.
The idea is simple but powerful:
Many schools now have roughly similar levels of funding and facilities,
but not all students have equal access to networks, mentors and opportunities.
These new board members and volunteers are meant to bring in:
- Real-world career insights
- Mentoring and guidance
- Access to work attachments, talks and learning journeys
- Doors into industries and professions that students might not otherwise see up close
ImpactSG already runs a Career Opportunity Programme, where executives volunteer their time to speak with and guide students in various schools. The new school board initiative is meant to deepen and formalise this kind of involvement.
In other words:
more lobang and connections, brought into your child’s school, instead of only being available to students from “branded” schools or well-connected families.
Why This Could Be Good for Your Child
1. More Doors Opened, Regardless of School Brand
If you didn’t go to an elite school, you probably know how it feels when connections matter more than capability.
This initiative tries to soften that gap:
- Students in neighbourhood schools can meet CEOs, founders and senior leaders face to face.
- Your child might get access to:
- Job-shadowing or attachment opportunities
- Company visits and talks
- Advice on how to get into certain fields
That kind of exposure can change how a teenager thinks about their future – especially if nobody in the family works in those industries.
2. Better Career Guidance and Role Models
Instead of hearing generic advice like “study hard and you’ll succeed,” students can:
- Ask real questions:
- “How did you get your first job?”
- “Did you struggle in school?”
- “What skills actually matter in your work?”
- See that:
- Successful professionals often didn’t have a straight, perfect path
- There are multiple ways to build a meaningful career
For a teenager who feels lost, talking to someone who has navigated life and work can be far more powerful than reading yet another motivational quote.
3. A Stronger Signal That Neighbourhood Schools Matter
When high-profile individuals serve on the boards of neighbourhood schools, it sends a message:
“Your child’s education here is worth serious time, energy and thought.”
That matters because:
- It can boost morale among students: “Our school is not second class.”
- It can encourage teachers: “People with influence believe in the work we do.”
- It helps chip away at the unhealthy mindset that only certain schools deserve investment and attention.
4. Extra Support for Students Facing Difficult Circumstances
Some students carry heavy burdens:
- Family conflict
- Financial stress
- Caregiving responsibilities
- Mental health struggles
The school can’t solve everything. But:
- A mentor or external adult can provide a listening ear and different perspective
- Career-focused programmes can give them hope and concrete next steps
- Networks can lead to scholarships, part-time jobs, or training opportunities they never knew existed
Sometimes, one caring adult outside the family can change the trajectory of a young person’s life.
But… Are There Downsides? Questions Parents Might Have
Every good initiative comes with potential pitfalls. As a parent, it’s healthy to be excited and thoughtful.
Here are some concerns worth keeping an eye on.
1. Will This Create a New Hierarchy Among Neighbourhood Schools?
If only some schools get very prominent board members or strong programmes, parents might start to think:
“Neighbourhood School A got these big names.
Neighbourhood School B didn’t.
So A must be the ‘better’ neighbourhood school.”
That could create another layer of “ranking”, even within neighbourhood schools.
2. Whose Interests Come First?
Ideally, board members:
- Put students’ well-being and learning first
- Work closely with school leaders and teachers
- Respect the culture and reality of the school
But there are real questions to ask:
- Are companies using this mainly as CSR branding?
- Will there be subtle pressure to push certain industries or values?
- Will students with different interests (arts, social work, trades, sports) feel sidelined in favour of more “prestigious” careers?
3. Will Students Feel Pressured to Fit One Idea of Success?
When successful CEOs and high-fliers enter the picture, the unspoken message can become:
“This is what success looks like.”
But not every child:
- Wants to be in corporate leadership
- Is wired for finance, law, or tech
- Measures their life purely by salary or job title
As parents, we need to help our teens understand:
These programmes give you options,
not a single correct path.
4. How Deep and Sustainable Is the Engagement?
You might also wonder:
- Are these just once-a-year visits or truly ongoing relationships?
- How often do board members show up in the school?
- Will they stay long enough to understand students’ real needs?
- Do students and teachers have a voice in shaping the programmes, or is it top-down?
A well-designed programme builds long-term trust and understanding, not just photo opportunities.
What You Can Do as a Parent
If your child’s school is involved in such a programme (or might be soon), here are some practical steps.
1. Ask the School Good Questions
You don’t have to be confrontational; just be curious:
- “What kind of involvement will the new board members have with students?”
- “What programmes or opportunities will this create?”
- “How will students be chosen for these opportunities?”
- “How will the school ensure that quieter or academically weaker students are not left out?”
This signals to the school that parents care about inclusiveness, not just prestige.
2. Encourage Your Child to Try – at Least Once
When there are:
- Career talks
- Mentorship sign-ups
- Job-shadowing slots
…nudge your child to take part, even if they’re shy or unsure.
Afterwards, ask:
- “What did you learn?”
- “What surprised you?”
- “Did this make you more or less interested in that kind of work?”
The goal isn’t to lock in a career at 15 years old, but to help them explore and reflect.
3. Reframe “Success” at Home
Schools, social media, and now even high-profile professionals may all push one version of success.
It’s important that at home, your child hears:
- Success can mean being kind, responsible and resilient
- Success can be finding work that suits their strengths, not just what looks good on LinkedIn
- Different paths – poly, JC, ITE, private routes, apprenticeships – can all lead to a meaningful life
You can say things like:
“These mentors are here to give you ideas and contacts.
Our family still believes that your character and happiness matter more than your job title.”
4. Look Out for the Quiet Ones
If your child is:
- Introverted
- Neurodivergent
- Struggling academically
- Easily overlooked in class
They might not be the first to rush for a mentorship programme.
You can:
- Encourage them to sign up with a friend
- Help them rehearse questions to ask
- Let the school know if you feel certain groups of students are consistently missing out
Sometimes, one email from a thoughtful parent can lead a school to design more inclusive activities.
Final Thoughts: A Chance, Not a Guarantee
Bringing CEOs and high-net-worth individuals into neighbourhood school boards is not a magic solution.
But it is a meaningful attempt to answer a hard question:
“How do we make sure that a child’s future is not limited by their school name or family network?”
If done well, this initiative can:
- Open new doors
- Expand horizons
- Give your child role models and real-world guidance
Your role, as a parent, is to:
- Stay informed and ask thoughtful questions,
- Encourage your child to seize opportunities,
- Protect them from unhealthy pressure,
- Remind them that their worth is bigger than any school, board, or job title.
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