July 30, 2025

As a meritocratic nation, Singapore normalises quality education as an enabler for a competent workforce and social mobility. While many middle to upper-class parents can comfortably support and uplift their children’s academic journeys, questions arise about whether children from low-income families may lack hope in academic achievement due to limited access to resources such as private tuition and extracurricular activities. The study ‘Identifying the Relationship Between Strength of School Social Support and Level of Hope in Children from Low-Income Families’ (Child Youth Care Forum, 2023) by Samuel Rajan David, Daniel Wen, and Associate Professor Esther Goh (all NUS Social Work) examines whether this gap can be bridged through social support provided by schools, educators, and classmates. The study emphasises the important role of the classroom setting in inspiring the next generation, regardless of socioeconomic status.

The researchers utilised a partially mixed sequential method involving both quantitative and qualitative data analyses. The quantitative component consisted of surveys administered to low-income mothers and children receiving financial assistance from the Singapore government. Children’s hope levels were measured using the Children’s Hope Scale, a self-report 6-item scale, while the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale, a 48-item self-report measure, was used to assess children’s school social support. Through regression analysis, the researchers concluded that higher levels of social support from teachers and classmates inspired higher levels of hope in children from low-income families. They identified a significant interaction effect between the frequency of teachers’ social support and levels of hope.

The qualitative data comprised focus group discussions with 10 elementary school teachers who provided social support to low-income children. These discussions affirmed the statistical results, suggesting a mutually reinforcing relationship between peer and teacher social support in reducing hopelessness and increasing academic effort among these children. Participants noted that attentiveness is a precursor to providing social support, emphasising the importance of monitoring children’s day-to-day conditions and progress beyond academics.

The study’s results provide strong evidence that social support from the school system is positively associated with hope levels in children from low-income families. The researchers highlight the importance of enhancing school support systems to promote inclusivity and prevent premature school dropout or poor educational outcomes, which can limit life opportunities. As Singapore moves towards Forward Singapore, an initiative launched by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to redefine the social compact, it is essential to focus on caring for and building a better future for the next generation.

Read the article here.