Post-Secondary Education Accounts - Singpass authentication for holders to check their balances

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Leong Mun Wai, Non-Constituency Member of Parliament

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) why can the balance of the Post-Secondary Education Accounts (PSEA) only be checked by calling a 24-hour hotline; (b) whether such a system poses data privacy and security concerns since any person can check the PSEA balance of any other person as long as they have the other person's NRIC number; and (c) whether the Ministry will build an online system with Singpass authentication for PSEA holders to check their balances and, if not, why not.

Response

1. The PSEA phone enquiry system allows account holders a convenient way to check their account balance. Besides the hotline, statements are sent to account holders annually in March, and also in the following month after any transaction.

2. The phone enquiry system does not allow callers to perform any transaction. Nevertheless, MOE is currently enhancing the system to require Singpass authentication. MOE will also include PSEA functions as part of a planned IT system.