By Koh Hui Theng

FROM this month, some new citizens will have to take an online quiz on Singapore history before getting their identity cards, in a pilot orientation course to naturalise them.

Under the Singapore Citizenship Journey, they will learn about national service, the Pledge and key policies - in English - and tour historic places such as Parliament House.

This will help them better understand Singapore's values and holds more merit than a citizenship test, which cannot accurately gauge their long-term commitment, said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, yesterday.

He also outlined steps to help the needy and disadvantaged.

The Government will amend the Women's Charter to deter defaulters who miss making maintenance payments to their former spouses, to protect the latter and their children, amid rising divorce and default rates.

Last year, 3,585 applications were made for maintenance orders to be enforced, 10 per cent more than 2008.

Those seeking to force their former spouses to pay up now have to attend court several times, which affects their work and childcare arrangements.

Under the law, which will probably kick in by September, the defaulter can be jailed or fined. He also has to post a bank guarantee to set aside funds against future default applications, undergo financial counselling and declare any outstanding maintenance debts before marrying again.

The move would ease the financial woes of secretary T. Teo, 40, who owes friends and family over $20,000, as her former husband repeatedly refuses to pay the $650 monthly maintenance for their dyslexic 12-year-old son.

"He even challenged the judge to put him in jail, rather than pay up," she said.

The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports will add five family-service centres to the current 36 over the next five years.

It will set up a framework to promote quality early-childhood care by next year, and open 200 more childcare centres by 2012.

Parents of young children with special needs will get $300 per month, on top of a current subsidy for early intervention.

More funds will also be given to attract better-qualified professionals to the social-assistance sector. For instance, social workers' wages will increase by 14 to 16 per cent from April 1.

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