CALL it the love elective.

Two polytechnics have started classes on love and relationships, in a Government bid to get young Singaporeans to pair up.

'We want to tell students: don't wait until you have built up your career,' said the Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) at an event to promote marriages on Wednesday.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon added: 'Sometimes it's too late, especially for girls.'

So the Social Development Unit (SDU) has set its sights on tertiary students.

It is funding varsity student bodies whose activities provide opportunities for Cupid to strike.

And students' response to these love electives have been 'overwhelming', said SDU officials.

In fact, Singapore Polytechnic's 'Love relations for life - a journey of romance, love and sexuality' was among the polytechnic's 10 most popular general elective module last year.

Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.