SOCIAL STUDIES

The Prime Minister's Office is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that handles the ministries and other political matters that are of great importance to the nation, such as corruption and elections. It is headed by the Prime Minister and his top political staff. The PMO is located at the Istana Singapore, which is also the official workplace of the President of Singapore. The Ministry of Community Development, Youth is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for building a cohesive and resilient society in Singapore. The Ministry of Defence is a ministry of the Government of Singapore entrusted with overseeing the national defence needs of the Republic of Singapore. It is the headquarters of the Singapore Armed Forces. It has a policy of Total Defence which consists of Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence and Psychological Defence. The Ministry Of Education is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to education in Singapore. The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources formerly the Ministry of the Environment (ENV), is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for providing a quality living environment and a high standard of public health, protected against the spread of communicable diseases. It was set up in 1972, and today, together with its two statutory boards the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Public Utilities Board the Ministrys area of responsibility has widened to include ensuring a clean and hygienic living environment, as well as managing the complete water cycle from sourcing, collection, purification and supply of drinking water; to the treatment of used water and recycling into NEWater; as well as storm water drainage.

The Ministry of Finance is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for administering and regulating financial institutions and structures of the economy of Singapore. It is headed by the Minister for Finance. The authority's main regulatory statutes are the Companies Act, the Business Registration Act, the Currency Act and the Accountants Act. The MOF functions within the government to ensure that businesses operating within Singapore's jurisdiction are compatible with international standards and practices, in areas such as company law, accounting standards and corporate governance principles. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for conducting and managing diplomatic relations between Singapore and other countries. It is headed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the office currently held by George Yeo. Established in 1965, the Ministry now has 40 overseas missions including 7 High Commissions, 17 Embassies, 2 Permanent Missions to the United Nations, and 14 consulates. Singapore has appointed 24 Honorary Consuls-General/Consuls abroad and has 21 non-resident Ambassadors and High Commissioners based in Singapore. The MFA provides consular assistance to Singaporeans travelling, working and studying overseas. Singapore maintains diplomatic relations with 165 countries. In Singapore, there are 55 resident foreign Embassies and High Commissions, 39 foreign Consulates, and 8 International Organisations based in Singapore. In addition, more than 60 non-resident foreign Ambassadors are accredited to Singapore.

The Ministry of Health is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for providing information, raising health awareness and education, ensuring the accessibility of health services, and monitoring the quality of health services provided to citizens and visitors in the Republic of Singapore. In addition, it is also involved in the control of illness and disease in the country, coordinating the utilisation of resources and expertise where necessary. It is currently headed by the office of the Minister of Health, currently held by Khaw Boon Wan. The Ministry of Home Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for public safety, civil defence and immigration. It is also known as the Home Team. It is headed by the Minister for Home Affairs. The Ministry of Information, Communications and the arts is a ministry of the Government of Singapore. It is in charge of the creative industries, arts, heritage, library, media, info communications and government public relations. The Ministry of Law is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for ensuring that Singapore's legal infrastructure is clear, efficacious and transparent. It is currently led by Minister for Law K Shanmugam. The Ministry of Manpower is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to manpower in Singapore. The Ministry of National Development (MND) is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to land use planning and infrastructure developemnt. It aims to transform Singapore into an endearing home and a distinctive global city, and aspires to create a quality, vibrant and sustainable living environment for the people of Singapore. It also strives to shape Singapore into a world-class city of knowledge, culture and excellence - one which keeps pace with global challenges and the rising aspirations of Singapore. The Ministry Of Trade and Industry is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to the trade and industry of Singapore. The Ministry of Transport is a ministry in the Government of Singapore that administers and regulates land, sea and air transportation within the republics jurisdiction. Currently, the ministry regulates and commissions four individual government statutory boards: the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Public Transport Council (PTC), which implement the ministrys policies and tactical directions. MOT also regulates the Air Accident Investigation Bureau of Singapore (AAIB). The ministry is partitioned into four divisions and is run by a staff of about 70 at all times. MOT was awarded the ISO 9002 certification on 19 June 2000 for organisational excellence; it was also the recipient of the People Developer Award in October 2001 and it achieved Singapore Quality Class status in October 2003.