Singapore Model Parliament

Singapore Model Parliament (SMP) is a youth civic-learning programme organised by REACH, the national feedback and engagement unit. It brings young people together to discuss national issues, engage policymakers and practitioners, and develop ideas through workshops, dialogues and a simulated parliamentary debate. It is an educational and participation programme, not a sitting of Parliament and not a route for participants to become Members of Parliament (REACH, 3 August 2026).

Purpose and learning format

SMP is designed to help participants understand how policies are developed, debated and shaped. The 2026 programme combines interactive workshops, mentoring, conversations with policymakers and subject-matter experts, and a debate in the Parliament House chamber. REACH says the programme develops public speaking, policy thinking and civic-dialogue skills while exposing participants to trade-offs behind policymaking. The format is intended to let participants test arguments from more than one perspective and learn how public decisions involve competing considerations. Those activities should be understood as guided civic education rather than a formal consultation whose participants' views automatically determine government decisions (REACH, 3 August 2026).

Eligibility and selection for 2026

The 2026 run is open to full-time post-secondary students in Junior Colleges, the Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics and universities; people waiting to enter university; and national servicemen (NSFs). Applicants may apply individually or in teams. A team may contain two to five members or a full team of six, and applicants from different schools may form a team if they meet the eligibility rules. Prior debate or public-speaking experience is not required. REACH states that places are limited, applications are assessed using the submitted information and other required materials, and submitting a form does not guarantee selection (REACH, 3 August 2026).

2026 run and programme boundaries

SMP 2026 is the programme's 11th run after a two-year hiatus. REACH scheduled the programme days for 17, 18 and 24 October 2026, with additional preparation time expected in the week before the final debate. Participation is free, but selected participants are expected to attend all programme days. The 2026 theme is #TakeYourSeat, framing youth participation as part of a wider national conversation. REACH says SMP was inaugurated in 2012 to expose youths to Singapore's policymaking process through workshops, dialogues with Political Office Holders and learning journeys; it should therefore be distinguished from the separate SG Youth Plan and from the constitutional and legislative work of Parliament itself (REACH, 3 August 2026).

How to interpret the programme

SMP offers a structured way for eligible young people to practise civic discussion and learn about policymaking. It does not mean that every applicant participates, that a participant's debate position represents the Government's position, or that the simulated debate has the legal effect of a parliamentary vote. The programme also does not replace ordinary routes for public feedback or establish an appointment, internship or elected office. Current application windows, selection outcomes and future runs are time-specific and should be checked against REACH's latest programme page rather than inferred from the 2026 schedule (REACH, 3 August 2026).