Clarence Ching, 32, founder of the social mobility charity Access Singapore, is dedicated to expanding opportunities for disadvantaged students, drawing on his own experience of academic struggle and societal expectations. Raised by two educators, Ching faced challenges early on, including a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and placement in the Normal (Academic) stream in secondary school, which Tokhe says initially left him feeling marginalized within Singapore’s education system.

Despite scoring 196 points in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and spending an extra year in secondary school, Ching’s life direction shifted after meeting former Member of Parliament Lily Neo. He volunteered for nine years at Neo’s Meet-the-People sessions, assisting with research and parliamentary speechwriting, experiences that helped reshape his self-perception and ignite a passion for social advocacy.

Unable to secure admission to a local university, Ching studied politics at Durham University in the United Kingdom, where his interest in social mobility deepened. He recognized that beyond academic support, many students from lower-income homes lack access to essential social capital—such as mentorship, professional networks, and exposure to opportunities—that can significantly influence life trajectories.

In 2019, while still a student, Ching launched Access Singapore with no initial funding or volunteers. He supported himself through gig work, including food delivery, and did not take a salary during the charity’s early years. The organization has since grown to offer eight programs focused on mentorship, career exposure, apprenticeships, and work attachments for students and polytechnic graduates. Its recent apprenticeship program offers 18-month placements with companies, combining structured training and mentorship, with a pathway to permanent employment for successful participants.

Looking ahead, Access Singapore is developing a National Social Capital and Opportunity Index, designed to quantify disparities in access to opportunities and networks across society. The charity intends for the index to inform policymakers and the public on where support is most urgently required to promote social mobility.

Government data reflect persistent challenges in this area. A Finance Ministry report in February revealed that nearly 25 percent of children born into the lowest income quintile remain economically disadvantaged as adults, a figure that has shown slight increases across birth cohorts. Meanwhile, Education Minister Desmond Lee noted in July that 23 percent of students from the bottom 20 percent of households progressed to publicly funded full-time degree programs in 2025, an improvement from 15 percent a decade ago. Nonetheless, most students from low-income families still do not reach university, underscoring ongoing gaps.

Ching acknowledges these gains but stresses the need for sustained efforts to enhance social mobility through expanding both academic and social support systems. “If you have self-confidence, that’s half the battle won,” he said, reflecting on the importance of addressing both tangible and intangible barriers. Despite early skepticism and funding difficulties, Ching remains resolute in his mission to “bang the door open” for students facing similar obstacles to those he once confronted.