Chai Chong Yii
Singapore
“The other problem is that manpower will not be fully utilised due to the reduction of routes or frequency. Now, the MRT is only running at about half of its full capacity. When fully completed and all the routes are fully used, it will affect the manpower even more.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Code TG 2000 of the Main Estimates. Sir, this morning the Minister of State explained the rationale for withdrawing the priority in the allocation of rental shop units. I have no quarrel over that point.”
“Sir, perhaps I did not make myself clear. The other park which the Minister of State mentioned is normally known as Xiao Qui Lin. It is more or less completed. But if he can put in some more facilities, like pavilions or running tracks around it, that would add to the facilities and it would make it an even better attraction.”
“The Government looks forward to cooperating with leaders of the Malay community to build a stronger multi-racial society, both in Singapore in general, and particularly in the Singapore Armed Forces.”
“Purchase of Properties for Overseas Missions (7) That the sum to be allocated for Head O be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead OA-03-8101 of the Development Estimates. The sum of $56,192,200 for Head O ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $20,776,000 for Head O ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.”
“I would like to ask the Minister for Communications and Information to be bold and courageous in the formulation of land transport policies so that our successors in this Parliament, and our children, will not, 20 or 30 years from now, blame us for the problems that we have caused for them or for the lack of courage in opting for firm mea…”
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“We recognise the importance of the work performed by school principals, and we are currently looking into how to accord recognition of this importance.”
“Sir, just now when the Member for Sembawang raised this question, I did not have sufficient time to give him a full answer. According to the information I have here, there are 57 redundant teachers in the Chinese primary schools and only one in a secondary school. Altogether 58 Chinese school teachers are redundant. They will be sent to other schools to share in certain classes. It amounts to certain schools having one or two extra teachers. But when some teachers retire, they will fill up the vacancies caused, otherwise there will be some adjustment in posting.”
“In addition, close liaison will be established between principals concerned and officers in charge of each of these training centres in order that problems of mutual concern, such as discipline of these uniformed officers, cleanliness and damages to school property may be resolved promptly.”
“On the question of temporary clerks, to-date the Ministry has only six temporary clerks. These six clerks are appointed on a temporary basis, as they fail to meet the requirements of the Public Service Commission for permanent appointment. As the number of temporary clerks is small, they do not pose a problem in the schools. As regards relief teachers, admittedly they have their shortcomings. These are to be expected. However, they are performing a useful service in the schools. We cannot entirely dispense with their services because they are required to fill casual vacancies arising from substantive teachers who go on leave, sick leave, etc. Relief teachers who possess the qualifications and are interested in making teaching their career may undergo training at the Institute of Education and be considered for a permanent appointment in the Education service. Touching on the question of extension of service for retiring teachers, this Ministry is already taking action to extend, wherever possible, the employment of retiring teachers. For 1975 a total of 119 teachers had their services extended or were reemployed. On the question of Vigilante Corps members using the school premises, the Member for Anson is correct in pointing out that some of them have caused damage to school property, littering classrooms and toilets, and other acts of indiscipline. When this was brought to the Ministry's attention by school principals, it was taken up recently with the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Police National Servicemen and the Vigilante Corps. The Assistant Commissioner has taken a serious view of this matter and the Ministry is given to understand that disciplinary action will be instituted against those found guilty.”
“Sir, on the question of prices of textbooks, I would like to inform the Member that principals are authorised to look after the sale of school textbooks. They are issued with lists of books and stationery with prices stated, well before the end of the school year. The price of textbooks is one of the main factors to be considered in the selection of textbooks for use by any school. Mindful of the price increase of certain textbooks, the Ministry has carried out a survey of textbook prices and at the same time held informal discussions with representatives of the Singapore Booksellers' Association and the Singapore Book Publishers' Association. It was found that 80.4% of our school textbooks had not increased in price, while the rest, comprising 19.6% of the textbooks, registered an increase in price from 1% to 20%. No textbook had gone up 100% in price. It should be noted that all-primary school textbooks are locally produced and imported textbooks are used for upper secondary and Pre-U classes only. The increase in price of imported textbooks is imposed by the publishers in the country of origin and we have no control over this. The Ministry of Education and school principals are very much aware of the hardship experienced by some parents in relation to the high cost of textbooks. Thus, a free textbook loan scheme is operated to help all needy pupils to be provided with textbooks. The Educational Publications Bureau, a non-profit organisation under the Ministry, is producing school textbooks and other educational materials at low cost as a means to stabilise book prices. The NTUC's Fairdeal is also doing its part by buying textbooks and stationery in bulk arid selling them to school pupils as cheaply as possible.”
“Sir, at the time the restructured education system was introduced, there was a move to publish a textbook for the seventh year. But as far as I know no such textbook has been published. As I said, we are not having any seven-year primary education; so there is no need for that textbook. The Ministry of Education definitely has not published a Book Seven textbook. There may be some arrangement during the interim period to redistribute the curriculum into seven years, but no such book has been published.”
“It is within certain guidelines. The Ministry issues certain guidelines and the principals use their discretion in the implementation of that policy. They do not decide on policy.”
“Sir, I am not aware that teachers have to attend evaluation courses. If the Parliamentary Secretary can refer the case to me, I will look into it. As regards giving the principals a free hand, of course, this has to be within the policy of the Ministry. Otherwise we will have many different policies.”
“Sir, we will consult the teachers, including the teachers' organisations. In fact, it was announced by my Minister in his speech that we will consult as much as we can and as far as possible. Of course, consultation does not necessarily mean that it will end up with accepting the representation from the teachers' bodies or from principals, because all aspects have to be taken into consideration.”
“Sir, I could not reply to the Member for Punggol just now because I did not have enough time. As regards Secondary I and II students who are required to go through three hours a week of workshop practice, this applies to 100% of the boys and 50% of the girls. It is true that some of them may have to travel some distance to the central workshops as we cannot afford to have the facilities in each and every school. This is for economic reasons. The origin of getting these girls exposed to workshop practice was that eventually when they become mothers they would have a better understanding of the importance of industrial training. And besides this workshop training, they are also required to attend home economics classes. Sir, I agree with the Member for Punggol that most girls drop out from workshop training after completing Secondary II because it could be that they do not want to go into the technical stream. He has a very good point. We are reviewing this matter with a view to allowing the girls an option whether they want to carry on with the workshop practice. But at the moment though they are doing workshop practice, they are also doing home economics.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, when I answered a question just now. I said that there is no such thing as a seven-year primary education. There will be no seven-year primary education. It is still Primary VI and there is assessment. It is true that the PSLE, or by whatever name it is called, will most likely remain the same because we need a selection examination and so we have to continue with the PSLE. So the Member for Moulmein can rightly say that the PSLE will be reintroduced.”
“I fully understand the question. The PSLE was based on the non-retention or partial retention system. It means that when a child reached Primary VI he would sit for the PSLE, and having passed he would then go to the secondary schools. Therefore, once the retention system is introduced, there will have to be an annual assessment including Primary VI. If the children pass the Primary VI examination they will go to secondary schools. If they do not pass the examination then, as I have mentioned just now about the so-called nine years' schooling, they will be channelled to do various courses of training. This is actually the difference. Whether we like it or not, we cannot do away with the examination system at the moment. We need the examination to assess and select which children will go to secondary schools and which children cannot go to secondary schools. 5.45 p.m.”
“Sir, there will be an annual assessment. Therefore, the PSLE, or whatever name it is called will be different in nature, In the annual assessment, the child has to pass at every level. And when he reaches Primary VI, of course, there will be an examination. If Members still want to call it the PSLE. then it will be so. Mr Sia Khoon Seong: Sir, I think the Senior Minister of State has missed my point. In the restructured education system, it has been pointed out that there will be no Primary VI School Leaving Examination of the old system to determine whether the child will proceed to the academic stream or the technical stream to do his secondary education. And if the child failed the PSLE, he would be considered a dropout. The restructured education system therefore abolished this criterion or assessment to determine whether or not the child could proceed with his secondary education. The impression given by the announcement of the new restructured education system is that every child irrespective of his performance in school (although it will be based on assessment) will go to a secondary school according to his aptitude. But then every child is assured of a post primary education. That was the impression given. Nobody should worry about PSLE any more. But now with the recent announcement, do we take it that there will still be a weeding out of the failures? In other words, those children who pass the PSLE examination will go to secondary schools, and those who fail will have to grope around and find whatever education is available in the Adult Education Board and other private schools. This is quite an important question but we are not able to get a definite answer.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, an education system, unfortunately, may be called by many names. When we make some modifications, then another name is given. If we were to say that the restructured education system is off, I would agree that the name is not in use any more. Regarding the six years' primary education, there have been modifications and changes. It is not true to say that all changes are entirely off and that there is no value in training the teachers. But if Members refer to the specific term, yes, I agree that it is not used any more.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on the specific point of the PPP raised by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour, I did say that it would be incorporated into the education system. But that was on the understanding that it is workable. As I understand it, and I still maintain, the PPP itself as an approach to teaching is good. But unfortunately, although it is theoretically good, in practice it is highly demanding on our teachers, We do not have that many suitable teachers and, as a result, we have to say that if the principals and teachers feel that they can cope with it they can carry on. This is in line with our latest change of policy whereby principals were given more authority to decide what is best for their schools, basing on the overall concept of the policy decided by the Ministry. As for the six or seven years of primary education, I would like to clarify to the House that with the re-introduction of the retention system, the question of seven years does not arise at all. Basically, our primary education is still six years. Whether one wants to call it a still-born restructured education, or by whatever name, the question of seven years does not arise now. On the question of sterilisation, I fully agree that this is something which is very personal. I did say just now that this is a condition for a privilege. We are not forcing it on anyone. If any one feels that sterilisation is against his religious belief, I am not asking him to undergo sterilisation. A policy may sometimes be unpleasant, but I suppose a certain amount of tolerance is expected of citizens.”
“Yes, I will try, Sir,It has been found that PPP is very useful in terms of language development but it is very demanding for teachers to adopt the system. So the Ministry in reviewing the system realises that not as many teachers as we thought like to teach under this system. As it is very demanding, the Ministry has no objection to those principals who wish to carry on. We also have no objection to those who want to revert to the traditional system. The materials developed by PPP so far-have been found to be very useful and it will be used by schools, if not as teaching materials, then as supplementary materials. A few more matters which I want to clarify concern population education. It is definitely not the intention of the Ministry to teach birth control or sex education in primary schools. It is essential to teach our younger generation the broad concept of a small family so that when they grow up and become parents themselves they will keep their families small. Sterilisation is an issue raised by a few Members. I would like to say that this policy is not new, It is actually a revision by the Ministry after having taken into account the various representations. It is true that one of the churches does not agree to it but we do see representatives from churches and the majority of them do not object (if not agree) to this national policy. It is actually a revision taking into account the various suggestions made by members of the public. We have definitely no intention to meddle with the religious beliefs but national policy should take precedence over any other policy. I would like to thank Members again for their interest and if there is anything which they would like me to answer. I shall be glad to do so.”
“Principals and teachers have the professional prerogative to scrutinise, to evaluate and hence to adopt, adapt or reject the use of these teaching units, each according to his own professional judgment. 4.30 p.m.”
“It must be recognised that at the primary stage when children are still rather young and physically undeveloped, physical skill training is not provided. On the question of exposure time for the second language, may I inform Hon. Members that the rationale for bilingualism remains as relevant in our present context as it did when the policy on compulsory learning of a second language was first announced more than 10 years ago. There is no intention whatsoever to change this policy. In the implementation of this bilingual policy, however, flexibility in respect of exposure time and the rate of learning must be accepted. This is because a number of factors such as the availability of properly qualified staff able to teach a second language competently and to use it effectively as the medium of instruction, the availability of suitable instructional materials and the availability of suitable general reading materials must be taken into account. Thus the trend is not towards under-exposure but is a realistic response to the situation as it exists in our schools. It is the policy of the Ministry that those who aspire to pursue higher education are expected to know a second language well. Those who are unlikely to go beyond Primary VI may, therefore, concentrate on one language as it will be unrealistic to expect them to know a second language. On the question of the Primary Pilot Project, the PPP as it is commonly known, is a child centred approach towards achieving the outcome as spelt out in our national syllabus. All the materials which include the teaching-unit, readers and work-cards have been tried Out in some schools and revised and, based on feedback from these schools, they are then released for publication.”
“Under our existing' system when they are superannuated they are encouraged to enrol in vocational preparatory classes organised by the Adult Education Board. The latest change of providing a maximum of nine years in Primary means all those who fail again in the eighth year will receive a ninth year of education. The curriculum for the ninth year will be a mono-lingual one, and it will consist of the learning of one language, basic arithmetic, craft work and workshop practice for boys and handwork or home economics for the girls plus civics and moral education, some physical education, health education and singing, to make it more interesting. The purpose of craft work and workshop practice, hand work and home economics is to prepare the pupils concerned for employment. The details of these courses are being worked out in collaboration with other Ministries, statutory bodies, industries and commercial organisations. We believe that this strategy will help pupils to become literate and to become useful citizens. On the subject of Education for Living, this subject is aimed to inculcate moral and ethical values in our young pupils. From Primary Ill upwards, apart from Civics and Ethics, the curriculum also comprises History and Geography. At Primary IV, V and VI levels, it includes topics on the preparation of working and living in the adult world, such as the fostering of right values and attitude towards honest labour, family budgetting, habits for saving, consumer education, population education and knowledge about the functions of the various occupations in our society. This is done with the object of educating those who can make the grade and those who have to leave school after the primary stage.”
“I am sure that this will at least improve the understanding between Ministry officials, school principals and teachers. So let us hope that the communication gap will be narrowed as much as possible. The Member for Telok Blangah raised a few questions on primary school dropouts, second language policy, the PPP system, the population education seminar recently conducted, teachers with "0" level qualifications teaching in Secondary IV. On the question of teachers with "0" levels teaching in Secondary IV. I would like to say that this is true. We do not like then to do that. But it is a fact that the Ministry is faced with the problem of shortage of graduate teachers. These shortages are felt in the area of English. Mathematics and Physical sciences. The teachers with "0" level qualifications teaching in Secondary IV are those who mainly teach the languages. They are normally teachers with more than 10 years' experience. Sir, I have some figures here which indicate that teachers with "0" level qualifications are mainly teaching English as a second language in Chinese schools. There are also a few Mathematics teachers with "0" level qualifications teaching Mathematics. These are the two main areas. But as I said they are teachers with long years of experience who have picked up sufficient knowledge and the decision to allow such teachers to teach in Secondary IV rests with the principals. The principals must have found that such teachers are capable of teaching the subjects. Sir, on the question of primary school dropouts, primary school pupils who sit for the PSLE when they have reached the age of 1 4 years are those who have been retained twice during the primary stage of education.”
“Under these circumstances, it appears to me that the best line of defence is to receive all criticisms with a smile and proceed to analyse all the constructive criticisms for facts and figures that may help us to improve our educational efficiency. Education is teaching our young the proper values and knowledge and preparing them to face the real life situation some 15 or 20 years later when they grow up. So in the process a lot of unknowns have to be faced. When we are solving unknowns, the chances of making mistakes are very much greater and changes are unavoidable in order to achieve better results. Sir, since Singapore attained self-government, there have been a lot of changes in our society in the political, economic and social fields. Under such circumstances, it is unavoidable that some corresponding changes in our education system have to be made. We all know that no matter how accurate our prediction is, we can hardly be sure of what is going to happen, say, five years from now. So it is not possible for an educational system to remain static all the time. Sir, we inherited from the colonial days four separate educational systems. So at least the first change which we should do is to try to form them into a single system and, of course, this change is unavoidable. 4.15 p.m. Coming to the various questions, especially the communication gap raised by the Member for Jalan Kayu, I would like to inform the House that the Ministry of Education has recently undergone some changes. The Permanent Secretary and his three deputies were newly appointed. The Permanent Secretary has made it a point to visit the schools every week together with his deputies.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have the names of 14 Members on my list, the last one being the Member for Bukit Merah who has expressed his feelings on the failure of our second language policy. Sir, as far as I know, 14 is the largest number of Members to have spoken on a single head in this Budget debate. In a way I am honoured but I am a bit nervous having to reply to so many questions. I have tried to take down as fast as I could the points raised by these 14 Members, but I am quite sure I have missed out quite a few of them. Before I answer the various questions raised by these 14 Members, I would first like to thank them for the interest they have shown towards our education system. Their speeches give me the impression that Singapore's education system has failed badly, although a few do not agree, saying that we have done not so badly. Is it true that Singapore's education has failed? Personally, I do not think so. Singapore's education system, like any other education system in the world, has its fair share of shortcomings. I accept that there is ample room for improvement in our education system. The question rightly should be, have we done enough? Could we have done better if we were given a second chance to do it again? I am not so sure. Sir, on the whole, we have not done too badly. Our education is regarded as one of the test in this part of the world. Sir, in the field of education everyone of us is an expert of some sort. We have at least gone through many years of school life. We have at least talked and read a lot about educational problems. In addition to school life, some of us have a few years of teaching experience. We are either the brothers or parents of some pupils in schools.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the intention of the ITB to carry on monitoring the various year's graduates. INVESTMENT POLICY (Results of implementation) 6. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Finance what has been The result of the implementation of the Government's policy to encourage investments, and how many cases of new foreign and local investments there have been since January, 1974.”
“Sir, it has always been one of the objectives of the Ministry of Education to inculcate the right attitudes and values in our pupils, such as the right attitude towards employment and correct work ethics. Education Development Officers and school principals have always been working in close co-operation to achieve these objectives through, among other things, regular assembly talks, civic lessons, extra-curricular activities and educational visits to relevant organisations. In addition, the introduction of the subject Education for Living in schools is another means towards achieving our objective. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the home, the neighbourhood and the society have as great, if not a greater influence than the school, in developing prevailing mores, wholesome attitudes and sound values. HAW PAR BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL LTD (Progress in investigations) 4. Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Finance what progress has been made in the investigations into the affairs of Haw Par and in particular (a) what further evidence has been obtained to substantiate the allegations against those former directors of the Company who had participated in Spydar Securities Ltd; (b) what steps have been taken to ensure the co-operation of the authorities in Kuala Lumpur, London and Hong Kong; (c) whether he will inform the House of the reason for the resignation of Mr G. Starforth Hill as an Inspector and whether Mr Hill's resignation would in any way impede the course of the investigation; (d) whether the validity of the loan of US$29 million from Slater Walker Securities Lid to Haw Par is being investigated; and (e) what steps the Board of Directors of Haw Par have taken, or propose to take, with a view, to strengthening the management of the Company.”
“Sir, refresher courses, also known as in-service courses, are conducted throughout the year. Over the last two years, 4,105 teachers attended various in-service courses, averaging 50 hours each in duration. This represents approximately 35%, or 17 1/2% per year, of the teachers with five years or more teaching experience. Though no records of the correlation between a teacher's years of service and his attendance at in-service courses were kept before 1974, the present trend indicates that there is a six-year cycle in which every teacher will be given an opportunity for in-service training. The last in-service course attended by 38 participants ended on 7th November 1975. Currently, four courses involving about 480 participants are in progress. All these courses help equip teachers to perform better at their jobs. DEVELOPMENT OF EMPLOYMENT ATTITUDES IN SCHOOLS 3. Mr L. P. Rodrigo asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how the Education Development Officers in the Ministry of Education and principals in the schools assist in developing the education of the school-going generation to ensure that the latter develop attitudes to employment which collectively benefit the State.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the question raised by the Member for Sembawang actually calls for a very lengthy answer. I think we had better have first things first.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the encouragement or advice which I mentioned just now is based on our restructured Education system. It has not yet been implemented, but it is what we plan to do. Mr Teong Eng Siong rose -”
“Sir, can the Member be more specific in his question?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no doubt that at the moment the ETV service broadcasts quite a number of hours of educational material, but the Education Ministry has no plan as yet to go into this. The reason is that pupils who are weak in languages normally come from quite poor families. So even if we were to reinforce their environment with increased ETV programmes, it is still doubtful whether we can reach them effectively.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as the Ministry of Education is concerned, we can try to find out exactly what the supporting environment is. The supporting environment is, as the Member for Katong has said, the home environment in which the pupil normally speaks a language, whether it is English, Mandarin or any dialect. Therefore, it is not possible for the Ministry of Education to change the child's environment. However, as far as possible, we can try to tailor his studies according to his ability. For instance, in a class where there are so many pupils, the teacher cannot do very much for a child who lags behind, other than trying as best she can to see that the child learns as much as he can.”
“Sir, as for the opportunities for the child to learn more than one language, of course, exposure time is one. Teaching techniques and better teaching methods which the Ministry is at the moment trying to introduce is another. As for some form of a continuation education for the child, we are thinking in terms of language only because without a proficiency in language the child is unable to study on his own. We do not as yet have any definite plan as to what form it will take.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the policy at the moment is that parents may decide for their children. If a pupil finds that he can study and understand better in one language, be it Chinese or English, then of course, educationally speaking, it is best for him to continue to pursue his studies in the language in which he is more proficient. The Ministry can only encourage pupils and advise parents, wherever possible, but the final decision rests with the parents themselves. I cannot, therefore, say whether they will accept the advice of the teachers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, many factors have contributed to the lapse of literacy among our school leavers. One of them is the rapid expansion of our Education in the past. Another is that many school leavers stopped using or learning English because their home and neighbourhood make them revert to dialect. The emphasis now is on teaching what the pupils can absorb. The restructuring of the Education system advocates pupils learning at their own rate (i.e, they will progress to the next higher grade only when they are ready for it). This allows pupils weak in languages to concentrate on one. These measures will help raise the literacy level of our pupils. Serious considerations are being given to provide some form of continuation education for dropouts between the ages of 14 and 18, irrespective of their language streams.”
“Sir, I think the Member for Anson does not understand me. If parents have any difficulty, they should approach the Ministry of Education. The principal can only say whether there is a vacancy in his school. He will not know whether there are vacancies in other schools. So parents should go to the Admissions Section of the Ministry of Education where the officers can help them as far as possible to find places in schools nearest their homes.”
“As for the Member's comment that the spare parts are "all over the place", I would like to inform the Member that 1 visit the bus company regularly, and so far I have not come across the situation that he has described. If he would let me know exactly where he has seen it, I would be very grateful and I can assure him that I will look into that personally. As for the other points raised, the Minister for Communications will answer.”
“Action has already been taken to ensure that the fuel tanks are fixed with proper caps which are to be chained to the tank to prevent loss. For the information of the Member, all new buses purchased after January 1974 have been fitted with irremovable fuel tank caps. As for the oil spillage due to oil leakage from the gear boxes and rear axle, this can only be eradicated when the maintenance standard of the buses is raised to a higher level with the introduction of the schedule preventive scheme expected to be introduced sometime in June this year. The Member also touched on the poor condition of buses on the road. Although the general condition of buses has improved quite considerably, it is regrettably true that a few buses which are not very clean or are dirty after a heavy shower are still seen on the road. But it must be appreciated that a bus, dirtied as a result of a heavy shower, needs time to be cleaned, and other than taking it off the road, it has to keep to its roster schedule. However, the company has ordered two automatic washing machines, and they are now being installed. The Member also touched on broken windows, torn seats and leaking roofs. These problems are expected to be rectified sometime this year, presumably in three to four months' time, when more buses will be repaired under a special scheme whereby buses could be farmed out for repairs by reliable contractors. Perhaps the Member must have read in the newspapers that on average about 3.000 seats are replaced by the company every month. In this instance, the bus company has also launched a special scheme known as "Friends of SBS" to encourage public-spirited commuters to help the company reduce damage to bus seats caused by vandalism.”
“There are now 1,500 buses operating daily compared to 1,400 buses operating in April last year. To further improve frequency, the company has taken the following steps. Firstly, split shift work was introduced on the 10th of this month to put more buses on the road during peak hours. It is expected that about 60 additional buses would be put on the road under this scheme. Secondly, a traffic research unit has been formed to monitor actual times required to complete a round-trip at various times of the day. When the results are known, existing time schedules will be changed, and the new ones strictly enforced. Thirdly, enforcement squads of the company have also stepped up their enforcement measures. As for the complaint of poor frequency especially in the rural areas, I would like to inform the Member that the company has placed an order for 81 short-wheel-based buses which would be suitable for use in these areas where the roads are too narrow for the jumbos. Another step which the company is planning to take to improve frequency is to post traffic regulators at certain strategic points to regulate the timing of bus services. The enforcement officers will take down the timing and will also he empowered to withhold buses, if necessary, when they see more than one bus on the same service route arriving at the same spot at the same time. They are also to ensure that interruption of bus services is reduced to the minimum. The Member for Anson also complained about oil spillage at the bus terminals. It is true that the bus terminals are not very clean due to oil smudges caused by the spillage of diesel fuel and cylinder oil as well as minor repairs carried out at the terminals.”
“Sir, on the question of buses emitting excessive smoke, steps have been taken to reduce this nuisance and hazard. All buses are now required to undergo monthly preventive maintenance at the bus depots where special attention is paid to rectify those buses with smoky exhausts. Smoke meters are now available in all the bus depots. Unfortunately, it would take some time before smoky buses are totally eradicated from our roads. The problems involved can be fully appreciated if its causes are fully understood. Smoky exhausts can be caused by mechanical failure, such as faulty injectors or fuel pumps. These mechanical faults can be rectified during the preventive maintenance or whenever such cases are brought to the attention of the company. Unfortunately, there are other factors causing the buses to emit excessive smoke and they require some time to rectify. Excessive smoke can be emitted when buses are running with a full passenger load, and especially when going up an incline, not to mention when the bus is overloaded. Another cause is attributable to poor driving habits when gears are not changed in accordance with engine speed, or when excessive fuel is injected by heavy-footed drivers, thus resulting in incomplete combustion. Regarding heavily loaded buses emitting excessive smoke, this problem can be stringently dealt with when more buses are available to meet the heavy peak-hour demand for public buses. As for bad driving habits, this will require a slow process of educating the drivers to change their habits. Mr Speaker, Sir, on the other point raised by the Member for Anson earlier regarding irregular frequency, I would like to inform him that the frequency of bus services is now slightly better than previously, although there is still room for further improvement.”
“We have a duty to help the SBS to raise the standard of service, but we do not have a duty to help the private shareholders to make profit at, the expense of the public. Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!”
“On the question of uninterrupted long distance drives, I would like to say that this matter is now being looked into by breaking a long trip into two short trips. But we have to look `into the question of additional cost for the commuters. As a result, it is still not being implemented. Should it be implemented, it would, of course, be on the understanding that the commuter will not be made to pay more, although he may be inconvenienced by a transfer to another bus, especially, for those who are staying in Changi and working in Jurong. On the other point about bus workers who did not respond, the steps taken will be first to try to win them -over by educational means. And if they still do not respond by changing their attitude for the benefit of the company and- the' public, `the ultimate result wilt be dismissal. Mr Hwang Soo Jin: Sir, I do not consider 150% of the salaries to be a very good deal considering that these officers seconded to the SBS are all very' seasoned, well trained' and experienced officers from ,the various Ministries. Their secondment would mean that the standard of service in the other departments would" suffer,' and to that extent the taxpayers suffer. We are, in fact, subsidising the management of SBS. Considering that the Government must have spent vast sums of money over the years to `train these people, I think" a more reasonable deal would be that Government gets a share in the profits -subject to a figure not less than 150% of the amount expended. Whatever profit or commission that the Government receives can be used for public -purposes. I think this would be a more reasonable basis.”
“On this point, I would like to inform the House that the company is paying 150% of the salaries of the employees seconded to the bus company. - -”
“As for the salary scale mentioned by the Member for Boon Teck, I would like to inform the House that the bus company right now is drawing up a comprehensive salary scale for all SBS employees so as to keep them informed of their career prospects in the company. Touching on the point of the bus terminus, it is quite true that we are still short of satisfactory bus terminus owing to various reasons, one of which is shortage of land. But the company has already done its best in providing one very important need of the bus workers, that is, the toilet facilities, in Lim Chu Kang, Sembawang, Jalan Kayu, Ulu Pandan, Kaki Bukit and Jalan Eunos. - These facilities are expected to be completed early next month. As for bus terminus in the city area, this question is still being looked into.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the SBS which was, formed in November 1973 is easily the biggest private company with a work force of about 9,000 employees. The hon. Member for Boon Teck has told the House some-of the problems faced by the company and the bus workers. We all know that SBS is formed out of ten small Chinese bus companies which were, managed on a family basis. So the company has to face a lot of problems. During the period of the last seven months in which I have been involved in the reorganisation, quite a bit has, been done for the welfare of the bus workers. The introduction of standard procedures and systems has to a great extent reduced the unhappiness of the bus workers. The company has also provided better working environment and recreational facilities for the bus workers. The following are some of the measures taken by the company to improve the working conditions of the bus workers as a whole. 1. Common procedures for recruitment and selection of personnel. 2. Standard office hours for the various bus depots. 3. Standardised daily wage deductions for bus drivers and conductors were also implemented in all the depots, thereby making it much easier for reconciliation of wages. The company has also tried its best to encourage thrift among the bus workers by contributing $5 to each POSB savings account opened by the bus workers. 4. The recommendation `of the NWC on wage increases was also implemented for all the bus workers. All this has boosted up the morale of the bus `workers to a great extent and the bus workers have responded very well except a few.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Anson in his eloquent speech virtually tore SBS into pieces. It is admitted that public transport at the moment is still not at the level that we would like it to be. But the Government team of officials which moved into SBS on, the invitation of the management only about seven months ago has managed to do quite a little bit. If I were to answer right now the faults or rather the defects which the Member for Anson has brought up, then other Members may not have any chance to speak. But what I can say right now is that the faults mentioned by the Member for Anson are all being studied in detail and, given the required period of time, they will all he put right. As for the Central-Business district mentioned by the Member for Toa Payoh, the `Minister for Communications will be answering him. Perhaps I should stop right now so that other Members will have a chance to raise other matters.”
“As regards the second part of the question, those who have either passed the Domestic Electrical Fitting and Installation part or the Industrial Electrical Fitting and Installation part of the Test will be granted a licence provided that, after passing the Test, they have two years' experience in the relevant trade. UPPER SERANGOON ROAD/LIM AH PIN ROAD (Installation of traffic light) 4. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) whether he is aware that there have been several accidents, both fatal and otherwise, at the junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Lim Ah Pin Road, which is a bus terminal, since the re-routing of buses into Simon Road! Florence Road/Lim Ah Pin Road/Upper Serangoon Road, due to the heavy traffic especially in the mornings and evenings; (b) whether he is aware that requests to have either a pedestrian crossing or traffic light system installed at the said junction have been turned down; and (c) whether he will now consider installing the traffic light system that will operate in the day and switch off automatically in the night, so as to enable a smoother flow of traffic in the vicinity in the mornings and evenings and also help to reduce the threat to life and injury of pedestrians.”
“Meanwhile, the Traffic Police and the Registry of Vehicles will review the accident statistics to determine whether there is a correlation between the rates of accidents and the number of years of driving experiences. As to medical examination for professional drivers who are over the age of 60 years, this requirement is already in practice under Rule 6 (2) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Vocational Licences and Conduct of Drivers, Conductors and Passengers) Rules, 1974, whereby no vocational licence for a professional driver shall be granted to a person who is 60 years old or more unless the Registrar of Vehicles is satisfied that such a person is medically fit to be licensed. The hon. Member may be interested to know that there is a plan to extend this requirement for drivers of private cars soon. LICENSING TEST FOR ELECTRICIANS 3. Dr Tan Eng Liang asked the Minister for the Environment, in the licensing of electrical workers under the Electrical Workers and Contractors Licensing Act, 1974, if the Public Utilities Board will consider (1) granting exemption from the theory paper of the Skill Evaluation Test for Electrical Fitting and Installation conducted by the Industrial Training Board to practising electrical workers with over 15 years' relevant working experience and with limited educational level; and (ii) granting the electrical worker's licence to those who pass in either the Domestic Electrical Fitting and Installation part or the Industrial Electrical Fitting and Installation part of the Test so as to enable them to practise in their separate electrical works. The Minister for the Environment (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, the reply to the first part of the question is an unqualified yes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Transport Advisory Board, now defunct, did discuss the suggestion that new licence holders should display `P' plates on the front and back of their vehicles for a period of time from the date of issue of their licences. The suggestion was not adopted in February 1970 as the members were not convinced that new qualified drivers were more accident-prone than other drivers and that introduction of `P' plate system would help to reduce the accident rate. Information received from a motorist association in New South Wales, Australia, where such a system was in existence showed that although such schemes may have a beneficial psychological effect on drivers, there was no satisfactory statistical information to indicate that such schemes did have effect in reducing accidents. The Registrar of Vehicles has sought for more up-to-date information from the relevant authorities in Australia, and this information is being awaited. If the `P' plate system has been found to reduce accidents involving new licence holders, my Ministry will consider its adoption with favour. In the meantime, we shall implement the Points Demerit System and Traffic Ticketing System. We shall find out how effective these two new systems will be in reducing traffic accidents. It is relevant to point out that in the initial phase of implementation of the Points Demerit System, only violations of the more serious traffic offences qualifying for four points or more will be recorded. The intention is to concentrate on identifying and weeding out the dangerous and reckless drivers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 8, line 3, to leave out "offence" and insert "conviction". This is to rectify a typographical error. Amendment agreed to. Clause 10, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 11 to 15 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Bill reported with an amendment; read a Third time and passed. NAVAL AND AIR BASES (REPEAL) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.13 p.m.”
“The Member for Bukit Ho Swee supports the Bill. He has specifically pointed out that the penalty of six points for dangerous driving is too lenient. The Points Demerit System can be administratively changed. If it is subsequently proved that six points are not adequate to deal with this group of reckless drivers, perhaps they can he increased. I hope I have answered all the questions.”
“The large number of these "L" motor-cyclists that we see on our roads is partly due to the fact that the majority of them just do not bother to apply for a test because the fee for an "L" driving licence is just twice the fee for an ordinary driving licence. But with the introduction of this new ruling, I am sure the number will be reduced. Regarding his comment on Government vehicles, I can only assure him that Government vehicles enjoy no privileges. To the Member for Serangoon Gardens, I thank him for his support of the Bill. He mentioned about the positive measures instead of the Points Demerit System which, he says, is negative in approach. Legal action by itself is negative. It is only by educating our people, the next generation, to be better educated, that I think the approach through education will be a more positive one. As for awarding privileges to good drivers, I doubt this could be implemented administratively because it will become too complicated an issue. The Member for Toa Payoh has suggested that jaywalkers should not be let off so lightly, and he commented that the penalties provided for jaywalking are not enough. I mentioned in my speech that initially the penalties are meant to educate the jaywalkers, hut if we find that they persist in jaywalking and their accident rate is still high, then the existing law has provision to increase the penalties. It is, therefore, not necessary to provide heavy penalties to deal with them at this stage. The existing law is quite adequate, and because it is something new I feel that initially jay-walkers should be given a chance. As for the Member for Jalan Kayu's comment that the law is made in one Ministry and enforced by another, I have listened to it with deep interest and I have no comments to offer.”