Lim Kim San
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board's investigation shows that the residents of Pulau Ubin are unwilling to pay higher prices due to higher operating costs, thereby causing the contractor to cease operations. It was explained to the hon.”
“Sir, I understand the Member's point, but I hope he realises that six months after serving notice, the pigs will still be defecating freely which will continue to contaminate our water.”
“Sir, if anyone should get sick from coming into contact with contaminated water, I hope they will accept sympathy from the Member for Jurong. But we cannot evaluate the danger to human life in terms of dollars and cents. The farmers have known for several years now that pig-rearing will have to be phased out of the catchment areas.”
“Sir, all I can say is that we are still looking into the feasibility of siting a coal-fired station on one of the islands to reduce the pollution problem. But no definite decision has yet been made. We have several offers to do a feasibility study on it, and we are looking closely into the matter. 5.45 p.m.”
“Merit Scholar- Merit Courses ships Bursaries Medicine/ Dentistry 44 41 Engineering 28 22 Architecture/ Building/ Estate Management 6 18 Accountancy/ Business Administration 9 14 Arts/Social Science/Law 32 40 Science (includes Pharmacy) 82 102 ___ ___ 201 237 === === Sir, I believe the hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, air pollution is being monitored daily by the Anti- Pollution Unit, and we find that the air pollution in industrial estates and the urban areas is normally higher than in the residential or rural areas.”
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Every one of 1,111 lines we hold for Lim Kim San, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 10 of 23.
“Sir, let me tell the Member that, as Minister for Education, any criteria that we use, there will be this problem. And the criteria that we use now do not discriminate against the poor. I think the Member for Delta must have read somewhere that the Minister of Defence has made a rough analysis and found that most of the bright students who have won scholarships have come from poor families. So the criteria that we use do not discriminate against the poor at all. The Member will find that most of the poor children are posted to the school of their first choice. So the problem would arise among those who can afford the transport.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member for Delta is aware of the criteria we use for posting children to secondary schools, since he says that although the matter has been raised time and time again in this House, nothing has happened. I would like to ask him what sort of criteria he would use and, by using them, whether he could guarantee that there would be no hardship. No matter what criteria we use, there would be some hardship. The only way we can resolve this hardship is to build a secondary school in every area in Singapore, let us say about a quarter of a mile from each other. Then we can solve that problem. But is this desirable? Is it possible to do that? Can we do that? Therefore, since we cannot do that, the best we can do is to select the criteria by which we post the students to secondary schools. One of the criteria is that we try to avoid this difficulty of transport as far as possible so that, everything being equal, we would give the students a place nearest his home. So I will say this: no matter what criteria we use, there would be hardship among the poor. 5.45 p.m.”
“I have been informed by my Minister of State that the parents are not required to fill those particulars every year.”
“Sir, I have looked into the particulars required of the register. I cannot see how we can make it simpler, because all those particulars are important and are necessary for the purposes of awarding scholarships or knowing whether the student qualifies for remission of school fees; whether or not he is a Singapore citizen; when he was born, etc. The Member for Jurong is a teacher himself. Can he tell me what items should have been left Out from the register of students?”
“This is where I want them to speak up because once I have got all these opinions, we will be able to sit down and discuss, and we will put right what the Ministry of Education is expected to do; what it can do, and cannot do, and in what way we can help the national effort wherever it is required. Mr Ho Kah Leong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am very glad that the Minister for Education is sincere in having a dialogue with the Teachers' Unions and in hearing from them. It is a good thing that our Minister for Education does not believe too much in experts. I raised the point last year that the Minister should simplify the attendance registers, a job which actually wastes a lot of the teachers' time. This is the point which the Minister has not answered.”
“Sir, the Member for Moulmein has clarified what is in the minds of the teachers with regard to extra-curricular activities, that they are being asked to perform duties above and beyond what is required of them. Among the activities mentioned there are some which are desirable for the teachers as well as for the students themselves, for instance, the habit of saving and maintaining a beautiful garden. I myself appreciate gardens but, Mr Speaker, Sir, there is a point to be made here, that we do become engrossed in some of the national campaigns in which we are engaged. Here, I blame not so much the enthusiasm of my colleagues in pushing these campaigns and getting the teachers to help, but the professional experts that we have in the Ministry of Education, because, in trying to keep in line with the national campaigns, they are apt to forget what are the priorities in the Ministry of Education. If they are very clear in their minds that those are the priorities, that those are the things which the Ministry of Education should be engaged in and they give their professional or expert advice, then the Minister for Education would be able to say, "Yes, but do we have the time or is it desirable that we do this and that?" Once the objective has been set, and the priorities have been defined, this complaint will stop. I am going down among the teachers, the specialists, inspectors and trade unionists to find out their views, and what they think should be the objective of the Ministry of Education, and what are the priorities; what we can do and what we cannot do.”
“If it were that simple, I am sure my experts would have told me. But they say, "Let us use the best books available." And the best available books at the moment, as far as the Tamil language is concerned, come from Malaysia and India. Therefore, we make use of the best available books.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I was saving that with a population of two million people, if we think we have experts on every subject, then we are going to be very disappointed indeed. I think we should cull the best from all over the world. As far as textbooks, syllabuses and curricula are concerned, we will do what we can. But we must also be aware of the fact that it is not possible for us or for any nation of two million or even 20 million people to do everything themselves and to find the best possible of everything in their own country.”
“Sir, it is not within my power to say yes or no.”
“With regard to the question of Tamil textbooks from India and Malaysia, I think it is right that we should teach our people about Singapore. But do we have the professional expertise to write a book on this subject? If we have, then by all means use it. Otherwise, use the best books that are available. And the best available at the moment are Tamil textbooks from Malaysia and India. We are doing the revision. In the meanwhile, in the civics course, we will tell them more about Singapore.”
“I would not like to see a teacher frequenting a bar. But there is nothing to stop a teacher from going to a bar if he so desires. I can assure Members that I will not take action. But if he goes there every day and becomes a drunkard, then action will be taken. The Member mentioned that there are certain places where the teachers themselves would not go and I would think that a bar is a place where the teachers themselves would not go. As far as I am aware, there is nothing to prohibit a teacher from enjoying himself in any way he likes. The only thing is that he must know that he holds a responsible position as a teacher and is expected to set a good example. Beyond that there is no prohibition from the Ministry of Education. Mr Speaker, Sir, I think I have answered most of the questions raised by Backbenchers. As the Member for Anson has said, since four or five Members have raised so many questions, perhaps there may be one or two which I have missed out. If I have and if there is time and if the Member can repeat the question or point for clarification, I do not mind answering.”
“Sir, to come to the Member for Paya Lebar, the question of the retirement age is governed by the Pensions Ordinance and the Pensions Regulations and they are the same for officers in the educational service as for officers in the administrative service. They have all been made common. They retire at the age of 55. There are certain instances under certain regulations which allow officers to retire at the age of 60. I think we have done everything we can to regularise the position as far as the teaching service is concerned. The Member also proposed that Government should build a centre where teachers can go and enjoy themselves. One of the reasons he gave was that in this way there would be a place for teachers from all the language streams to get together and know one another. I think there are enough places in Singapore for people of every walk of life to go and enjoy themselves. I was very surprised indeed to hear from him that there is a prohibition against teachers going to certain places. I am not aware that the Ministry of Education - Some hon. Members: Bars!”
“The benefits which should have been extended to the families are being withheld until my colleague, the Minister for Health, has sufficient ward space.”
“Yes, professional expertise. Through the `officials of the Teachers' Unions, I would ask the teachers to speak up and give us their professional expertise. With regard to the question of reviewing the present staffing quota raised by the Member for Jurong, I would like it to be made known that, on the average, the teachers in Singapore are asked to do about 18 hours of work per week compared with 22 hours elsewhere. So in no way can we say that they are overworked. As far as extra-curricular activities are concerned, the Member for Anson made a suggestion that teachers should not be asked to undertake these activities. I wonder whether the Member would like people from outside the schools to take the schoolboys in football, cricket or scouting. These activities, I would think, go together with teaching, and as far as extra-curricular activities are concerned, like gardening and watering the plants, we have no end of volunteers among the teachers themselves to lead our boys. Another point which I would like to make is that in spite of the fact that our teachers on the average are given only 18 hours of work a week compared with 22 hours elsewhere, they are, on the whole, paid very well compared with the salaries of teachers elsewhere. If I am not mistaken, they are the best-paid teachers in Southeast Asia. In spite of that, we are reviewing the conditions of service and the salary structure to see in what way we can give them that little bit of incentive by bringing in what the Member for Moulmein has described as being "unchaste", namely, the question of money incentives. On the question of medical benefits for aided-school staff, they are enjoying the same benefits. The only thing now is that there are not enough wards in the General Hospital.”
“Was that the term the Parliamentary Secretary used?”
“So there is this discussion going on and we are trying to get right down to the root of the matter and hope that by doing so the teaching profession will be able to display professional excellence in education. An hon. Member: Hear, hear!”
“I would say that we gave it every consideration and were able to bring out the new syllabus and new textbooks to be implemented in January in some instances in a few schools. The Member was not here when the Minister of State for Education replied to the question on relief teachers. Since I have very little time left, I will have to refer the Member to the Hansard, [Vol. 30, No. 9, cols. 537-41] and if he will read carefully the reply given therein, he will know why it is not possible to employ relief teachers on a permanent basis. I think that disposes of the questions which the Member raised. I next come to the Member for Moulmein. 1 was really serious when I said that I hoped that it was not only the salary that motivates our teachers. I am sure it is not, because if it were only money that motivates our teachers, we would not be able to expand the educational service as we have done, nor would we be able to have such quality in the educational service as we are having now. I am most grateful to another ex-teacher in joining in the debate and defending the stand taken. Let me repeat that in December we sent our recommendations with regard to the discussions we had with the Teachers' Unions on salary scales and the terms and conditions of the teaching service to the Ministry of Finance. To come to the Member for Jurong, he said that we should not listen to experts. Well, I am listening to experts and I am listening to principals and teachers who are implementing the policy. There is dialogue now. There is dialogue between Ministry officials and members of the Teachers' Unions, principals and teachers. I am myself sitting on the committee which is reviewing the objectives of our educational policy from time to time.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, after listening to the speeches today in regard to education, I am more than ever convinced that everyone here considers himself to be an expert on education. We have today listened to three Members who are presidents of their own Teachers' Unions and to an adviser of a workshop committee. As far as I can see, they do not seem to agree on anything. The Member for Sembawang has complained that the Ministry of Education does not know what it is doing in implementing the new syllabus and, therefore, has to tell the principals, "Do what you can." On the other hand, we have the Member for Moulmein saying that the officials in the Ministry of Education do not make use of the expertise and the professionalism of the teachers. There you are. You have two of them differing! Who is right? I will go on now and try to answer within the short space of ten minutes all the queries raised by Members. First, I will take the queries raised by the Member for Sembawang. He asked why there was a delay in the implementation of the syllabus and the distribution of school textbooks. With regard to the textbooks used in former years, I have received no complaints about delay in the implementation of the new syllabus in the primary schools. To use his own words, he has said that education is an important factor in our national life, since through education we should be able to educate our young citizens in the skills which we require of them in later life. 4.45 p.m. So we have to give very careful consideration to the syllabus and the curriculum. And the delay is caused by the fact that when I assumed the duties of the Minister for Education some time in September, I asked for a review of the syllabus and during that period we put up a new one.”
“I am seriously considering it. The Member's impression was that the Ministry of Education was not considering it. That is totally false. The Member for Moulmein, knowing the workings of government, should consider himself very fortunate indeed, because I can say now that within a six-month period - the six months have not expired - we have already made our recommendations to the Ministry of Finance for restructuring the salary scales and not a revision of salaries. Sir, the restructuring of salary scales is a complicated piece of work and we have done it within six months. The Member for Moulmein should consider himself lucky because, knowing the workings of government, he should know that there are some instances where even in six years' time nothing is heard, not even a squeak! As regards the recommendations that the Ministry of Education has made to the Ministry of Finance, I am afraid they are confidential.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member for Punggol has completely misunderstood what I said just now. I was just thinking aloud when I debated whether we should have a full loaf or make full use of half a loaf. He is under the impression that the Ministry of Education is not considering part-time teacher training. Towards the end of my reply, I said that we are seriously considering whether it is worth our while to reintroduce part-time teacher training so that the half-loaf that we have will be fully utilised.”
“We will consider again carefully whether it is worth our while, in view of the grave shortage of teachers, to reintroduce part-time teacher training. This shortage is not only in the teaching service and in every Government department, but also in industry.”
“Moreover, in considering the restructuring of the salary scales proposed by the Teachers Union, the Ministry must also take into consideration that any adjustment upward is going to cost the taxpayers a lot of money. A rough calculation was made that if each teacher were to be given a $10 increment, it would cost the taxpayers more than $2 million. Before we make any recommendation for the spending of such a large sum of money, the problem must be thoroughly studied to see that what we are doing is correct. I hope that answers the question raised by the Member for Moulmein. To come to the Member for Punggol again, the number of vacancies is known to the Ministry of Education and the Public Service Commission. Advertisements are put out at the appropriate time and applications are received and processed. 3.30 p.m. As I have said, the number of applications for posts in the Ministry of Education is not equal to the number of vacancies. Even if you take everyone who applies, you will still be short of teachers. That is why we must have relief teachers. I think, as an ex-teacher, the Member for Punggol would prefer to have fully qualified teachers in three years from now rather than teachers who have received only part-time teacher training. But we are reconsidering the question whether, in view of the prevailing circumstances, it would not be better for us to take half a loaf than to expect a full loaf when it is not forthcoming, because we do not have enough people interested in teaching to join the service. This is not because of the pay. As I say, a good teacher does not have to depend on his pay for his incentive. He has other things which induce him to join the teaching service.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would hate to think that teachers in the service are attracted only by the salary scales and that there are no other incentives. I would like to believe that a large proportion of the teachers are there because they feel that they have the skill, the ability and the interest in imparting knowledge to young people. Coming to the question raised by the Member for Moulmein, I think he is not unaware that the Teachers Union has been holding discussions with officials of the Ministry of Education on the restructuring - I would like to emphasise the word "restructuring" -of the salary scales and not an increase of salary. I think there was some misunderstanding when, on the eve of his departure, my predecessor made some mention about the revision of salary scales. What he actually meant was that the Ministry was taking up the suggestion by the Harvey Commission when it mentioned that the salary structure in the Ministry of Education is of a very complex nature and that there are a lot of anomalies in the salary structure of teachers. What was particularly in my predecessor's mind was the reference to post allowances for teachers who are promoted. What he meant was that all these anomalies should be ironed out. We can easily iron out these anomalies and incorporate the post allowance or part of the post allowance into a higher scale for principals and those who are promoted to a higher grade. On going through the representations from the Teachers Union, the Ministry is in agreement with them. It has come to the conclusion that the 16 different salary scales for the teachers and, I believe, about nine different scales for the principals should be thoroughly considered and a less complicated salary structure substituted.”
“Sir, the Member and I have the same point of view. But he is probably holding one end of the stick and I am holding the other end. What I am trying to say here is that we know there are large numbers of vacancies and attempts have been made and are being made to fill these vacancies with people with the requisite qualifications. We have been advertising these vacancies at the beginning of every year. However, only two-thirds of those who were offered jobs in the Ministry of Education accepted them. The number of people who apply for vacancies in the Ministry of Education is not equal to the number of vacant posts. So there you are. People with the requisite qualifications are not there. Members should concede that the Ministry of Education is not so stupid as not to fill up the establishment completely. We have the desire to fill these vacancies; we are given the money voted by Members to fill these posts. But because there are not enough persons to fill them, that is why we are left with a shortage of teachers. As a result, we have to resort to the method of recruiting relief teachers who have probably not had the same kind of training that we would wish them to have.”
“The explanation is that we were able to recruit more teachers, more administrative officers, more specialist inspectors than we first expected when the budget was formulated. I hope I have clarified some of the doubts that have existed in the minds of Members.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I heartily agree with the Member for Telok Blangah that maternity leave is not a new phenomenon. But I would like to remind him that in the clarification given by the Minister of State for Education to the supplementary question as to when the system of relief teachers was instituted, I think the Minister of State replied, "Ever since maternity leave was granted." There is nothing wrong with that. Sir, I am not able to give in detail the categories of vacancies which have been filled. But, generally speaking, we have vacancies right through the service - from principals to teachers, to specialists, to specialist teachers, to administrative officers, to inspectors of schools, to inspectors, and even higher clerical officers. We have been trying our best to fill them with persons with the requisite qualifications. 3.15 p.m. As indicated in the reply by the Minister of State at the sitting on the 8th of March, there were, in the teaching service alone, 1,116 vacancies, because we then had 1,116 relief teachers. The shortage is of such a magnitude not because no attempt has been made by either the Public Service Commission or the Ministry of Education to fill these vacancies wherever it can, but simply because we do not have the people with the requisite qualifications. I will be very glad indeed if either Member can indicate where we will be able to get the type of people we want to fill these vacancies, not only in the higher grades but also in the lower grades in the teaching service. The clarification requested by the Member for Punggol on the request for an additional $524,000 for the Ministry of Education in respect of personal emoluments can be given very simply by repeating what is stated here. I do not think it can be explained in a simpler form.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 3, line 2, to leave out "20" and insert "19". This is a printing error. Amendment agreed to. Clause 4, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 5 to 21 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Bill reported with amendments; read a Third time and passed. NATIONAL SPORTS PROMOTION BOARD BILL (As reported from Select Committee) Order for Third Reading read. 4.35 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 2, lines 17 and 18, to leave out "the various fields of education for teachers" and insert "education". Sir, the Member for Katong has drawn the attention of the House to the improvement that will be brought about by this amendment. This amendment means that research can be carried out over a wider field instead of confining itself to the field of education for teachers only. Amendment agreed to.”
“Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Lim Kim San]. Bill considered in Committee. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 4.30 p.m. Clauses 1 to 3 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 4 -”
“This year we have put out two advertisements for teachers, but the response has not been very encouraging. This is something beyond our control, and I am afraid we have to use non-graduate teachers to fill the breach. To come to the question of relief teachers. The Member mentioned relief teachers seeking training and permanent employment in the Ministry of Education. The opportunity is always there. They can always make their applications and every case will be considered on its own merits. The Member for Moulmein also brought up the question of shortage of teachers. He alleged that while there is a shortage of teachers under the present circumstances, those who have qualified have not been offered employment. These cases are very few and far between. This is largely due to some administrative difficulties. I shall be very glad if these cases can be brought to my notice. If they have the requisite qualifications, I will see that they are appointed immediately. This is one of the problems caused by our not having enough wide-awake people in our administration. I can quote a case. I sent a telegram here from Geneva. It arrived on the same day, but it took two days for it to travel from the ground floor to the seventh floor of the Ministry of Education to the Acting Minister! This is probably one of the snags which have held up the appointment of suitably qualified teachers even though we are really short of teachers. May I also say that we are looking into the case that I have just quoted, where it took longer for a telegram to climb up six floors than for it to come from Geneva to here. I think I have answered most of the problems raised. There may be one or two others, but they are not really significant. They can be raised later on if the occasion arises.”
“I can assure the Member and his colleagues that I will make full use of their knowledge of the teaching service. I will do my very best to tap all that I can from their experience. I have noted the suggestion made by the Member for Moulmein on the in-service scheme and I am sure the Council of the Institute will look thoroughly into the proposal which he has made. The Member seeks clarification on certain questions that he has posed. I am not able to answer them in the order that he put them, but I would say this in regard to the position of the-present lecturing staff of the T.T.C, when the Teachers' Training College is taken over by the Institute of Education. Let me assure the Member that they will be in no way worse off than they are. The Teachers' Training College is-now part of the Ministry of Education. If any of the staff there are not absorbed by the Institute of Education, they will be taken into the Ministry of Education. With regard to the scheme of service-for the Institute of Education, it is too early yet to go into the details, but since this is an institute of tertiary education, I will equate it with other institutes of tertiary education. The Institute will have chairs, professorships, lectureships and other posts and officers in keeping with its status. I do not think the terms and conditions will be in any way inferior to those obtainable in the T.T.C, now. While the Government does not stop its employees from making representations to it, I do not think there is any need for them to go to the teachers' unions for any representation in this case, because, as I say, they will be in no worse position than they are now. We are trying our best to redress the shortage of teachers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am very glad that the Member for Telok Blangah has spoken in appreciation of the role that the Teachers' Training College has played in the expansion of our educational services. Just now we heard from the Member for Jurong who said that although the T.T.C, had trained 20,000 teachers, there were certain aspects with which he was not happy. I do not think this is the time and place to consider the merits and demerits of the T.T.C. It is most appropriate that we should pay tribute to an institution which served its purpose well during a period when we had to expand the educational service quantitatively. I would not like to be drawn into a debate on conditions of service by the Member for Jurong. There will be a time and occasion for that. Mr Speaker, Sir, the purpose of setting up the Institute of Education by the Ministry of Education is to raise the standard of teaching, and though it is not written in detail in the Bill, it is, of course, implied that students who attend the Institute will be inculcated with what the Member for Katong described as "a lively knowledge of the subjects which they will be teaching". It is not possible to spell out in detail the objects, but I believe they are implied there, and I can rely upon members of the Council, when they are appointed, to see that the teachers who are turned out by the Institute will have a lively knowledge and lively curiosity of the subjects which they will be teaching. I can assure the Member for Moulmein that I will always make full use of professional advice. In my career I have found that it is always wise to listen to, though not always to accept, the advice of the professionals.”
“The conferment of degrees will also enhance the status of the teaching profession. A scheme may later be introduced to enable non-graduate serving teachers to obtain this degree. With the establishment of the Institute, the School of Education at the University of Singapore will be gradually phased out. The Institute will co-operate with all other tertiary institutions on professional matters. Under the Bill, provision is made for the Institute to be managed by a Council including, among its members, representatives from Government, the two local Universities, Ngee Ann Technical College, professional bodies and organisations, and the Institute itself. A Director, to be appointed by the Council, will be the chief administrative and academic officer. A Board of Studies will be established to advise the Council on academic matters pertaining to the Institute. The Minister for Education is empowered under the Bill to make grants to the Institute out of funds to be provided by the House, and any funds received or raised by the Institute will be controlled and administered by the Council subject to the directions of the Minister. Annual and supplementary estimates of expenditure must have the prior approval of the Minister and all accounts of expenditure will be audited. The Minister may also transfer to the Institute the assets and property of the Government held for the purposes of the Teachers' Training College in Singapore. Gifts to the Institute will be granted tax relief as it will be deemed an institution of a public character. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. 3.45 p.m.”
“On the other hand, Sir, the Institute of Education, when established, will be able, by virtue of its independent status, to appoint its teaching staff at professorial and other levels through open advertisement and selection on a merit basis. This will also encourage response from those with outstanding qualifications who would be willing to contribute to the advancement of teacher education but are reluctant to be associated with a Government body. The Institute will also be in a position, by virtue of its autonomous status, to offer terms and conditions of service commensurate with the qualifications of the staff it hopes to attract. Visiting professors of international standing will be recruited to teach at the institute, and only highly qualified and experienced educators will be recruited into its permanent establishment. These conditions will be more conducive to the attainment of good professional and academic standards, as well as to the conducting of educational research. The Institute will have powers to confer degrees and diplomas and to grant certificates to those who successfully complete its courses. One proposed innovation which deserves particular mention is the introduction, at a later stage, of courses leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Education and Master of Education. The institution of a Bachelor of Education degree has certain advantages. It has a potential for improving the quality of the teaching force, as students will be firmly committed to a teaching career before they embark on the course, which will be of three years' duration. There is also the time-saving aspect, as it will take only three years to produce a graduate teacher, compared to four years as at present.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time". At present, Sir, teacher education in Singapore is conducted by the Teachers' Training College and the School of Education at the University of Singapore, which together provide a programme of training encompassing a variety of courses at different levels of training in the four language streams, leading to certificate, diploma and post-graduate qualifications in education. In addition, the Teachers' Training College, which undertakes the major part of the training programme with a student enrolment of more than 2,300 in 1969, also conducts numerous in-service courses on a wide variety of subjects for qualified teachers. The School of Education offers only post-graduate courses, but caters jointly with the Teachers' Training College for the basic training of graduate teachers. These two institutions have hitherto fulfilled an essential need in the training of teachers to staff our schools. But he establishment of an Institute of Education to centralise the whole training programme under a single autonomous statutory body will be a positive advancement in teacher education in Singapore, from the administrative, professional and academic points of view. The setting up of an independent, statutory Institute of Education will remove certain limitations inherent in the present administration of the Teachers' Training College as a Government department. At present, recruitment to posts at the Teachers' Training College is usually limited only to members of the Education Service. Further, promotion of lecturers after a certain point leads staff members to principal-ships and positions in the Inspectorate, resulting in a constant turnover of staff at the College.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no necessity yet, but we will start first by providing more police personnel for the substation at Taman Jurong. Later on, when Jurong further develops, there might be a case for another police station there, but at the moment there is no proposal to build a large police station in Jurong. CHINESE TEMPLES IN KALLANG BASIN (Relocation in alternative sites) 8. Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) if the Chinese temples in Kallang Basin, which have been or are likely to be affected by development or clearance action of the Housing and Development Board, will be relocated in Kallang Basin; and (b) when alternative sites will be offered.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Jurong Town area is served by a Police sub-station at Taman Jurong. In addition, troops from the Reserve Unit patrol the area each night from 10 p.m, till 6 a.m, the following day. Criminal activities in the area have increased with the increasing population, and proposals to increase the police manpower to provide adequate security for the Taman Jurong area have been submitted in the estimate proposals for 1971-72. In the meantime, the Police force in the area has been directed to be even more vigilant in the performance of their duties.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know whether the Member himself can tell the House why there is such a sharp increase in crime. Taken as a whole, the increase is not that high. I think there is an overall increase because of an increase in the population. Probably a sociologist will be able to tell the Member for Delta exactly why there is an increase in crime.”
“The Queenstown Police Station will continue to provide mobile and foot patrols to police the whole area. In addition, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department are employed to supplement the divisional police in their work. Mr Speaker, Sir, although the Havelock Road Police Station was demolished by 1st September, 1969, police vigilance in the Havelock Road area has not diminished. In fact, police patrols have recently been increased for crime prevention work in view of the redevelopment of this area.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Jalan Kayu Constituency is served by patrols deployed from Yio Chu Kang Police Station and the Division Headquarters Station at Paya Lebar. Jalan Kayu and the village are within the boundaries of Yio Chu Kang Police Station, which is situated at 9- m.s. Yio Chu Kang Road, about one and a half miles away. In view of the proximity of Yio Chu Kang Police Station to the village, it is not considered necessary or economically wise to open another police station or a police post in Jalan Kayu at the moment. The siting of police stations and posts depends on the overall development in any area. If the development of the area in future makes it necessary to replace the present Yio Chu Kang Police Station, consideration will be given to establishing a station or post in Jalan Kayu. DELTA CONSTITUENCY (Crimes) 6. Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Defence (a) what is the total number of cases of robbery and theft in the Delta Constituency from 1st January, 1970, up to the latest convenient date; (b) whether he will consider increasing police patrols in the vicinity of the Alexandra Road Market where most of the crimes were committed; and (c) whether the abolition of the Havelock Road Police Station has diminished police vigilance in the area. Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, for the first six months of this year a total of 163 cases of robbery and theft in the Delta Constituency were reported to the Police. In comparison with other crime prone areas in Singapore, the crime rate in the Delta Constituency is the second highest. The highest is in Toa Payoh. During the same period, 44, or 27 per cent, of the cases of robbery and theft reported in the Delta Constituency occurred in the vicinity of Alexandra Road Market.”
“Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Lim Kim San]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS BILL (As reported from Select Committee) Order for Third Reading read. 3.48 p.m.”
“For the information of Members n general, and the Member for Whampoa in particular, there is a joint M.I.D./ Technical Education Committee looking into the possibility of giving training to ex-national servicemen who have had no training in any skills whatsoever while they were in the Armed Forces. As for improving their fluency in English, in fact, in the Armed Forces at the moment a conscripted national serviceman is given 180 hours' tuition in any language he desires. But we are looking further into it. When we first started. If a serviceman was educated in English, he was given the choice to take up either Chinese or Malay. If he was Chinese educated, he was given the choice to learn English or Malay. But after having worked on it for some time, I think a better method now will be to improve the fluency of the language in which the national serviceman is educated. Let us say a boy has a Secondary III education in English. The time will be more usefully spent if he can improve his fluency in English within the 180 hours of tuition, so that when he comes out he will be more fluent in English, Mandarin, or Malay, or whatever language he is educated in. Mr Speaker, Sir, this Bill, if enforced, compels an employer to register with us, so that first priority will be given to national servicemen for employment. But at the moment in the public sector - in the Public Service Commission, the Ministry of Health, and every other Ministry - we have given first priority to national servicemen. That is covered administratively. This is a promise which we have made, and we are keeping it. I hope I have replied to all the questions raised or the doubts that have arisen in the minds of Members. Question put, and agreed to.”
“To answer the Member for Delta - as I have said, the system is working quite well now. We are able to place 98 per cent of the ex-national servicemen who were discharged in 1969 in jobs. Also because of the shortage of labour now, it would be quite unnecessary to enforce the Bill. That is the reason why I have said that it is not the intention of this Ministry to enforce this Bill even after it has been passed by Parliament. On the question of whether we can make use of the present Labour Exchange to do this work, I think it would not be possible for the Labour Exchange, as it is constituted at present, to work efficiently as a job placement unit, in the M.I.D, just now, because the Ministry has a complete record of national servicemen with us. Therefore, when we receive the job specifications, it is easier for us to marry them to the requisite skills among the discharged national servicemen, Otherwise we have to send the whole lot of particulars of national servicemen to the Labour Exchange where the administration is probably not so au fait with military reports. This will cause further delay, and greater annoyance to the Member for Sembawang. Of course, the principle here is that first priority for employment is to be given to national servicemen. We all hope the day will not come when the demand for labour will drop so that those who have not done their national service will also have the opportunity to be gainfully employed. At the moment things are going on all right. We are able, as I have said, to place all our ex-national servicemen in jobs. I have already indicated that there is nothing to prevent a national serviceman from seeking a job of his own if he wants to.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, shall answer the last speaker first, i.e., the Member for Sembawang. I will appreciate it very much if he can tell me of a system whereby a national serviceman, who is discharged today, can rightaway be placed in a job tomorrow, it is inevitable that there must be some delay in placing national servicemen in jobs. Usually we have very early notification from employers of the type of skills that they require. Meanwhile we have to match the requirements of the employer with the qualifications and experience of our discharged or about to be discharged national servicemen. When that is done, we have to write to the employers and send these national servicemen for interview. At the same time, we have to ask the national servicemen whether they do want jobs, because some of them, as I have said just now, have probably been offered jobs or have found jobs on their own. All this takes time. Therefore, if we can find a system to match the skills with the requirements so that the national servicemen can be sent to the employers on the day after their discharge. I think all of us will he most grateful and very happy for the Member's advice. On the question of whether national servicemen will be paid the same salary that they have been getting while working outside, we have our own scales of pay in the Armed Forces. In the private sector different employers have different scales of pay. And if we were to accede to the suggestion made by the Member for Sembawang - that we should pay the national servicemen the same pay that they have been getting outside -then my Paymaster will probably have to include the hundreds of salary scales in the private sector. That, I think, is not feasible.”
“Any employer who contravenes the provisions of any order made under the Bill will be guilty of an offence punishable, on conviction, by a fine not exceeding $2,000, and in respect of each employee so employed in contravention thereof, by a fine not exceeding $50 for each day on which that employee is employed. I have said we have been quite successful in finding suitable jobs for discharged national servicemen. This is because: (1) These men have proved to be well disciplined and good workers; (2) There are greater employment opportunities arising out of the success of our industrialization scheme; and (3) There is close liaison between prospective employers and the Job Placement Unit of the M.I.D. As long as employers continue to supply the M.I.D, with their job requirements and specifications, and we continue to place men in jobs as successfully as we are now doing, it is not the intention of my Ministry to bring this Bill into force immediately after it has been passed by Parliament. It will only be enforced when the necessity arises. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. 3.20 p.m.”
“For this happy state of affairs, I must express our gratitude to the first few hundreds of discharged national servicemen who have proved to employers that they are better than average workers and are well disciplined and not afraid of hard work. This Bill will now empower the Minister to direct by order published in Government Gazettes that specified categories of employers shall not, without the consent of the Director of Employment appointed under this Bill, engage or re-engage any employee otherwise than from among registered persons. A registered person is a person who has completed full-time national service and whose name is for the time being on the register to be kept by the Director of Employment. Under this Bill, a register will be kept wherein particulars relating to the qualifications and skills of such discharged servicemen will be recorded. By this means, there will be made available to employers a reservoir of manpower resources consisting of a representative cross- section of our young population possessed of a variety of skills and experience from which they can draw to meet their needs. If an employer is unable to find a suitable person from among the discharged national servicemen to fill any vacancy in his concern, he may, upon the presentation of reasonable grounds, be exempted to fill such vacancy with non-national servicemen. Discharged national servicemen should, within seven days upon securing employment, notify the authority of this fact so that correct statistics will be maintained; otherwise, they will disqualify themselves and will not be given priority of employment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Mr Speaker, Sir, direction of employment is not something new. It was introduced by Government in December 1963 to assist persons adversely affected by confrontation to obtain alternative employment. Members will agree with the principle that first priority must be given to our discharged national servicemen to fill job vacancies in the Republic, and Government has rightly given an undertaking to assist all discharged national servicemen find suitable employment in the public or private sector. This Bill is to give effect to the principle I have enunciated and to the undertaking we have given. There is already a Job Placement Department in the Central Manpower Base in the Ministry of the Interior and Defence. It has been assisting our discharged national servicemen in finding employment suitable to the skills they have learnt and the training they have received while serving with the Singapore Armed Forces. Wherever possible, discharged national servicemen are placed in jobs relevant to their abilities, skills and experience. This is very important as, upon completion of full- rime national service, they are transferred to the Reserves which form the bulk of our Armed Forces in an emergency and, therefore, a continuity in experience and skill is necessary. I must say we have been most successful in job placement. A total of 98 per cent of those discharged in 1969 have found jobs. In fact, at times we cannot cope with the demand from employers for discharged national servicemen. I understand that most of the national servicemen who have had some technical training in the Armed Forces are offered jobs by prospective employers even before they have completed their national service.”
“We will rectify the situation as best we can.”
“Sir, as I have already said, there is a community centre nearby. We would like to set up a community centre every 100 yards if we can, but, firstly, that is beyond our means, and, secondly, I do not think we have sufficient land to do this. Anyway, there is a four-acre ground which can be fully exploited to give the residents of Kallang Basin all the amenities that they require for sports, for airing themselves, or their birds if they keep birds, and for a better standard of living.”
“Sir, I agree entirely with that statement and we are doing our very best to provide adequate facilities. Here again, I must say that in many instances where adequate facilities are provided, they are not being fully made use of. And in many instances also, we have to close down community centres because they have not been made use of. But where there is a need, we will always try to meet it. If the Member for Kallang can mark out any area where he thinks a community centre will be useful, we will consider it sympathetically.”