Ong Pang Boon
Singapore
“At the same time, our shoulders should be broad enough to accept criticism and even admit mistakes if need be, and be prepared to make the necessary changes. This does not mean pandering to the baser instincts of the people.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry will certainly give every assistance to the villagers in clearing the debris, especially if they are left over by the contractors. I will appreciate if the Member can also let the Ministry know who are these contractors and we will prosecute them. CONSTRUCTION BRIGADE (Progress) 2.”
“The Ministry is now monitoring the results of the programme and is happy to note that there are some improvements in the cleanliness of our public toilets. It would prosecute managements of public toilets who fail to provide proper maintenance.”
“A comprehensive programme to monitor the air and sea environment in the vicinity of the Complex has been drawn up. Engineers and technicians from the Ministry and other departments have been sent for overseas training on the surveillance of petrochemical complexes.”
“The professional or other misconduct for the purposes of revocation must be of such a nature as to render, in the opinion of the Attorney-General, the notary public unfit to practise as such. This amendment is dealt with in clause 4 of the Bill.”
“All flats of the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) including those at Blair Plain are rented out to employees on monthly tenancies and are not provided as part of their terms and conditions of service. These flats are therefore not service quarters.”
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“After observing the teachers, they generally hold short discussions with them to stimulate new ideas and approaches to effective teaching, the use of teaching aids, up-to-date information on such matters, methodology and problems arising out of their work. The inspectors are also required to assess the work of teachers who have to satisfy certain service requirements from time to time; for example, crossing efficiency bars or confirmation in the service. However, as the Member for Telok Blangah has pointed out, the Inspectorate staff has not been increased over the years while the student enrolment has gone up. As a result, the inspectors of Schools cannot devote as much time to professional and service matters as they should. This has led to the allegation by the Member for Jurong that the inspectors were feared rather than respected by the teachers. I believe that with the general improvement in the quality of teaching and as our inspectors gain in experience and possibly with some additions to the inspectorate staff, a better relationship between the inspectors and teachers can be achieved.”
“As the Member for Telok Blangah is aware, in the new promotion posts created in the Technical Education Department, for instance, principals and vice-principals of vocational institutes and industrial training centres, there are no post allowances attached. As for the proposal to have an assistant principal in place of a senior assistant in schools, I am afraid no progress has been made. The Member for Telok Blangah, I am sure, is not unaware of the fact that in all salary matters and creation of new posts, more than one Ministry is involved. The Member for Telok Blangah complained that primary school teachers have to attend courses in health education and that such courses have been conducted by unqualified teachers. Mr Speaker, Sir, it has been felt for some time that the best way to inculcate sound health habits is to begin with the young children in schools. It is with this in view that a refresher course in health education is being organised for primary school teachers to bring them up to date in respect of health matters so that they will be in a better position to stimulate greater health consciousness among school children. The lectures are delivered by teachers who have previously attended an intensive course on general and dental health education. However, in view of the large number involved and the shortage of doctors qualified to teach the subject, the Ministry has to make do with such teachers. Both the Member for Telok Blangah and the Member for Jurong touched on the duties of Inspectors of Schools. Briefly, it is the duty of inspectors to improve the quality of teaching in all our schools. To achieve this, they visit teachers in schools to offer advice and assistance when necessary.”
“There were also registered private kindergartens with a total of 175 classes for 5,000 children. The unregistered private kindergartens run by the P.A.P., the Barisan Sosialis, churches and other private individuals probably catered for another 20,000 children. In relation to the need in both the registered and unregistered kindergartens, the training facilities offered at present are grossly inadequate to meet the situation. The Adult Education Board is aware of the situation and I understand that it has decided to introduce a basic kindergarten course in the middle of this year for untrained kindergarten teachers who are not attached to Government, quasi-Government or registered kindergartens. Mr Speaker, Sir, the question of abolishing post allowances was again raised by the Member for Telok Blangah last Friday. As I pointed out in my reply to the same question in the last Budget debate, my Ministry had made detailed proposals to the Harvey Salaries Commission for the abolition of post allowances and the institution of a unified salary structure which would include promotion scales for the entire education service. However, in its Report, the Salaries Commission recommended the continuance of the existing practice of paying post allowances on promotion but recommended that the Ministry's proposals warranted serious consideration. I understand that the Teachers' Union has since written to the Finance Ministry seeking an interview to thrash out this and other related problems. The Finance Ministry has again referred the matter to my Ministry. It is now left with the Teachers' Union to start the rigmarole once again. My views on this question are quite clear.”
“The situation quickly lent itself to exploitation by profiteers and unscrupulous political parties like the Barisan Sosialis. Some of the kindergartens, because of the lack of trained staff, offered children a very poor standard of education and the results were sometimes counter-productive in the manner described by the Member for Delta. On the other hand, in the kindergartens organised by the Barisan Sosialis, the children were given indoctrination in Communist ideology. While the Government was not in a position to finance universal free kindergarten education, it could improve the situation by organising training facilities for the large number of untrained kindergarten teachers. And when a large pool of trained kindergarten teachers was available, the Government could introduce measures to require all kindergartens to employ only trained teachers. With this in view, in June 1966, my Ministry officials were instructed to explore the feasibility of conducting professional courses for kindergarten teachers. Owing to financial stringency at that time and also because of staffing problems, the proposal did not get started. In 1967, it was decided that the Ministry and the Adult Education Board should jointly organise the training course whereby the Ministry would look after the professional aspects of the course while the Adult Education Board would provide the administrative machinery to run the course. However, for some inexplicable reasons, the course did not get started until May 1969 when the first in-service course in English for 60 teachers in registered kindergartens was started. Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1969, the People's Association ran 379 kindergartens for 12,000 children.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, although the Member for Jurong did not have the time to complete what he wanted to say in respect of extra-curricular activities and the manner in which such activities are graded, I wish to inform him that the problem is in fact, being constantly reviewed. Right now a new scheme is being devised and the Singapore Teachers' Union and the principals are being consulted. Therefore, if the Member has any strong views on the manner in which extra-curricular activities should be graded, I am sure he can put them forward through his own union. Last Friday, the Member for Delta mentioned the provision of facilities for the training of kindergarten teachers in Singapore. Kindergartens in Singapore may be broadly divided into two groups - those which are run by the People's Association, a quasi-government body, and the private kindergartens. Teachers in kindergartens run by the People's Association have undergone intensive courses in kindergarten methods. As for the private kindergartens, the position varies from one institution to another. While the registered private kindergartens have a sprinkling of trained teachers, the unregistered private kindergartens, which are in the vast majority, do not have any trained staff. In the last eight years, kindergartens have mushroomed all over Singapore. Whether they were motivated politically or for private gain, they reflected a rising standard of living of the people and an awareness of the advantages of a pre-school education in our highly competitive society. Furthermore, for those Asian parents who have not lost their roots in their own society and culture, there is a certain sanctity attached to scholarship. Any form of learning is intrinsically good and is rarely questioned.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, during the period 1st January, 1969, to 17th March, 1970, 39 trained and 46 untrained teachers had their services terminated for unsatisfactory work and conduct, failure to pass probationary or professional examinations, on vacation of office, on medical grounds, or as a result of disciplinary action. During the same period, 445 trained and 145 untrained teachers left the service voluntarily to join commercial firms or statutory bodies or for employment in other institutions, such as Nanyang University, Ngee Ann College, or for the purpose of pursuing further studies, or for personal or undisclosed reasons. MARKET IN JALAN PIPIT (Particulars) 3. Mr Tay Boon Too asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board what was the cost of building the former market in Jalan Pipit, and why that market was demolished late last year; and what are the reasons for rebuilding another market on the same site, and how much it will cost.”
“I certainly will consider that suggestion from the Member. PAYA LEBAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (Luggage storage facilities and luggage clearance) 8. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Communications (a) if consideration will be given to providing luggage storage facilities for transit passengers at the Paya Lebar International Airport; and (b) if he will look into ways and means to speed up the clearance of luggage at the arrival channels.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, school traffic wardens are paid twice monthly and the majority of the claims for payment are sent to the Ministry by post on the 1st and 16th of each month. Payment is made to principals by cheques sent by post. Delays in payment largely arise from late submission of claims or mistakes in claims which have to be returned to the schools for rectification. There were some delays earlier in the year as a result of the transfer of responsibility to this Ministry from the Police, when new arrangements had to be made for submission and processing of claim forms. However, now that the system has been in operation for some months, delays are minimal. For instance, this month, as of the 10th, there were only 15 late submissions in respect of 151 claims for the second half of September 1969.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as this Ministry is aware, there was only one incident in the Basketball National Championship Tournament sponsored by the Combined Schools' Sports Council this year. The referee's decision during a keenly-contested match between two schools was not well received by some spectators. In the melee that ensued when the spectators invaded the court, a coach was alleged to have assaulted the referee. The coach denied this allegation of assault, but nevertheless apologised to the referee concerned. The Basketball Convenors Committee has recommended to the Singapore Combined Secondary Schools' Sports Council that in future tournaments: (a) Officials and players must adhere strictly to the decision of the referee. A team will be disqualified for the whole tournament if any violence breaks out as a result of the non-acceptance of the referee's decision. (b) Principals must place great emphasis on good sportsmanship and discipline among their teachers, pupils and players throughout the tournament. These recommendations were conveyed to all school principals. My Ministry takes a very serious view of any misconduct by teachers and pupils during sports competitions. In future, such misbehaviour will be dealt with severely and any teacher or pupil found guilty may be dismissed from service or expelled from school. SCHOOL TRAFFIC WARDENS (Delays in payment) 7. Mr Tay Boon Too asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that there are delays in payments to school traffic wardens, and if he will look into the matter.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have just given two reasons why it is not feasible to run night courses at the universities. DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST OFFICIALS AND TEAMS FOR BAD CONDUCT IN TOURNAMENTS 6. Mr Tay Boon Too asked the Minister for Education what action has been taken to deal with (i) players and officials who beat up referees at tournaments sponsored by the Schools' Sports Council at both school and district levels; and (ii) school teams which displayed bad conduct at national tournaments; and what measures have been taken to prevent similar occurrences.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, children born in the Republic prior to 16th September, 1963, are eligible for free primary education. Children born in the Republic on or after 16th September, 1963, are eligible (in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic in respect of citizenship) for free primary education only if at least one of the parents is a Singapore citizen. However, those born in the Republic on or after 16th September, 1963, of non-citizen parents, at least one of whom has been permanently residing in the Republic prior to 1st January, 1966, will be required to pay the old rate of school fees, which is only $2.50 per month. UNIVERSITY NIGHT COURSES FOR WORKING CLASS 5. Mr Lee Teck Him asked the Minister for Education if he will examine the feasibility of the running of university courses at night to afford young working-class people the opportunity to do a university course. Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, our university education has expanded at a considerable speed recently, and with the reorganisation that is taking place, it would be desirable for our universities to consolidate their existing commitments and to expand further only in those areas which are to serve the more urgent needs of the Republic. Though university resources are at present limited in terms of finance and staff, the University Extra-mural Studies Department has been organising courses for the last six years to fulfil the needs of persons who are already in employment. The Adult Education Board also runs further education classes to afford young working-class people the opportunity of further education.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are at present 88 untrained teachers serving as principals of primary aided schools in the Chinese medium. The principals of all Government primary schools and all aided primary schools in the English and Tamil media are filled by trained teachers. As and when the services of these untrained teachers serving as principals of primary schools expire on account of retirement, resignation, etc., they will be replaced by trained teachers. However, in exceptional cases, untrained teachers may still be appointed principals in preference to trained teachers if they, through experience and proven ability, are considered better candidates than the trained teachers. TAMIL-MEDIUM SCHOOLS (Particulars) 16. Mr P. Selvadurai asked the Minister for Education (a) how many Tamil-medium schools there are in Singapore; (b) where the teacher for those schools are recruited from; (c) what type of students attend those schools; (d) what are the quality and standard of education imparted to children in those schools; and (e) what are the future prospects in Singapore of children educated in those schools.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are 685 Nanyang University graduates serving as teachers up to the end of February 1969. The distribution, according to the type of schools, is as follows: Government Chinese Secondary Schools 96 Government-aided Chinese Secondary School 311 Integrated Secondary School 241 Government English Secondary School 25 Government-aided English Secondary School 12 Three of these teachers have been promoted as principals - two in Government schools and one in an aided school. Promotion to the post of principal is governed by the vacancy position and is based on merit and experience and years of service. Nanyang University graduate teachers are accorded parity in all respects. Any Nanyang University graduate possessing the required qualifications and experience can apply to be considered for promotion to principalship whenever such a vacancy is circularised. UNTRAINED TEACHERS SERVING AS PRIMARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS (Replacement by trained and qualified teachers) 15. Mr Tay Boon Too asked the Minister for Education how many untrained teachers are at present serving as principals in primary schools in the four language streams; and whether he will take steps to have them replaced by trained and qualified teachers.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, if the Member for Sembawang will look at the Development Estimates, he will find that all the sites for the vocational institutes are listed there.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member for Paya Lebar had listened carefully to the speech which I made on 12th December, 1968, he would have realised that all new school building programmes - both for primary and secondary schools - have ceased since 1967 and that there will be no more academic secondary school building programme. It is true that in 1966 we were looking for land, but now, although it is available, there are no longer any funds to build schools. Sir, the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies will not have its own building. It will be housed in the proposed new library building of the University of Singapore. At the moment, I am not in a position to say when this new library building will be completed, because the whole future expansion of the university is now under consideration. In the meantime, the institute is being accommodated in a bungalow at the University of Singapore. The institute is for post- graduate research only and, as such, it has no teaching function, and students will not be admitted. Mention was made of the appointment of principals in integrated schools. The promotion of teachers to principalship is undertaken by the Public Service Commission. My Ministry can only post bilingual principals to integrated schools if they are available. Ideally, principals of integrated schools should be bilingual.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is enough accommodation to meet the demand for places in this secondary school. In fact, there is room for 16 classes running two sessions but only 15 were functioning at the end of last year. None of these classes has a full enrolment of 40 students. The 1968 enrolment figures show a drop of about 11 per cent as compared with those of the previous year. Besides the Jurong Integrated Secondary School, there are three other Government secondary schools along or slightly off Jurong Road that are under-used. As these schools can provide sufficient places for pupils living in this area, my Ministry does not intend to build any extension to the Jurong Integrated Secondary School.”
“Nanyang University is just as anxious as the Member for Tiong Bahru that a suitably qualified academician and administrator should be appointed as Vice-Chancellor as soon as possible. In fact, this matter is being pursued actively by all concerned. However, the Member for Tiong Bahru should realise that the financial resources of Nanyang University do not permit it to offer the same attractive material terms obtaining in universities in the United States or other Western European countries. Furthermore, I think the office of Vice- Chancellor is now no longer that dignified and secure and isolated from the rough and tumble of the outside world. Universities in many large cities of the world are embroiled in student strife and struggle. Some of the Vice-Chancellor's offices of prestigious universities were even seized by students. Illustrious academicians who would be ideal candidates for vice-chancellorship are, therefore, no longer enamoured of the post of Vice-Chancellor. In the search for a well-qualified academician to fill the post of Vice-Chancellor, both the students and staff of Nanyang University can help in creating a congenial atmosphere for study and research. On the other hand, if students, periodically indulge in agitation and sometimes violent demonstration, they are only helping to make the search for a Vice-Chancellor more difficult and would only be inviting the "colonels", since we do not have "generals", or, worse still, half-baked "lieutenants", to take charge of the University.”
“However, if this equipment is found to be inadequate, Government is always quite prepared to consider further requests. When the language laboratory was first installed, it was equipped with six channels. Later it was modified to one channel because it was under-used. Should the need arise, the language laboratory can be restored to the full six channels without any difficulty. The Member for Jurong also mentioned further studies by local staff. The policy to encourage further over seas training for graduate assistants so as to further enhance the academic standard of Nanyang University is being actively pursued by the University. I was told that this year two graduate assistants from the Department of Government and Public Administration were sent to Canada for higher training under the Colombo Plan. Action is also being taken to select another six candidates, either graduates or graduate assistants, from the Faculty of Commerce to go abroad for further training next year. Two of them will be under the Colombo Plan and four on exchange programmes with American universities. As for the purchase of library books for the University, I think the Member for Jurong will agree with me that it is not realistic to adopt a system whereby the number of books purchased from Taiwan matches the number purchased from China. In this matter, surely the criterion should be that only books which are considered necessary and useful are purchased for the library regardless of the country of origin. There is a library committee headed by the Vice-Chancellor which decides on the purchasing policy. The Member for Tiong Bahru mentioned the appointment of a ViceChancellor.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, sometime in the middle of this year, Nanyang University did submit four projects for Government's consideration. The projects were for the construction of additional student hostels and the provision of additional staff quarters. These two projects would cost about $3 million. The third project was for the construction of a sports complex. The fourth project was for the improvement of ventilation for the Great Hall. The sports complex was estimated to cost about $620,000 and the ventilation for the Great Hall would cost about $20,000. The proposal to construct additional staff quarters was not supported as Government's policy is to encourage home ownership. It would be preferable to grant loans to the staff to purchase their own houses. As regards the con struction of student hostels, about 80 per cent of the students are already accommodated in the existing hostels. Compared with other universities, this percentage is very high indeed and, therefore, the need for this project is not that urgent. The projects for the construction of a sports complex and improvement of the Great Hall were still under consideration at the time when the Development Estimates were prepared. Since no decision has yet been finalised, no provision was made in the Develop ment Estimates as regards these two items. In view of the financial stringency, it is likely that in future only requests of high priority such as funds for improvement of laboratories for honours degree courses and for research will be supported. Some of the equipment for honours degree courses will be arriving very soon. Some of it was purchased out of the $1 million grant for scientific equipment and library made in 1966.”
“The Government will welcome any private individual who is keen to assist in our school-building programme. In fact, in Toa Payoh for instance, we are quite prepared to release some of our school sites to private organisations or individuals if they are prepared to build primary schools. 6.15 p.m.”
“Sir, as I explained in my speech on the 12th December, although this is a standstill budget, nevertheless we have adequate funds to provide for the expansion in technical education. It is true that, as a result of this standstill budget, the funds available for general education are not as much as before. Nevertheless, we have been able to maintain the existing level of expenditure and are able to carry out most of the programmes of activities. There is no question of discontinuing with the six- year free primary education in Singapore. Even with a standstill budget, we are able to continue with it. What I am not able to say is whether we are able to allow each primary school pupil the maximum of eight years to finish his primary education. Hitherto, we have been able to provide six years' free primary education plus two further opportunities for the pupils to finish their primary education. If our financial resources should be further restricted, 4hen we may cut down the number of years available to a student in a primary school rather than do away with the six-year free primary education. As I have also explained before, the primary school building programme and, for that matter, the secondary school programme, in fact, ceased last year. However, we still have enough places in Singapore to cater for primary school pupils. However, because of the population shift, there are shortages here and there. But if parents are not so particular about their children being posted to schools nearest their homes, there would be places for their children. As a result of our economy in social expenditure, there is more reason for the Government to encourage private support in educational ventures.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member for Jurong should be aware that when Backbenchers or I criticise the teachers for their lack of dedication and other shortcomings, we always refer to the minority group of teachers. We have at no time referred to the whole teaching profession and he should not be unduly worried about it. But I would suggest that the best way of preserving the respectability of the profession is for the professional bodies, such as the teachers' unions, principals and members of the teaching profession, like the Member for Jurong, to single out the black sheep so that appropriate action could be taken against them and so that the vast majority of the teachers will not be adversely affected by the conduct of this small number of teachers. 6.00 p.m. The Member for Jurong seeks certain figures about the number of teachers dismissed. In 1968, only one principal and two teachers were dismissed because of their misconduct. In addition, one principal and seven teachers had their services terminated also on grounds of misconduct.”
“Sir, the sum of $12,480 is to provide return air fares for four serving officers in the education service to proceed to the United King dom for training courses under the Commonwealth Teacher Training Bursary Scheme. Under this scheme the United Kingdom Government pays approved tuition fees, a maintenance allowance, a book allowance and a clothing allowance. The Singapore Government pays the officer his salary and the return airfare. No other scholarships or in-service courses are included under this item of expenditure. The officers selected for the Commonwealth Teacher Training Bursary awards will, on their return, be deployed in the education service.”
“Sir, the distribution of free textbooks does not in any way determine the curriculum changes. These changes are determined mainly by changes in educational policy. The Ministry does not directly purchase textbooks and distribute them to schools. Each school is given a yearly allocation of a certain sum from the central free textbooks vote, and if the allocated sum is not fully utilised for the purchase of textbooks, the balance is returned to the Ministry and re-distributed amongst other schools requiring further allocations. As such, there is no possibility of accumulating vast stocks of free textbooks. When these books are no longer required, they are transferred to the school libraries for reference and lending purposes and those which are too old and unserviceable are disposed of. Therefore, the possibility of the free textbooks scheme affecting the curriculum changes will not arise. Mr Rodrigo: Sir, in view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 5.00 p.m. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr L. P. Rodrigo --- (31) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0701 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead. 2111.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of ASEAN scholarships for pre-university studies in any one year will not exceed 25. Each scholarship is worth $1,200 per year. It will normally be for a two- year course in the Junior College or a Technical High School for candidates who have passed the School Certificate Examination. These scholarships are open to all ASEAN countries but I am not in a position now to inform Members which countries have made use of, or intend to make use of, this offer. As far as I can recollect, most of the applicants for these scholarships come from Malaysia.”
“Although final arrangements have not been made, the teaching "community work" covers a wide range of activities. I would imagine all kinds of community projects like helping the rural farmers in the construction of roads and drains, charity work or work in community centres and so forth.”
“Sir, the original proposal was to have four Junior Colleges and, if possible, all the pre-university classes existing at the moment would be centralised in these four Junior Colleges. However, in view of limited funds, we can only launch this one Junior College. We hope it will not be the only one, but we can never be certain.”
“The attributes that I have just mentioned are essential for those of our young citizens who, in due course, are likely to play an active role in our society. Pupils from the Malay and Tamil streams are also eligible for admission to the Junior College provided they can follow instruction in English, if necessary, those pupils who are selected will be given extra lessons to improve their proficiency in the English language.”
“Sir, I have at no time used the term "elite" nor has the Principal of the Junior College used such a term. Therefore, I think it will create a wrong impression in using this term when referring to this College. The Junior College is being set up to provide better facilities and conditions than would normally be available in existing secondary schools for the pre- university type of education. At the end of the two- year course, pupils will sit for the Higher School Certificate Examination either in English or Chinese. The selection for admission to the College is based mainly on academic performance, extracurricular activities and proficiency in a second language. The personality and character of the applicant will also be taken into consideration. Besides studying the usual academic subjects for the Higher School Certificate Examination, pupils will continue to study a second language. Every pupil is expected to take part in extracurricular activities, including participation in College societies or clubs. Participation in community work will also be part of the training of pupils, in social responsibility. The College aims at providing an all-round education and training for its, pupils, at the end of which they will not only have attained the necessary aca demic qualifications for further studies and training in tertiary institutions, but will also be physically and mentally alert, civic minded and will have developed a sense of understanding and tolerance. It is also intended to develop among the pupils qualities of self-reli ance, adaptability and leadership. And, most important of all, it aims at inculcating in the pupils a spirit of loyalty to the nation and commitment to the task of nation building.”
“The objective of the educational television service is to supplement classroom teaching in certain subjects and not to replace it. The suggestion that the educational television service should be extended to cover non-academic subjects is a good one, but its implementation is dependent upon availability of funds. Two programmes were transmitted in1968 during the second term in the civic series in Chinese on Good Health and Health in the Community. Each programme was repeated eight times a week. In 1969, it is proposed that a series of five programmes in health education in the four languages will be transmitted. The English and Malay versions will be transmitted in the first term and the Chinese and Tamil versions in the second term. As more funds are available, more non-academic subjects will be introduced.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the teaching of Chinese as a second language is one of those subjects in which very little research has been carried out in Singapore. This is not the case with the teaching of English as a second language where we have many experts whom we can consult. I am afraid that in the field of teaching Chinese as a second language, we have to do the best we can. We have specialist teachers and inspectors in Chinese. I think in Nanyang University there are also lecturers who specialise in the teaching of Chinese as a second language. In the immediate future, we may have to make use of their services to teach not only teachers in Chinese as a second language but also teacher educators.”
“Mention has been made that in the past teachers were recruited mainly from middle class families, and, therefore, they had a higher moral standing. I am not so sure that this was necessarily the case. I think a fairly large proportion of families in the middle and well-to-do classes did not measure up to the high moral standards expected of them. On the other hand, there are, from the working class families, people with moral fibre comparable to, if not even better than, those from the middle class families. However, I agree with the Member that now that the expansion phase is over, more attention should be paid to such intangible factors as the character and moral standards of the candidates.”
“In addition, the Adult Education Board, with the assistance of the Education Ministry, will also organise a crash programme for the training of teachers in kindergarten classes organised by the People's Association and other interested parties. It is our view that trained kindergarten teachers are better than the untrained teachers who are now conducting these classes. As far as the Ministry is concerned, the cost of running these classes will not be prohibitive. The Member for Serangoon Gardens has raised the question of the selection of candidates for training as teachers. He says that proper care should be exer cised in their selection. As he is aware, all teachers in training were selected by the Public Service Commission. I am sure they would have taken all the relevant factors into consideration when selecting candidates for the teaching service. It is true that because of the rapid expansion and the need for large numbers of teachers, it has not always been possible to pay due regard to factors other than academic performances. However, the expansion phase in education is now over. Henceforth, I think it is possible to pay regard to what the Member for Serangoon Gardens has referred to as the intangible factors. The T.T.C. is only responsible for the selection of students for full-time teacher training. In this respect, the following factors are taken into account: academic qualifications, extracurricular activities, spoken language, including a test in oral reading and comprehension, personality, aptitude and general know ledge. In so far as full-time teacher training is concerned, academic qualifications, therefore, are not the sole criterion for selection of students by the T.T.C.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, much of what the Member for Paya Lebar said just now, has, in fact, already been covered by the Member for Serangoon Gardens. The Member for Paya Lebar is doubtful about the benefit of many of the in-service courses organised by the Ministry. In his view, many of the teachers who responded to these in-service courses either did so because of the attraction of the increment in the salary scale, or because they wanted to ensure their security of tenure. In fact, they had very little interest in the in-service courses. One can only hope that the teachers who attended many of the in-service courses organised for them are genuinely interested in the profession and want to improve themselves. The Member has also suggested that school administration should be one of the subjects taught in the Teachers' Training College, in addition to the professional subjects. There is nothing objectionable to this in principle. But I am not so sure whether time permits the inclusion of this subject. In so far as the kindergarten classes are concerned, the Ministry does not have the financial resources to supervise this aspect of the child's education. It is undoubtedly desirable if we have the financial means to run the kindergarten classes ourselves. However, what the Ministry seeks to do is to draw up some guidance for the organisers of the kindergarten classes. In conjunction with the Adult Education Board, the Ministry is now organising a kindergarten teachers' course for principals and teachers of existing registered kindergarten schools.”
“Sir, for those Malay or Tamil pupils taking Malay or Tamil as their second language they will be taught History and Civics in the second language. I think I already made it clear in my speech in this House on 12th December, 1968.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think that calls for a reply from me, because I do not think anyone will disagree with the Member for Serangoon Gardens on what a teacher should be. I must admit there are not many teachers who can measure up to his expectations. It is mainly the result of the large and rapid expansion in education over the last ten years. Many of the existing teachers who should not, in fact, be teachers have got into the teaching profession due to the lack of more suitable candidates. I think the problem is how to identify those teachers who are indifferent to their profession and to take appropriate action against them. I have been in the Ministry of Education for more than four years and I have yet to come across any principal who is prepared to inform me or my Director that such and such a teacher in his school should not remain in the service but should seek alternative employment elsewhere. Therefore, it is very difficult for the officials in the Ministry and for me to identify this small category of black sheep in the teaching profession and weed them out. Mr Sia Khoon Seong rose -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I cannot agree more with the Member for Moulmein when he suggested that principals should be given periodically six months' full-pay Sabbatical leave, provided, of course, we have the necessary financial resources to do so. I am sure the Ministers on this side, too, would like to have six months' full-pay Sabbatical leave. However, I think the Public Service Commission has a number of scholarships and fellowships which are available annually to anyone who is interested in further studies abroad. I am quite prepared to grant liberally no-pay leave to any principal or teacher who likes to advance his knowledge abroad, provided, as I said, it is no pay leave. 3.30 p.m. It is true that, as a result of running two sessions with one principal, the promotion opportunities for a large number of teachers have been somewhat restricted. While we cannot afford to have one principal for one session, I think it is possible to consider a principal for one session and an assistant principal for the other session in the same school. It is a compromise proposal which I thought was feasible and that is why the suggestion was made to the Harvey Salaries Commission. I am not in a position, at the moment, to give a positive reply on this matter. But if the time is appropriate, I will take up this matter again. Mr Rodrigo: Sir, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“It dates back almost 20 years. The problem is so complicated that the Harvey Salaries Commission was afraid to delve into the whole question. It has, therefore, suggested a separate commission to go into the matter in detail. I do not think it is possible for me to give an offhand answer, because the Education Ministry is not the sole employer in the Government. There is such a person as the Exchequer or the Minister for Finance who is in charge of the finances of the state. Until I have sought the views of the Finance Minister on whether there should be a separate commission to go into the whole question of the salaries of teachers and principals, I am not in a position to give a satisfactory answer to the Member for Telok Blangah. I agree with him that it was the Ministry's view that there should be a separate salary scale - call it a promotion scale if you like - for principals and that there should be full-time assistant principals instead of the present senior assistants. These views were submitted to the Harvey Salaries Commission but no firm recommendation was made. As I said just now, until I have consulted the Minister for Finance, I am not in a position to give a positive answer.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, although written papers on particular educational problems have not been submitted on a formal basis by principals of schools to the administration, the views of principals are made known to senior officers of the Ministry at regular meetings of principals of schools. However, the Member for Serangoon Gardens has suggested that the principals should put their minds to educational problems, especially those which are related to their own schools and that they should submit papers for further study. This is a constructive suggestion which I shall take up in due course. Certainly, the experience of principals accumulated over a period of years should not be left untapped. There were 24 pure vacancies on 9th September, 1967 - that was the date on which the results of the last promotion exercise of principals of primary schools were announced. All these 24 pure vacancies were filled by officers in a substantive capacity without a period of probation. However, in that exercise, the Public Service Commission also selected some officers for appointment as acting principals for a period of one year or until the incumbents resume duty, whichever is the earlier. This is unavoidable. The selected officers are not filling pure vacancies, as the substantive incumbents are away on scholarships or are either acting or officiating in higher posts. 3.15 p.m. It will be possible to consider these acting principals for promotion in a substantive capacity only when a promotion exercise is conducted to fill the vacancies. The Member for Telok Blangah raised certain matters regarding the salaries of teachers and principals. I think he is aware that the whole question of teachers' salaries, post allowances for principals and so on is a very complicated one.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Sir,I think the Member for Serangoon Gardens is correct in saying that extramural activities will embrace the work done hitherto at the National Recreation Centre which will be abolished with the completion of the Extramural Activities Centre at Farrer Park. The head of extramural activities is responsible for the coordination of the work of the following three sections of extracurricular activities in our schools: the Physical Education Section, the Cadet Corps Section and the Music Section. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 7.51 p.m. So far, the Physical Education Section has been run by a specialist inspector with 10 assistant specialist inspectors. As the volume of work has increased with the emphasis on extracurricular activities, we have found it necessary to second eight teachers to this section. I am sure if there is a further need to second more teachers to this section, we will do so.”
“Sir, I agree with the Member for Serangoon Gardens that the term "integrated" used in the schools is not appropriate. In fact, I do not like this term myself, because "integrated", as translated in Chinese, means "mixed". One does not know what type of school this is. However, the Member for Serangoon Gardens will notice that in all our new schools completed since 1964 when I took over, the term "inte grated" has not been used. But for the old schools which already have this term I have not really brought my mind to bear on whether we should take the word out. Some of the schools have been known by this term for the last eight years and they have become embedded in the parents' minds. I am not sure whether the removal of the word "integrated" will not cause more confusion. Anyway, it is something into which I would like to look myself. Regarding the staffing of the primary schools, it is our aim that all teachers in primary schools should, as far as possible, be trained. The current position is that 62 per cent of the primary school teachers are trained teachers, 24 per cent are teachers-in-training and 14 per cent are untrained teachers. Even with this 14 per cent of untrained teachers, various in-service courses have been organised with a view to raising the standard of their professional teaching and also to keeping them abreast with current trends in educational development and the modem techniques of teaching. As the primary school enrolment is not expanding and with more teachers being trained in the future to replace the untrained teachers who might be retiring in the course of the years, the situation in our primary schools will be very much improved.”
“However, if financial support is forthcoming in the course of next year, I propose to expand the Research Unit so that it will be able to do research into the many pressing educational problems instead of directing its attention mainly to the compilation of statistics.”
“Sir, the specialists and inspectors of schools do submit papers on various aspects of education. Some papers are required for study before decisions are taken and others are submitted as papers for discussion by teachers and principals at various seminars and conferences conducted throughout the year. I agree that the work of specialist inspectors and other inspectors in this respect is not sufficient, as most of their time is taken up with the routine and mundane duties of administration~ inspection of teachers and so forth. It is for this reason that sometime this year we decided to "off load" some of their responsibilities on to the principals by asking the latter to inspect their own teachers and also to assist in inspecting the school accounts. But, as Members have criticised just now, this aspect of the work is really not professional and should not be given to the principals. There are only about 120 inspectors as against nearly 20,000 school teachers. Merely to inspect the teachers' work would have occupied most of the time that is available to the inspectors. I think it is principally because of this reason that there have not been enough papers on various educational problems submitted by specialist inspectors. I am not sure how this problem can be tackled, because the routine inspection of teachers is necessary for purposes of crossing the bar, for purposes of promotion, extension of service and so forth. Somebody has to do this aspect of the work. And unless we can get staff from elsewhere to relieve the specialist inspectors of some of their routine duties, I am afraid it is not possible to expect too much paper work from them.”
“I just want to add one point with regard to the activities of the Adult Education Board. The Member for Jurong has said just now that the activities of the Adult Education Board have not been properly supervised by the Ministry. Mr Speaker, Sir, there is such a body as the Adult Education Board. All the activities organised by it are supervised 'by staff recruited by it. The Ministry does not directly supervise the activities of the Board. Although there might be a few instances of laxity in supervision, I am sure they will be looked into by the Adult Education Board.”
“It is followed up by an independent inspection and assessment by a principal of another school nominated by the Ministry. Where the views of one principal differ from the other, a third inspection is made by the Inspectorate Division of this Ministry. Since the work of a teacher is inspected by more than one officer, the possibility of personal factors coming into play is considerably reduced.”
“I think the response has been satisfactory, although it is true that a number of these textbooks were edited by people who came from China and by refugees from Hong Kong. But, by and large, I think a considerable number of books, parti cularly English books, have been produced locally. Nevertheless, steps have also been taken by the Ministry to publish textbooks in certain subject areas where special needs have to be met. For example, three series of textbooks are being published by the Ministry. A series of textbooks on civics for secondary classes have already been published by the Educational Publication Bureau of the Ministry of Education. The publication of a similar series for the pre-university level will soon follow. Other series in the course of preparation include a series of History textbooks and a series of Chinese Language Readers for primary schools. Reference was also made that many of the trained teachers and many of those undergoing training now are not motivated by the high ideals of the teaching profession. Mr Speaker, Sir, the situation described may have resulted from the large number of trainees recruited in the past to meet the shortage of teachers. The situation now is quite different. With large numbers of well-qualified applications for a limited number of teaching jobs and with better methods of selection, I think we can expect a more dedicated crop of teachers in future. The Member for Paya Lebar also touched on the basis of granting extension of service to teachers. Since June 1968, the work of teachers applying for extension of service is initially inspected and assessed by the principal of the school to which the teacher is attached.”
“As the "Miscellaneous" fee will be collected in small monthly instalments rather than in large terminal ones, the burden on the parents will be negligible and, therefore, no exemption or waiver on grounds of hardship may be considered. The Member for Sembawang should know that the "Miscellaneous" fees are intended to meet part of the cost of expendable materials connected with sports, libraries, Science, Domestic Science, Arts and Crafts, and also extracurricular activities in keeping with the Government policy of intensifying such activities in our schools. In view of the financial stringency, it is not possible to grant exemptions to such cases. The Ministry has always tried, as far as possible, to post students to schools nearest their homes. But I think the Member for Sembawang should know that over the last five years, there has been a considerable shift in population in Singapore. Many housing estates have been developed, and, as a result, there have been shortages of school places in these new housing estates. But overall, there are enough places in schools in Singapore. The question is one of distance because the school buildings are permanent structures on the ground and they cannot be shifted about to suit the convenience of the parents. While we try our best to post students to schools nearest their homes, it is not always possible to do so. The Member for Paya Lebar referred to the production of textbooks by local experts. I am quite sure he is well aware that since the introduction of a common curriculum in schools, we have been encouraging our local publishers to publish books in conformity with this school curriculum.”
“Mention has been made of the need for a research unit to study the effects of the various changes in the education system. I agree that although we have at the moment a research unit in the Ministry, not much research has been carried out, because of the shortage of qualified personnel, particularly on the subject of the possible effects of the various changes in our education system. The Member for Serangoon Gardens expressed his anxiety that in our eagerness to produce a sufficient number of technicians and craftsmen to meet the needs of our industries, we might be producing a lot of what he termed techno sapiens instead of homo sapiens. Sir, I cannot agree more with him that this is a problem that is causing me sleepless nights, because very few people have given thought to it. Unlike other matters, the effects of changes in our education system can only be seen after a number of years. However, we did get advice from various experts on these changes in our education system. It is hoped that we will produce educated homo sapiens and not techno sapiens. The Member for Sembawang raised the question of payment of "Miscellaneous" fees by pupils whose parents are in receipt of public assistance. Prior to the third school-term this year, pupils in Government and Government-aided schools were required to pay terminal fees which varied in amount according to the type of school and the course of study, and ranged from $1 per term in island primary schools to $6 per term in secondary schools. Poor pupils were exempted from payment of these fees on the recommendations of their principals. But with effect from the third school-term this year, the terminal fee was replaced by a "Miscellaneous" fee of $1 per month in primary schools and $2 per month in secondary schools.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, much of the criticisms against the Ministry of Education can be attributed to the rapid and vast expansion in the field of education over the last 10 years. I think Members are aware that the school enrolment has almost doubled since 1960. There has been no corresponding expansion in the administrative personnel in the Education Ministry and a considerable backlog of administrative work has accumulated. This has led to various criticisms of inefficiency, the lateness in giving decisions and so forth. The Member for Serangoon Gardens has pointed out that within a short space of eight years there have been so many changes in the educational system that many of the teachers are not able to understand the various changes and grasp the aims and purposes of such changes. No sooner have commissions and committees been appointed to look into the educational system and no sooner has one report by a commission been completed than it is overtaken by events. However, from now onwards we can expect a period of consolidation because, as Members are aware, money is not easily available in future for expansion in the educational field. Given this respite, we may be able to bring much of the administrative work up to date and innovate various improvements. Members will notice that although there is a restructuring of the educational system, it is not so much a radical change of the policy as a change in emphasis. I cannot agree more with the Member for Serangoon Gardens that our teachers must be informed of the aims and purposes of the changes in emphasis, and, towards this end, the Ministry will do all that is possible to bring the teachers up to date on this matter. 7.00 p.m.”