Tony Tan Keng Yam
Singapore
“One of the problems which they have in Britain is that, up to recently, they have no means to stop people coming into Britain and preaching in their mosques messages of hate, jihad and violence. Here, MUIS monitors our mosques very carefully, what is being preached at Friday prayers.”
“Sir, I am not going to enter into a debate about whether the war in Iraq is justified or not. That is another issue. But I would say, Sir, that with all the measures which have been taken over the last three years since 9/11, including the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the arrest of the Al Qaeda leaders, the detention of the JI lea…”
“Sir, we are extending the CCTV coverage in our bus stations, MRT stations and other places in Singapore where people congregate. It is a part of life now. For example, at our MRT stations, all our CCTV cameras are those where the films are recorded and we can analyse them. Surveillance is one of the effective ways of deterring terrorism.”
“The Muslim community in the UK has contributed to the healing process and has worked hard with the other communities to strengthen the moderate voice of Islam.”
“I would say again, Sir, that what we should do is when you see something which is suspicious, if you see a bag which is left unattended, report to some authority. We will look into it. We have to. And I am glad that we are getting more reports today, be vigilant.”
“It could reach here. We have to live with it. We support the war in Iraq. We believe that it is good for us to join the coalition led by the US against terror. The fight against terror is worldwide. We cannot opt out by not taking part. We are in it. We must continue whatever the difficulties.”
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Every one of 1,158 lines we hold for Tony Tan Keng Yam, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 23 of 24.
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Members will be aware that in July last year the Council on Professional and Technical Education recommended that enrolment in engineering courses at the tertiary level in Singapore should be increased substantially in order to meet the manpower demands of our restructured economy. In particular, the Council recommended that a new institution, to be called the Nanyang Technological Institute, should be established at the former Nanyang University campus in Jurong in order to train practice-oriented engineers who would, on graduation, work in industry, manage our production lines, undertake plant and site supervision and oversee maintenance work. The training of these engineers would emphasize engineering applications and practice. The Bill before the House seeks to formally establish the Nanyang Technological Institute by legislation. The Bill is patterned along the lines of the National University of Singapore Act, but appropriate modifications have been made where necessary. I shall deal briefly with the significant provisions of the Bill. Clause 3 of the Bill formally establishes and incorporates the Nanyang Technological Institute. The functions and powers of the Institute are specified in clause 5. The Institute's functions include the provision of facilities to carry out higher instruction and research in various branches of engineering and technology, as well as in such other disciplines as the Institute's Council may determine from time to time.”
“MERCHANT SHIPPING (OIL POLLUTION) BILL Order for Second Reading read.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board has tried to interest some tour agencies to start direct bus services between Changi Airport Passenger Terminal Building and Changi Village so that tourists can visit Changi Village during their stop-over at Changi Airport. These tour agencies have shown a marked lack of enthusiasm as they do not think that such a service will be viable economically. However, the Department of Civil Aviation intends to arrange for a limited bus service from the Changi Airport Passenger Terminal Building to the Cargo Complex, so that passengers can take the SBS service to Changi Village. This service will be run on a trial basis to gauge the demand. BILLS INTRODUCED* * *The Statutory Boards (Taxable Services) (Amendment) Bill, standing in the name of the Minister for Finance, was introduced at a later stage. ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 92 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour (Mr Ong Teng Cheong); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed. CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND (AMENDMENT NO. 2) BILL "to amend the Central Provident Fund Act (Chapter 121 of the Revised Edition)", presented by Mr Ong Teng Cheong; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed. FILMS BILL "to consolidate and amend the law relating to the possession, distribution and exhibition of films", presented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture (Mr S. Dhanabalan); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the hon, Member for Telok Blangah may have in mind the proposed part-time Bachelor of Technology course which I mentioned in my reply to a similar question from him in September 1979. This course was aimed at upgrading the technological skills of Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Technical College graduates who hold the requisite Technician Diploma in Engineering. However, the establishment of the Nanyang Technological Institute and the expansion of the NUS Faculty of Engineering will increase greatly the opportunity for these graduates to upgrade themselves. The proposed Bachelor of Technology course has now been overtaken by events and is no longer necessary. As I also explained in my reply in September 1979, participation in the University's part-time undergraduate Law and Accountancy courses has been very disappointing. At present the University does not have any plans to conduct part-time undergraduate courses. REVISION OF SALARIES OF SENIOR MINISTERS OF STATE AND MINISTERS OF STATE (Statement by the Minister for Finance) 3.25 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I shall have to be brief in my reply in order to beat the guillotine time. First of all, on the point made by the Member for Yio Chu Kang regarding the importance of translators. I agree with him but I am the wrong Minister to deal with this matter. I think the Minister for Culture or perhaps the Speaker of Parliament would probably be the right person to deal with it. We shall consider the suggestion of the Member for Siglap that it would be worthwhile to get a team of nutritionists to study the needs of our school children regarding food in their tuckshops. The Member for Kampong Ubi has made three points. First, regarding CDIS, I should like to inform him that the CDIS will consider the use of modules in the development of teaching materials where appropriate. Secondly, with regard to the beautifying of schools, the Ministry of Education has consulted the Parks and Recreation Department and they have strongly advised us not to plant trees while construction is going on as the saplings can easily be damaged by the workers. So the planting of flowering plants and shrubs will have to be done by the schools and by the principals after the schools have been completed. Finally, as regards teachers' morale, I have spoken at some length on this yesterday in my reply to the points made by the Member for Jurong and I have nothing more to add. Encik Wan Hussin Zoohri: Sir, before I withdraw my amendment, can I just make a few more points?”
“Sir, the objective of the Institute of South-east Asian Studies (ISEAS) is to promote research on South-east Asia and on all matters pertaining to South-east Asia. In the 12 years since it was founded, ISEAS has made a good start towards achieving this objective. In quantitative terms, ISEAS has published an impressive array of books, monographs, documents, papers, reports and discussion papers. It has sponsored more than 150 research and visiting fellows who have come from all over the world. The activities of ISEAS cover three main areas. First of all, research. The focus of research is on modern South-east Asia, particularly the multi-faceted problems of development, modernization, political and social changes in recent years. The on-going research programmes include economies of ASEAN countries, foreign investment and its impact on South-east Asia, problems of modernization, maritime issues and resources and management of population problems. Besides research, ISEAS also organizes conferences and seminars involving discussion on topics of current regional interest and importance. The last seminar was held in November 1980 on "Trends in Indonesia". On publications, ISEAS has published more than 160 books, monographs, reports and papers on South-east Asian matters. Its library holdings have grown to over 100,000 volumes of books, bound periodicals, microfilms and microfiche, together with scores of newspapers and other current periodical literature. ISEAS has made a good beginning towards becoming an outstanding centre for advanced high quality research on and in South-east Asia. If we give it adequate support it will flourish and in due time be a credit to Singapore.”
“Sir, as I have already informed the House yesterday, a new primary school will be built at Lower Delta Road in Radin Mas constituency and this primary school will be ready by April 1983. I will ask the Ministry to take into account the Member's request for more schools in his constituency. Our difficulty is finding suitable school sites for development within Radin Mas, but we will try. Mr M.K.A. Jabbar( In Tamil): Sir, there is also a shortage of teachers in the schools in my constituency. I would like to request the Minister to look into this problem. Since the reply given to me is very satisfactory, I thank the Minister on behalf of my constituents and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, the Ministry will take the suggestion of the Member for Kampong Ubi into consideration.”
“In addition, there will be a 14-day junior course camp which is being introduced by the Outward Bound School for pupils who are in the uniformed organization?. Schools will be encouraged to send as many pupils as possible to this course. In addition to the above, as I have said, many schools organize a wide variety of camping activities to cater to the varied interests of their pupils. The hon. Member has also asked why there has been no increase in the allocation for camping activities between 1980 and 1981. The answer is that the funds are adequate and that Mindef has been very generous in totally subsidizing many of the camps.”
“Sir, may I first begin by taking the two points mentioned by the Member for Kampong Kembangan. First of all, the extension of the camping programme to include a nature study camp at the nature reserve in Bukit Timah and, secondly, to make sure that there is no bitterness between schools in their sports programme, I will tell my ECA officials to take these points into consideration. The Member for Kaki Bukit has spoken at some length about the value of camping. Let me take a few minutes to describe the varied programme of camping activities that the Ministry of Education has arranged for schools. Schools not only take an active part in the Ministry's programme of camps but also organize their own camping activities. First of all, the St. John's Island Camp. There are two camp sites on St. John's Island which are available for the exclusive use of schools. In 1979, 70 schools made use of these sites; in 1980, 79 schools: and in 1981, up till now, 76 schools have booked to use these sites and more will come in the coming months. The next type of camp I would like to mention is the Immersion through ECA camp, and this has been arranged through the Ministry of Defence which has made available the use of SAF camps for this project. In 1980, four camps were organized and this year there will be seven camps. The next camps are the Outward Bound School courses. First of all, the five-day adventure training course camps. This course was introduced for Pre-U 1 and Secondary 4 students, In 1979, four courses were organized; in 1980, seven courses; and this year, there will be ten courses for Secondary 4 boys and nine courses for Pre-U 1 boys.”
“Sir, it is now getting late and I do not wish to detain Members of the House any longer than is necessary. In early 1979, we had four days of debate on the new education system, a very large part of which was concerned with streaming and its various effects. The debate runs to about 290 columns of Hansard (Volume 39). I would suggest that the hon. Member for Ayer Rajah read through the Hansard reports. He will find that not only the Ministry of Education but also Parliamentarians and Ministers are concerned with the education of our children and not with the education of digits.”
“It could have been avoided if the explanations given by Dr Tay Eng Soon, the Member for River Valley, my colleague, Dr Ow Chin Hock, and Dr Ahmad Mattar were given before the results were released, instead of after. We can all benefit from better communication between the Ministry of Education, indeed any Ministry, and the general population. The Member for Boon Teck has brought up the suggestion that the Ministry should do longitudinal studies to make sure that the children from homes in the lower income group are not put at a disadvantage. Unfortunately we know that they are at a disadvantage. One of the good things about Singapore society is that we provide equal opportunities for all our school children. The number of children from poorer homes who have gained scholarships testifies to this point. The hon. Member has also made a number of suggestions concerning educational television for adoption by the teachers, instead of chalk and talk. We will take that into consideration. I would just like to inform him that the Ministry of Finance has been most generous to the Ministry of Education, and he need not fear that we will lack money in providing audio-video materials for the teachers.”
“I hope that the Member for Ayer Rajah knows that, at the Primary III level, the final decision does not rest with the Ministry but rests with the parents, as it must be, because no streaming system can be perfect. The process of streaming at the Primary III level goes through three levels. First of all, the child is assessed at the school level through the school examinations. For example, if a pupil is regarded as being more suitable for the Monolingual course, he or she has to sit for a test at the Ministry of Education level in order to make sure that the school's assessment is correct. If these two assessments show clearly that he or she will benefit more by going through the Monolingual course than the other courses in the Primary stream, the Ministry leaves the decision to the parents. The parents can decide to put the child in a stream higher than the Monolingual stream simply by signing a declaration that they are willing to take the responsibility of putting their child in that particular stream. We have to give the system a chance. Education is not one of those fields where one can see quick results. I myself feel that with all the changes that have taken place in the last few years it would only unnecessarily confuse the parents, and be unfortunate for the children, if we were to make a U-turn now before the system gets run-in. Let me now pass on to the points made by the Member for Boon Teck. He has said that we should explain to the parents about the changes in educational policy. I think this is correct. There was a lot of confusion recently about the PSLE results.”
“Sir, can I first refer to the point brought up by the Member for Jalan Kayu regarding the communication gap? As he said, it exists not only in education but in all other fields of Government. I cannot agree with him more. I think there has been a tendency in recent years for Government officials, parliamentarians, even Ministers occasionally, to try and use jargon in order to confuse issues which are basically simple. And as our electorate becomes more sophisticated, they will want to understand more about the rationale of Government policies and it is right that we should be able to explain these issues to the people simply and clearly and in a language which they can understand. We are encouraging the officials in the Ministry of Education to do so through our weekly press conferences, for example, and I can assure him that we are making an effort to try and use words which are not unnecessarily long. 6.00 p.m. I now come to the comments made by the Member for Ayer Rajah and the Member for Boon Teck, both of whom have spoken about education with great passion. They have brought up some points which, I think, deserve some clarification. Let me, first of all, deal with the points on streaming brought up by the Member for Ayer Rajah. I think he made the same points to the First Deputy Prime Minister during the debate on the Presidential Address and he received a reply. I myself have replied to him on the same points. Nonetheless, I will reply to him again. It is necessary for us to get this matter about streaming in perspective. I believe there is more emotional connotation with regard to streaming at the Primary III level than with streaming at the secondary level because both the Express and Normal streams end at the same level, that is, the GCE 'O' level.”
“But now that the major changes to the education system have been implemented we will now have a period of consolidation and the Ministry will be able to give this particular problem the urgent attention which I believe it deserves. Coming to the point regarding full-day schools, the Member for Jurong has pointed out that there may be various problems concerned with the implementation of full-day schools. I fully agree with him. I think in this case it will be wise to make haste slowly. This is why we have only implemented full-day schools in five schools this year and this is to serve as a trial project in order that we can find what difficulties there will be. He has also referred to the problem of poor families. Unfortunately, I have to tell him that it is not Government's policy to give lunch allowances or subsidies. However, at the school level, individual school principals through their School Advisory Committees or the School Management Committees can organize their own programmes to assist pupils who are in need. At the Ministry level, there is already provision for bursaries to assist the poor children financially. Such bursary awards can help to pay towards expenses incurred in having to take lunch at school.”
“I should, however, point out that there are even today many teachers in our schools who do an excellent job in teaching our children and who derive great satisfaction from their teaching. Such teachers, in my view, deserve higher public esteem than they now enjoy. I believe one of the reasons why there has been a deterioration in the morale of teachers is the many changes in the education system which have been introduced in the last few years. Some of these changes have taken place without adequate consultation with teachers. I think it is only natural that they should feel unhappy when they read about major changes from the press. The Ministry is very conscious of the undesirability of such a situation and we are taking steps to ensure that, first of all, further changes are kept to the absolute minimum and, secondly, teachers and parents are fully briefed before new policies are implemented. The Ministry of Education is also encouraging teachers to develop themselves professionally, either through in-service courses or, in the case of non-graduate teachers, helping them to obtain the necessary qualifications to enter the university to study for degrees. I hope this will enable teachers to derive greater satisfaction from their jobs. In the past, both teachers and principals have been unnecessarily bothered with providing an excessive amount of information to the Ministry. This has been cut down this year. In future, teachers will be left in peace to get on with their work. It will take many years to solve the problem of raising the morale of teachers.”
“Sir, let me first deal with the query from the Member for Telok Blangah regarding the schools to be built in his constituency. Detailed layout plans are now under preparation for two primary schools which are to be built at Telok Blangah Drive and Telok Blangah Road. The expected completion dates of these two schools are December 1982 and June 1983 respectively. Piling has also been completed for the secondary school at Depot Road. Building tenders are under preparation and the school is scheduled for completion in September 1982. In respect of the secondary school at Telok Blangah Drive, tenders for the building works have already been called and the school should be completed by August 1982. With the revision in constituency boundaries last year, the two primary schools to be built at Lower Delta Road now come under the Radin Mas Constituency. As we are upgrading the standards of primary schools to provide better and more ample facilities, the site will now be used for only one primary school instead of two primary schools as originally planned. The Member for Jurong has made three points. First of all, he has referred to the Report recently issued by the Singapore Teachers' Union. The Member for Moulmein was kind enough to let me have an advance copy of his Report, which I read with great interest. I commend him for his effort. I think it is a good piece of work and he can be assured that the officials in my Ministry will give it serious consideration. The Member for Jurong has also referred at some length to the problem concerning the low morale of teachers. This has been a matter of concern to the Ministry of Education for some years.”
“Sir, we do not group Singapore children of very high intellect into special schools. For example, in our streaming at the secondary school level, all the schools have at least two streams, for example, the Special and Express streams. I do not, therefore, see the danger, which the Member is referring to, existing in Singapore. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE (Withdrawal of) 16. Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Acting Minister for Social Affairs (a) how many people have had their public assistance allowance withdrawn in 1980; and (b) whether his Ministry ensures that every recipient of such allowance will be able to obtain alternative assistance before it withdraws the allowance. The Acting Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, a total of 1,984 Public Assistance recipients had their allowances withdrawn last year, 1,586 or 80% of the total were supported by children or close relatives. Another 239 or 12% lost their allowances because either they or their family members had found employment. The remaining 159 or 8% were fit and within employable age but had refused employment. On the second part of the hon. Member's question, my Ministry does ensure that Public Assistance allowance is not withdrawn unless the recipient has adequate alternative means of support. In particular, a recipient will not lose his Public Assistance allowance if his relatives, themselves in difficult financial straits, can only give him occasional help. Of the 1,984 recipients who had their Public Assistance allowances withdrawn in 1980, only 152 sought other forms of assistance. They were assisted in cash and kind by private charitable funds and voluntary welfare agencies through the intervention of the Social Welfare Department.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not sure as to the exact point which the hon. Member is making. Can I ask him to rephrase his question?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, for me to attempt to give a complete answer to a general question like that would be to occupy the attention of the House for perhaps a whole year. However, I can say that the system of streaming which we have followed in our new education policy is, as far as we know, very similar to the system which is used in streaming pupils in the German education system and in those cantons in Switzerland which are German-speaking. As far as we know, the streaming has been successful and there have been no adverse effects on either children, their parents, or on German or Swiss societies.”
“Sir, the Ministry of Education has taken great care in streaming pupils to the various streams in primary and secondary schools. The progress of pupils is closely monitored. The purpose of streaming, as has been repeatedly emphasized, is to enable each pupil to progress at a pace suited to his or her ability. As streaming has just been introduced, it is too early to speculate on its long-term effects on Singapore society. Dr Tan Cheng Bock (Ayer Rajah): Mr Speaker, Sir, just a few supplementary questions. What were the experiences of other countries which have attempted streaming? Did they also stream the children in the same way? What were the results? Did they achieve their objective of streaming? If not, why?”
“Sir, there are at present 41 graduates of the former Nanyang University and universities in Taiwan or China who are teaching in primary schools. Prior to 1979 the Ministry did not keep records of a teacher's applications for posting. I regret, therefore, that I am not able to inform the hon. Member as to the number of unsuccessful applications prior to 1979 for transfer to secondary schools from graduates of Nanyang University or Taiwan universities. Between 1979 and now, only two teachers with these qualifications applied for transfer to secondary schools. Both applications were approved. STREAMING (Impact and effects) 15. Dr Tan Cheng Bock asked the Minister of Education whether his Ministry has looked into the psychological impact of streaming on pupils and parents and its long term effects on society.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, schools are closed because the enrolment is declining, the buildings and the facilities are sub-standard, or the school sites are acquired by Government for redevelopment projects. The Ministry of Education works in close consultation with the principal of the school that is affected to ensure that his staff and pupils are properly posted to other schools. Where there are unusual circumstances, the relevant Member of Parliament is consulted. NANYANG UNIVERSITY AND TAIWAN UNIVERSITY GRADUATES (Rejection of applications to teach in Secondary schools) 14. Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister of Education whether a good number of graduates of the former Nanyang University and of Taiwan universities who have been teaching in primary schools since the 1960s have had their applications to his Ministry, submitted through their principals, to teach in secondary schools rejected, and, if so, what is the reason for the rejection.”
“Devan Nair (Anson): Sir, I am glad of the Minister's assurance and the restatement of the basic stand of our Government on matters religious, in view of the fact that there is a kind of occult-explosion going on in the world today and the proliferation of bizarre cults which may spill over into Singapore. The first victims of these cults, of course, are weak-brained and gullible Singaporeans, and some of the approaches and attitudes taken by these cults and sects are deeply offensive to established and traditional religions in our Republic. I am sure the Minister will be willing to give an assurance that the Government of Singapore will not tolerate intolerance in matters religious.”
“Sir, Boon Lay School will be provided with modern sanitation by the end of this year. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (Complaints) 19. Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Acting Minister for Social Affairs if he has received any reports of religious activities that smack of fanaticism or any complaints that some religious groups have over-zealously and even aggressively tried to promote their faith to the extent of causing annoyance to members of the public. The Acting Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, my answer to the question is "No." My Ministry has not received any complaint against over-zealous evangelists in recent years, although several Ministers have received letters alleging religious bigotry on the part of a religious sect. If we do receive any complaint about any evangelist acting in any way which is likely to cause fear or alarm to the public or acting against public order and tranquility, or in any other way prohibited by our criminal law, the matter will be brought to the attention of the Police. Sir, the Constitution of Singapore guarantees freedom of worship for our citizens. Our laws also allow the propagation of religion by peaceful means. In the past, there were a few instances of missionaries over-stepping the bounds of propriety in their zeal to spread the faith. However, missionaries by and large appreciate that aggressive campaigns are not the best way to win converts. They also know that it is not in their interest to commit any transgression of the law. Mr C.V.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the last promotion exercise for teachers was held in 1977. A massive effort was launched to review the record of the 18,870 teachers who were then employed in the teaching service. 7,642 teachers were shortlisted and interviewed by 19 Interview Boards set up by the Ministry of Education. Out of the 7,642 teachers interviewed by the Ministry, 1,415 teachers were selected for further interview by the Public Service Commission and eventually 474 teachers, i.e. less than 3% of the teaching force, were promoted. Not surprisingly, the result of all this work was a loss of morale in the teaching force. The formation of a Senior Education Service has been announced in the Presidential Addendum on Education. The next exercise will be held after the details of the Senior Education Service have been settled. BOON LAY SCHOOL (Provision of modern sanitation) 18. Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister of Education when Boon Lay School will be provided with modern sanitation.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, after all the brickbats that have been thrown at the Ministry of Education for its shortcomings, the hon. Member for Kaki Bukit will be relieved to know that I have good news for him. There are at present three schools in Kaki Bukit constituency: Kaki Bukit Primary School, Bedok North Primary School and Kaki Bukit Secondary School. I am pleased to inform the hon. Member that five new primary schools and one new secondary school will be built in his constituency. Three primary schools and the secondary school will be completed by the end of this year and two primary schools by early 1983. That is not all. In addition, five primary schools and one secondary school are being built in areas immediately adjacent to Kaki Bukit constituency. I share the hon. Member's concern that schools should be ready when the population moves into new towns. The First Deputy Prime Minister has already mentioned that the HDB will build schools at the same time as the flats. This new arrangement will be implemented initially in Hou Gang, Yishun and Tampines. In these three new towns HDB will be building four primary schools and three secondary schools. The seven schools will be ready by 1982.”
“It is not true to say that a recipient will lose his public assistance allowance if he receives any aid from friends and relatives. On the contrary, as I said earlier, the Social Welfare Department recognises that the public assistance allowance by itself is not enough for subsistence and needs to be supplemented. The grant of public assistance allowance will be stopped if the Social Welfare Department is satisfied that a recipient has close relatives, for example, children or nephews and nieces or brothers and sisters, who are in a position to support him. In each case, the Department will make extensive investigations to ascertain the financial circumstances of the relatives. I can assure the hon. Member that the recipient will not lose his public assistance allowance if the relatives, who are in difficult financial straits themselves, can only give him occasional help.”
“Sir, I have already informed the House that principals and teachers would be given flexibility in implementing the full-day programme. That is the reason why we are starting the full-day school scheme as a pilot scheme next year so that we can see what problems will arise and how they can be best resolved. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS RECEIVING SUPPLEMENTARY AID (Rationale for discontinuance) 23. Mr Ho See Beng asked the Acting Minister for Social Affairs what is the rationale for stopping payment of public assistance allowances to recipients who are also receiving financial aid from friends or relatives, and whether he is aware that the dole paid is inadequate for the recipients to make ends meet unless they can supplement their dole by some other means. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng) (for the Acting Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, if I may take the second limb of the hon. Member's question first. My Minister has stated in this House before that public assistance allowances are not enough to meet all the basic needs of the recipient. Indeed, it is not intended that they should be. The Social Welfare Department does not see its role as the mere handing out of public assistance allowances. If a public assistance recipient is physically able to work, the Department will find him light work or part-time work so that his earnings, together with his public assistance allowance, will be adequate for subsistence. In the case of the less fortunate ones who are unable to take on any kind of work, the Department will arrange supplementary assistance from privately administered charitable funds. A number of public assistance recipients do, of course, receive financial aid from friends and relatives.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, full-day schools will be introduced as a pilot scheme in three secondary and two primary schools next year. The three secondary schools are the Anglican High, Chinese High and Nanyang Girls' High. The two primary schools are Broadrick Primary and Parry Primary. Details of the scheme will be released to the parents and teachers concerned, in the first week of November. The curriculum and ECA workload will not be increased. The extended school hours from 7.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. for Lower Primary classes and 7,30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. for Upper Primary and Secondary classes will allow a more relaxed pace of teaching and learning, and much of the homework and assignments given by the teachers can be completed at school. In view of the extended school day, teachers will have to stay on in school until dismissal time in the afternoon for a few days each week but it is not intended that their teaching load will be increased unduly. No activities will be carried out on Saturdays. Principals and teachers will be given flexibility in implementing the full day programme. The schools will be provided with adequate facilities for teaching, quiet study, rest and recreation. An organised lunch programme is unnecessary and impractical. However, school tuckshops will be upgraded to meet the needs of teachers and pupils.”
“I believe this has been tried out in some universities overseas and the consequence, I am told, is that the staff member who is most generous with his grades gets the highest votes. I have mentioned elsewhere that the assessment of staff is always a contentious problem. We will look into the matter, but I am afraid I cannot promise miracles or quick results in this issue. The Member for Whampoa has raised the matter about the support of the Nanyang University MPs. I myself did not have any direct consultation with the NU MPs before the decision by the NU Council. However, the letter from the Prime Minister to the NU Council stated quite clearly that the proposal to merge the two universities had the support of the NU MPs. As regards the University of Singapore MPs, I think that today is the appropriate time for them to voice their views. 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. - [Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and possed. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed." - [Mr E.W. Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Thirteen minutes to Four o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I find it difficult to argue with the points made by the Member for Mountbatten, particularly the point concerning the necessity for the Ministry of Finance to be more liberal in the provision of funds for the University in particular and for education in general. Let me assure him that he has my full-hearted support on that proposal and I am sure the Ministry of Finance officials have noted his point. As regards the recruitment of expatriate staff, let me put the problem in perspective. The NUS now has an academic staff complement of 705. By the mid-1980s we hope to have a student population of 15,000. The student-staff ratio today, with 9,000 students and a staff of 705, is almost 13, 1:12.76 to be exact. If we wish to have a reasonable staff-student ratio of 1:8, we will require 1,875 staff. This means that over the next five, six or seven years, we would need to recruit 1,170 staff members. It is not easy to produce staff members in such numbers if we confine ourselves to Singaporeans. For those who have taken four years to finish the first degree, they will need perhaps another four or five years before they acquire their Ph.D. and after that they have to serve national service and have a few years of teaching experience before they become effective lecturers. There is, therefore, no choice except to recruit from the world market if the NUS is to get the complement of staff which we wish to have. As regards assessment of staff, this is already an on-going procedure within the University. The Member for Mountbatten has made the suggestion that students should be allowed to assess staff members.”
“In time, it will grow into a significant centre of learning and become an institution which Singaporeans can be proud of. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. 3.22 p.m.”
“Two years ago, the Joint Campus was set up in an attempt to work out a viable future for the Nanyang University. The formation of the National University of Singapore is, therefore, the culmination of 75 years of development of University education in Singapore. Operationally, the National University of Singapore has been a fact since July 7th this year when the first students were enroled. Dean-designates and head-designates of the University have been appointed so that they can commence the planning and teaching on the various courses without delay. The staff, both academic and non-academic, of the University of Singapore and the Nanyang University have been integrated. There have, of course, been some minor inconveniences of adjustments, as there must be in a merger of two established institutions, each with a long history. However, I am happy to inform the House that no major problems have arisen from the merger and the staff and students of the two institutions have worked together smoothly. The National University of Singapore is a significant institution, with 705 academic staff members and 9,000 students distributed over eight Faculties - Arts and Social Science, Science, Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Accountancy and Business Administration, Architecture and Building and Engineering. Its task will be the education and training of the brightest and most talented of our population. It will seek to nurture and preserve the best traditions of Nanyang University and the University of Singapore. It will maintain high standards in teaching and research, and it will have the full support of Government. It will extend a warm welcome to students from Malaysia and other South-East Asian countries.”
“The NUS will not have a Guild of Graduates. The experience of both the University of Singapore and the Nanyang University is that their Guilds of Graduates, unlike their alumni or Graduate Associations where membership is voluntary, have not been an effective instrument for the maintenance of links with their graduates. The mandatory meetings of Guild members are poorly attended. The number who turned up at the last meeting of the University of Singapore Guild of Graduates was 58 out of a total membership of 22,129. As for Nanyang University, the number who turned up at the last meeting of the Nanyang University Guild of Graduates was 64 out of a total membership of 11,085. If we exclude staff members who were persuaded by the respective administrations to attend the meetings, it would have been difficult to gather sufficient number of members to constitute a quorum. Instead of a guild, the National University of Singapore will have a Register of Graduates incorporating the members of the Nanyang University Guild of Graduates, the members of the University of Singapore Guild of Graduates and the National University of Singapore graduates as three separate parts of the Register. The Bill also provides for the National University of Singapore to maintain a register of members of the Nanyang University who are on the register of subscribers of NU. Mr Speaker, Sir, University education in Singapore has come a long way since the King Edward VII College of Medicine was founded in 1905. In 1929 Raffles College was established and the two Colleges were merged to form the University of Malaya in 1949, Nanyang University admitted its first students in 1956 and the Singapore Campus of the University of Malaya became the University of Singapore in 1962.”
“It is intended that rules will be made to provide for the initial appointments of the ViceChancellor, Deans of Faculties, heads of insti- tutions and members of the first Council of the University. The National University of Singapore will be the apex of the education system in Singapore. It is appropriate that the head of the NUS should be the highest personage in the Republic. The University Constitution therefore provides for the President to be the Chancellor of the University. The University Constitution provides that the Council will consist of 18 members. One-third of the members will be appointed from the staff of the University. These comprise the Vice-Chancellor and five members of the Senate. Two-thirds of the Council members will be appointed from outside the University. These comprise four persons to be appointed by the Chancellor, four persons to be appointed by the Government, and four persons to be appointed by the Council from the Register of Graduates. The National University of Singapore Students' Union (NUSSU) will be established. In the interim period, until the NUSSU begins to function, a pro-tem committee comprising officials from the existing University of Singapore Students' Union and the Nanyang University Students' Union has been formed to look after the activities of students. The National University of Singapore will not have a body similar to the Court of the University of Singapore, as such a body does not serve any useful function. The Court of the University of Singapore merely receives copies of statutes as well as the annual reports and audited annual accounts of SU and may pass such resolutions as the Court thinks fit on those documents. It does not play any meaningful role in the functioning of SU.”
“Members will note that clause 18, which repeals the University of Singapore Act and the Nanyang University Act, also contains transitional provisions to enable both these Universities, notwithstanding their dissolution, to confer degrees and diplomas on their graduates later this year as well as on higher degree candidates who have submitted their theses on or before 30th June 1980. Clause 15 read in conjunction with the Third Schedule deals with the transfer to the University of property and staff of the University of Singapore and the Nanyang University. All property, assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the University of Singapore and the Nanyang University will be transferred to the National University of Singapore. All members of the teaching staff of the two existing Universities will become members of the teaching staff of the National University of Singapore. The deployment of all other persons employed by both existing Universities will be determined by the Minister. Clause 16 provides for all contracts, agreements, bequests, wills, trusts and other instruments referring to the University of Singapore or the Nanyang University to have effect as if the reference were to the National University of Singapore. In addition to these transitional provisions, clause 17 will also empower the Minister to make rules to provide for the removal of any difficulty which may arise by reason of the establishment of the National University of Singapore and the dissolution of the two existing Universities, and generally for the purpose of effecting the transition from the two existing Universities to the National University of Singapore.”
“This will give recognition to the fact that the National University of Singapore is not an entirely new institution but has its origin in the University of Singapore and the Nanyang University. The Bill is patterned along the lines of the University of Singapore Act but many drafting changes have been made and amendments and additions have been incorporated to bring the legislation up-to-date, I shall deal briefly with the significant provisions of the Bill. Clause 3 of the Bill formally establishes and incorporates the National University of Singapore. The functions of the University are specified in clause 5. These functions are common to most universities. Clause 6 provides that the University will be governed by the provisions of the University Constitution set out in the First Schedule. As in the case of the present Constitution of the University of Singapore, the Minister is empowered, on the advice of the Council, to amend the University Constitution by order published in the Gazette. This flexibility is necessary as occasion may well arise in future when the University Constitution has to be amended. Clauses 8 and 9 relating to accounts and the audit of accounts of the University are standard provisions. Clauses 12 and 13 which deal with the grant and acquisition of land for the purposes of the University and the application of the Societies Act to student bodies of the University are based on the existing provisions of the University of Singapore Act. Turning to the transitional provisions, hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The future of Nanyang University has been for many years a matter of concern to Government and all those connected with the University. However, it was not until March this year that the discussions on the future of Nanyang University became a subject of public debate. The correspondence between the Prime Minister and members of the Nanyang University Council have already been published in the Press. Little will be achieved by going over the arguments again. It suffices for us to note that the Nanyang University Council, after considering the matter deeply, unanimously agreed that the future for Nanyang University (NU) lay in a merger with the University of Singapore (SU) to form the National University of Singapore (NUS). This proposal has the support of all the Nanyang University Members of Parliament. The Bill before the House seeks to give effect to the merger and to formally establish the National University of Singapore by legislation. The long title to the Bill which reads "An Act to give effect to the merger of the University of Singapore and the Nanyang University by the establishment and incorporation of the National University of Singapore and for matters connected therewith." emphasizes the fact that the National University of Singapore is in effect a merger of the University of Singapore and the Nanyang University. As suggested by the Nanyang University Council the full name of the NUS, provided in clause 3(2) of the Bill, will be the National University of Singapore (incorporating the University of Singapore and the Nanyang University) and the NUS may use its full name for such purposes as it thinks fit.”
“One concerns the need to expend the VITB in order to provide more places for students who may not go for higher education but who would like to have some technical training. I fully agree with his suggestion and I know that my colleague, the Acting Minister for Social Affairs, will look into this matter. The second matter concerns the ranking and promotion of teachers by means of the computer. This was touched on in the Report of the Working Visit of the Minister of Education to France. I think he need not have any fears that this will be introduced soon. The criteria for the ranking and promotion of teachers have always seemed to me to be a very mysterious process. After being in the Ministry for one year, I am just as puzzled as ever as to how these promotions are processed. Nevertheless we are looking into the matter, and in due course I think we should be able to devise a better system, I can also assure the Member for Moulmein that not only figures but attitudes and the values of the teachers will be taken into account.”
“Unlike other subjects in the curriculum, moral education is not concerned so much with the mastery of the content of the subject but more with the imparting of desirable attitudes to life. The construction of the syllabus is only one part of the process of moral education. In my view, just as important and probably more difficult will be the task of identifying and motivating a sufficient number of teachers who will be able to teach moral education effectively. In the planning of the syllabuses on moral education, the Ministry has made it a point to consult and refer to the literature submitted by the various religious faiths and groups. I thank the Member for his suggestion that personalities from the various religious groups be invited to discuss moral issues so that we can find common values for our pupils. This is a little premature at this stage, but I would agree that such consultations will be helpful and useful after the Ministry has settled on the draft syllabus. A survey on the moral values and attitudes of secondary school children is at present being conducted, and we hope that some preliminary results will be available by the end of next month. As an interim measure, the Ministry is revising the present set of Education-for- Living textbooks, which are on the whole quite good, so that they can be used for moral education at the primary level. The civics textbooks used at the secondary school level are also being revised and are being updated. I have taken note of his point that we should include moral education within the ambit of the CDIS, and this matter will be considered at the appropriate time. I turn now to the Member for Bedok and would like to touch on two points which he has raised in his address today.”
“Sir, let me deal first with the two points raised by the Member for Kolam Ayer, which are moral education and continuous assessment in schools. I shall take the second point first, as it is less complex. Let me assure the Member that the Ministry of Education is keenly aware of the pressure put on our school children. In addition to the heavy load which they have to carry in schools, we know that many parents try to give their children an extra edge by making them take private tuition, thereby adding to the pressure. As pan of the process of assessment in schools, common tests and class tests have to be conducted to ascertain if children have mastered their lessons. Whilst such assessment is an integral pan of teaching and learning, principals and teachers have always been advised that tests should not be made an end in itself. I agree with the Member that over-testing through too frequent common tests or class tests is undesirable and should be avoided. To avoid creating unnecessary pressure on children, common tests among classes in the same grade level are confined, as far as possible, to the mid-year or end-of-year examinations. Principals and teachers are overwhelmingly of the view that the present system of continuous assessment provides a more realistic assessment of the progress of the children under their charge. For the children themselves, there is less tension as compared to the previous system of having only one major examination at the end of each semester. Moreover, continuous assessment promotes consistent study habits, and I am sure this must be desirable. The subject of moral education is much more complex.”
“Sir, I regret I do not have these figures with me. In any case, the number of schools that will be built in this decade is not going to depend only on the expansion of the pre-primary programme. It will also depend on whether we will be introducing full-day schools in our education system within this decade. It will also depend upon the pupil-teacher ratio which we are aiming for within the next few years. All that I can assure the hon. Member is that the number of places necessary to accommodate the larger number of pre-primary pupils will be made available in line with the larger number of pre-primary teachers that we are now training. MINOR OFFENCES ACT (Measures to deal with noise pollution) 4. Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he will review the existing laws relating to noise pollution so as to ensure that the police can deal effectively with persons who cause nuisance to their neighbours through the inconsiderate use of audio equipment.”
“Sir, the answer is yes. We have taken into account the number of places which will be required in the schools in order to accommodate the larger number of pre-primary pupils.”
“I am not quite sure about the question asked by the hon. Member. If he means that we will make sure that there are sufficient pre-primary places in schools each year in order to keep in step with the number of teachers who are being trained, then the answer is yes.”
“Sir, let me give some figures. In order to expand the pre-primary classes to cater for the whole cohort of five-year olds which number about 40,000 pupils each year, we will need some 2,000 teachers. At present, there are 364 non-graduate trainees in IE who are being trained to teach the pre-primary pupils. They are expected to graduate from IE by 1982. As I have said, from this year the IE plans to recruit about 260 'A' level holders each year to be trained as pre-primary teachers. It takes about three years to train them into qualified pre-primary teachers. So this recruitment and training schedule means that we can only expand the pre-primary programme to all schools by the end of this decade.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Institute of Education has no plans to expand the present training scheme for kindergarten teachers. In fact, it intends to stop these training courses after this year. The reason is that the IE is concentrating on the training of pre-primary teachers. It is recruiting and training 260 pre-primary teachers each year. At this rate of progress, we shall be able to introduce pre-primary classes in all schools by the end of this decade. This must take precedence over the training of kindergarten teachers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is no. There are ample places for Singapore citizens in our schools. No Singapore citizen will be deprived of a place either in a primary or secondary school or in a junior college if he makes the grade. TRAINING SCHEME FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS 3. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education whether the Institute of Education plans to expand the present training scheme for kindergarten teachers.”
“Sir, the figures are as follows. Under Subhead JB 01-3111 which is in respect of grants-in-aid to Government-aided primary schools, the amount originally budgeted for was $55.9 million. The amount requested for today is $6.5 million, which is approximately 11.6% of the original amount. Under Subhead JB 02-3111 which is in respect of grants-in-aid to secondary schools, the original amount is $43.3 million and the additional amount is $4.6 million or 10.6%. Under Subhead JB 03-3111, Junior Colleges, the original amount is $7.4 million and the additional amount is approximately $2.25 million or 27%. Under Subhead JC 01-3111 which is a grant to the University of Singapore, the original amount is $45.4 million and the additional amount is $1.1 million or approximately 2.4%.”
“Sir, the supplementary grants requested today are entirely for the purpose of meeting additional expenditure arising from the payment of the 1979 National Wages Council awards and higher CPF contributions for the staff of aided primary schools, secondary schools, junior colleges and the University of Singapore.”