FUNDING TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS

FUNDING TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS: * * *

6.

Mr Hri Kumar Nair asked the Minister for Education whether the amount of funding given by the Ministry to all primary schools is identical and, if not, how does the Ministry determine the level of funding given to each primary school.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: The Ministry of Education fully funds the operating costs of every primary school. MOE pays directly for manpower costs, and provides each school with funding to meet their operating needs including utilities, enrichment programmes and equipment, based on a per-capita formula that is identical across all primary schools.

Some schools may receive additional funding to run specific programmes. For example, 61 primary schools under the Programme for School Based Excellence receive up to $150,000 over three years to develop their chosen niches. These comprise a good mix of Government-aided and Government schools. All primary schools can apply for this

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programme and will receive funding if they meet the qualifying criteria. Schools with a larger number of children on the Financial Assistance Scheme also receive higher levels of funding under the Opportunity Fund, which provides children from low income households with access to enrichment programmes.

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