SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

SCHOOL OF THE ARTS:

(Admission requirements): 1.

Ms Eunice Elizabeth Olsen asked the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (a) what PSLE qualifications are needed for students to be accepted into the School of the Arts; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider

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accepting students who do not fulfill these academic requirements but display true artistic potential.

The Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (Dr Lee Boon Yang): Mr Speaker, Sir, when the School of the Arts opens in 2008, it will offer a dedicated six-year pre-tertiary programme in the arts and other academic subjects for students who show early talent and have strong interest in the arts. Through its arts and academic programme, the School aims to nurture not just the next generation of artists, but also creative professionals and leaders in all fields with a strong grounding in the arts. In its admission process, the School therefore adopts a holistic approach that takes into account students' artistic talent, creative potential and academic aptitude.

Of these, the School's first criterion is artistic talent. This is demonstrated at the School's two-day Talent Academy where the students' artistic talent and potential will be assessed via individual auditions or portfolio presentations, group workshops and interviews by the School's faculty, and by reputable arts practitioners and specialist educators from Singapore and overseas. The School will make its offers to students based on their artistic talent and potential. Thereafter, students will need to qualify for the Express course based on their PSLE results before they are admitted to the School. Given the rigours of the International Baccalaureate diploma programme, which prepares students for tertiary programmes in universities and colleges, a student's academic aptitude, in addition to his or her artistic talent, serves as an important second criterion.

Nonetheless, I wish to assure this House that the School will take into

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special consideration individual cases of students who have been assessed at the Talent Academy to have outstanding artistic talent and potential, but are unable to fulfil the PSLE admission requirements. For instance, five of the 97 students who have been identified by the School and have accepted the School's offer to join as Year 2 students in 2008 are such exceptionally talented students whose previous PSLE results did not qualify them for the Express course. Once admitted, the School is committed to develop all the students' potential - artistic or academic - to the fullest. Students with exceptional artistic talent but lacking in academic achievements will receive additional coaching to help them bridge the gap.

Ms Eunice Elizabeth Olsen (Nominated Member): Sir, I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. I would like to ask the Minister why there is a minimum PSLE qualification as a criterion for entering into the School in the first place and how a minimum PSLE qualification is in line with an arts education, and whether or not the Minister will consider lowering the overall PSLE aggregate score for the next intake of students.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said in my main answer, the School of the Arts is not just to train artists or arts professionals. It is to train young Singaporeans who are talented in the arts, and to give them the opportunity to develop both their artistic side and also their academic side. Having said that, we understand that there is interest among some students who may not have the academic ability but who have demonstrated that they have the artistic talent. As I have said earlier on, we would certainly consider this on a case-by-case basis. But I think we should not embark on a School of the Arts on the basis that it has no interest in fostering academic excellence - that anyone who has an

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artistic capability or interest will be welcomed, regardless of their academic achievement.

We should start a school on the basis that it has to meet expectations, and it has to serve a range of student population and their parents. Mind you, these are 13-year-old kids - these are not adults - coming to the School of the Arts. Their parents will also be very concerned if they send children to a school which has no emphasis on academic excellence. How many parents would be prepared to embark their children on a course of study at age 13, which will channel them narrowly in one single direction and have no option to do other things? I think we should give the parents this reassurance - that the School of the Arts is, in fact, a comprehensive school, a school that offers academic excellence and, at the same time, develops the artistics side of their children. In that way, we can ensure that the School will do well, that it will provide good service, and that it will bring up young generations of Singaporeans who are equally well-versed in academic subjects as well as in their artistic area. If we do not do that, I think we are headed in the wrong direction and we will not give the School the opportunity to develop fully.