PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (Entry into secondary schools)

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Education (i) how many students in Government primary schools are applying for entry into Government secondary schools in January 1956; (ii) how many students can, in fact, be selected for entry to such schools because of limited accommodation; (iii) whether he is satisfied with the present method of selection; and (iv) what plans the Government have in mind to give further education to those students unable to obtain entry.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: The answer to the first part of the question is 3,998; and to the second, not less than 2,000. To the third part of the question - yes, the method of selection was determined by a Board of Examiners consisting of representatives of the Department, the University, the Training College and heads of secondary and primary schools. They have been at great pains to make the examination as fair as possible. The system, of course, will be continually reviewed in the light of experience.

To the fourth part of the question - for boys, there is a Junior Technical School. For both boys and girls, evening classes will be started at the new Junior Technical Schools as far as possible to meet the demand. There are, as the House knows, some children now in primary schools who are debarred from taking the secondary school entrance examination because they are over-aged. There are many good reasons why they should not be admitted to Form Two, but if they are of more than average intelligence for their age, it is possible that they can cover the secondary school courses in three years. Heads of schools are therefore being asked to recommend suitable candidates who will then be required to take a special examination for admission to Form Three.

Mr John Ede: Sir, is the Minister aware that if the six secondary schools allowed for in this year's Estimates had been completed, there would be no shortage of accommodation for students in secondary schools in 1956?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: This involves a lot of data, Sir, and I am not prepared to answer the question yet.