ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS SPECIAL COURSES FOR STUDENTS

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the special courses to be arranged for students who were unable to gain admission to Government secondary schools this year.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: To meet the needs of those who have been unable to gain admission to secondary schools, plans are being made for evening classes to be held in various Government secondary school buildings. In the first instance, instruction will be given in the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Commercial Arithmetic, Elementary Book-keeping and Commercial Geography. Later, classes will be arranged, if possible, to provide teaching in Mandarin and Malay. As the Department already provides technical and commercial subjects for the older students at the Junior Trade School and Raffles Institution, these classes will be restricted to boys and girls of secondary school age who are not at present attending any secondary school. The aim of the classes is to prepare pupils for examination by the Royal Society of Arts. If they are a success and if the resources of the Department are adequate, the Government will consider extending the scope of the courses. At present a survey is being made of the demand for courses of this kind and of the staff available for teaching. When this survey has been completed, more definite information about the courses will be made available.

Mr John Ede: Sir, will the Minister state why these classes cannot be held in the afternoons? Is he not aware that it is not advisable for students to be at a loose end throughout the day?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Steps are being taken to house these students in the evenings because there are no primary school buildings available. They are all occupied in the afternoon, and the secondary schools cannot be used in the afternoon. That will deprive secondary school students of their other activities in the afternoon.

Mr John Ede: Has the Minister considered the possibility of using Radio Malaya for broadcasts to these students in the afternoons, thus reducing the number of qualified teachers required?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Broadcasts are being made now, Sir.