SCHOOL BUILDING

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Education whether the Government has plans for building more schools on a cheaper basis than that of the Jervois Road Primary School, in respect of the construction of which a tender for $236,700 was recently accepted.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: The Government has been investigating and is now drawing up plans for primary school buildings that will be cheaper than those recently built. This new type of primary school will, by accommodating an extra stream, economise on the ground area required and also effect a considerable reduction in cost per classroom and in overhead expenses on staffing. For rural areas, small schools, each costing about half the normal type, are at present proposed.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that the Government has now been in office for a whole year and nothing has yet been done? Can he give an assurance that these new schools will be built as soon as possible?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: All new plans need time to work out by the architects in the Public Works Department, together with advice from the Education Ministry. We have not done exactly nothing. We have done a lot, such as finding sites for school buildings.