SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN RURAL AREAS (Steps to reduce costs)

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Education what steps have been taken to reduce the cost of new school buildings in the rural areas; and whether he proposes to erect such buildings with materials similar to those used for the Singapore Infantry Battalion buildings at Ulu Pandan.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Mr Speaker, Sir, through the combined efforts of the Public Works Department and the Advisory Panel on School Buildings, the standard of construction, finishings and fittings in our new schools has been reduced to a minimum. A considerable saving was made last year by the adoption of a completely new design of three-storeyed schools. Technical advice has also been obtained from the Public Works Department on using cheaper materials for school buildings, such as timber, but saving on first costs would be more than offset by the cost of additional land, for construction would be reduced to two-storeys, and increase in maintenance costs. The need for economy in the use of land and avoiding increasing annually recurrent maintenance cost must therefore outweigh the use of cheaper materials. It is not proposed to build schools using materials similar to those used for the Singapore Infantry Battalion buildings at Ulu Pandan.