DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY ON CHINESE SCHOOLS AND PAYMENT OF SPECIAL-POST ALLOWANCES TO PRINCIPALS

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Education the reasons for the delay in implementing the policy of equal conditions of service in all Chinese schools which have accepted full aid, and when the special-post allowances to principals in such schools will be paid.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Mr Speaker, Sir, the implementation of the policy of equal conditions of service in all Chinese schools that come into the full aid scheme has not been completed as early as I had wished, partly because of shortage of staff in the Ministry, and partly because service conditions for Chinese teachers have brought in fresh problems of Chinese qualifications of which there are many, and the recognition of past services. All these present a big administrative problem and must take time to solve.

The question of post allowances in the Chinese schools is being examined and it is hoped that this question will be settled in the very near future.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that all Parties are agreed on the policy of equality for Chinese schools and that through this delay the Chinese schools no longer believe that the Government supports this policy?