LEAKAGES OF EXAMINATION QUESTIONS (Statement by the Minister for Education)

10.30 a.m.

The Minister for Education (Mr Chew Swee Kee): Mr Speaker, Sir, the black clouds that have gathered over my Ministry since 6th November, 1958, are only partially cleared, and I feel that it is my duty to make a statement on the part that is cleared so that the public can know the facts.

I am referring to the two leakages of examination questions set by my Ministry in the English Secondary Schools Entrance Examination and the Government Chinese Senior Middle III examination. Of course, the public reaction to both leakages - especially when the second one followed the first one so closely - is that my head and the heads of my Ministry officials should be delivered on a charger to this House, in addition to a public enquiry.

I can understand the concern of the people over these leakages because these examinations are national examinations. But, when serious things like this happen, we must keep calm and refrain from saying anything that might prejudice the issue before the truth is out.

The English Secondary Schools' Entrance Examination is a stepping stone to secondary education which is much sought after, and for which there may be insufficient places for those who want it. The Government Chinese Senior Middle III examination is a national examination enabling those who pass it to obtain employment in the public service and to go for higher studies. Those who are responsible for these leakages, either through negligence or dishonesty, will be punished and their identities exposed for public disgrace.

The statement that I am making today, and any future statements that I will make on this subject, will be made without fear or favour. Those who have dishonestly caused the leakage or dishonestly taken advantage of the leakage are a disgrace to the people of Singapore. By their action, they have undermined our educational system and the morals of our students. These people stand publicly condemned before the House today.

Sir, if only our public-spirited citizens will give us information of the type we received on 3rd November, 1958, then every crime in Singapore will be satisfactorily solved. At 4.30 p.m. on 3rd of November, my Permanent Secretary received information that examination questions set in the English Secondary Schools' Entrance Examination were obtainable at No. 141 Carpmael Road. The Police were informed immediately and by 8.30 p.m. a copy of some of the questions had already been obtained by a Police officer from someone living in that house. The questions obtained were found to be identical to the questions set in the paper for the next day. The Police officer paid a second visit to the house on the following evening and obtained further questions for the next day. At ten minutes past ten that night, 141 Carpmael Road was searched by the Police under a search warrant issued by a Magistrate, and other copies of the questions were found, but no original printed copies. From there the Police commenced their investigations and in a few days the Police had traced the source of the leakage and brought to book eight persons. There was no doubt where the source of the leakage was. Swift and firm action is being taken against the persons concerned.

An employee of the Government Printing Office and three clerks of another department have been interdicted. Action has been taken under the Education Ordinance against the three teachers concerned - one a re-employed retired teacher in a Government English School, and the other two teachers in a private school. They have been struck off the register as teachers. The allegation against the City Council employee has been referred to the City Council.

With regard to the leakage in the Government Senior Middle III examination, investigations are still proceeding and I do not propose, for obvious reasons, to disclose progress at this stage. I would like, however, to appeal to everyone who has information to assist my Ministry and help us in eradicating these people and in punishing all those who were responsible for this leakage. At the risk of repetition, I might again add that this is a national examination and must be absolutely reliable. Possession of a pass Certificate will entitle the holder to enter the public services and I am, therefore, determined to see that the fair name of Chinese education is kept up. And for this reason, I am equally determined to deal with the culprits ruthlessly. Security measures have been taken to ensure that such a leakage will not take place in future.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Whilst we are reassured by the firm manner in which the Minister says he intends to deal with the culprits, could he tell us if he also proposes to deal with those in supervisory positions who, by their lack of vigilance, enabled these culprits to do what they did?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Yes, Sir, investigations are being made, and if there is evidence in respect of any person, be he a supervisor or invigilator, firm action will be taken against that person.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: No, Sir, I am sorry I have not made my point clear enough. There are people who were directly responsible for the leakage, and who were making money out of it. There are others who, whilst not being directly responsible, must have been negligent in their duties to have allowed such culprits to do what they did and remain undetected for some time.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Mr Speaker, Sir, action will be taken against those people.

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: Mr Speaker, Sir, of course, this House welcomes the firm assurance given by the Minister for Education. Sir, as we have heard the Minister say, the leakage was due to two causes - negligence and dishonesty. Therefore, is the Minister prepared to set up a body within his Ministry to carry out these investigations, rather than just issue a firm statement, because negligence and dishonesty -

Mr Speaker: Order. I think the hon. Member can stop there. He has asked a question. Would the Minister like to answer?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Yes, Sir. In fact, the Permanent Secretary and myself are investigating into this so-called negligence. I have given the source of the leakage in the first examination, and in the case of the second examination, that is, the Chinese Senior Middle III examination, investigations are proceeding and we are taking a personal interest in those investigations.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that there are some people who believe that both his Permanent Secretary and himself might have been negligent in their supervision in allowing these things to happen? It is no use his investigating himself.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Opposition think I am negligent they can bring a substantive motion against me in this House.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Opposition are in no position to say whether the Minister is negligent or not. But somebody should be equipped with all the facts, either to clear the Minister of the scandalous charges that have been circulated against him and the dark clouds that have gathered over his head, or a thunder storm may well break over him! If he persists in being both investigator and judge of his own position, then what is the use of it?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Do I understand the Member for Tanjong Pagar to say that I am dishonest or that I have been implicated in all this?

Mr Speaker: I do not think there was any imputation of that nature.

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am so sorry the Minister for Education has misunderstood what the Member for Tanjong Pagar has said. May I ask further whether -

Mr Speaker: Order. I think I had better put this matter in its right perspective. We are not here to debate this matter but if the hon. Member has a question to ask, he can ask it.

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: The Minister for Education has not answered my question. What I said is that it is better for the Ministry of Education to form a body to investigate but not for the Minister and his Permanent Secretary to do so, because I know they are very busy.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: The Police have been brought into these investigations, and I must publicly say that my conscience is clear, and so is that of my Permanent Secretary. I shall be the true judge.

Mr William Tan (Tiong Bahru): Am I correct in saying that the Minister has just now informed us that two of the culprits were dismissed? In view of the seriousness of this crime, why cannot we impose more severe punishment like imprisonment?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: No, Sir. No crime has been disclosed.