SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION (Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 2 of 1959)

11.30 a.m.

The Acting Financial Secretary (Mr Oon Khye Kiang): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have the Governor's recommendation to proceed with the motion. I beg to move,

That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $1,189,681 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 2 of 1959.

Sir, the Schedule consists of a list of three applications for supplementary provision. The reasons for these supplementary votes are explained in detail in the Sessional Paper. In all cases, there are full offset savings.

Sir, I beg to move.

The Minister for Education (Mr Chew Swee Kee): I second it.

Motion committed to Committee of Supply.

Motion and Schedule considered in Committee of Supply.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

11.32 a.m.

The Minister for Education (Mr Chew Swee Kee): Schedule-

The Chairman: The summary is at page 3.

Head 17-

The sum of $18,000 for Head 17 ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

Head 19-

The sum of $27,708 for Head 19 ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

Head 45-

Question proposed.

"That the sum of $1,143,973 for Head 45 stand part of the Schedule."

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Sir, this is an opportunity to elaborate on the explanation given on page 2. Hon. Members will note that of the total of $1,189,681 asked for in the Schedule, about 91 per cent of it, namely $1,143,973, is asked for in respect of grants-in-aid. The capitation grant, as explained in the Sessional Paper, was increased from 30 cents per head to 50 cents per head for primary pupils, 75 cents per head for secondary pupils and $1 per head for Higher School Certificate pupils. The former rate of 30 cents per head had been in existence for about 30 years and it was felt that this rate should, be changed to enable the schools, especially the Chinese schools, to better their equipment. The Government decided to increase this grant so that these schools can have their equipment and the buildings can be made more presentable.

The other item, as explained here, is the salaries of teachers. I believe that this question has been in the melting pot for many years. The salaries of teachers in Chinese aided schools especially have been neglected for a long time and it has taken the Government quite some time to streamline and bring the salaries of teachers of these aided schools at par with the salaries of the teachers in other Government and English schools. The arrears amount to a big sum and we ask the Assembly to approve this amount in the spirit in which the All Party Committee on Chinese Education recommended that the salaries of teachers in Chinese and other vernacular schools should be brought to the same level as that of the teachers in English and other Government schools. As I said, Application No. 264 covers two points: one, the increase of capitation grants to Chinese schools and the other the arrears of salaries to be paid to the teachers of Chinese aided schools.

Question put, and agreed to.

The sum of $1,143,973 for Head 45 ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

The sum of $1,189,681 for the Heads of Expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule ordered to stand part of the motion.

Motion and Schedule reported, without amendment.

Question on the Motion put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $1,189,681 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 2 of 1959.