VERNACULAR SCHOOLS (Government Aid)

Mr R. C. H. Lim asked the Minister for Education to state-

(a) the amount of money spent by the Government on vernacular schools in respect of (i) school buildings, and (ii) grants-in-aid, during each of the years from 1954 to 1958; and

(b) how many Chinese schools were given money by the Government in respect of (i) school buildings, and (ii) grants-in-aid, during each of the years from 1954 to 1958, and the amount of money granted in each case.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answers are as follows.

The amount of money spent by the Government on vernacular schools in respect of school buildings:- From $ 1954 to 1956 Nil 1957 230,199 1958 243,487

The amount of money spent by the Government on vernacular schools in respect of grants-in-aid: $ 1954 3,749,346 1955 6,365,803 1956 8,370,702 1957 13,194,219 1958 16,899,021

The number of Chinese schools given money by the Government in respect of school buildings: From $ 1954 to 1956 Nil 1957 29 schools amounting to 211,520 1958 13 schools amounting to 243,487

The number of Chinese schools given money by the Government in respect of grant-in-aid: $ 1954 203 schools amounting to 3,518,944 1955 217 schools amounting to 6,128,813 1956 235 schools amounting to 8,123,638 1957 233 schools amounting to 12,939,601 1958 233 schools amounting to 16,630,087