TEACHERS ON SICK LEAVE

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Minister for Education how many teachers in Primary and Secondary English schools went on sick leave (a) between 1st September, 1958, and 30th June, 1959 (except when there was an epidemic), and (b) between .1st September, 1959, and 30th June, 1960 (except when there was an epidemic): and whether any instructions were given to the Medical Officer to keep medical leave down to a minimum.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: The number of teachers in primary and secondary English schools who went on sick leave for the ten-month period September 1958 to June 1959 was 2,528.

I regret that it is not possible at such short notice to supply figures of teachers on sick leave for the ten-month period September 1959 to June 1960. The Member for Mountbatten, who until last year was the principal of a Government English primary school, should be aware that leave registers for Government schools for the year 1960 are not normally submitted to the Ministry till January 1961. I will, however, answer part of her question now, that is, for the four-month period September to December 1959. The number of teachers in Government and Government-aided English schools who applied for sick leave during this period was 1,561. The number of teachers from aided English schools who applied for sick leave during the six-month period January to June 1960 was 267, but the figures for the same period in respect of Government English school teachers will take some time, as explained just now, but will be supplied to the Member for Mountbatten when available.

I am not aware of any specific instructions being issued to the Medical Officer to keep medical leave down to a minimum. It is normal practice to give medical leave only when the Medical Officer is satisfied that the condition of the officer justifies it.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Mr Speaker, Sir, comparing these figures with those for previous years, could the Minister tell us whether he considers these figures to be quite high?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the figures quoted were for the ten-month period September .1958 to June 1959 when the last Government was in office, and there are no comparative figures just yet for the period September 1959 to June 1960. I have only been able to supply part figures and, as already explained, the Member for Mountbatten, who was the principal of an English Government primary school, should know her General Orders and regulations - that the leave registers for Government schools do not come up to the Ministry till the end of the year.