BURSARIES TO UNDERGRADUATES OF NANYANG UNIVERSITY

Madam Hoe Puay Choo asked the Minister for Education why were bursaries awarded to undergraduates of Nanyang University later than those awarded to students in the University of Singapore and the Singapore Polytechnic.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: The reason why 1962 bursaries awarded to students of Nanyang University were later than those awarded to students of the University of Singapore and the Singapore Polytechnic was that the Selection Board for recommending awards to Nanyang University students sat much later than the Selection Boards for awards to students of the other two institutions. The delay arose as certain members were not available because of prior commitments. The Selection Board for Nanyang University bursaries was originally scheduled to interview applicants in August 1962, but this did not take place till October. Their report was received by the Ministry in November and awards were made in January this year.

Madam Hoe Puay Choo: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, it would appear from the Minister's answer that this Selection Board was discriminating against Nanyang University students when they sat later than scheduled.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: I am surprised at the Member for Bras Basah in thinking that the P.A.P. Government, which gives equal treatment in education to all language streams, would allow discrimination. It is just that certain members of the Selection Board could not make it, especially the Chairman who had to attend a conference in Japan in August. We had to delay holding the Selection Board until his return. Rather than say you cannot go to the conference, you must have it out, because it is purely voluntary work. So I hope the Member for Bras Basah can understand the situation.

Madam Hoe Puay Choo: (In Mandarin): When I was in the P.A.P. I knew that the Government was not giving strictly equal treatment to the four language streams of education.