EDUCATION

The Government will continue with its policy of equal treatment to the four language streams, namely, Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English.

The study of a second language, other than the medium of instruction, will be made compulsory in all secondary schools. Instruction will begin with Secondary 1 in 1966. After 1969, when next year's Secondary 1 pupils reach Secondary IV, every candidate will be required to pass a second language in the School Certificate Examination.

Emphasis will be given to scientific, vocational and technical education. Diversification of the curriculum to meet the needs of industrialisation will take place by the incorporation of workshop facilities into the Secondary educational structure. To overcome the traditional prejudice against technical and vocational education, a vocational guidance plan will be introduced for primary school-leavers.

Full-time teacher-training will be re-introduced in 1966 and more attention will be devoted to providing in-service courses for qualified teachers in order to improve the quality of teachers.

The emphasis in the next stage of development will be on the expansion of secondary education. The school building programme, therefore, will now be geared to the building of more secondary schools. Every child, eligible for secondary education, will continue to be assured of a place in a secondary school using the language medium of the parents' choice. A number of special secondary schools to be known as "Junior Colleges" will be established for pre-university students so that the staff and facilities can be used to maximum advantage.

For the all-round development of secondary students, a plan is being implemented so that participation in sports, games and other extra-curricular activities will be recognised as an integral part of the education system. A Physical Education Centre, incorporating a Music Studio, will be built as a headquarters for extra-curricular activities.

The establishment of a second Teachers' Training College to provide full-time teacher-training is now well in hand. Pending the completion of the new College, full-time teacher-training will be introduced in 1966, using the existing College temporarily. In the existing College, the numbers involved in part-time in-service training will be reduced gradually so that eventually all teacher-training in the State will be on a full-time basis.

Arrangements have been finalised for the Singapore Polytechnic professional courses in Engineering, Architecture and Accountancy to lead to degrees to be awarded by the University of Singapore. Long-term plans are also being formulated for the Polytechnic to move to new premises and to expand into a technological university.

At the University of Singapore, the expansion programme includes the setting up of new faculties in Social Sciences and Technology.

Steps have been taken to reorganise Nanyang University to make it a university of some standing and more in line with the needs of our society to which it can make a distinctive, intellectual and cultural contribution. In addition to subsidizing the University's annual recurrent expenditure, Government will make provision for its capital development in the next five years.

In adult education, the manifold activities of the Lembaga Gerakan Pelajaran Dewasa will be further expanded with the building of a new Adult Education Centre.