CUMULATIVE RECORD CARDS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS

Mr Tay Boon Too asked the Minister for Education, in the process of nurturing qualities of bravery, intelligence and patriotism in the future generation, if all Principals in secondary schools will be instructed to keep detailed records of each pupil's intelligence, physical fitness, sense of loyalty, home background, etc., so that the Ministry and the schools concerned can have a better understanding of every pupil.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, a cumulative record card has been the subject of research and planning in my Ministry for some time. The in- tention is that a cumulative record should be kept of every pupil from the day he enters school until he leaves school. Periodical entries will be made in this card not only in respect of those qualities mentioned by the Member for Paya Lebar, but also in respect of changes in his family circumstances, his progress in school, his mental and physical development, his out-of-school activities and interests, and many other details which will give a complete picture of the pupil's growth and development at any stage of his school career. It is hoped that this cumulative record card will be issued to schools in 1968.

Mr Tay Boon Too (Paya Lebar): (In Mandarin): The Minister has said that these record cards are of a cumulative nature. Does he have any detailed records - in one case an administrative officer of a secondary school?

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Sir, will the Member repeat the last part of his supplementary question?

Mr Tay Boon Too: (In Mandarin): The Minister's explanation was in connection with the pupil's academic records. But I am concerned with other aspects. Is he aware that, because of a lack of detailed records on all aspects, there is a secondary school in which, the administrative officer has selected an anti-national leader as a model student for the whole school?

Mr Ong Pang Boon: I am not aware of the case.