AWARDS OF SCHOLARSHIPS, ETC., TO MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OFFICERS IN 1966 AND 1967 (Particulars)

Mr L. P. Rodrigo asked the Minister for Education (a) what scholarships, fellowships, study-grants, etc. offering professional (including technical training) and administrative training have been awarded to various applicants from the Ministry of Education in 1966 and 1967; (b) how many officers from the various categories of officers have received such awards; (c) how many such officers have completed their training courses; and (d) how these officers have been and are being utilised for purposes for which they have been trained since the completion of their training courses.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by my Minister to reply. A total of 11 different types of scholarships, fellowships, training courses and training bursaries were awarded to various officers of my Ministry in 1966 and 1967. A total of 108 officers received such awards, 82 of them being teachers, 15 T.T.C. lecturers, five Inspectors of Schools, three principals of schools and three officers attached to my Ministry Headquarters. Of the 108 officers, 50 have completed their training, comprising 30 teachers, 10 T.T.C. lecturers, four Inspectors of Schools, three principals of schools and three other officers attached to the Ministry Headquarters.

With regard to the last part of the question, Sir, all but seven of the 50 are being utilised for the purpose for which they have been trained. Of the seven, one has recently been selected by the Public Service Commission for posting to an oversea mission. Six are attached to secondary schools. It is possible that at the time of return there may be no suitable vacancies to hold the officers according to their specialised training. In such cases, they are often posted to secondary schools as a temporary measure. Those from aided schools are generally returned to the aided schools concerned. Such officers remain in the secondary schools until suitable vacancies occur or until the next promotion exercise.