EXEMPTION OF SCHOOL FEES IN 1968 AND AWARDS OF SCHOLAR-SHIPS AND BURSARIES (Particulars)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Education (a) how many Secondary IV and pre-University students have been exempted from pay-ing school fees in 1968; and (h) how many students in the University of Singapore, Nanyang University, Singa-, pore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann College are scholarship or bursary holders, and' if he will give details of the various scholarships and bursaries awarded.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng (for the Minister for Education): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, 7,389 Secondary IV and 1,240 pre-University students have been exempted from paying school fees in 1968. But I would like to stress this point. Although the other students are paying their school fees, the Government has to subsidise every secondary school student to the extent of about $300 each year.

Thirty-three scholarships and 759 bursaries were awarded and 147 study loans were made to a total of 939 students in the University of Singapore, Nanyang University, the Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann College in 1968. I would also like to point out that although these students are paying from $450 to $540 on fees, each student in these institutions of higher learning is subsidised by Government by a sum varying from $2,000 to $7,000. In fact the fees paid by these students is negligible.

There are two types of scholarship open to Singapore citizens pursuing higher studies. They are the President's Scholarships valued at $3,000 per annum and the Merit Scholarships valued at $2,400 per annum. Both are awarded on the basis of academic 'excellence in the Higher School Certificate examination and outstanding performance in extra-curricular acti vities.

The Merit bursaries valued at $1,500 per annum for degree courses and $1,000 per annum for technician courses are also awarded on the basis of merit alone, irrespective of financial circumstances.

Special bursaries are set aside for Malays who gain entry to any institution of higher learning and who qualify for assistance on financial grounds. The amount of such bursaries varies according to the need.

All scholarship and bursary holders are bonded to serve the Government on completion of their studies.

For those who are unable to get a scholarship or a bursary, interest-free study loans of the same amount as bursary awards are available. Students who obtain such loans are not bonded to serve the Government but are required to repay their loans by instalments within three years of completing their studies.

Mr Teong Eng Siong (Sembawang): (In Mandarin): Sir, this kind of policy should be praised and commended, but can the Parliamentary Secretary assure us that this same policy will be pursued next year?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: (In Mandarin): Sir, we review our policy every year but I do not anticipate major changes.