NATIONAL MUSEUM (Better utilisation of facilities by schools for educational purposes)

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Education what relationship exists between schools and the National Museum; and if his Ministry will con sider arrangements with the appropriate authority for the better utilisation of the facilities of the Museum by schools for educational purposes, such as lecture-tours of the Museum for students, etc.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, liaison between schools and the National Museum with regard to the better utilisation of museum facilities has not been adequately established, as the National Museum is not as yet in a position to provide a proper museum school service to cope with the increasing interest and requests from schools.

The Ministry of Education is considering arrangements with the appropriate authorities for the provision, of a museum school service. The organisa tion of such a service will depend upon the secondment of suitable teachers to the National Museum as museum education officers. New posts will have to be created in the National Museum's establishment so that the secondment of teachers can be effected.

It will take some time for all these establishment problems to be sorted out, although in principle the idea of organising a school museum service has been - acceptable as a very desirable educational development.