SENIOR CAMBRIDGE EXAMINATION (Replacement by local examination)

Mr Lee Teck Him asked the Minister for Education whether and when the Senior Cambridge Examination will be replaced by an examination to be conducted by a local examination board.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Dr Lee Chiaw Meng) (for the Minister for Education): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I remember during the budget debate for the current financial year, the hon. Member for Ulu Pandan raised the same question. Our answer remains the same. At the present moment, we have no intention to replace the Cambridge School Certificate Examination by a local examination because so far this examination can satisfy the requirements of Singapore in respect of examination of pupils in the English stream. However, in view of our bilingual education policy and the present emphasis on technical education, discussions are being held with the Cambridge Syndicate with a view to making such modifications and adjustments as are necessary to meet our new requirements.

Mr Lee Teck Him rose -

Mr Speaker: Mr Lee, may I remind you of my earlier remark that you should ask a supplementary question and not make a speech?

Mr Lee Teck Him: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have no intention to argue with you but I am not satisfied with the Parliamentary Secretary's answer.

Mr Speaker: Mr Lee, it is not arguing with me that I object to. It is arguing in question time with Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries who reply that is objectionable.

Mr Lee Teck Him: (In Mandarin): Sir, the Parliamentary Secretary did not answer my question. He said that the Government intends to continue with the Senior Cambridge Examination. As Singapore is now an independent country, we should conduct examinations ourselves. We should not allow Cambridge University or any other body to conduct this kind of examination in our country. The reason is that it takes a long time for the certificates to arrive and the candidates have to wait a very long time before they can seek employment or enrol in institutions of higher learning.