BURSARIES FOR STUDENTS OF HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING (Basis of awards)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Education how many bursaries the Government intends to offer in 1969 to students in the University of Singapore, the Nanyang University, the Singapore Polytechnic and the Ngee Ann College; and the basis on which the bursaries will be awarded.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng (for the Minister for Education): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the award of bursaries and scholarships for post- secondary educational institutions is the responsibility of the Public Service Commission. The Secretariat of the Commission has informed me that the sum of $1,499,370 is available for the award of scholarships, bursaries and interest-free study loans to students in post-secondary educational institutions for the current financial year, which runs from January 1969 to March 1970. Worked on a proportionate basis the amount for this year is $1,199,500. The Member for Sembawang might like to know that last year a sum of $1,176,000 was made available for similar awards. The number of awards for this year will depend on the budgetted provision as well as on the number of applicants who have good records in academic work and extracurricular activities and who deserve financial assistance. The Member for Sembawang will appreciate that the actual number of awards to be made will only be known later after all the post-secondary educational institutions have admitted students for the 1968/69 session.

As regards the basis of award of scholarships, bursaries and study loans, the Public Service Commission tells me this will vary with each type of award. President's scholarships and Merit scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence in the Higher School Certificate Examination and on outstanding performance in extracurricular activities. Merit bursaries are awarded on the basis of merit alone irrespective of financial circumstances. On the other hand, special bursaries for Malays are awarded on the basis of financial need. Finally, interest-free study loans are awarded to students who are unable to get a scholarship or a bursary.