GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS (Shortage of teachers)

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap asked the Minister for Education (a) whether he is aware that in certain Government primary schools some classes are still without teachers; (h) why there is a shortage of teachers: and (c) when those vacancies will be filled.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as I am aware, all classes in Government primary schools are filled either be regular teachers or relief teachers who arc paid on a day-to-day basis. Teachers are posted to primary schools in accordance with the approved staffing quota. As second language teachers are included in the quota, some schools have to make use of them as form teachers. Whilst classes may be without first language teachers as form teachers, nevertheless lessons are carried out according to the class time-tables.

As for the second and third parts of the question, there is now a shortage of regular teachers as vacancies arising out of terminations, resignations, dismissals, retirements, and increase of classes can only be filled in May/June 1969 when students of the full-time course at the Teachers' Training College will be available for employment. In the meantime, all vacancies are filled by relief teachers.