DAILY-RATED RELIEF TEACHERS

Mr N. Govindasamy asked the Minister for Education (a) what was the number of daily-rated relief teachers employed by his Ministry during 1968; (h) what was the average period of employment of such teachers during 1968; (c) what is the number of daily-rated teachers employed from 1st January, 1969, up to the latest convenient date and their average period of employment; and (d) why is it necessary to employ the large number of daily-rated teachers for long periods.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker. Sir, (a) The number of daily-rated relief teachers employed by my Ministry during 1968 is 2,302.

(b) The period of employment of these teachers varies. In the case of relief teachers appointed to replace permanent teachers called up for National Service, the period of employment will be approximately two years: replacements for permanent teachers on maternity leave will be employed for a period of 42 days: as for replacements for permanent teachers who are on long medical leave (other than maternity leave), the period of employment will depend on how soon the permanent teachers can resume duty after niedical leave: as for replacements filling pure vacancies, the period of employment depends on how soon the vacancies can be filled substantively.

(c) The number of daily-rated relief teachers employed by my Ministry from 1-1-69 to 18-3-69 is 1,000. Of this number, 268 have since resigned, thus leaving only 732 still in the service. The answer to what is the average period of employment is similar to (b) above.

(d) The employment of daily-rated relief teachers is necessary on account of the following reasons:

(i) To relieve permanent teachers who have been drafted into full-time National Service for a period amounting to two years or more.

(ii) To relieve permanent teachers who are on long medical leave or maternity leave.

(iii) To fill vacancies pending recruitment.

Mr N. Govindasamy: Sir, in 1968, 2,302 teachers were recruited. May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary by what criteria these teachers were recruited?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, the criteria for recruiting the relief teachers depend on the type of teachers required, if a teacher is required to teach a certain subject, a relief teacher with that special qualification will be recruited.

Mr N. Govindasamy: Was there a selection board constituted to select these 2,302 teachers? Did they have any specific qualifications as teachers? Or will the principals' reports on the teachers' work in the classroom, at the end of a certain period of teaching, be taken into consideration in renewing the contracts of the daily-rated teachers?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, the appointment of relief teachers does not require a selection board. The work of the relief teachers is under constant review by the principals who make reports on their performances. There is no question of a renewal of contract, because no question of the offer of a contract arises.