FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN OF NON-CITIZEN PERMANENT RESIDENTS

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Education whether free primary education will be given to children born in the Republic of parents who are non-citizens but are permanent residents.

The Minister for Education (Mr Ong Pang Boon): Mr Speaker, Sir, children born in the Republic prior to 16th September, 1963, are eligible for free primary education. Children born in the Republic on or after 16th September, 1963, are eligible (in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic in respect of citizenship) for free primary education only if at least one of the parents is a Singapore citizen. However, those born in the Republic on or after 16th September, 1963, of non-citizen parents, at least one of whom has been permanently residing in the Republic prior to 1st January, 1966, will be required to pay the old rate of school fees, which is only $2.50 per month.