UNIVERSITY NIGHT COURSES FOR WORKING CLASS

Mr Lee Teck Him asked the Minister for Education if he will examine the feasibility of the running of university courses at night to afford young working-class people the opportunity to do a university course.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, our university education has expanded at a considerable speed recently, and with the reorganisation that is taking place, it would be desirable for our universities to consolidate their existing commitments and to expand further only in those areas which are to serve the more urgent needs of the Republic.

Though university resources are at present limited in terms of finance and staff, the University Extra-mural Studies Department has been organising courses for the last six years to fulfil the needs of persons who are already in employment. The Adult Education Board also runs further education classes to afford young working-class people the opportunity of further education.

Mr Lee Teck Him (Ulu Pandan): (In Mandarin): Sir, does the Government intend to organise night courses at the universities to cater for the young working-class people?

Mr Ong Pang Boon: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have just given two reasons why it is not feasible to run night courses at the universities.