IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES FOR TEACHERS (Particulars)

Mr N. Govindasamy asked the Minister for Education (a) how many teachers have attended in-service training courses, which will qualify them for incremental credits, up to the latest convenient date; (b) what is the basis of selection of teachers for participation in such courses; (c) how many teachers have attended more than one such course; (d) how many teachers who had undergone in-service training courses have been utilised in the Education Service; and (e) whether he will consider increasing the number of in-service training courses to enable more teachers to take advantage of such courses.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Dr Lee Chiaw Meng) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, since the first in-service course earning incremental credits was conducted in 1964, to date 1,873 teachers have attended in-service training courses which qualify them for incremental credits.

Teachers who apply for participation in incremental benefit courses are selected by a duly constituted selection board on the basis of (a) aptitude; (b) qualifications; (c) relevance to the present teaching; and (d) recommendation from the principal of the school. Other things being equal, those who have not had the opportunity of attending any in-service courses are given more consideration. The only exception to this procedure is the course on the teaching of English as a second language. All teachers who are teaching this subject are required to attend this course in batches.

As to the third part of the question, Sir, 17 teachers have attended more than one such course earning incremental credits.

As to the fourth part of the question, Sir, teachers who had undergone in-service courses have been assigned to teaching subjects related to the training which they have received.

As to the last part of the question, Sir, since the aim is to improve the quality of teachers, more in-service courses will be organised. However, with a view to economising on recurrent expenditure and, at the same time, to providing some kind of incentive, my Ministry has proposed to the Ministry of Finance a bonus scheme to replace the present incremental credit scheme. Several non-incremental benefit in-service courses have been conducted for teachers in various subjects. Every teacher who takes pride in his teaching and wants to bring up to date his knowledge of the content and technique will, of his own interest, volunteer to enrol in such courses. The desire to achieve fulfilment in their chosen profession should be the best and ultimate motivation.

Mr N. Govindasamy (Telok Blangah): Sir, my supplementary question is also in parts.

First, can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education explain why 17 teachers have taken more than one such in-service course?

Second, the Parliamentary Secretary mentioned that, as far as possible, those who took additional courses teach the subjects in which they have been trained. Can he categorically state that these teachers teach the subjects in which they have been trained?

Third, in what form is the bonus scheme going to replace the incremental credit scheme?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, the reason why 17 teachers have done more than one such course is that they find that they are subject teachers for more than one subject and it is in their own interest to up-grade themselves.

There are cases of drop-out of teachers who have undertaken in-service courses and who are not utilised for teaching the subjects in which they have been trained. In such cases, their incremental credits have been withdrawn.

As to the last part of the supplementary question regarding the bonus scheme which my Ministry has proposed, the details are being worked out and a final decision on the matter has not been made yet.

Mr J. F. Conceicao (Katong): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education say why it is at all necessary to offer bonus incentives to teachers to come forward for courses when large numbers of them have come forward for such courses without having such incentives?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, there are certain subjects which are not "hot favourites" with the teachers. As a result, certain incentives and bonuses have to be provided.

Mr N. Govindasamy: Sir, is the Parliamentary Secretary saying that only subjects that are "hot favourites" attract teachers to attend these in-service courses?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, I would appreciate it if the Member for Telok Blangah could repeat his question.

Mr Speaker: Mr Govindasamy, can you rephrase your question, please?

Mr N. Govindasamy: Sir, the Parliamentary Secretary says that we have to offer incentives to attract teachers to attend the special courses in subjects that do not appeal to them. Does he mean that it is only the bonus which attracts the teachers to attend these courses?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: It appears to be so in certain subjects like English as a second language.