OVERSEAS STUDENTS (Permission to do national service after completion of studies)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Defence whether he will consider permitting overseas students, who are liable for national service and who are temporarily back in Singapore from their studies, to return to their studies so that there will be no break, on a bond to be executed by their parents that immediately they complete studies and return to Singapore, they will do their national service.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, all male Singapore citizens who, on attaining the age of 18 years and above, complete any of the following stages of their educational career, namely, the School Certificate or its equivalent; the Higher School Certificate or its equivalent; or a course of study at an institution of higher learning leading to a professional qualification or a degree or diploma, are liable to be called up for national service.

With regard to students currently pursuing courses of study, whether locally or overseas, leading to an educational qualification just referred to, it is the policy of my Ministry to permit such students to complete that particular stage of their educational career without interruption. Only on completion of their studies at the stage in question will they be called up to serve full-time national service if so required.