TEACHERS (In-service training courses and bonus scheme)

Mr N. Govindasamy asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the number of in-service training courses conducted by his Ministry for teachers in the four language streams since the beginning of this year; and (b) what is the outcome of the proposed bonus scheme for teachers who undergo the in-service training courses.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Dr Lee Chiaw Meng) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, since the beginning of this year, 35 in-service training courses for teachers in the four language streams have been conducted. It is planned to conduct another 17 in the course of this year.

The bonus scheme had not been finalised when the Member of Parliament for Telok Blangah raised that question in the last session of Parliament. My Ministry is now ready to implement the bonus scheme which will replace the incremental benefit scheme.

Courses will be conducted from time to time on a variety of subjects designed to increase the quality and efficiency of qualified teachers in Government and Government-aided schools in the four language streams. All such courses shall lead to an examination and the award of a certificate. On successful completion of such approved courses, the teachers will be given a bonus.

To ensure that the greatest benefit is derived from the bonus scheme, teachers are selected for the approved courses under a certain criterion. In selecting candidates, consideration will be given to the relevance of the subject matter of the course to the candidate's teaching and extra-curricular activities, his qualifications and special interests, and the recommendations of his superior officers.

Under the bonus scheme to be implemented, a teacher will be granted $150 on successful completion of an approved in-service course and thereafter an annual bonus of $150 for not more than three years provided the teacher teaches the subject of the course for not less than 15 periods a week throughout the year. The annual bonus will not be granted for more than one subject at any one time.

In addition to approved courses under the bonus scheme, other courses outside the scheme will also be conducted. Courses which lead to a basic qualification, such as the in-service course of teacher-training and other upgrading courses for emplacement on a higher salary, will not normally be considered as approved courses under the bonus scheme.

Although the incremental benefit scheme will be replaced by the bonus scheme, teachers already in receipt of incremental credits will continue to receive them.

Mr N. Govindasamy (Telok Blangah): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary elucidate to the House the rationale behind stopping the bonus scheme after three years, although the teacher concerned may continue to teach the subject in which he qualified?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, this is a bonus scheme and a bonus is terminable.

Mr N. Govindasamy: The Parliamentary Secretary says that a bonus will be paid for the first year, second year and third year. Why not pay for the fourth and fifth year? Why stop at the third year? I know a bonus can be terminated. It can be terminated in the first year.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, conditions change and the bonus has to be terminated somewhere. We have worked out that a bonus of three years is sufficient as an incentive for teachers to go for in-service training.

Mr N. Govindasamy: Sir, what is the rationale for stopping the bonus at the third year and what is the criterion for arriving at this decision?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, it has been so worked out that it is comparable to the incremental credits which a teacher would derive under the former scheme.