1971 PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVING EXAMINATION (Particulars of failures)

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Education how many children who failed the Primary School Leaving Examination in 1971 (i) were allowed to repeat in Primary VI classes in 1972; and (ii) were asked to leave school, giving breakdown figures for each of the four language streams.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, of the 75,000 pupils who sat for the 1971 Primary School Leaving Examination, 29,000 or 39 per cent were unsuccessful but allowed to repeat Primary VI classes in 1972. The breakdown figures, according to language streams, are as follows: English 20,264 Chinese 6,577 Malay 2,263 Tamil 102 ------ Total 29,206 ======

With respect to the second part of the question, the number of unsuccessful pupils who had to leave school is as follows: English 4,306 Chinese 1,221 Malay 394 Tamil 52 ----- Total 5,973 =====

These pupils had to leave school because they were over-aged for the Primary VI classes. However, they were invited to join the Vocational Preparatory Classes which were specially organised for them by the Adult Education Board.

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff: (In Malay): Sir, can the Minister of State for Education tell the House in which centres are these Vocational Preparatory Classes conducted?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, there are at present four such centres. They are at Parry Avenue, Kim Keat, Mountbatten Road, and Queenstown.

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister of State consider setting up a similar centre in the eastern sector to cater for pupils in Kampong Kembangan and the surrounding areas?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, at present, pupils from the eastern sector are being catered for by the centre at Mountbatten. However, if there is sufficient response and when facilities are available, we may consider setting up a centre in the Kampong Kembangan area.