CHILDREN'S CENTRES AND CRECHES (Adequacy of)

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Social Affairs (a) what are the activities carried on in children's centres and creches; and (b) if the number of creches presently run by his Ministry is adequate; whether there are plans for the opening of new creches; and if one of those creches can be situated in a locality convenient for the use of residents in the Tanjong Rhu Housing Estate.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Social Welfare Department is currently operating eight children's centres. These centres provide elementary education and training for non-school going children between the ages of five and 15 years. In addition to classroom work, the children are taught arts and crafts, basketry. sewing and carpentry, physical training, games and kindergarten activities depending on their age. They are given one light meal a day and are provided with regular medical and dental care. The Social Welfare Department, working in close liaison with the Ministry of Education, also looks into the arrangements for the admission of the children into regular schools. In 197!. 489 children have been so admitted. As the number of non-school going children is on the decline and as the People's Association is operating a large number of kindergarten classes, there is a diminishing need for children's centres. The Social Welfare Department, therefore, has no plan to expand this programme.

The Department also operates ii creches. These creches offer a day-care service for young children so as to enable their parents to give of their best while at work. The nutritious meals provided in the creches will help overcome malnutrition among young children of working parents and the kindergarten training given to them will give them a better start in life.

For our present needs, the 11 existing creches and two more under construction - one in Toa Payoh New Town Centre and the other in the Kallang Industrial Estate - would appear to be adequate. In its long-term planning, however, the Social Welfare Department has included the establishment of creches in Queenstown and other Housing and Development Board estates where there is a high concentration of working mothers. The Department will look into the need for setting up a creche in the Katong/Tanjong Rhu area for possible inclusion in the Housing and Development Board's plans for the development of the reclaimed land along the East Coast of Singapore.

Additionally, the Government is encouraging the private sector, particularly the industrial establishments, to provide creches where there are a large number of working mothers as employees.

Mr J. F. Conceicao (Katong): Mr Speaker. Sir, can the Minister tell us how long it will take for the long-term development plan that he has described to mature in respect of the development of more creches'? This need is especially felt in view of our intention to encourage more women to join the work force.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sorry I cannot tell the Member off-hand. It is a long-term policy. I personally would like to see the creches built as soon as possible. However, there is the question of funds, and also other aspects have to be considered.

Mr Conceicao: Mr Speaker. Sir, can I obtain from the Minister a more specific assurance that a creche will be built to serve the people living in the Tanjong Rhu housing estate, because the sea front is still a couple of miles away from where I would personally like the creche to be?

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker. Sir, will the Member put in an application and send it to me?