PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS (Transfers of students)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how many primary and secondary school students have been allowed transfer to another school, because of shifting of homes, since 2nd January, 1975, and how many applications for such transfer are still pending; and if his Ministry will undertake, at the request of parents, to arrange for such transfers, especially of students in the lower primary classes, instead of the parents having themselves to look for places for their children in the new school as at present.

The Minister of State for Education (Mr Chai Chong Yii) (for the Minister for Home Affairs and Education): Sir, parents who wish to transfer their children from one school to another, whether on account of a change of address or for any other reason, apply direct to the school of their choice. They seek assistance of the Ministry of Education only when they encounter difficulties. Where parents so request, the Ministry will assist in arranging for the necessary transfers. Since most transfers are dealt with by the schools direct without the need to refer to the Ministry, no record of applications for transfer is kept. Figures relating to transfer on account of change of address are therefore not available.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, if parents were to go to the school for a transfer, the principal will say, "No vacancy". The Ministry of Education, therefore, has to direct the principal to take in the student because he has changed his address.

Mr Chai Chong Yii: Sir, I think the Member for Anson does not understand me. If parents have any difficulty, they should approach the Ministry of Education. The principal can only say whether there is a vacancy in his school. He will not know whether there are vacancies in other schools. So parents should go to the Admissions Section of the Ministry of Education where the officers can help them as far as possible to find places in schools nearest their homes.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, that is what I want. A directive must be given to every principal that if any boy wants a transfer his parents can go to the Ministry of Education.