PUNGGOL ESTATE (Building of primary school)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education whether he is aware that the population of Punggol Estate will be 15,000 or more by the end of 1977; and whether the Ministry of Education plans to build a primary school in the vicinity of the Estate and when the school is expected to be ready.

The Senior Minister of State for Education (Mr Chai Chong Yii) (for the Minister for Home Affairs and Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, under the current School Building Programme, new schools are built to meet the demands for school places arising from the shifts of population to HDB new towns and estates. The Ministry is aware that in the Punggol Estate there will be a total of 3,177 housing units built by the end of this year. The population will thus be about 15,800. To-date, existing primary schools located nearby can adequately meet the needs of primary school places in this area. My Ministry is looking into the need and feasibility of building new schools in the Punggol Estate. Data provided by the HDB indicate that one primary school will be required there by 1980.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, since the data provided by the Housing and Development Board indicate that one primary school will be required in Punggol Estate by 1980, will the Minister not consider taking action with regard to the planning and building of this primary school by 1980, rather than just making the point that the need is there in 1980?

Mr Chai Chong Yii: Sir, planning is already being done.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: if planning is in hand, what and when will this plan materialise?

Mr Chai Chong Yii: Mr Speaker, Sir, barring unforeseen difficulties, there should be a school by the end of 1980.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Senior Minister of State not contradict himself by saying that the primary school will be ready by 1980 when a site has not been found?

Mr Chai Chong Yii: Sir, as I have just said, this is one of the difficulties that we have to sort out with the HDB.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Sir, will the Senior Minister of State then assure this House that, barring any unforeseen circumstances or difficulties, his Ministry will relentlessly get on to the planning and building of such a primary school by 19807 Moreover, is he not unaware that 3,177 housing units, as pointed out by him, will be completed and populated by the end of this year?

Mr Chai Chong Yii: Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand the Member's concern for his constituents. As this is part of the work of the Ministry, I can assure him that this is within my responsibility and I will do my best to see that a school is built by 1980. But as I have said, if there are difficulties which I cannot resolve, then I cannot deliver the school.

3.25 p.m.