TELOK BLANGAH CONSTITUENCY (Building of primary and secondary schools)

Mr Ahmad Haleem asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how many primary and secondary schools will be built in Telok Blangah Constituency.

The Acting Minister for Education (Mr Chai Chong Yii) (for the Minister for Home Affairs and Education): Sir, in new towns, schools are built on the basis of the total school-going population in these towns, as well as those living within three to six kilometres away. They are not built on the basis of the school-going population within a particular constituency.

Within the Telok Blangah New Town, there are at present five primary and two full schools. Within three to six kilometres away from the New Town, there is a total of 25 primary and 13 secondary schools. Within the Telok Blangah Constituency itself, there are at present three primary schools, of which one was built recently. One secondary school with 28 classrooms will be built at Depot Road, within the Constituency.

Mr Ahmad Haleem (Telok Blangah): Mr Speaker, Sir, a supplementary question. Can the Senior Minister of State let us know when the secondary school will open its doors?

Mr Chai Chong Yii: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is difficult to say exactly when, but work on the new secondary school will start in a few months' time.