NANYANG ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (Problems)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education, as the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts is facing possible closure owing to financial difficulties, if the Government will consider taking over the Academy so as to continue its objective of improving the quality of life of the people and producing more talent for the commercial and industrial sector.

The Senior Minister of State for Education (Mr Chai Chong Yii) (for the Minister for Home Affairs and Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts has been functioning as a private institution for the past 40 years. In 1972, the Ministry of Education was approached for financial assistance to the Academy. Since 1973, donations totalling $86,800 have been made to the Academy to assist it financially.

The problems of the Academy are not only financial but also organisational and administrative. These organisational and administrative problems need to be resolved if the Academy is to be financially viable. Should the Board of Directors of the Academy be unable to resolve these problems themselves, they should seek other assistance to do so. My Ministry is prepared to help if the Board of Directors so request. As the Academy is a private ,institution, the question of taking over will only be considered if an official request is made by its Board of Directors.