OVERSEAS COURSE IN ENGLISH FOR NON-ENGLISH MEDIUM TEACHERS (Particulars)

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education (a) what is the objective and scope of the Overseas Course in English provided by his Ministry for non-English medium teachers: (b) what is the number of persons who have been selected and sent for overseas training and what are the categories of those persons, e.g., principals or teachers; and (c) what are the criteria for selection.

Dr Goh Keng Swee: Sir, with declining enrolment in Chinese-stream schools, and increasing enrolment in English-stream schools, many teachers in the Chinese stream could become redundant unless they can teach in English. The purpose of sending some of these teachers abroad, to Britain and New Zealand, is to enable them to acquire a command of the English language in an English-speaking environment. Special courses have been arranged at British Universities in accordance with the subjects taught by these teachers. Special courses are also arranged for school principals and Ministry officers.

These courses are of six-month and nine-month duration. Fifteen are now in the United Kingdom - four principals, four Ministry officers and seven teachers. Another 70, all teachers, have been selected for similar courses over the next two years.

Selection is based on merit and experience.