HOSTELS FOR FOREIGN AND LOCAL STUDENTS

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education whether the number of foreign students in Singapore has increased, and if he will consider introducing boarding schools for students from other Asean countries as well as local students.

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of foreign students studying in our schools has increased from 8,462 in 1973 to 12,502 in 1979. The Ministry of Education has approached some mission schools and Government-aided schools to set up hostels. St. Patrick's School is planning to build a hostel with a capacity of 128 pupils. Work will start in April this year and should be completed by 1981.

Other schools are also planning to set up hostels. They are the Anglican High School, Chung Cheng High School, Anglo-Chinese Secondary School, St. Andrew's Secondary School, Presbyterian Boys' School, Chinese High School, Hwa Chong Junior College, Catholic Junior College and Nanyang Junior College. The total number of pupils who will be able to stay in these hostels comes to 1,456. Lay-out plans are being drawn up by the architects and the hostels are expected to be completed by the end of 1981.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi (Kampong Kembangan): Sir, does it mean that by taking in these foreign students, Singapore students will be deprived of places?

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is no. There are ample places for Singapore citizens in our schools. No Singapore citizen will be deprived of a place either in a primary or secondary school or in a junior college if he makes the grade.