NANYANG UNIVERSITY AND TAIWAN UNIVERSITY GRADUATES (Rejection of applications to teach in Secondary schools)

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister of Education whether a good number of graduates of the former Nanyang University and of Taiwan universities who have been teaching in primary schools since the 1960s have had their applications to his Ministry, submitted through their principals, to teach in secondary schools rejected, and, if so, what is the reason for the rejection.

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Sir, there are at present 41 graduates of the former Nanyang University and universities in Taiwan or China who are teaching in primary schools. Prior to 1979 the Ministry did not keep records of a teacher's applications for posting. I regret, therefore, that I am not able to inform the hon. Member as to the number of unsuccessful applications prior to 1979 for transfer to secondary schools from graduates of Nanyang University or Taiwan universities. Between 1979 and now, only two teachers with these qualifications applied for transfer to secondary schools. Both applications were approved.