PUPILS LEAVING SCHOOL BEFORE PSLE (Particulars)

Dr Koh Lip Lin asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education (a) what was the average percentage of pupils who left school before sitting for the PSLE during the past two years; (b) at what stage did most of them leave school; and (c) what were the main reasons for their doing so.

Dr Tay Eng Soon (for the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, during the last two years the total number of primary school students who left the school system before the PSLE was 1.6% of the total enrolment in 1 979 and 0.3% in 1980. These figures do not include those pupils who fail badly in the schools and are transferred to the basic course previously and now to the monolingual course to continue their education. These pupils will continue in the school system until they are ready for enrolment at the VITB. The majority of premature school leavers were at the Primary 6 level. For example, in 1979, out of 4,732 premature school leavers, 3,488 or 74% left at Primary 6. The trend was similar in 1980.

There are various reasons why pupils leave school prematurely. Some leave because they are required to supplement the family income through employment. Others do so because of family problems. The majority do so because they have lost interest in schooling after repeated failure in their studies and because of inadequate parental guidance and support.

Dr Koh Lip Lin (Nee Soon): Sir, I would like to ask the Hon. Minister of State whether the Ministry has carried out or will be carrying out any study to find out what happened to these students who leave school before the PSLE, especially those who have lost interest in their studies.

Dr Tay Eng Soon: Sir, the answer to the Member's question is "Yes". The Ministry has been carrying out studies of pupils who have left the school system.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi (Kampong Kembangan): Sir, noting the statement by the Minister of State that some of the students who dropped out after PSLE had to do something to supplement the income of the family, does this mean that they are taking on some jobs? If so, what type of jobs, and whether this will contravene any labour laws of this country?

Dr Tay Eng Soon: Sir, on the question of contravening the labour laws in this country, the Member should address the question to the Minister for Labour.

Dr Toh Chin Chye (Rochore): Sir, just to follow up, may I ask the Minister of State of Education this question: Can he attribute the number of drop-outs in primary schools to the restructuring of the education policy?

Dr Tay Eng Soon: Sir, before the restructuring of the school system, those who failed badly were put on the basic course for a number of years until such time when they became ready for entry into the VITB. Since the restructuring of the education system, many of these students would go into the monolingual stream, again for a number of years of basic education, before joining the VITB. I think it is too early to say whether the revised education system is resulting in more students not making it through the school system.