CHINESE NAMES IN PINYIN (Use in PSLE and GCE certificates)

Dr Koh Lip Lin asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education whether the names of Chinese students in Pinyin will be used in PSLE and GCE certificates.

Dr Tay Eng Soon (for the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education): Sir, the names of all ethnic Chinese pupils in the Pre-primary and Primary 1 classes have been mandarinized and transcribed in Hanyu Pinyin. By 1982 all Chinese pupils will have their names mandarinized. When these pupils sit for the PSLE, GCE 'O' and 'A' levels in 1982, they will use their names in Hanyu Pinyin with their statutory names in brackets. Their Hanyu Pinyin names will, therefore, appear on the certificates with the statutory names in brackets.

Dr Koh Lip Lin: Sir, I would like to ask the Hon. Minister of State whether principals and teachers will also be asked to use their mandarinized names in Pinyin. If so, when will they be asked to do so? If not, will our students not be wondering why they should use Pinyin names and not their teachers and principals?

Dr Tay Eng Soon: Sir, the Ministry of Education has no plans at the moment to ask teachers to mandarinize their names. The programme applies only to school children.