PLANNING OF NEW SCHOOLS IN YISHUN

Dr Koh Lip Lin asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education (a) what ratios of population to primary school, secondary school and junior college, respectively, are used for the planning of new schools in new towns such as Yishun New Town; and (b) when the first primary school in Yishun will be completed.

Mr Ho Kah Leong (for the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the following ratios are used for the planning of new schools for our new towns: For every 9,500 persons : one primary school For every 16,000 persons : one secondary school For every 120,000 persons : one junior college

Thus, for Yishun New Town which is expected to have a total population of 62,000 by 1987, the number of schools planned for the town will be five primary schools which will be built between 1982 and 1987, three secondary schools which will be built between 1984 and 1987 and one junior college by 1987.

Beyond 1987, a new School Building Programme will be initiated to cater for the further needs of Yishun New Town as its population grows.

The first primary school in Yishun New Town will be completed in April 1982. It will be located at Yishun Ring Road.

Dr Koh Lip Lin (Nee Soon): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether a name has been chosen for the new primary school. If he has, what is the name, and on what basis is the name chosen?

Mr Ho Kah Leong: The name of the new school is Cai Qi School which, I believe, is named after a once well-known village in Nee Soon.