BOYS IN SOCIAL WELFARE HOMES (Preparation for employment)

Encik Abbas Abu Amin asked the Acting Minister for Social Affairs how many boys are currently living in the various social welfare homes and what forms of education, including vocational training, are being provided to prepare them for gainful employment upon their discharge.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Teo Chong Tee) (for the Acting Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are 285 boys currently living in five Social Welfare Homes and Hostels. Of this number, 96 (or 34%) are boys who were committed to the Home by the Juvenile Court. They are mostly premature school-leavers and are prone to violence. They are trained initially to undertake manual work, such as laundry, Home-maintenance work and assembling parquet pieces. As their rehabilitation progresses, they will be trained in basic carpentry, metal work, arc-welding and assembling electronic components. Those who perform very well will be given job placements under the Day Release Scheme to work in manufacturing companies. They will report for work daily and return to the Home after work until they are released on parole.

The remaining 189 (or 66%) are less problematic boys who attend normal schools or are given training in vegetable farming, gardening, laundry, general Home-maintenance work, simple assembly works and other basic skills. In addition, the boys participate in physical, religious, social and recreational and leisure activities to improve their physical and mental health and to appreciate communal living.

Regular vocational and technical training courses conducted by VITB are not suitable for the boys because of their different educational background, length of stay and aptitude. The rehabilitation process hinges on providing training in simple skills and the inculcation of work discipline and moral values so that the boys can take on gainful employment after discharge.

Encik Saidi Haji Shariff: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am interested to know what kind of moral education or religious instruction is being given to these boys to help them to develop and become good citizens.

Mr Teo Chong Tee: Sir, we have volunteers to come to the Home and conduct religious classes for the boys so that after their discharge they can become useful citizens again.