FURTHER EDUCATION FOR SAF OFFICERS AND NCOs

Mr S. Chandra Das asked the Minister of Defence what plans or programmes are available for promoting further education among officers and the rank and file, to ensure that there is continuing improvement in the quality of the Singapore Armed Forces.

The Minister of State of Defence (Dr Yeo Ning Hong) (for the Minister of Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is established Mindef policy to promote further education among regular officers and NCOs in the SAF.

A modern army is a very complex organization. Those who run it must be professionally trained in military matters and highly skilled in modern warfare and weapons systems. Officers and NCOs must be able to think, plan, and innovate. They should be exposed early in their careers to a wide field of knowledge and experience that education and specialized training can provide. The ability to think out solutions to problems and the vigorous discipline that come with further education will enhance their professional training.

Regular servicemen constitute the main strength of SAF leadership. Those who can and want to improve themselves will receive every encouragement and support to complete their further studies. The better educated our officers and men, the more they will be able to contribute to the SAF.

Mindef programmes to provide further education to officers and NCOs in the SAF are comprehensive. Every serviceman who is keen and willing to work hard to obtain better training and education to upgrade himself to enable him to be a better officer or NCO will be given every opportunity and assistance. Their selection for the various courses and training awards will depend on the needs of the SAF and on their own military performance and potential. The various schemes available include the following for different categories of officers and NCOs:-

(i) Newly recruited officers who qualify for admission to the National University of Singapore are offered either local scholarships or bursaries or training awards for courses approved by Mindef. Promising officers who qualify for admission to over- seas universities are awarded SAF Overseas Scholarships tenable not only at Oxford and Cambridge as at present, but also at other universities in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Overseas Training Awards for practical training in overseas military institutions will continue to be given, and will be increased wherever possible.

(ii) Senior officers of rank, Lieutenant-Colonel and above, who missed the opportunity to receive further education before joining the SAF but who are still keen to study at a tertiary level will be selected to attend a War College course or to follow a special course leading to the Diploma in Strategic Studies currently being planned with the assistance of the National University of Singapore. Officers below the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel who qualify for admission to the National University of Singapore, or other universities to complete courses offered by Mindef will be sponsored on the same basis as newly-commissioned officers. No-pay study leave with study loans and grants will be given to officers who wish on their own to pursue university courses relevant to their work in the SAF.

(iii) Officers who do not possess the appropriate qualifications for university admission will be given opportunity to attend the GCE 'A' level courses conducted by Mindef on a part-time basis over two years, or (in the case of Majors), the one-year part-time preparatory course for the National University of Singapore Entrance Examinations. Those who gain admission into the National University of Singapore will be considered for sponsorship by Mindef.

(iv) SAF officers who prefer non-academic courses will be given the opportunity to attend courses on Mindef sponsorship at recognized institutions, like the Singapore Polytechnic, the Ngee Ann Polytechnic, the Singapore Institute of Management, and the National Productivity Board.

(v) Post-graduate studies will also be provided selectively to graduates on the basis of military performance, job rele- vance and their military potential. Officers may be sponsored for courses leading to Masters degrees in Public Administration, Military History, War Studies, International Relations, and other subjects relevant to the SAF.

(vi) There are also opportunities for further education for regular servicemen in the rank and file. NCOs who wish to raise their educational level can attend part-time general education classes conducted by Mindef up to GCE 'O' level.

(vii) Mindef also sponsors SAF technicians who qualify for entry into the Singapore Polytechnic and the Ngee Ann Polytechnic. English language courses are conducted to help NCOs, especially those from the non-English streams, to improve their proficiency in English. Language classes are also organized for NCOs to enable them to better communicate with their men.

All in all, these and other educational, vocational, and professional opportunities for SAF officers and NCOs will mean continuing improvement in the quality of SAF manpower resources.