COMPUTER APPRECIATION CLUBS (Training of Teachers)

Mr Lim Boon Heng asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education how many teachers have been trained to supervise computer appreciation clubs in secondary schools; how many students are members of such clubs; how much computer time is available to each student member per week; and whether his Ministry plans to provide schools with more micro-computers.

Dr Tay Eng Soon (for the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education): Sir, to date, 438 teachers have been trained to supervise Computer Appreciation Clubs in secondary schools. Another 137 teachers are currently under-going training. They will complete their training in May 1983. A further group of 80 teachers is targetted to undergo training in July 1983. By the end of 1983, it is estimated that 655 teachers would have been trained.

About 8,000 students are members of these Computer Appreciation Clubs. It is expected that the total membership of the clubs will increase to 13,000 by the end of 1983.

The average computer time available for each student member is about half an hour a week.

334 micro-computers have been distributed to 131 secondary schools. 82 schools have been provided with three micro-computer systems each. The rest have between one and two systems each. The Ministry is looking into the possibility of providing more micro-computers for schools.