BOYS' CLUBS (Progress Report)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will give a progress report on the Boys' Clubs which have been established, setting out the reasons for the establishment, the extent of membership and his Ministry's assessment of the usefulness of these Clubs.

The Acting Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Since June 1982, eight Boys' Clubs have been formed in eight constituencies, namely, MacPherson, Bedok, Tanjong Pagar, Kuo Chuan, Kim Seng, Ang Mo Kio, Jurong and Bukit Merah. Each Club has a Management Committee comprising civic group leaders, police representatives, representatives of People's Association and representatives of the boys. The day-to-day activities of each Boys' Club are organised and controlled by 5 Police officers - one Sergeant and 4 others who are either Corporals or Constables. These 5 officers are engaged in these duties on a full-time basis.

The main reasons for the establishment of Boys' Clubs by the Singapore Police Force are:

(1) to help channel the energy of youths towards healthy sports, recreational and social activities which will inculcate correct values, develop character and leadership qualities, protect them from undesirable peer group influences and thereby pre-empt them from indulging in delinquency;

(2) to identify youths with problems that could potentially lead them into delinquency and to ensure that such youths receive help and counselling from police officers and volunteer social workers with the objective of preventing alienation from the mainstream of society.

There is a close link between juvenile delinquency and crime. By helping society tackle the problem of juvenile delinquency, the Police will also achieve another primary objective - that of reducing crime. It also serves to forge closer links and rapport between the community and the police.

The response to the Boys' Clubs has been overwhelming. To date, 6,575 boys have joined the clubs. This is an increase of 80% from the initial membership of 3,658 when the clubs were formed. 72% of them are between the age group of 12 and 15 years. A number of them are premature school-leavers, an important group of young people who need proper guidance so that they are not led astray in their crucial formative years.

The activities organised include regular games such as badminton, soccer, roller skating, table-tennis, carroms, swimming, jogging, hiking, Tae-Kwon-Do and boxing. There are also coordinated joint activities involving all clubs such as a Boys' Club Military Band and a Police Boys' Club Camp. The clubs also organise educational and cultural activities and participate in community and constituency projects, such as visits to the Singapore Science Centre, visits to Homes for the Aged to help in their cleaning and maintenance, and participation in Civil Defence projects and in various activities of Residents' Committees.

It is too early to assess the usefulness of the clubs as six of the 8 clubs are less than a year old. The early indications are that the clubs are useful. The police officers in all clubs are respected by the boys and a close relationship and trust between them has developed. A number of cases of indiscipline and potential delinquency involving the members were brought to the attention of the police and remedial action was taken promptly. Many parents have also on their own accord brought their sons to enrol in the clubs which demonstrates their confidence in the clubs.