ADMISSION TO SCHOOLS (Priority Registration for Graduate Mothers)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education (a) how many graduate mothers have registered their third child for Primary One in 1985 under the priority Phase 1A scheme and what were the schools of their choice; (b) whether such priority scheme has affected the chances of those in the other priority schemes of registration to be carried out later; and (c) how long will this scheme last.

Dr Tay Eng Soon (for the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, a total of 157 graduate mothers applied under Phase 1A for Primary 1 and Pre-Primary places under the new registration scheme.

They applied for places in a total of 36 schools. The schools ranged from the better known ones such as ACS, Nanyang Primary School and Catholic High School, to lesser known ones such as Sembawang Hills Estate, Kong Hwa and Canberra Primary School.

The number of pupils registered under Phase IA in any of the 36 schools do not amount to even half a class. They will not affect the chances of those coming in later phases of the scheme.

The Member has asked how long the new scheme will last. As I have explained previously in this House and elsewhere, we are faced with a dual problem, namely, that many of our graduate women are not marrying and when they do, they are having very small families. The purpose of the registration scheme is to draw attention to this problem in the hope that over a period of time the very lopsided procreation pattern that we now have will rectify itself. It is too early for me to say how long this will take.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, two supplementary questions. First, out of the 157 graduate mothers who applied under this priority scheme Phase 1A, could the Minister of State enlighten this House as to the number who would qualify to have their third child under this Phase 1A scheme? Secondly, could he also enlighten this House on the number of those graduate mothers who have only two children and who have registered under Phase 1 B with the Ministry, and how many of them qualify under this scheme?

Dr Tay Eng Soon: Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to his first question, out of the 157 who applied, 147 were given places. As to the second question regarding Phase 1B, which is just over, there are basically two groups of pupils involved. There are those who have brothers or sisters in the school that they are applying for and they are getting priority as in previous years under Phase 1. This comprised the vast majority of applicants for schools under Phase 1. They totalled 9,053 and they were registered in 146 primary schools.

The second category under Phase 1 B are graduate mothers with two children. A total of 403 applied for and were offered places in a total of 55 schools.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Sir, would the Minister of State assure the House that such a scheme will not in any way affect the priorities of others?

Dr Tay Eng Soon: Mr Speaker, Sir, from the figures I have just quoted, the vast majority of people are receiving places under the priority as in previous years, and the number who come from the category of graduate mothers is not large in comparison.