EMPLOYMENT OF GOVERNMENT SCHOLARS

Mr S. Chandra Das asked the Prime Minister (a) what is the number of government scholars who have been given employment over the last three years; (b) whether these scholars have been employed in the public or private sectors; and (c) are there any plans to release more of these scholars to the private sector.

The Prime Minister: The number of government scholars given employment in the last three years from 1981 to 1983 was 522. Of these, 506 were given jobs in the public sector i.e. Government Ministries, the SAF, the Singapore Police Force and Statutory Boards. 16 were released to government-owned companies and companies with government participation in the private sector.

Whilst government scholars are expected to serve their bonds in the public sector, PSC has from time to time released scholars to the private sector to meet its manpower requirements in specialised areas such as Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering for which locally trained personnel are not available. PSC will continue to consider releasing scholars to the private sector depending on the priority of needs of the public and private sectors.