1979 EDUCATION REPORT (Implementation)

Maj Fong Sip Chee asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for Education and Minister for Health (1) that in view of the fact that the Education Report (Paper Misc 3 of 1979), adopted by Parliament on 30 March 1979, did contain an understanding that a pass in N4, or the CSE (now known as 'N' Level) would suffice to gain promotion to N5 which would lead to the GCE 'O' Level, will he therefore agree that the new stipulation that a certain standard beyond a pass in the 'N' Level examinations is required for promotion to N5, is a breach of the understanding; and (2) if he will, in accordance with the Parliamentary Resolution of 30 March 1979, accord due respect to Parliament by reporting back to Parliament on all the aspects in the implementation of the Report.

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: The answers are as follows:

(1) The ordinary stream (now called the Normal Course) as conceived in the "Report on the Ministry of Education 1978", was to assist less able students to complete secondary education with a useful qualification. The Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE), now known as the General Certificate of Education, Normal Level (GCE 'N" Level) was recommended for three reasons:

• "to provide students who could not succeed at the GCE 'O' Level with a lower qualification",

• "to provide average and below average students guidance on the number and choice of subjects for GCE 'O' Level Examination", and

• "to provide the average and below average students exposure to a common examination in order to reduce examination shock at the GCE 'O' Level Examination a year later."

The criteria for promotion to Secondary 5 'N' are being reviewed by the Ministry, taking into account the experience of the first batch of the Normal Course students who are now in Secondary 5 'N'.

(2) The Ministry of Education has been monitoring the implementation of the New Education System and has given periodic reports to Parliament since 1980. With the establishment of the Schools Council in 1981, detailed progress reports have also been made every month to the teaching profession and the public. Members of Parliament can also receive copies of these reports on application to the Ministry.