SMALLER CLASSES FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Education whether his Ministry has taken steps to reduce the number of children in the classes of our Primary and Secondary schools, in the light of his findings on enrolments of independent schools abroad.

The Minister for Education (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, manageable enrolments and better teacher-pupil ratios are necessary if we are to improve the quality of education in Singapore. These and other findings were identified by the principals and myself during our visit to schools in the United States of America and the United Kingdom in December 1986. A Report on the visit is being finalized and will be made public early next month. The Report will deal not only with the query raised by the Member but with the other factors which are necessary to make a good and successful school. To answer the Member's query fully, I should discuss it in relation to these other factors. Sir, if the Member will be patient for a few more weeks, I promise that his query will be answered fully.