ADMISSION OF '0' LEVEL STUDENTS INTO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS (Figures)

Dr Ow Chin Hock asked the Minister for Education, of the 'O' level students who were eligible for higher education in 1985 and 1986, how many per cent were admitted into (i) junior colleges, (ii) Pre-University centres and (iii) Polytechnics.

The Minister of State for Education (Dr Tay Eng Soon) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister.

Sir, in 1985, 22,725 '0' level certificate holders were eligible for higher education. Of these, 9,522 or 42% were admitted to junior colleges, 2,568 or 11% were admitted to pre-university centres and 6,113 or 26.9% to the polytechnics. The corresponding figures for 1986 are as follows: 19,686 were eligible for higher education, 10,591 or 54% went on to junior colleges, 2,716 or 14% went on to pre-university centres and 5,279 or 26.8% went on to polytechnics.