SUBSIDY FOR PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked the Minister for Education how much is the subsidy for each pre-primary student.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Mr Tang Guan Seng)(for the Minister for Education): I am replying on behalf of my Minister, Sir.

The subsidy for each pre-primary student in FY 86 was $1,771.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon (Yuhua): Sir, I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether there is any plan for the Ministry to provide pre-primary education for handicapped children.

Mr Tang Guan Seng: The education of the handicapped children is a separate issue. The main consideration of pre-primary education is whether it is desirable to lower the formal education age for our pupils from six years old to five. When a decision is made, we can then consider which group of pupils should be covered.

Mr Chiam See Tong: May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether this figure of $1,771 comprise mainly in respect of recurrent teachers' salary or capital expenditure.

Mr Tang Guan Seng: Recurrent expenditure.