POLICY ON TEXTBOOK PRODUCTION

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the current policy concerning textbook writing and publication; and (b) whether private publishers are allowed to participate in textbook production.

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

Textbooks can be written and published by anyone who wishes to do so. The Ministry has approved for use in schools textbooks which have been written and produced by the private sector. It has never been the policy of the Ministry to keep the private sector out. Even when textbooks are developed or written by the CDIS, publishers in the private sector are invited to tender for publication.

The Ministry of Education has always welcomed the active participation of the private sector in textbook production. In fact, textbooks of acceptable quality produced by the private sector are being used in our schools. Active participation by competing private publishers can enhance the range and quality of materials available to our schools.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Sir, why is there a necessity to change textbooks so frequently?

Mr Tang Guan Seng: Sir, it is not the policy of the Ministry to change textbooks frequently.