SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Education whether there is a shortage of teachers and, if so, how serious is the problem.

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: There is at present no significant shortage of teachers in the Education Service. However more teachers will be required over the next five years, to cater for vacancies arising from retirement and resignation and the various improvements in the Education system such as single-session schools and reduced pupil-teacher ratio. The Ministry has thus planned accordingly to meet this future demand.