CHILDREN OF LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES (Financial and Other assistance)

The following Question stood in the name of Encik Othman bin Haron Eusofe -

5: To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether he will provide details of financial and other assistance schemes to children of families in the lower-income group to help them in their education at the primary and second level; and (b) whether his Ministry will consider providing free primary and secondary education to children of families with monthly take-home income of $600 and below.

Dr S. Vasoo (Tiong Bahru GRC): Sir, Question 5.

The Senior Minister of State for Education (Dr Tay Eng Soon) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, primary school pupils, who are Singapore citizens or one of whose parents is a Singapore citizen, do not pay any school fees. Pupils pay a miscellaneous fee of $4.00 per month. Pupils whose family income (excluding CPF contributions) does not exceed $350 per month can apply to pay the miscellaneous fee at half the normal rate. These pupils can also apply for a grant of free textbooks.

Secondary school pupils pay a school fee of $5.00 per month and a miscellaneous fee of $5.50 per month. Pupils whose family income (again excluding CPF contributions) which does not exceed $350 per month can apply for remission of school fees and payment of miscellaneous fees at half the normal rate. These pupils can also apply for loan of textbooks. In addition, the Government awards bursaries for secondary education to bright but needy pupils.

The Ministry of Education reviews the above financial assistance schemes for needy pupils regularly. The Ministry will consider extending the schemes to families with incomes of up to $600 per month if there is a need to do so.