SEMINARS FOR PRE-U STUDENTS (Participation by PAP leaders)

Dr Lee Siew-Choh asked the Minister for Education why only leaders from the People's Action Party are allowed to participate in seminars for Pre-U students and to address school children.

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

Sir, the Member's question is unfounded. Out of the 20 speakers who addressed the Plenary Sessions at the last three Pre-University Seminars, only five were Government Ministers or PAP Members of Parliament. Invitations to participate in seminars or to address school children are issued to people who are considered by the schools to be appropriate for the occasion.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: Sir, will the Parliamentary Secretary consider Opposition leaders appropriate to address the school children?

Mr Tang Guan Seng: Sir, if Dr Lee would like to volunteer himself, I will pass his name to the organizers for consideration in future.