ADMISSION TO PRIMARY SCHOOL (Priority for fourth child)

Dr Dixie Tan asked the Minister for Education why, in view of the Government's encouragement of larger families, a fourth child is not accorded the same priority in admission to a primary school as a third child.

The Minister of State for Education (Dr Seet Ai Mee) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister.

The Primary School Registration Scheme is designed to enable parents to register their children for admission to schools in a fair and orderly manner. The Registration Scheme was amended in 1987 to include a child from a 3-child family to have the same priority as those from a 1- or 2-child family.

The Government is currently monitoring the results of the new population policy. We will amend the Primary School Registration Scheme if this is considered desirable.

Dr Dixie Tan (Ulu Pandan): The Minister of State has not stated why Government is not giving a fourth child the same priority.

Dr Seet Ai Mee: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Education is currently discussing with the Ministry of Health concerning amending the Primary School Registration Scheme to give the fourth child the same priority in admission to a primary school as a third child. If this is considered desirable, the revised scheme will be implemented in 1990.