AFTER-SCHOOL CARE AND LATCHKEY SERVICES

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Acting Minister for Community Development what is the status of after-school care and latchkey services for children and what are the future plans.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Before-and-after school care (BASC) programmes and latchkey services for children are provided by many organisations. There are at present 49 BASC programmes in various parts of Singapore. 14 are set up by private operators, 25 by voluntary welfare organisations and 10 by the People's Association together with the PAP Community Foundation.

There is a total of 2,700 places in these 49 programmes. Not all the places are taken up. There is spare capacity of about 24%. Also, not all children who attend these programmes require latchkey services. There are parents who send their children there to receive tuition. BASCs charge a fee depending on the programmes and income level of the parents. Children who attend the voluntary and community run centres and who cannot afford the fees are admitted free or at nominal rates.

As BASCs are well provided by voluntary and community organisations, there are no plans for Government action in this area.