PAP COMMUNITY FOUNDATION KINDERGARTENS AT POTONG PASIR CONSTITUENCY

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Chiam See Tong -

Mr Chiam See Tong: To ask the Minister for Education whether his Ministry has been notified that the PAP Community Foundation kindergartens at Potong Pasir Estate and at Lorong 8, Toa Payoh in the Potong Pasir Constituency shall be discontinued in 1995.

Dr Kanwaljit Soin (Nominated Member): Question No. 3, Sir.

The Minister for Education (Mr Lee Yock Suan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Education has not been notified that the kindergartens run by the PAP Community Foundation at Potong Pasir Estate and at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, in the Potong Pasir Constituency, will be discontinued in 1995.

Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang): Sir, does any kindergarten, whether to set up or discontinue a kindergarten, need to notify the Ministry of its intention?

Mr Lee Yock Suan: Sir, those that wish to set up will have to get the approval of the Ministry under the Education Act. If they wish to change their plan according to the market demand or resource constraints, they will have to inform the Ministry. That is mainly for record purposes.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Is there any control by the Ministry of Education as to whether kindergartens should be set up at certain places or whether they should be discontinued?

Mr Lee Yock Suan: The Government has decided to leave the kindergarten and pre-primary sector to the private sector. So it is up to the market forces to determine where the kindergartens are built.