WAIVER OF STANDARD MISCELLANEOUS FEES

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Education if he will (i) give the number of school children who have applied for waiver of standard miscellaneous fees for the last 3 years in secondary schools; (ii) consider giving students from needy families, 100% instead of the present 50% waiver of standard miscellaneous fees; and (iii) disseminate information of this financial assistance scheme to each child in all languages when the child first enters secondary school.

Mr Lee Yock Suan: (i) For the school year 1995, 1276 children in secondary schools were granted waiver of standard miscellaneous fees. The numbers were 1369 in 1994, and 1067 in 1993.

(ii) Granting waiver of 50% of standard miscellaneous fees is in line with the Government's philosophy that parents must be responsible for the education of their children. Hence, parents are required to pay a token amount of the fee to instil this sense of responsibility.

(iii) Information of this financial assistance scheme is made known to parents who have difficulty in paying the token fees. On top of that, principals will refer needy children to community and charitable organisations for further financial assistance.