AIDED-SCHOOLS (Higher funding)

Dr Ong Chit Chung asked the Minister for Education whether the Government will consider higher funding for aided-schools, to help defray the costs of land and buildings.

The Minister for Education (Mr Lee Yock Suan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Education has reviewed the funding formula for the building of Government-aided schools, taking into consideration the improvements in standards of school buildings and increases in construction and land costs since the current funding formula of 90:10 was set in 1990. To reduce the burden of fund raising by and for the aided schools, my Ministry will increase the capital grant rate for land premiums and building costs to aided schools and junior colleges from 90% to 95% with immediate effect. This halves the amount of funds to be raised by aided schools for standard school facilities and land premiums.

Dr Ong Chit Chung (Bukit Batok): Mr Speaker, Sir, I want to thank the Minister for the very generous revision. I would like to ask whether the Government would consider giving longer land leases, 60 years or 100 years, to the aided schools. At present, some schools are on a 30-year lease.

Mr Lee Yock Suan: I think a 30-year lease is adequate for school purposes and the schools have been able to function within this limit. If there is a need to renew the lease and there is no more urgent need for the land, I am sure the land would be made available. But this question really should be answered by the Land Office.