YOUTH EDUCATION CENTRES

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Education if his Ministry will help, through subsidies or the provision of suitable vacant school premises, approved community service agencies to operate Youth Education Centres which can help school drop-outs to study and resit Primary School Leaving Exam, O and A level exams.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: MOE currently provides subsidies for 2 types of pupils: pupils in the mainstream schools and those in special education schools which are run by Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) registered with MOE. The Ministry does not provide subsidies to community service agencies to operate Youth Education Centres which can help school drop-outs to study and re-sit examinations.

National Youth Council (NYC) is looking into the problem of out-of school youths. We understand that the TOUCH Community Services have been asked to work together with Marine Parade CDC to set up a Youth Learning Centre (YLC) for youths who have dropped out of schools. The proposal will be forwarded to NYC for consideration. NYC will liaise with other Government agencies to help them in their efforts. Attachment - The Trading and Suspension of Mid-Continent Shares on SESDAQ (Cols. 985 - 988)