HELP FOR NEEDY STUDENTS

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Education (a) if his Ministry has set up a mechanism during this economic downturn to identify needy children who cannot afford to pay for school fees, new textbooks and uniforms in 1999; (b) whether provision has been made to help out such students and, if not, where can parents find help; and (c) whether such information is made known to all schools.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: The Ministry of Education gives free textbooks and school fee subsidies to students who need financial assistance. Application forms for the Financial Assistance Scheme can be obtained from schools. Schools also provide additional assistance from their School Advisory Committee or School Management Committee funds on a need basis.

MOE publicises our Financial Assistance Scheme widely through the schools. Principals also refer needy pupils to welfare organisations for other assistance, bursaries or scholarships as necessary. Further, information on where to get financial help has been widely publicised in the press. The Straits Times on 17 November 1998, for example, carried an article summarising the help given by MOE and other organisations, together with information on the application procedure for assistance. MOE and our schools will continue to provide help to students who need assistance.