TRANSFER OF STUDENTS TO SCHOOLS IN WOODLANDS NEW TOWN

Mr Hawazi Daipi asked the Minister for Education (a) how many students in the various levels in the Woodlands New Town have asked for transfer to schools in the estate for the current academic year; and (b) how his Ministry plans to solve the problem.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: The number of applications for transfer to a school in Woodlands New Town for the current academic year is 2,495 for primary level and 463 for secondary level. This figure includes students who requested for transfers between schools within Woodlands New Town.

As far as possible, the Ministry has accommodated requests for transfers across schools. We were able to make available an additional l,400 places for pupils studying in schools outside Woodlands and Yishun by increasing the enrolment of classes and opening additional classes in the 9 primary schools in Woodlands. The secondary schools accepted 139 pupils to fill the vacancies. Where the demand for places in a particular school exceeded the places available, 3 criteria are used to prioritise the transfer requests. The order of priority for admission of the children is as follows:

i) Children who have a medical history

ii) Children who have siblings in the school

iii) Children who are currently studying in schools furthest from Woodlands to help minimise their long travelling distances between their homes and schools.

There will be more primary and secondary places available in Woodlands New Town to cater for additional demand. Two primary schools, Evergreen Primary School and Woodgrove Primary School, will move to their new premises in March and September 1999 respectively. The Ministry can provide at least 2000 more places in these 2 schools. Woodlands Ring Secondary School can take in more students when schools currently holding in its premises move out in June 1999. A new secondary school at Woodlands Drive 16/Woodlands Avenue 1 will start operation in January 2000. The actual number of classes to be opened will depend on demand.

Applicants who are not successful in their request for transfer this round, could write to their schools of choice or to the Ministry if they want their children to be considered for transfer.