INCREASED INTAKE OF FOREIGN STUDENTS

Mr Goh Chong Chia asked the Minister for Education whether the increased intake of foreign students will in any way reduce the absolute numbers of the intake of local students.

Dr Aline Wong (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, the intake of foreign students into our schools and junior colleges does not reduce the absolute numbers of the intake of local students. All eligible local students are assured of a school place in our educational institutions. For primary, secondary and pre-U institutions, local students are given priority in placement over the foreign students.

All Singaporean students who qualify for admission to our institutes of higher learning (IHLs) will also not be deprived of a place at our IHLs. The increase in the intake of foreign students constitutes part of the IHLs' expansion plans, and is not at the expense of our local students. Between 1990 and 1999, the number of university places given to local students for undergraduate study increased from 6,600 to 8,600. Similarly, the number of polytechnic places given to local students rose from 9,100 in 1990 to 15,900 in 1999. By 1999, there are sufficient places for 21% of the age cohort to enter university and 39% to enter the polytechnics.

Between 1990 and 1999, we were able to create another 1,500 university places and 1,200 polytechnic places for foreign students over this 10-year period. These foreign students were admitted on top of the local student intake. The IHLs have been careful to ensure that the quality of the foreign students admitted is on average higher than that of the local students, so that their presence adds to the vibrancy of the academic environment and increase the quality of education at the IHLs.

Mr Goh Chong Chia (Nominated Member): Sir, I would like to find out for the institutes of higher learning, what percentage of these foreign students come from the first world and the rest of the world. That is the first question.

The second question is this. I understand that the Minister of State said that 60% of the cohort go to institutes of higher learning. I want to find out if we include our students that go overseas, what would that percentage be.

Dr Aline Wong: I am sorry I do not have the figures or the breakdown of the country of origin of the foreign students. But I would say the majority of them are from countries like China, India and the ASEAN countries. As for his question about the cohort participation rate in our institutions of higher learning, if we include those who go overseas, I think the figure would be anything between 25% and 27%. But please note that we do not have the exact figures on those who go overseas to study because they are not obliged to tell us.