ANALYSIS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE

Dr Jennifer Lee asked the Minister for Education (a) whether an analysis has been done of the socio-economic profile, as measured by household income, housing type or other relevant indicators, of students in (i) the Gifted Education Programme (GEP), (ii) the Express Stream, (iii) the Normal Stream, (iv) the polytechnics, and (v) the universities; (b) if so, what is the profile; and (c) if not, does his Ministry intend to do such an analysis to determine how successful or otherwise we have been in helping the younger generation from the lower income groups break out of the poverty trap.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: 59% of secondary school students live in HDB 4-room or smaller flats. Currently 16% of GEP students, 52% of Express Stream students, and 72% of Normal Stream students live in HDB 4-room or smaller flats. We currently do not have complete data on the socio-economic profile of our students in the tertiary institutions.

The data above shows that our education system, based on meritocracy, provides a range of opportunities for educational advancement to all students according to their aptitudes and abilities irrespective of their socio-economic background. While it is possible to make opportunities available, equalising opportunities will not equalise outcomes. That 89% of students now obtain post secondary education, a figure that compares favourably even with developed countries in the OECD, indicates that the education system does provide opportunities for the vast majority of students to secure good jobs in a modern economy and avoid impoverishment.

To ensure that all children in Singapore can benefit from our education system, general education is almost fully subsidised by the Government. Parents are only required to pay miscellaneous fees as a contribution towards the cost of materials used by pupils in the schools, and subsidised school fees in secondary schools and JC/CIs. There is also a Financial Assistance Scheme which pupils from lower-income households can apply for. School fees for pupils under this scheme are waived. The scheme also offers exemption from payment of miscellaneous fees, except for a portion that parents have to co-pay. Needy students under this scheme also receive free textbooks. Needy pupils can also receive additional assistance and bursaries from schemes administered by their schools and community organisations such as the Community Development Councils and Family Services Centres.

In addition, under the Edusave Pupils Fund, every 1st to 3rd born child between the ages of 6-16 receives an annual contribution to his/her Edusave account. In 2001, the Government contributed $160 to the Edusave account of eligible pupils. Pupils can use the money to pay for enrichment programmes or pay for a portion of their miscellaneous fees. As a special encouragement to pupils from more modest backgrounds, Edusave merit bursaries are granted to those in the top 25% who were not eligible for Edusave scholarships.