ENROLMENT FOR PRIMARY ONE CLASSES

Mr Thomas Thomas asked the Minister for Manpower if he will, in line with the national objective of promoting lifelong learning, allow Central Provident Fund account holders to use their balances to pay for degree courses at the Singapore Open University and for distance learning courses from reputable overseas universities.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Several Members of Parliament have in the past raised the issue of allowing CPF for part-time courses, including those offered by the Singapore Open University and distance learning degree courses.

I understand the desire of individuals who wish to have the flexibility to use their CPF savings for part-time courses. Since the special exception was made in 1989 to allow CPF for local full-time tertiary education, we have received many requests to liberalise the CPF Education Scheme to cover overseas education, part-time courses, distance learning, etc.

The CPF is meant for a member's retirement, housing and medical needs. We have allowed CPF to be used for local full-time tertiary education as a concession to help low income families support their children through local full-time tertiary education. To ensure that the fundamental objectives of the CPF in meeting the retirement, housing and medical needs of its members will not be undermined, the scheme was confined to full-time tertiary education at approved local institutions, because such courses are heavily subsidised by the Government.

CPF members who are working adults and wish to pursue further education at the Singapore Open University or take up distance learning courses are advised to plan in advance for their studies, and set aside sufficient cash savings to meet their education expenses. Those who intend to pursue part-time distance learning courses should plan ahead to ensure that they can meet the course fees and the time to devote to such courses before embarking on the course.

We have found that the dropout rates for part-time students in our institutes of higher learning are much higher than that for full-time students. Allowing CPF savings for part-time courses could therefore result in erosion of the old age savings. In view of the above, CPF savings should not be used for part-time studies at the Singapore Open University and distance learning degree courses.

Dr Tan Boon Wan asked the Minister for Education if he will consider allowing children, who were born a few days after the cut-off date but who are ready to start their primary education, to enrol early for Primary One.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: It has been the policy of the Ministry of Education to admit children to Primary One who are age 6 and above as on 1st January in the year of admission. This policy has served us well, and is well understood by Singaporeans. The Ministry does not intend to make adjustments to this policy.