FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME (Review of income criterion)

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang asked the Minister for Education (a) whether his Ministry will review the income criterion for application of the Ministry's Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) including the FAS for Independent Schools; and (b) how many schools have their own FAS with different eligibility criteria.

The Senior Minister of State for Education (Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, the income criteria for the Ministry of Education's Financial Assistance Scheme is pegged to the MCDS' Public Assistance Scheme. When MCDS revises the Public Assistance criteria, MOE will also review the criteria for its Financial Assistance Scheme for Government and Government-aided schools. The Financial Assistance Scheme for Independent schools will also be included in this review.

Besides the Ministry's Financial Assistance Scheme, all schools - Government, Government-aided and Indepen- dent - also administer their own financial assistance schemes through their School Advisory Committees (SACs) or School Management Committees (SMCs). Individual Advisory or Management Committees set their own eligibility criteria according to the requirements of their students. In addition, our CDCs, CCCs, other community groups and Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) also have their own assistance schemes for school going children and their families.

No child is denied an education because of financial difficulties. Our schools will help all those who need financial assistance. Parents should approach the principals should they encounter any difficulties in their school fees.

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang (Aljunied): Sir, when was the scheme last reviewed? Would the Ministry not consider that $800 is actually too low particularly for families who have more children or ageing parents to support? Definitely, we should consider using per capita family income instead. And would the Ministry consider making available the list of those schools with additional Financial Assistance Scheme for all the MPs so that they can better serve and help their residents who need this scheme?

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, the scheme was revised in April last year. When MCDS revises its criteria, we will do accordingly. This scheme is not the only way in which we are assisting pupils. To begin with, schooling in Singapore is almost completely subsidised. The cost recovery rates are very low. I mentioned the range of schemes available through the community, and through all the schools. We also have the Edusave Merit Bursary which is for pupils doing well and who fall below a certain income band. That covers quite a broad percentage of our students. If there is any student, or family, who still faces difficulty, they can approach their MP who, I am sure, will be quite willing to see how he can be assisted.