GOVERNMENT-AIDED SCHOOLS, SAP SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES (Foreign students)

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the number of foreign students studying in Government aided and SAP schools and universities; (b) how many of these students are on Singapore scholarships; (c) why are some of these students paid allowances as high as S$1,700 per month to study here at the expense of our own Singaporean children; and (d) is there any particular Government aided or SAP school where the foreign out number local students.

The Senior Minister of State for Education (Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, my apologies for having arrived a little late this afternoon.

On Mr Steve Chia's question with regard to foreign students, out of the 220,000 students in our secondary schools and Junior Colleges, 11,500 are foreign students. That is about 5%. Of these, about 2,200 (or 1%) are foreign scholars. For SAP schools, there are about 900 foreign students, or 6%, of which 420 students are scholars.

At the university level, about 7,100 or 20% of the undergraduates are foreign students. Of these, 2,600 are scholars. There is no school or Junior College where foreign students outnumber local students or come anywhere close to doing so. Local students are not displaced by foreign students.

The scholarship for a foreign student comprises school fees or tuition fees, accommodation and a monthly allowance of $200 for a secondary school or Junior College student, or $500 for a university student.

Talented foreign students add value to our schools and our students. Through their interaction with our students, they provide a spur for our students and allow for a more diverse school community. When they stay on to contribute in Singapore after their studies, they help to contribute to our economy so that all Singaporeans benefit. Even if they decide to return home eventually, we would have a network of Singapore-educated friends abroad. This fraternity is a useful asset.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Sir, have any local students been edged out by these foreign students?

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam: Sir, the short answer is no. If we look at the schools, we have expanded the number of places. We have provided for more autonomous schools, besides the independent schools, over time. All our schools are good schools, of course. But if we take those at the top end of the academic spectrum, there are now many more schools providing an excellent education and places for local students. So, there is no trade-off between the number of foreign students we take in and the number of local students able to get into the best schools.

Likewise, if we look at the universities and polytechnics, we have greatly increased the number of places over the years for local students. So, there is no trade-off.

Mr Speaker: Mdm Ho, would you like to ask your question?