FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY STUDENTS

Mr Gan Kim Yong asked the Minister for Education (a) how many students have approached his Ministry for financial assistance for the year 2003; (b) how many have been granted such assistance; and (c) whether there has been a significant increase in the number of students seeking the assistance compared to previous years.

The Senior Minister of State for Education (Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, as at 18th January 2003, schools have processed and approved 6,555 applications for the Ministry of Education Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) which grants waiver of school fees and part of the miscellaneous fees, and provides free textbooks to students. In year 2002, a total of 7,387 students received help from the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme. 2002 saw a significant increase in approved MOE financial assistance cases compared to 5,332 cases approved in year 2001.

The income criteria for the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme are pegged to MCDS' Public Assistance scheme. In line with the revision in MCDS' Public Assistance rates with effect from January this year, the Ministry of Education has also reviewed and raised the income criterion for the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme. From 2nd January this year, a citizen student would be eligible for the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme if the family's gross income per month does not exceed $900 for families with one or two children, and $1,050 for families with three or more children. Before the revision, the income ceiling was $775 for families with one or two children and $900 for families with three or more children.

Students can approach the schools for financial assistance at any time during the year. For all financial assistance applications received, schools will first assess the student's eligibility for the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme. If the students are not eligible or need additional financial assistance, schools will help to source for support from other sources, eg, the financial assistance schemes administered by the School Advisory/Management Committees (SAC/SMC) and community organisations like the Community Development Councils and voluntary welfare organisations. No child is denied an education on account of financial difficulties.