STUDENTS' PARLIAMENT

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STUDENTS' PARLIAMENT: 14.

Mr Chandra Mohan K Nair asked the Minister for Education (a) whether he will consider creating an avenue for a "students' Parliament" or equivalent where students from secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics and tertiary institutions can be motivated and actively involved in politics and current affairs, participate actively in local, regional and international issues and create in our young citizens a keen interest in wanting to get into politics; and (b) if so, will the Government encourage an annual presentation of their views for debate and even allow their representatives to address Parliament so that the views of our young citizens are given serious thought and their positive suggestions taken up by the Government on a formal basis.

Mr Chan Soo Sen (for the Minister for Education): Sir, the Ministry of Education encourages students to engage their minds in current affairs. In fact, we consider this as part of education. There are many opportunities and platforms in our schools for them to discuss and debate national and international issues. First, as part of the school curriculum itself, such as in History and Social Studies classes and the General Paper for junior college students.

Some schools in addition also conduct lessons in Parliament style to engage their students, who play roles as Members of Parliament. For example, Dunman High School and Victoria School organise a

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yearly Moot Parliament for their Secondary 3 students to simulate the debate of national issues and the tabling of Bills.

The Ministry also organises the annual Pre-University Seminar for 500 or so students from all our junior colleges and centralised institutes over a period of six days. The seminar provides an important opportunity for students to discuss national issues of importance, to engage Ministers, as well as industry and community leaders, and to throw up new ideas of their own.

In our polytechnics and universities too, there are more channels for such exposure to national issues. The Polytechnic Forum is organised every year where student leaders from all five polytechnics come together to discuss national issues such as the Remaking of Singapore. In our universities, students can participate in a wide range of student organisations or attend seminars on national issues. In NTU, for example, there is a range of societies such as the Current Affairs Society, United Nations Student Association, and the Students' Feedback Unit. In NUS, they have the Political Science Society, where students debate national issues of the day.

Likewise for our ITE students, the ITE Student Seminar is held biennially. Each Seminar is organised with a theme where political leaders and prominent corporate leaders from both the private and public sectors are invited to speak to the students. The students are given opportunities to engage the speakers, as well as interact amongst themselves, exchanging views and making presentations on Government policies and current affairs of Singapore.

Outside of our schools, our students get involved in other channels to discuss

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the issues of the day, or to contribute their ideas. A good example is Channel I's "I-contact" programme, which got students to exchange ideas with Ministers on issues that matter to them.

The Ministry of Education will continue to review the various programmes and channels through which we can encourage our students to engage and play a responsible role in school as well as the community.

Mr Chandra Mohan K Nair (Nominated Member): Mr Speaker, Sir, whilst all these avenues are very commendable, I would still like to ask whether we could formalise by having a student form of Parliament. The perception in Singapore is that the youngsters may not be that actively involved in politics. So by creating a democratic institution like this, would it not encourage our youngsters to get into politics so that they can serve the nation better? With that, may I urge the Ministry to seriously consider the initiation of a student parliament in Singapore?

Mr Chan Soo Sen: Mr Speaker, Sir, I thought Mr Chandra Mohan's question was of a student parliament or equivalent. The answer is that we have done quite a lot, which can be considered as equivalent. But, when you talk about a students' parliament, "parliament" connotes certain things. When you pass resolution, there must be some follow up. I think there should be only one Parliament in the land, and that is this House. So to engage the students in the discussion of politics, national issues, and to come up with ideas of their own, that is one thing. We have various channels of doing it. But, to start a students' parliament, I do not think so.