DROP-OUTS AND EXPLUSION FROM SCHOOLS

DROP-OUTS AND EXPULSION FROM SCHOOLS

4.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Minister for Education (a) how many students have dropped out of school every year over the last five years; (b) how many students have been expelled every year over the last five years; and (c) what programmes are in place to help them reintegrate into the education system.

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam: The number of dropouts in our primary and secondary schools has averaged about 100 a year in primary schools over the last five years, ie, from 2000 to 2004.

The number of students dropping out has declined over the last five years. We are nevertheless concerned about the dropout situation. Our schools are trying to minimise the number of students who drop out, and will do more. The most important element in this is to do more proactively, before problems crop up. Schools are taking a proactive approach to engaging and guiding students and involving them in activities that interest them, so that they remain keen on school.

Ms Ng also asked about expulsions. An average of eight primary students and 130 secondary students were expelled from school each year, over the last five years (2000 to 2004). Schools may expel a student if he persistently undermines school discipline; or if he commits a very serious offence, such as assault, and where allowing him to remain in the school would threaten the safety of other students; or if he is a persistent absentee. But expulsion is never a preferred option. It is done as a last resort when measures such as counselling, suspension and other disciplinary measures have had no effect on improving the student's conduct.

Schools will readmit dropouts or students who have been expelled if they are keen to return and take school seriously, and provided they are not significantly overaged. The student will usually be required by the school to give an undertaking to abide by school rules and to take his studies seriously. The idea is to make sure that the student takes responsibility for his decision to return to school. He must want to learn and be a responsible member of the school. The school will help him adjust. Upon readmission, the schools will provide guidance and counselling to the student to help him re-adjust to school life and to maintain good behaviour.

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