The Real Singapore
Oct 23, 2013
More subsidies for lower-income students?
I refer to the article “More subsidies for lower-income students in independent schools” (Today, Oct 23).
It states that “During the NDR, Mr Lee had said that Singapore will continue to have top schools, but these schools must make sure students from low-income backgrounds “are not put off from applying to enter for fear that they cannot afford it”. “We have the schemes; we should enhance them substantially so that anybody who qualifies and wants to attend these top secondary schools can confidently do so,” he said.
Only 2,700 students get subsidies?
About 2,700 students have benefited from the ISB this year.”
We have been told and given the impression that our education system is not elitist, and that lower-income students are not disadvantaged.
The fact now that as I believe – for the first time – the statistics for the number of students under the ISB has been disclosed – 2,700 – may be an indication of how few lower-income students are in the independent schools?
What % of students get subsidies?
How many students are there in total in all the independent schools, and what percentage do the 2,700 students represent?
As I understand that there are about 16 independent schools, I believe these 2,700 may be only a rather small proportion of the total student population.
Breakdown of lower-income students?
How many of these 2,700 students come from families with household incomes below $4,000, $3,000 and $2,000?
Even with the increased subsidy of 90 per cent for families earning less than $4,000, it may be quite a stretch financially to pay the reduced monthly fees of up to $55 monthly plus other school going pocket expenses for say a family of 4 with a gross monthly income of just $2,000 (net $1,600 after the up to 20 per cent employee CPF
contribution).
Retraction of “elitist” retraction?
When Mr Ngiam Tong Dow retracted his recent statement about Ministers being elitist – surely the subject statistics on lower-income students in the independent schools may be the best evidence to retract his retraction – how did our Government allow our education system to evolve to end up with such, arguably “elitist” student statistics?
Leong Sze Hian
*Leong is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, has authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been host of a money radio show, a daily newspaper column, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, acting managing editor and columnist for theonlinecitizen, columnist for Malaysiakini, a Member on the CIFA International Advisory Board, executive producer of the movie Ilo Ilo (8 international awards), treasurer of Maruah, and invited to speak more than 100 times in more than 25 countries on 5 continents. He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional qualifications.
P.S. Update: $7,001
$3,754 to go
Thank you Singapore
Han Hui Hui has lost her life savings of $10,755.
If only 10,755 Singaporeans who care – donate $1 each to this brave 33 kg 21 year old.
Send your $1 vide Internet Banking, ATM or cheque to POSB savings account no. 279-12328-0 Han Hui Hui.
Please help to share this meaningful activity with your friends.
Written by Leong Sze Hian, Vivian Pan and Roy Ngerng
