Needy kids will not miss out on school

Three of the country's top political leaders yesterday promised that no child will miss out on getting an education just because his parents cannot afford to send him to school during the downturn.

Speaking at separate bursary presentation ceremonies, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng focused on the importance of a good education.

At the Teck Ghee Citizens Consultative Committee (CCC) awards ceremony, PM Lee said the financial crisis should not distract students from their books.

'All these are grown-up problems,' he said of the current downturn. 'It's not yet your responsibility to provide for the family, but it is your responsibility during times like these to continue...doing well in school.

'Get well educated, do well in school and be prepared, so that whatever storms and clouds come in the future, you will be prepared.'

At a ceremony in Marine Parade GRC, SM Goh said: 'Investing in children's education is important. When the economy recovers, those who have education and good skills will stand a better chance of getting a good job.'

As for DPM Wong, he spoke about the role of an educated workforce for Singapore's economy.

'We need people with a strong innovation and enterprising spirit to meet the challenges of economic developments... Thus, the strong foundation for lifelong learning that we build in our workforce will give them the competitive edge to adapt and do well in their chosen fields.'

However, he also added that the job market will become tougher, with fewer vacancies, and new job seekers may have to take up jobs outside their chosen fields or find interim part-time positions.

Even as the three ministers called on students to focus on studies, they also gave assurances that the Government will help citizens cope with the crisis.

'We will do our best to make sure that if you help yourself, we will help you,' said PM Lee.

The bursaries were a signal of how the Government was responding to people's needs.

At Teck Ghee, it gave money to more recipients this year, with each one receiving a bigger cheque.

Some $97,600 was given out this year, or 30per cent more than last year as the amount of each payout was increased by about $50.

At Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, DPM Wong announced that the constituency would take the unprecedented step of giving a second round of bursaries in June.

This ensures that families affected by the slump in the coming months will receive faster assistance, rather than having to wait until next year.

Details of the new scheme are still being finalised but the constituency plans to set aside $50,000 for the second round of bursaries, enough for around 200 students.

Said Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Josephine Teo, who was also at the ceremony: 'So far, we have not seen a spike in applications for the bursaries, but we should plan ahead and not wait until the pressure builds up.'

The announcement was welcomed by parents at the event, including housewife K. Parvathi, 48, who stopped working odd jobs early last year to tend to her older son, who has a heart problem.

She had to wait almost a year before her two boys - aged 14 and 16 - received their awards.

'It's good because people won't have to wait as long and can use the money to get school supplies,' she said.