More Convincing Guidelines On Granting Of PSD Scholarships Needed
By Chew Lee Giok
The granting of scholarships by the Public Service Department (PSD) should list reasons that an applicant has been successful. PSD should also come up with clear guidelines on the selection criteria, to encourage transparency. With that, PSD’s decision taken in the distribution of PSD scholarships would be more convincing and will reduce unnecessary disputes.
PSD’s selection committee should also conduct a review on the granting of scholarships, not only to check if there are abuses in the selection but to rectify the chaos and to avoid the occurrence of this annual issue.
It is necessary that clear screening guidelines be published to explain what criteria is used in the selection process. PSD should explain to unsuccessful applicants the reasons for their applications being rejected. This will make the application process more transparent.
Priority must be given to all 363 students who scored straight A+’s in SPM. Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong’s revelation on PSD’s distribution of scholarships for applicants to further their studies overseas or domestically must be addressed.
Some top students with 11A+ and 10A+ were offered scholarships for diploma and matriculations studies locally whereas students with poorer results of 4A+ and 5A+ were offered scholarships to pursue studies abroad.
This decision by PSD is both shocking and regrettable. This should not happen as it will lead to speculation of biasness on PSD’s part. Our Prime Minister has established Talent Corp to retain skilled and talented workers. The recent selection by PSD would then be contrary to the intentions of Talent Corp. If PSD does not correct the situation, the problem of brain drain will become increasingly serious.
According to a United Nations report, 57% of Singapore’s professional talents came from Malaysia. If the biasness in PSD’s scholarship policies is not addressed, the brain drain will continue.
If the authorities uncover that human factors have been involved in the debacle over the PSD scholarship award, the civil servants concerned should be dealt with. I hope that PSD will abide by the Cabinet directive led by our Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak soonest possible.
CHEW LEE GIOK is Wanita MCA Secretary General
