Media Response by The Public Service Commission

In response to media queries, Secretary of the Public Service Commission, Ms Goh Soon Poh, stated the following:

All government scholarships, including the Public Service Commission (PSC) and Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) Scholarships, are awarded strictly on merit, regardless of family background. Opportunities for government scholarships are open to all students with good academic records, strong leadership qualities and a keen interest in public service work.

The PSC has not imposed a limit on the number of PSC scholarships awarded eachyear, and any applicant who meets the high standards set by the PSC for its scholarships will be made an offer. The PSC therefore does not discriminate against one applicant in favour of another on the basis of family background if all other factors are equal. If they are equally deserving and both meet the PSC's high standards, PSC will offer an award to both applicants.

There is a range of public and private sector scholarships available. For those who do not qualify for scholarships and need financial assistance, they can apply to our local universities for various bursaries and loan schemes to students.

No Singapore student who is qualified and deserving will be deprived of a university education because he is not able to afford it.

For the 2008 batch of PSC scholars, 47% live in HDB housing, 27% live in private non-landed property and 26% live in landed property.

Issued by: Public Service Commission
Date: 25 July 08