News

The Straits Times
22 August 2011

Stricter Checks on PSC Scholarship Candidates

We thank Mr Helmy Sa'at for his comments on Public Service Commission (PSC) scholarship guidelines ('Review PSC scholarship guideline' ; Aug 14).

Good character, integrity and commitment are important qualitites we want in future public sector leaders. The PSC has all along carried out stringent checks when selecting scholarship recipients.

Starting earlier this year, we have further intensified our checks to rely on schools to surface records of significant disciplinary, psychological and behavioural issues.

The scholarship interview panel considers these together with other information on the candidates.

However, there may be those who slip through or who have a change of heart after taking up the scholarship.

In Mr Brandon Wey's case, we were disappointed that he chose to break his bond and evade his national service obligations. But he paid a price for it.

We did our best to accommodate Mr Wey's requests for a change in course, although it was not possible eventually, after taking into account the needs of the Public Service. Mr Wey accepted the decision and completed his studies. Over the years, we have been exercising greater flexibility and where justifiable, we have accommodated scholarship holders switching to other fields of study.

PSC awards scholarships to outstanding young Singaporeans with a passion to serve the nation through a career in the Public Service.

Scholarships are awarded on merit regardless of family background or income. As there are no quotas for the number of PSC scholarships awarded each year, all candidates who are deserving will be made an offer.

Mr Wey's scholarship award did not deprive another candidate of the same opportunity.

Yeo Whee Jim
Director
PSC Secretariat

Your Ref :
Our Ref : CIRD5/2-05

20 Nov 2006

The Editor
The Straits Times
Forum Page

Scholarship info on PSC website

Dear Editor

I refer to the letter “No scholarship because of wrong info” (ST, Nov 13) by Ms Iris Chai Nget Wah.

Under the revised A-level syllabus, the norm is for students to take 10 academic units. A student intending to apply for a Public Service Commission (PSC) scholarship should generally offer 11 units or more.

However, students with exceptional results, who offer 10 units, will still be considered if they have outstanding leadership qualities and CCA achievements and come strongly recommended by their schools.

The criteria for PSC scholarships were made known to all Junior Colleges in October last year and posted on the PSC website (www.psc.gov.sg) in November last year. Students who need more information are encouraged to visit our website.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Choo Lee See
Director
Public Service Commission Secretariat
Public Service Commission

Your Ref :
Our Ref : CIRD5/2-05

21 Sep 2006

The Editor
TODAY
Forum Page

Dear Editor,

In his letter "Lure for foreign scholars" (TODAY 21 Sep), Mr Leong Sze Hian noted from media reports that the Public Service Commission (PSC) had reduced its scholarships from 253 to 39.

We would like to inform Mr Leong and your readers that the newspaper quoted had made an error in its report and had since corrected it.

The reason for the change in the number of PSC scholarships is due to the delegation of ministry specific scholarships (e.g, teaching) to the ministries. The total number of public sector scholarships has however remained at 250 or more for the last 5 years.

We would also like to add that PSC scholarship applicants must be Singapore citizens or Singapore permanent residents with an intention to take up Singapore citizenship.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Choo Lee See
Director
Public Service Commission Secretariat
Public Service Commission