How candidates are assessed

We thank Mr Devadas Krishnadas for his letter ("PSC scholarships: Tackle larger issues"; last Friday).

We agree that students from less privileged backgrounds should be helped.

There are government bursaries and financial assistance schemes to help them get a good education and enhance their social mobility.

A Public Service Commission (PSC) scholarship has a different purpose.

It is meant to help the Singapore Public Service get its fair share of talent.

As the scholarship is awarded based on merit, there are no quotas.

What this means is that all deserving candidates, regardless of their family backgrounds, are awarded the scholarship.

In assessing applicants for scholarships, the PSC looks not just at their capabilities, but also their commitment and passion to serve Singapore and Singaporeans.

PSC scholarships are awarded only to Singaporeans. A permanent resident is required to take up Singapore citizenship before his award is confirmed.

Mr Devadas said a scholarship should provide only the benefit of education, and that career progression and access to development opportunities should be based on performance.

The Civil Service appraisal system rigorously assesses an officer's potential to do a bigger job as well as his performance in his current job.

Officers with good performance and potential are identified and groomed, regardless of whether they are scholarship holders or not.

This is why a good number of public service leaders, including permanent secretaries and chief executive officers of statutory boards, did not start off as scholarship holders.

Terence Chia

Director

Public Service Commission Secretariat

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