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| Q1 |
What is the EduTrust Certification Scheme? |
| A. |
The EduTrust certification scheme is a voluntary certification scheme for private education institutions in Singapore administered by the Council for Private Education, a statutory board under the Ministry of Education. It will replace the CaseTrust for Education and the Singapore Quality Class for Private Educational Organisations (SQC for PEOs) schemes administered by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) and SPRING Singapore respectively.
The scheme provides a means for better private education institutions to differentiate themselves as having achieved higher standards in key areas of management and provision of educational services.
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| Q2 |
Is EduTrust certification mandatory for all private education institutions (PEIs)? |
| A. |
While the EduTrust certification scheme is voluntary, it is one of the prerequisites which PEIs that enroll international students must meet to qualify for the issue of Student Passes, as stipulated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). A PEI must be EduTrust-certified in order to enroll international students.
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| Q3 |
What criteria are a PEI evaluated on when they apply for EduTrust certification? |
| A. |
The Council of Private Education (CPE) assesses and awards EduTrust to PEIs which have attained a stipulated standard in the following criteria:
- Academic processes
The PEI has processes in place to ensure that the courses it offers are of high quality, and meets the needs and expectations of its students and industry.
- Assessment of Students
The PEI monitors the progress of its students by using the most appropriate methods of assessment to achieve the desired course outcomes.
- Recruitment of Teaching Staff
The PEI selects and recruits the most appropriate teaching staff to deliver the courses to achieve its educational goals.
- Student Welfare and Support Services
The PEI:
- Provides support services to meet the needs of its students;
- Creates a conducive environment for students to focus on their academic studies; and
- Provides compulsory medical insurance coverage to cover all the students for hospitalisation throughout their course duration.
- Resources and Facilities
The PEI manages its resources, facilities, infrastructure and environment optimally to support its educational goals and provide for continual improvement and growth.
- Selection, Management and Monitoring of Agents
The PEI:
- Selects, manages and monitors its local and overseas external recruitment agents effectively to ensure that the agents continue to deliver quality and ethical services, and
- Ensures that its agents do not engage in any misrepresentation and unethical practices.
- Student Protection
The PEI:
- Provides student protection through clear and transparent contracts between the PEI and the student;
- Sets clear and fair refund policies for transfers and withdrawals; and
- Provides for the protection of students’ fees through the Fee Protection Scheme (escrow bank account or insurance scheme).
- Financial Health
The PEI maintains a reasonable financial health and credit rating.
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| Q4 |
What are the different EduTrust certificate awards and what do they mean? |
| A. |
- EduTrust Star
Valid for 4 years, this award is given to a PEI for having excelled in all key areas of management and the provision of quality education services. This mark is also a symbol of recognition for sustained efforts in organisational improvement.
- EduTrust
Valid for 4 years, this award is given to a PEI for having achieved satisfactory to commendable performance in key areas of management and the provision of educational services.
- EduTrust Provisional
Valid for 1 year, this award is given to a private PEI which has attained a minimum level of performance in key areas of management and the provision of educational services. In accepting the award, the organization acknowledges the need for improvement in its existing management practices and service provisions, and strives to achieve this.
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| Q5 |
How do I find out what type of EduTrust certification a PEI has attained? |
| A. |
Members of the public can refer to the Council for Private Education’s website which will show the status of the PEIs’ application for EduTrust certification, as well as the type of award that they have attained.
For more information on EduTrust, please visit the website of the Council of Private Education at link.
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