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MOE directs the formulation and implementation of education policies in Singapore. It has control of the development and administration of the Government and Government-aided primary schools, secondary schools, junior colleges, and a centralised institute.
MOE also registers private schools - the courses they offer and the teachers conducting the registered courses. As all private schools are owned by private entities, the operators themselves are responsible for the management and administration of their schools and courses. MOE's Private Schools classification includes Private Academic Schools, Foreign System Schools, Commercial Schools, and Islamic Religious Schools.
Registration by MOE does not in any way represent an endorsement or accreditation of the quality of the courses offered. Prospective students of private schools are advised to find out more about the school, the quality of the courses and the background of the local organisation that facilitates the delivery of the courses before making a decision to enrol in the course of study. Students should also exercise caution in reading and understanding the terms of contract between them and the school, seeking clarification if need be before enrolling in the course of study.
ICA performs immigration and registration functions such as issuing travel documents and identity cards to Singapore citizens and various immigration passes and permits to foreigners, e.g. Social Visit Pass, Student's Pass, Dependant's Pass etc. It also conducts operations against immigration offenders.
With the launch of the CaseTrust for Education under the Education Excellence Framework, from 1 Dec 2004, all PEOs will need to have either the Student Protection Scheme (SPS) or CaseTrust for Education in order to offer school placement for international students.
These institutions and/or collaborations offer postgraduate programmes, and are primarily focused on MBAs and scientific research-based programmes. Many of these institutions offer scholarships in the form of either full or partial, research grants, part-time tutoring allowance, etc.
Their contact details are available in the Singapore Education website at www.singaporeedu.gov.sg.
Independent Set-ups
- Top European MBA School INSEAD set up Asia's first international business school with a full campus in Singapore at the Science Hub
- The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business is the first leading US business school to have a permanent campus in Asia
Collaboration with Singapore institutions
- Cornell University - Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Masters programme in hospitality management
- Georgia Institute of Technology - The Logistics Institute, Asia Pacific
- Johns Hopkins University - Johns Hopkins Singapore
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Singapore MIT Alliance
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Stanford University - Singapore Stanford Partnership
- Technische Universiteit Einhoven - Design Technology Institute
- Technische Universitat Munchen - German Institute of Science and Technology
- Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania - Wharton SMU Research Centre
Basic Education
- Primary Schools
- Secondary Schools
Pre-University
- Centralised Institute
- Institutes of Technical Education (ITE)
- Junior Colleges
Tertiary
- Polytechnics
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
- Singapore Management University (SMU)
Privately-Funded Schools
- Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) International
- Hwa Chong International
- Tourism Academy @ Sentosa
Private education institutions are sometimes referred to as private schools or private education organisations (PEOs).
PEOs can be privately-run as commercial enterprises, or be operated as non-profit societies that are in the business of education and training. They may or may not be registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore.
Singapore has an Education Excellence Framework designed to protect student interests and to build high quality education providers, aimed primarily at PEOs.
Excellence in
Student Protection
& Welfare
Practices |
CaseTrust for Education |
A PEO with CaseTrust for Education is one that has good and proper student protection and welfare practices and standards. The good practices that PEOs need to put in place include:
- Clear Fee Policies
- Well-Defined Student Redress Practices And Systems
- Disclosure Of The PEOs Commitment To Quality
- Well-Trained Personnel
By 1st September 2005, foreign students should only apply to PEOs with CaseTrust for Education, as only these PEOs will have the right to offer school placement for international students.
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| Student Protection Scheme (SPS) |
SPS is a key component in CaseTrust for Education. Student fees will be protected in the event that the PEO is unable to continue operations due to insolvency and/or regulatory closure. It also protects the student if the PEO fails to pay penalties or return fees arising from judgements made against it by the Singapore courts.
There are two schemes under SPS:
- Student Tuition Fee Account (Escrow)
Tuition fees paid by the students to the PEOs will be left in the custody of an endorsed 3rd party - a CASE-endorsed bank. Currently, DBS and HSBC are the two participating banks.
- Student Tuition Fee Insurance
This indemnifies students for tuition fees paid in advance to the PEO when the PEO in unable to continue operations due to the reasons stated above or upon the death or total disability of the student.
This is administered by NTUC Income.
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| Organisational Excellence |
Singapore Quality Class for PEOs - SQC for PEOs |
Launched in February 2003 by SPRING Singapore, this scheme encourages PEOs to upgrade to enhance their business and management excellence, in areas such as:
- International Student Recruitment
- Learning Resources Infrastructure
- Educational Programmes
- Staffing
- Student Support
- Grievance Procedures
- Transfer and Fee Policies
- Student Evaluation
Schools that achieve this certification benefit from fast-track visa processing, and a waiver of the security deposit.
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| Academic Excellence |
Accreditation Programme |
An Education Services Accreditation Council will accredit institutions for their capabilities to deliver quality programmes. This will be introduced in the first quarter of 2005, and SPRING Singapore will be the secretariat for the Accreditation Council.
PEOs with this accreditation will enjoy privileges such as work privileges for their students, and fast-track visa processing.
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For an overview of the Singapore Education System, click here. |
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| Last updated on 5 December 2006. |
