Singapore Expats

Sunjackal wrote: ↑

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 2:48 am

Hello folks,

I occasionally browse the boards but I confess that I haven’t been the most active since I got my PR. To which I am eternally grateful to you all for the help.

In a somewhat ironic situation though:

* I am a British National. My wife is a SC.
* Our son was born in Singapore, therefore he’s SC. He is eligible for British citizenship by virtue of being my son.

The long and short of the point of this post is that I want to educate him in an International School.

Not withstanding the fact that it will be cheaper, I am struggling to find a justification to send him to a local school.

* We profoundly disagree with corporal punishment. I accept that everyone has their own opinion. But that is ours. It is not that I anticipate my son will be a terror. He’s 3, and he’s a darling. But I disagree just on the very basis that it is even used as a scare tactic.

* I am far more concerned about my child having a well rounded education than I am with having a desire to put him through a meat grinder system that’s weighted heavily on academic outcomes.

* My wife is Singaporean, and she’s now furious after discovering that we are somewhat trapped into having to educate him locally. My wife is adamant that the National system here is heavily based on rote learning, relatively inflexible and she hated it so much that she left to go to school in Australia.

I realise that you can apply for a waiver - but there’s a catch. There’s some kind of unspoken quota and all the International Schools have this caveat that essentially says, “Our quota is full. Unless you’re a child of a teacher, have a sibling here, or you’re an alumni - we won’t apply for a waiver.”

I am happy to hear anyone’s opinion that might want to talk me down from the brink - but the more I read up on Singapore’s education system, the more concerned I become. I am not focused on academic outcomes. My son is not old enough that I can know how he stands in this aspect, but I want him to have a love for learning as opposed to a fear of failing.

I wasn’t concerned until now because I understood that a waiver was possible. However, it seems that it’s possible but unattainable.

What are my options? Basically it looks like we just have to toss his passport at MOE and leave once he reaches P1 age.

It wasn’t something my wife and I really discussed in detail until recently. Covid sort of drowned everything else out. I actually thought that she favoured the local system so that he is not it an expat bubble. But I’ve been thoroughly disavowed of that notion after we went more in-depth on the subject recently.

I went on my own investigation on the local system and I definitely lean towards an international education because I find that the approach is far more holistic, as opposed to rooted in solely academic success.

I know it probably sounds dramatic, but I really feel strongly about the subject and I find it pretty abhorrent that we are effectively denied the opportunity to educate our child in the manner of our choice owing to a forced quota that effectively restricts us. In my black and white perspective, if it is an option for one, it should also be an option for us.

He is a child, after all. On some level - parental preference has weight and up until he tells me that he wants to go to a local school, I’d like to exercise my parental right to educate him in the healthiest, happiest way that I can.

Sunjackal wrote: ↑

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 2:48 am

Hello folks,

I occasionally browse the boards but I confess that I haven’t been the most active since I got my PR. To which I am eternally grateful to you all for the help.

In a somewhat ironic situation though:

* I am a British National. My wife is a SC.
* Our son was born in Singapore, therefore he’s SC. He is eligible for British citizenship by virtue of being my son.

The long and short of the point of this post is that I want to educate him in an International School.

Not withstanding the fact that it will be cheaper, I am struggling to find a justification to send him to a local school.

* We profoundly disagree with corporal punishment. I accept that everyone has their own opinion. But that is ours. It is not that I anticipate my son will be a terror. He’s 3, and he’s a darling. But I disagree just on the very basis that it is even used as a scare tactic.

* I am far more concerned about my child having a well rounded education than I am with having a desire to put him through a meat grinder system that’s weighted heavily on academic outcomes.

* My wife is Singaporean, and she’s now furious after discovering that we are somewhat trapped into having to educate him locally. My wife is adamant that the National system here is heavily based on rote learning, relatively inflexible and she hated it so much that she left to go to school in Australia.

I realise that you can apply for a waiver - but there’s a catch. There’s some kind of unspoken quota and all the International Schools have this caveat that essentially says, “Our quota is full. Unless you’re a child of a teacher, have a sibling here, or you’re an alumni - we won’t apply for a waiver.”

I am happy to hear anyone’s opinion that might want to talk me down from the brink - but the more I read up on Singapore’s education system, the more concerned I become. I am not focused on academic outcomes. My son is not old enough that I can know how he stands in this aspect, but I want him to have a love for learning as opposed to a fear of failing.

I wasn’t concerned until now because I understood that a waiver was possible. However, it seems that it’s possible but unattainable.

What are my options? Basically it looks like we just have to toss his passport at MOE and leave once he reaches P1 age.

It wasn’t something my wife and I really discussed in detail until recently. Covid sort of drowned everything else out. I actually thought that she favoured the local system so that he is not it an expat bubble. But I’ve been thoroughly disavowed of that notion after we went more in-depth on the subject recently.

I went on my own investigation on the local system and I definitely lean towards an international education because I find that the approach is far more holistic, as opposed to rooted in solely academic success.

I know it probably sounds dramatic, but I really feel strongly about the subject and I find it pretty abhorrent that we are effectively denied the opportunity to educate our child in the manner of our choice owing to a forced quota that effectively restricts us. In my black and white perspective, if it is an option for one, it should also be an option for us.

He is a child, after all. On some level - parental preference has weight and up until he tells me that he wants to go to a local school, I’d like to exercise my parental right to educate him in the healthiest, happiest way that I can.

NYY1 wrote: ↑

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 6:12 am

Sunjackal wrote: ↑

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 2:48 am

Hello folks,

I occasionally browse the boards but I confess that I haven’t been the most active since I got my PR. To which I am eternally grateful to you all for the help.

In a somewhat ironic situation though:

* I am a British National. My wife is a SC.
* Our son was born in Singapore, therefore he’s SC. He is eligible for British citizenship by virtue of being my son.

The long and short of the point of this post is that I want to educate him in an International School.

Not withstanding the fact that it will be cheaper, I am struggling to find a justification to send him to a local school.

* We profoundly disagree with corporal punishment. I accept that everyone has their own opinion. But that is ours. It is not that I anticipate my son will be a terror. He’s 3, and he’s a darling. But I disagree just on the very basis that it is even used as a scare tactic.

* I am far more concerned about my child having a well rounded education than I am with having a desire to put him through a meat grinder system that’s weighted heavily on academic outcomes.

* My wife is Singaporean, and she’s now furious after discovering that we are somewhat trapped into having to educate him locally. My wife is adamant that the National system here is heavily based on rote learning, relatively inflexible and she hated it so much that she left to go to school in Australia.

I realise that you can apply for a waiver - but there’s a catch. There’s some kind of unspoken quota and all the International Schools have this caveat that essentially says, “Our quota is full. Unless you’re a child of a teacher, have a sibling here, or you’re an alumni - we won’t apply for a waiver.”

I am happy to hear anyone’s opinion that might want to talk me down from the brink - but the more I read up on Singapore’s education system, the more concerned I become. I am not focused on academic outcomes. My son is not old enough that I can know how he stands in this aspect, but I want him to have a love for learning as opposed to a fear of failing.

I wasn’t concerned until now because I understood that a waiver was possible. However, it seems that it’s possible but unattainable.

What are my options? Basically it looks like we just have to toss his passport at MOE and leave once he reaches P1 age.

It wasn’t something my wife and I really discussed in detail until recently. Covid sort of drowned everything else out. I actually thought that she favoured the local system so that he is not it an expat bubble. But I’ve been thoroughly disavowed of that notion after we went more in-depth on the subject recently.

I went on my own investigation on the local system and I definitely lean towards an international education because I find that the approach is far more holistic, as opposed to rooted in solely academic success.

I know it probably sounds dramatic, but I really feel strongly about the subject and I find it pretty abhorrent that we are effectively denied the opportunity to educate our child in the manner of our choice owing to a forced quota that effectively restricts us. In my black and white perspective, if it is an option for one, it should also be an option for us.

He is a child, after all. On some level - parental preference has weight and up until he tells me that he wants to go to a local school, I’d like to exercise my parental right to educate him in the healthiest, happiest way that I can.

Have you checked a wide range of schools here to see what they say? I see the one you are talking about, and others have a similar message or simply the statement of full/not accepting SC applications. Perhaps, some of the less popular schools will have availability? If these are acceptable to you, at least they are an option.

I would also call and ask the targeted schools if they have a WL or whether you just need to keep checking back every so often. You could also try to ask how many they've typically taken in by year, although you may not get an answer.

My understanding is that the waiver was getting more difficult to obtain. I do know of some who received it in relatively recent years (kids would still be in primary school today). However, I don't know what it is like right now. Also, just saying you prefer something else may not be so well received.

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 3:26 am

NYY1 wrote: ↑

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 6:12 am

Have you checked a wide range of schools here to see what they say? I see the one you are talking about, and others have a similar message or simply the statement of full/not accepting SC applications. Perhaps, some of the less popular schools will have availability? If these are acceptable to you, at least they are an option.

I would also call and ask the targeted schools if they have a WL or whether you just need to keep checking back every so often. You could also try to ask how many they've typically taken in by year, although you may not get an answer.

My understanding is that the waiver was getting more difficult to obtain. I do know of some who received it in relatively recent years (kids would still be in primary school today). However, I don't know what it is like right now. Also, just saying you prefer something else may not be so well received.

How far in advance do you think the waitlist is open? Considering OP's son is only three.

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 9:55 pm

Have you reached out to Tanglin Trust? Since your son is a British passport holder, and since that school is effectively the British School in Singapore, I would think they would be able to help you out, if any school could.

NYY1 wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 6:49 am

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 3:26 am

NYY1 wrote: ↑

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 6:12 am

Have you checked a wide range of schools here to see what they say? I see the one you are talking about, and others have a similar message or simply the statement of full/not accepting SC applications. Perhaps, some of the less popular schools will have availability? If these are acceptable to you, at least they are an option.

I would also call and ask the targeted schools if they have a WL or whether you just need to keep checking back every so often. You could also try to ask how many they've typically taken in by year, although you may not get an answer.

My understanding is that the waiver was getting more difficult to obtain. I do know of some who received it in relatively recent years (kids would still be in primary school today). However, I don't know what it is like right now. Also, just saying you prefer something else may not be so well received.

How far in advance do you think the waitlist is open? Considering OP's son is only three.

I don't know. Some of the schools that are likely receiving a lot of inquiries have a more detailed description of the limited circumstances in which they will apply for a waiver. In contrast, others just say you need a waiver. Between the two, I would be trying to figure out whether space is currently available (less popular schools) or can become available (more popular schools), or if the circumstances listed are likely the only times that one can apply (subject to change). Even for the more popular schools, I think some of the wording is a bit ambiguous, and I would call to try and figure out more. On the other end of the spectrum, I think what's posted may be somewhat indicative of what the school can and cannot do (or what they are willing to do based on a number of factors).

I.e. if this matters to someone, I would try to figure it out before the child is six years old, so they know what else they may need to do or plan for...

Edit: read a number of these schools' websites regarding admissions for SC and I think one can get a sense of what's going on.

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 2:55 am

NYY1 wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 6:49 am

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 3:26 am

How far in advance do you think the waitlist is open? Considering OP's son is only three.

I don't know. Some of the schools that are likely receiving a lot of inquiries have a more detailed description of the limited circumstances in which they will apply for a waiver. In contrast, others just say you need a waiver. Between the two, I would be trying to figure out whether space is currently available (less popular schools) or can become available (more popular schools), or if the circumstances listed are likely the only times that one can apply (subject to change). Even for the more popular schools, I think some of the wording is a bit ambiguous, and I would call to try and figure out more. On the other end of the spectrum, I think what's posted may be somewhat indicative of what the school can and cannot do (or what they are willing to do based on a number of factors).

I.e. if this matters to someone, I would try to figure it out before the child is six years old, so they know what else they may need to do or plan for...

Edit: read a number of these schools' websites regarding admissions for SC and I think one can get a sense of what's going on.

Is there a reason why schools are becoming less willing to apply for waivers?

malcontent wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 8:32 am

Also, you might need to be “smart” when applying for this waiver… if I were applying for a waiver, I would not even mention the desire to educate my child in a different system, rather, I would wholly emphasize your expected future job transfer to the UK (no matter if it’s true or not) and your desire for a seamless transition for your family.

I really doubt they would accept it otherwise.

PNGMK wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 1:43 pm

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 2:55 am

NYY1 wrote: ↑

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 6:49 am

I don't know. Some of the schools that are likely receiving a lot of inquiries have a more detailed description of the limited circumstances in which they will apply for a waiver. In contrast, others just say you need a waiver. Between the two, I would be trying to figure out whether space is currently available (less popular schools) or can become available (more popular schools), or if the circumstances listed are likely the only times that one can apply (subject to change). Even for the more popular schools, I think some of the wording is a bit ambiguous, and I would call to try and figure out more. On the other end of the spectrum, I think what's posted may be somewhat indicative of what the school can and cannot do (or what they are willing to do based on a number of factors).

I.e. if this matters to someone, I would try to figure it out before the child is six years old, so they know what else they may need to do or plan for...

Edit: read a number of these schools' websites regarding admissions for SC and I think one can get a sense of what's going on.

Is there a reason why schools are becoming less willing to apply for waivers?

This is a complex question. I have it on good authority that the gahmen are NOT interested in Singapore becoming an "international school hub", this coupled with the push for a national curriculum has put a lot of pressure on MOE to hold back FSS (Foreign School System) waivers for SC. You can see this reflected by the number of International Schools shrinking. We did obtain a waiver for our doter (dual US / SC) back in 2016 but decided to put her in the local system. The grounds were used is that she was a dual citizen and we planned (and still do) to leave Singapore before she completes her schooling. As such admission officers in the schools are reluctant to play the FSS waiver game with MOE, they are burning political capital and absolutely don't want to do it unless there is a strong chance it will be approved - the MOE is not the friend of International Schools.

Another point - the international schools on the whole are pretty poor IMO - particularly the for profit schools. Only the expensive and difficult to get into ones are worth going to (SAS, Tanglin etc). IF you're going to put your kid in one of the others you're actually doing them a disservice.

Sunjackal wrote: ↑

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 9:00 pm

I’d like to send him to Tanglin. I don’t want to just put him in whichever school will take him, for the same reasons that I don’t want him to go to local school.

I want to give him the best education I possibly can; balanced against a childhood that isn’t weighted with unreasonable (to me) expectation and workload.

I asked here first because I am bit reluctant to talk to the school and say something that shoots myself in the foot and immediately excludes them from considering my son.

The waiver, as best as I can find out, for SC children can only be granted so long as the SC count is 3% or less.

But the other flip side is I don’t know the basis for the granting of the waiver. Is it that enough to say I want to emigrate at some point? What I read seemed to say that unless the child has some kind of developmental challenge that a local school wouldn’t be able to handle - he’s got no choice.

So I want to be careful, and I want to get it right. But I really want to do it this way, regardless of the fact that it is expensive because it’s what I genuinely believe is for the best interests of my child.