Singapore Expats

Hi,

In a recent thread: http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic94562.html
one of the posters indicated that the cost of local schooling would increase substantially for foreigners.

While I can see how the schools might use a 'means test' in determining fees, I can't see them going any where as high as the S$500 to S$1000 that the poster alluded to.

Is anyone aware of any changes to the education rules that would adversely affect the cost of schooling for foreign children? And how much does it cost to send your kids to local school now?

Thanks!

Depending on the year your child is in and where you come from, you are right now looking at anywhere between $100 or $650 per month.

sundaymorningstaple wrote:http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2012/ ... s-2013.php

Wow - thanks to both SMS and Scooby for setting the record straight. That's far more than I thought it would be considering education is a "basic" right. Surprised there hasn't been more push-back considering how much trouble foreign parents have getting their kids into schools already.

ComingSoon wrote:Wow - thanks to both SMS and Scooby for setting the record straight. That's far more than I thought it would be considering education is a "basic" right. Surprised there hasn't been more push-back considering how much trouble foreign parents have getting their kids into schools already.

Actually, education is a basic right for ... ahem ... citizens (which is why education is heavily subsided for Singapore citizens). For non-citizens, you can't exect it to be a 'basic right'. After all, non-citizens have the choice to come to Singapore to work, being fully aware of the limited number of places in International Schools here and the limited choices regarding public schools. For citizens, who have no choice but to stay (unless they are highly-educated or rich enough to leave the country), it is a basic right and necessityand, hence, is treated as such.

mummy mantras wrote:

ComingSoon wrote:.

Actually, education is a basic right for ... ahem ... citizens (which is why education is heavily subsided for Singapore citizens). For non-citizens, you can't exect it to be a 'basic right'. After all, non-citizens have the choice to come to Singapore to work, being fully aware of the limited number of places in International Schools here and the limited choices regarding public schools. For citizens, who have no choice but to stay (unless they are highly-educated or rich enough to leave the country), it is a basic right and necessityand, hence, is treated as such.

Well, I guess this is the prevailing attitude in Singapore.

I don't have any basis to compare, but I would imagine that in most 1st world nations residents are given access to highly affordable education. $6000 bucks a year makes things tight for people in a P2 and below income bracket.

Most people from western countries do their homework before taking up a contract. All the information is freely available on various forums like this one and on the relevant government websites. Frankly, this "developing" country is in a lot better shape than ANY 1st world country that you can name. So, they must be doing something right.

ComingSoon wrote:

mummy mantras wrote:

ComingSoon wrote:.

Actually, education is a basic right for ... ahem ... citizens (which is why education is heavily subsided for Singapore citizens). For non-citizens, you can't exect it to be a 'basic right'. After all, non-citizens have the choice to come to Singapore to work, being fully aware of the limited number of places in International Schools here and the limited choices regarding public schools. For citizens, who have no choice but to stay (unless they are highly-educated or rich enough to leave the country), it is a basic right and necessityand, hence, is treated as such.

Well, I guess this is the prevailing attitude in Singapore.

I don't have any basis to compare, but I would imagine that in most 1st world nations residents are given access to highly affordable education.

And the residents are.

It's a whole lot cheaper than International School, if you don't like it then you don't have to come, simple really! We don't need foreigners who come over here trying to rock the boat, if you are here, remember you are a guest.

nutnut wrote:It's a whole lot cheaper than International School, if you don't like it then you don't have to come, simple really! We don't need foreigners who come over here trying to rock the boat, if you are here, remember you are a guest.

I don't have school age children. I'm just surprised the cost of education is so high for foreigners. And while I've done exactly zero research, I've never heard of a country that charges different parts of the resident community different prices for the same public schooling. I'm just surprised it hasn't been more of an issue for foreigners.

For those that it was an issue, they stayed wherever it was they were. Simple.

Yep, if they don't like it, then they don't come here or ensure they plan it into their finances.

ComingSoon wrote:

nutnut wrote:It's a whole lot cheaper than International School, if you don't like it then you don't have to come, simple really! We don't need foreigners who come over here trying to rock the boat, if you are here, remember you are a guest.

I don't have school age children. I'm just surprised the cost of education is so high for foreigners. And while I've done exactly zero research, I've never heard of a country that charges different parts of the resident community different prices for the same public schooling. I'm just surprised it hasn't been more of an issue for foreigners.

In the UK, private education (primary and secondary schools) are the lifeline of many middle class folks that couldnt get their kids into grammer school. Comprehensive schools generally arent that fantastic.
In terms of foreign students - further education and main stream secondary and primary schools are the universities, colleges and schools bread and butter.