Parliamentary Replies
False Student Pass
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mrs Josephine Teo, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education (a) how many private education providers have been investigated for false applications of student passes that enable non-bona fide students to work in Singapore; (b) what steps are being taken to curb such abuses; and (c) whether student pass holders should be banned from working during the stated school terms.
Response
The Council for Private Education, or CPE, is currently following up on a number of tip-offs related to dubious and unscrupulous practices within the private education industry, including false applications of student passes. As investigations are underway, it would not be appropriate for them to discuss any details at this stage. The CPE will make the necessary announcements in due course.
Such acts are damaging to Singapore’s reputation as a education hub, and therefore, harsh penalties are imposed on those found guilty. The Private Education Act empowers the CPE to take errant PEIs to task. As part of the enhanced regulatory framework, managers of PEIs have certain prescribed responsibilities and duties. These include the keeping of proper records, including information on course administration and student attendance. Any manager who fails to perform any of these duties without a reasonable excuse is guilty of an offence.
A PEI that has been found to have contravened the requirements of the Act can have its registration period shortened, suspended or cancelled. Its EduTrust certification, if any, may also be revoked. In addition, the managers of the PEI can be held liable for a criminal offence. All regulatory actions taken by the CPE against the PEI will be publicised on CPE’s website.
The CPE is in the process of evaluating registration applications from PEIs as part of the eighteen-month transition into the new private education regulatory regime. Besides vetting documentation submitted by registering PEIs and carrying out on-site inspections, they will also investigate reports of malpractice, including the peddling of student passes by rogue agents.
In doing so, the CPE may also link up with other regulatory authorities such as the Police, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, or ICA, and the Ministry of Manpower, depending on the nature of the alleged contraventions.
With regard to work privileges of student pass holders, unless otherwise permitted by ICA, a Student Pass holder is not allowed to engage in any paid employment or business in Singapore during the validity of his or her Student Pass.