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LEAVE OF ABSENCE SCHEME

To support Singapore’s regionalisation effort, the Ministry of Education will be introducing a new scheme from 1 Jan 99 to grant pupils leave of absence from schools when they accompany their parents on overseas posting. This will facilitate the re-entry of these children into their schools when their families return from overseas.

2 The scheme will apply to three categories of children:

a. those who are studying in a Singapore school, and are intending to go overseas;

b. those who are overseas and intend to return to their former schools; and

c. those who have applied and been allocated a school place during the Primary One registration exercise while overseas with their parents who are on overseas posting.

3 For these three groups of children, the scheme will provide the opportunity for them to be registered pupils of the school, even while they are away from Singapore. These children can join the school immediately upon return. Schools can also keep in touch with their pupils when they are overseas. In this way, closer links will be established between schools and their pupils overseas.

Eligibility

4 The Leave of Absence Scheme is open to children who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents. Children will be allowed to apply for leave of absence in the primary school till the end of Primary 6, secondary school till the end of Secondary 4 or 5 (whichever is applicable) and pre-university institutions till the end of JC 2 or Pre-U 3 (whichever is applicable).

5 Parents should apply for leave of absence for their child if

a the child is presently studying in a Singapore school and will be accompanying them on overseas posting.

b the child will be rejoining his or her former school when the family returns from overseas.

c they have registered him or her for Primary One from overseas.

6 For families with children who are of school-going age when they are overseas, parents are strongly encouraged to register their child during the Primary One registration exercise held in July/August each year, and apply for leave of absence from the school the child is admitted to thereafter. The registration of the child will be according to the priority phases spelt out in the Primary One Registration Scheme. For children who are presently overseas and have not studied or been allocated a place in a Singapore school before, the Ministry of Education will facilitate their entry into a school based on proximity and availability of places upon their return.

How To Apply

7 Application is to be made directly to the school concerned. Parents can obtain application forms from all schools and junior colleges, Ministry of Education, as well as Singapore Missions and Contact Singapore offices overseas. It is also available on the MOE Internet website at www.moe.edu.sg/esp/eduinfo/leave.htm. A nominal fee will be charged annually for the child to remain on the scheme, the quantum of which will depend on the school concerned As a rough guide, the annual fee for primary schools will be at least $30, for secondary schools at least $42, and for junior colleges at least $54. and may vary from year to year. Parents will decide whether to keep their child on the scheme at the end of each year. Leave of absence status will lapse for those who decide not to renew their application.