Home > Media Centre > Press Releases Printer-friendly page

EDUN N25-02-004

03801

18 July 2001

TWO NEW AUTONOMOUS SCHOOLS

1.     Autonomous Schools were established in 1994 to provide pupils with quality education within the framework of non-independent status but with greater autonomy devolved to the schools. The Autonomous Schools give parents more options in the choice of quality schools for their children.

2.     On 12 January 2000, the Ministry of Education announced that the number of Autonomous Schools would be expanded from the current number to 30 or 40 schools (approximately 25% of our secondary schools) in the coming years. Secondary schools would need to apply for autonomous school status.

3.     The broad selection criteria are:

       *  School has a good system in place to achieve the Desired Outcomes of Education

       *  School has achieved consistently good academic and other results

       *  School is well-established and receives parental support and public recognition

4.     Two secondary schools applied for autonomous status this year. After a stringent selection process, these two schools have been found to meet the requirements to be accorded autonomous school status. They are:

        * Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' Secondary School 

        * St. Anthony's Canossian Secondary School

5.     The two schools will be accorded autonomous school status with effect from January 2002.

6.     Autonomous Schools are given additional funding to enable them to develop a wider and better range of programmes to stretch the capability of their pupils.

7.     The additional flexibility and funding given to autonomous schools have enabled these schools to offer their pupils a much-enhanced teaching and learning environment. Apart from additional and improved facilities, pupils also benefit from a more innovative curriculum as well as a more varied and wider range of enrichment programmes. Autonomous Schools have been able to provide a well-rounded quality education that stretches each pupil to his fullest potential. The current 20 Autonomous Schools are listed at Annex.