PRIVATELY-FUNDED SCHOOLS FOR MORE CHOICE AND GREATER DIVERSITY

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1. The Ministry of Education invites proposals to set up privately-funded schools. New privately-funded schools will provide more choice and variety for Singapore students and be an added source of ideas and innovative practices in education.

2. In line with Compulsory Primary Education in national schools introduced this year, privately-funded schools may not offer primary school curriculum. Only privately-funded secondary schools or junior colleges will be allowed.

3. To ensure that all Singaporean students continue to learn and interact with one another in an environment that nurtures a Singaporean spirit and character, privately-funded schools will be required to adhere to MOE's bilingual policy and incorporate National Education (NE) into their curriculum, as well as other national practices such as daily flag-raising and the singing of the national anthem. It is also envisaged that Singaporeans / Permanent Residents will comprise at least 50% of privately-funded school enrolment in order to provide a Singaporean environment.

4. More information for submission of proposals can be found on the MOE Private Schools Section website (http://www1.moe.edu.sg/privatesch).

5. The closing date for submission of proposals is 31 Dec 2003 1:00 p.m. All proposals should be submitted, together with the submission form (refer to website), to the following address:

7. In Oct 2002, the Junior College/Upper Secondary Education Review Committee, chaired by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was then Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry & Education, recommended greater diversity in the education landscape in the form of alternative curricula and qualifications, different mix of schools, and different programmes. Setting up 2-3 privately-funded schools was one of the key recommendations of the committee. This was endorsed by Parliament in Nov 2002.