EDUN N28-34-009 V5 

00204

6 Jan 04 

Five Proposals received for Setting Up Privately-Funded Schools

1.           The deadline for submission of proposals to set up privately-funded schools closed on 31 Dec 03. The Ministry of Education has received five proposals in total. The proposals were submitted by:

a. AIT Unicampus 

b. Anglo-Chinese School Board of Governors 

c. Indian Trust (Singapore) Ltd 

d. Philip James School of Learning 

e. The Singapore Chinese High School Board of Directors

2.           Successful applicants will be notified by end Mar 2004.

3.           In addition, the Ministry also received an application by the Raffles Institution Board of Governors to set up a private school for foreign students in Singapore¹. 

Background

4.           On 13 Aug 03, Acting Minister for Education, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, announced that MOE was inviting interested applicants to send in their proposals to set up privately-funded schools. This was part of the recommendations by the JC/Upper Secondary Education Review Committee to allow 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. It is hoped that the privately-funded schools will provide more choice and variety for Singapore students and be an added source of ideas and innovative practices in education. 

Requirements for Setting Up Privately-Funded Schools

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

6.           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.

¹The application will be considered separately as privately-funded schools are expected to cater to predominantly Singaporean students. (See "Requirements for Setting Up Privately-Funded Schools.")