16 July 2004

Revision of Standard Miscellaneous Fees
 

         From Jan 2005, monthly standard miscellaneous fees will increase by $0.50 for primary level, $1.00 for secondary level and $2.00 for pre-university level.

2.      The  increase in standard miscellaneous fees will allow the Government to meet part of the increase in the costs of education in previous years, and to continue to raise the quality of education in schools.  School education will remain heavily subsidised by the Government.

3.      The current fees and the increases are as follows:

* 2nd tier miscellaneous fees are decided by schools.  They are capped at 100% of the standard miscellaneous fees.  Students may use their Edusave accounts to pay the 2nd tier miscellaneous fees.

4.      Financial assistance is available for families that are unable to afford their school fees.  Under the MOE financial assistance scheme, students are granted waiver of school fees and 50% waiver of standard miscellaneous fees.  Needy pupils also have access to financial assistance from their respective schools, which operate their own assistance schemes.  No child will be denied an education on account of financial difficulties.

Background
5.      School fees go towards paying for school building maintenance, furniture expenses, teachers’ and Principals' salaries.  Miscellaneous fees comprise standard miscellaneous fees and 2nd tier miscellaneous fees, and are to be paid by the parent as a contribution towards the cost of teaching materials/printing materials used by the students in the school.