The MOE is investigating the sudden closing down of a private school offering degree courses from the University of Wales. The Turning Point Business School offered degree courses including MBAs in strategic supply chain management, Islamic banking and finance and risk management. The fees could be as high as $20,000.
The University of Wales has since terminated its partnership with the school. Its owner, a Manish Brahmbhatt is uncontactable and is believed to have left Singapore.
Students who have enrolled in the school were experiencing earlier signs of trouble when classes were often postponed. They are now trying to recover the fees paid to the school. Potential students to private schools better beware that any signs of irregularities should be seen as a warning to them.
The MOE has since set up a Council for Private Education(CPE) to oversee private schools in Singapore. All private schools have to register with the CPE by this June. Only about a quarter have done which is a sign that many would not make it for reasons of compliance to the higher requirements of the CPE.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The heat is on private schools
By June 2011, more than 50% of private schools would have to close down. The spate of closures and badly run private schools have damaged the clinically clean image of Singapore as a no nonsense city state where quality is its hallmark. The Singapore Trademark is as good as gold. So it was till it was tarnished by the problems caused by failed private schools and the torment and pain it caused to the students, both local and foreign, who paid good money and invested time and effort only to be at the wrong end of a scam.
The Education Ministry has finally kicked in to clean up the mess. A Council for Private Education(CPE) has been set up to evaluate private schools and those not up to mark will have to go to protect the interest of the students and Singapore's squeaky clean reputation.
Private schools meeting the stringent criteria will be accreditted with the EduTrust Award. At the top is the EduTrust Star. Those who got through would be given the EduTrust Award. The minumum standard is the EduTrust Provisional Award.
Private students should look out for this accreditation before enrolling to any private schools. This is the least they should look out for and the least that the Ministry could do.
Going forward we will have to see if the new rulings come with teeth or things as per normal with poorly managed private schools still operating and closing like the weather.
The Education Ministry has finally kicked in to clean up the mess. A Council for Private Education(CPE) has been set up to evaluate private schools and those not up to mark will have to go to protect the interest of the students and Singapore's squeaky clean reputation.
Private schools meeting the stringent criteria will be accreditted with the EduTrust Award. At the top is the EduTrust Star. Those who got through would be given the EduTrust Award. The minumum standard is the EduTrust Provisional Award.
Private students should look out for this accreditation before enrolling to any private schools. This is the least they should look out for and the least that the Ministry could do.
Going forward we will have to see if the new rulings come with teeth or things as per normal with poorly managed private schools still operating and closing like the weather.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sudden closure of Private School
School of Applied Studies, a small private school, closed suddenly due to financial difficulties. 300 students, both locals and foreigners, were left stranded. The fees for a diploma course by the School ranged from $13,500 to $36,000 for a degree.
The parents were angry, the students were lost and shocked. The staff has not collected their pay for two months. Many lives and aspirations were ruined. Never mind about the education hub status of the island. The students paid the money, went to study, in the hope of getting a qualification that will see them through their lives, to a job or profession. Now it is all uncertainty. Efforts are now being made to help the students to continue their studies in other institutions.
Is private education just another business and it success or failure something to live with? I think not. There is a heavy duty and responsibility to prevent young people from being caught in such a mess as it is their future that is at stake.
Badly constituted schools, fly by night schools, can do serious harm to the innocent youth. It is not simply another business, about profit and loss. There are social obligations, moral responsibility and human decency to prevent the young from being ripped off by unscrupulous operators whose main aim is to make money.
Schools, private or public, must be carefully regulated to prevent fraud and mismanagement. Schools that are churning out degrees and diplomas that are not recognized by the govt should not be allowed to operate here. If we know it is crap, we cannot allow it to operate. It is highly irresponsible to take the position that it is a willing buyer willing seller arrangement, caveat emptor.
Live up to your moral righteousness and duty to provide good, decent and credible education to anyone who seeks an education here. Eyes wide shut are unacceptable. It is very cruel and shameful to allow young people to invest their time and money only to end up with a piece of worthless paper, and all because responsible people chose to turn a blind eye.
The parents were angry, the students were lost and shocked. The staff has not collected their pay for two months. Many lives and aspirations were ruined. Never mind about the education hub status of the island. The students paid the money, went to study, in the hope of getting a qualification that will see them through their lives, to a job or profession. Now it is all uncertainty. Efforts are now being made to help the students to continue their studies in other institutions.
Is private education just another business and it success or failure something to live with? I think not. There is a heavy duty and responsibility to prevent young people from being caught in such a mess as it is their future that is at stake.
Badly constituted schools, fly by night schools, can do serious harm to the innocent youth. It is not simply another business, about profit and loss. There are social obligations, moral responsibility and human decency to prevent the young from being ripped off by unscrupulous operators whose main aim is to make money.
Schools, private or public, must be carefully regulated to prevent fraud and mismanagement. Schools that are churning out degrees and diplomas that are not recognized by the govt should not be allowed to operate here. If we know it is crap, we cannot allow it to operate. It is highly irresponsible to take the position that it is a willing buyer willing seller arrangement, caveat emptor.
Live up to your moral righteousness and duty to provide good, decent and credible education to anyone who seeks an education here. Eyes wide shut are unacceptable. It is very cruel and shameful to allow young people to invest their time and money only to end up with a piece of worthless paper, and all because responsible people chose to turn a blind eye.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Regulating the quality of private education
62 private institutions have been approved by Council for Private Education
By Shafiq Alkhatib | Posted: 20 May 2010 1709 hrs
SINGAPORE: Students of 62 private education institutions have been given the assurance that they're on a quality academic path.
Their schools have registered under a new regulatory framework, prescribed by the Council for Private Education (CPE). Among these, six have been awarded a certification called EduTrust....
The above is from Channel News Asia Online. More than 300 private institutions applied and less than one third were approved. There is an urgent effort to regulate the quality of private education institutions to protect the reputation of Singapore as an Education Hub.
By Shafiq Alkhatib | Posted: 20 May 2010 1709 hrs
SINGAPORE: Students of 62 private education institutions have been given the assurance that they're on a quality academic path.
Their schools have registered under a new regulatory framework, prescribed by the Council for Private Education (CPE). Among these, six have been awarded a certification called EduTrust....
The above is from Channel News Asia Online. More than 300 private institutions applied and less than one third were approved. There is an urgent effort to regulate the quality of private education institutions to protect the reputation of Singapore as an Education Hub.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Student Services Centre replaces CASE
Below is an article from The Straits Times.
A ONE-STOP centre for students to seek information on private schools, file complaints or seek redress opened yesterday.
The Student Services Centre (SSC), which aims to raise awareness of students' private education options and thus protect them from unscrupulous private school owners, signals the Government's determination to raise private education standards....
The SSC, located in the YMCA Singapore building along Orchard Road, was set up by the Council for Private Education (CPE), a five-month-old Ministry of Education statutory board.
Its staff will dispense information on, for instance, the quality and cost of courses and which schools would best meet a student's needs.
The centre will also stock brochures and handbooks and run outreach programmes, talks and campaigns.
A ONE-STOP centre for students to seek information on private schools, file complaints or seek redress opened yesterday.
The Student Services Centre (SSC), which aims to raise awareness of students' private education options and thus protect them from unscrupulous private school owners, signals the Government's determination to raise private education standards....
The SSC, located in the YMCA Singapore building along Orchard Road, was set up by the Council for Private Education (CPE), a five-month-old Ministry of Education statutory board.
Its staff will dispense information on, for instance, the quality and cost of courses and which schools would best meet a student's needs.
The centre will also stock brochures and handbooks and run outreach programmes, talks and campaigns.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Racket selling fake student passes
Student passes for sales to foreign students for $7,000 a year (ST 12 Apr)
A RACKET involving student passes for sale by two men, who claimed to be from a private school here, has caught the attention of the Council for Private Education (CPE).
A spokesman for the CPE told The Straits Times that the council would be conducting checks on the school’s processes.
These checks, part of the evaluation process for the school’s application under the Enhanced Registration Framework for private education institutions, would include how the school monitors its students’ attendance.
The Straits Times learnt that ‘recruiters’ claiming to be employees of Arium School of Management and Technology at Upper Boon Keng Road are offering foreigners a valid student pass for $7,000 a year – without them having to attend a day of school.
An additional $11,000, the recruiters claim, can get foreigners a package deal comprising a pass valid for a year, perfect attendance records, transcripts and a degree – all without them having to spend any significant time in classes.
The student passes, which allow foreign students to stay here for the entire duration of their studies, can be abused and the culprits usually end up working illegally instead of studying.
When contacted, the school said it had no idea who the recruiters were – even though they met prospective clients on its premises.
Mr Dennis Tan, Arium’s executive director, said such recruiters ‘have no authority whatsoever to represent us or to recruit any students on our behalf’.
He added that the school’s marketing manager, Mr Loh Ben-ni, lodged a police report against the recruiters last Thursday.
A police spokesman confirmed a report had been made....
The above is part of an article published in the Straits Times.
A RACKET involving student passes for sale by two men, who claimed to be from a private school here, has caught the attention of the Council for Private Education (CPE).
A spokesman for the CPE told The Straits Times that the council would be conducting checks on the school’s processes.
These checks, part of the evaluation process for the school’s application under the Enhanced Registration Framework for private education institutions, would include how the school monitors its students’ attendance.
The Straits Times learnt that ‘recruiters’ claiming to be employees of Arium School of Management and Technology at Upper Boon Keng Road are offering foreigners a valid student pass for $7,000 a year – without them having to attend a day of school.
An additional $11,000, the recruiters claim, can get foreigners a package deal comprising a pass valid for a year, perfect attendance records, transcripts and a degree – all without them having to spend any significant time in classes.
The student passes, which allow foreign students to stay here for the entire duration of their studies, can be abused and the culprits usually end up working illegally instead of studying.
When contacted, the school said it had no idea who the recruiters were – even though they met prospective clients on its premises.
Mr Dennis Tan, Arium’s executive director, said such recruiters ‘have no authority whatsoever to represent us or to recruit any students on our behalf’.
He added that the school’s marketing manager, Mr Loh Ben-ni, lodged a police report against the recruiters last Thursday.
A police spokesman confirmed a report had been made....
The above is part of an article published in the Straits Times.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Govt Universities raising fees
SINGAPORE: Singapore three public universities, NUS, NTU and SMU are raising tuition fees for the incoming cohort of students in August.
The increase will be sharper for permanent residents and foreign students, compared to Singapore citizens.
Universities said this is in line with the government’s policy of reflecting the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
Undergraduate fees for freshmen at SMU will go up by three per cent.
Singaporeans enrolling into NUS will pay four per cent more.
But those doing Architecture, Business, Law and Pharmacy will see an increase of between seven and ten per cent.
For Permanent Residents, it will go up by between S$720 and S$2,810 with foreign students paying more between S$800 and S$3,120 more.
Over at NTU, Singapore citizens will pay 1.6 per cent more, annualised over four years for non—business programmes to hit S$6,890.
For business programmes, it will be 3.4 per cent up, annualised over three years to hit $7,490.
PRs and foreign students will pay more.
For NTU, all PRs for the incoming cohort receiving tuition grants will be charged 20 per cent more than Singapore Citizens, up from the current 10 per cent.
International Students will be charged 60 per cent more, up from the current 50 per cent....
The above is part of an article from CNA posted on Mar 19.
The increase will be sharper for permanent residents and foreign students, compared to Singapore citizens.
Universities said this is in line with the government’s policy of reflecting the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
Undergraduate fees for freshmen at SMU will go up by three per cent.
Singaporeans enrolling into NUS will pay four per cent more.
But those doing Architecture, Business, Law and Pharmacy will see an increase of between seven and ten per cent.
For Permanent Residents, it will go up by between S$720 and S$2,810 with foreign students paying more between S$800 and S$3,120 more.
Over at NTU, Singapore citizens will pay 1.6 per cent more, annualised over four years for non—business programmes to hit S$6,890.
For business programmes, it will be 3.4 per cent up, annualised over three years to hit $7,490.
PRs and foreign students will pay more.
For NTU, all PRs for the incoming cohort receiving tuition grants will be charged 20 per cent more than Singapore Citizens, up from the current 10 per cent.
International Students will be charged 60 per cent more, up from the current 50 per cent....
The above is part of an article from CNA posted on Mar 19.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Changes in school fees for non citizens
New school fees for public schools in Singapore
The following are the fee changes that will come into effect in year 2011.
Primary Level 2009 2011 2012 (Annual fees in S$)
Singapore citizen 132 132 132
Permanent resident 174 396 612
Intl student(Asean) 1752 2352 2952
Intl student(others) 1872 3072 4272
Secondary Level
Singapore citizen 252 252 252
Permanent resident 264 552 852
Intl student(Asean) 2532 3312 4092
Intl student(others) 2712 4272 5832
Junior college/CI
Singapore citizen 336 336 336
Permanent resident 348 780 1224
Intl student(Asean) 4224 5424 6624
Intl student(others) 4464 6864 9264
The Singapore American school fees for primary and intermediate levels are $22,100 per year.
The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
The following are the fee changes that will come into effect in year 2011.
Primary Level 2009 2011 2012 (Annual fees in S$)
Singapore citizen 132 132 132
Permanent resident 174 396 612
Intl student(Asean) 1752 2352 2952
Intl student(others) 1872 3072 4272
Secondary Level
Singapore citizen 252 252 252
Permanent resident 264 552 852
Intl student(Asean) 2532 3312 4092
Intl student(others) 2712 4272 5832
Junior college/CI
Singapore citizen 336 336 336
Permanent resident 348 780 1224
Intl student(Asean) 4224 5424 6624
Intl student(others) 4464 6864 9264
The Singapore American school fees for primary and intermediate levels are $22,100 per year.
The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Bloggers score big!
The bloggers have scored their first major victory over the issue of citizenship privileges over non citizens in school fees. Bloggers have cried foul on behalf of all citizens that they were treated no better than PRs and non citizens, and in many instances it is better and more advantages to be PRs and non citizens than citizens. Today the Ministry of Education has announced sweeping changes in school registrations and school fees to differentiate between citizens and non citizens.
These changes will take effect in year 2011 and 2012. Children of citizens will now get an additional ballot slip to boost their chances for enrolment in their preferred schools. The meaty part is the hike in school fees which will see children of PRs paying up to 2 times in year 2011 or 4 times in 2012. Non resident children or international students will also see comparative hikes in their school fees up to junior colleges.
Would these changes have come about if there were no bloggers to whine about or kpkb in cyberspace? Would the main media do the necessary and bring about the changes by reporting the grouses of the citizens the way the bloggers have done? I think credit must be given to all bloggers who have played their painful and unrecognised role in this matter. Some injustice to the citizens have now been squared.
This is the first step towards recognising the citizens and rewarding them for the huge sacrifices and responsibilities they shouldered for the country. The next targets should be hospitalisation fees and housing. More restrictions should be placed on PRs buying public flats even if they have bought them from the open market to prevent speculative activities. The same levies should be imposed on them, including a number of years before they are allowed to resell.
More needs to be done to enhance the value of citizenship and give dignity to the citizens in other areas. Bloggers must continue to play their roles to champion the cause of the citizens.
The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
These changes will take effect in year 2011 and 2012. Children of citizens will now get an additional ballot slip to boost their chances for enrolment in their preferred schools. The meaty part is the hike in school fees which will see children of PRs paying up to 2 times in year 2011 or 4 times in 2012. Non resident children or international students will also see comparative hikes in their school fees up to junior colleges.
Would these changes have come about if there were no bloggers to whine about or kpkb in cyberspace? Would the main media do the necessary and bring about the changes by reporting the grouses of the citizens the way the bloggers have done? I think credit must be given to all bloggers who have played their painful and unrecognised role in this matter. Some injustice to the citizens have now been squared.
This is the first step towards recognising the citizens and rewarding them for the huge sacrifices and responsibilities they shouldered for the country. The next targets should be hospitalisation fees and housing. More restrictions should be placed on PRs buying public flats even if they have bought them from the open market to prevent speculative activities. The same levies should be imposed on them, including a number of years before they are allowed to resell.
More needs to be done to enhance the value of citizenship and give dignity to the citizens in other areas. Bloggers must continue to play their roles to champion the cause of the citizens.
The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Blogger in defamation suit
Jayne Goh, the founder of the Association of Bloggers of Singapore which does not represent the majority of bloggers except a few founding members, has been judged by the High Court to have defamed a teacher, Janet Wong, for being corrupt. In her blog she 'alleged that Mrs Wong accepted bribes in return for allowing foreign students admission into her school. Jayne alleged in her blog that Mrs Wong demanded 'a $3,000 cash donation for each student placed in the school...and that entrance tests for such students were fixed'.
The case is now pending appeal or Jayne Goh would have to pay damages for failing to remove the article as demanded by Janet Wong.
What is important to bloggers is that the internet and blogging give bloggers a lot of freedom to write and express their views. But bloggers should be careful not to exceed the limitations of such rights to encroach into other people's rights. And posting scandulous or defamatory articles could bring about lawsuits which are very costly. Bloggers should feel free to express their views on issues and differences or disagreements are fair game. Comments that may be interpreted as personal attacks or affecting the integrity and reputation of individuals should be tackled sensitively and diplomatically.
We will have more news of this case since it is the first major case involving bloggers here.
The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
The case is now pending appeal or Jayne Goh would have to pay damages for failing to remove the article as demanded by Janet Wong.
What is important to bloggers is that the internet and blogging give bloggers a lot of freedom to write and express their views. But bloggers should be careful not to exceed the limitations of such rights to encroach into other people's rights. And posting scandulous or defamatory articles could bring about lawsuits which are very costly. Bloggers should feel free to express their views on issues and differences or disagreements are fair game. Comments that may be interpreted as personal attacks or affecting the integrity and reputation of individuals should be tackled sensitively and diplomatically.
We will have more news of this case since it is the first major case involving bloggers here.
The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
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