New Private Education Bill - More stringent checks

New Private Education Bill - More stringent checks
By Amelia Tan


To be registered, the schools will have to meet clearly defined statutory obligations and requirements. Schools will have to align their business practices and internal processes to the new requirements. -- ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN

PRIVATE schools will be put through more stringent checks and face stiffer penalities if they fail to meet standards under the new Private Education Bill which will be moved in Parliament later this year.

The proposed regulatory framework consists of mandatory registration for all private schools and a voluntary quality differentiation scheme.

To be registered, the schools will have to meet clearly defined statutory obligations and requirements. Schools will have to align their business practices and internal processes to the new requirements
A new scheme, the voluntary EduTrust, which assesses schools on their academic quality, student welfare, soundness of finances and administrative processes, will replace the CaseTrust scheme. It will also help students to get refunds of their fees if their schools suddenly closes down.

These announcements were made by members of an interim Council for Private Education on Tuesday, as part of moves to build a quality private education sector in Singapore.

The interim council is chaired by CEO of Nanyang Polytechnic International Lin Cheng Ton. A permanent Council will be formed once the Private Education Bill is passed.

The new bill will cover private schools offering degree, diploma or full-time certification programmes at the post-secondary level; full-time preparatory courses for the purpose of preparing students for entrance tests for joining our mainstream schools, or for external examinations; and Foreign System Schools (FSS).

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_348305.html