Revised School Fee Framework for Permanent Residents and Foreign Students

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1. As announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 3 Dec 2006, the Government is introducing a clearer differentiation of fees paid for education by Singapore citizens, permanent residents and foreigners. Fees for permanent residents (PR) and foreign students (FS) in schools, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnics and universities will be raised over the next two years.

2. The new fees for PR and FS will however remain competitive compared with international schools and comparable universities overseas. We will ensure that our fee structures allow Singapore to continue to attract quality students, add diversity in the educational environment and keep our institutions’ international standing high.

3. From January 2007, PR in Government and Government-aided schools, junior colleges (JCs) and the centralised institute (CI) will pay about 20% more for school fees. They currently pay the same fees as citizens at the secondary and pre-university levels. FS, whose fees are already higher than those for citizens and PR, will have their fees increased by about 30%. The new fees for FS will take effect two years from now (2009 ), to give time for them to decide if they wish to apply to become permanent residents.

4. MOE has consulted the independent schools, which have agreed to adopt a revised fee framework. The independent schools will continue to decide on their own fees, but will ensure that fees for PR are 20% or more above those for citizens; fees for FS will be 50% or more above those for citizens, and not lower than fees for PR. As independent school fees are higher than those for other schools, and the increases involve a large dollar quantum, the independent schools will increase school fees for PR by 2008.

5. PR admitted to ITE from Academic Year 2008 will pay 10% more. FS admitted from Academic Year 2008 will have their tuition fees increased by 80%, so as to achieve a better alignment with FS fees in secondary schools and JCs.

6. For the polytechnics and universities, PR admitted from Academic Year 2008 will pay 10% more than citizens in tuition fees while FS will pay 50% more than citizens. Currently, PR pay the same fees as citizens and FS pay 10% more. Existing PR and FS in the ITE, polytechnics and universities will not be included in these adjustments.