you worry too much. if a 2 year stint in the military can dampen his enthusiasm or attitude to life/pursuits (loss of motivation), then it would be better that he studies under his parents' watchful eyes.saxenar wrote:We are a family of 4 (me, my wife, son & daughter). Its been 11 years since we have been in Singapore. We became SPR around the year 2009. I work in a MNC company and both my children go to International School. First 4 years we lived in HDB estate - at that time my son was 7 yrs and daughter was 5 yrs - both of them did not have any friends to play around - as none of the children of their age ever came down to play in the HDB estate. So we moved to a condo where they found friends and really grew-up well with all around social well being as well. While I & my wife have been actively involved in quite a few community events (volunteering etc) - and our children also accompany as and when they have time after finishing their studies.
We applied for our citizenship but the same was rejected. Now, my son is in junior college year 2 and he has decided to take-up Engeering in Astro Physics / Space stream and is keen to go to the US for his undergraduate degree and after that PG, research etc - as there's very limited scope for this kind of education in Singapore. He's quite good in his studies and has been securing 95%+ in all his academics. And he's absolutely sure that US is the place to be for this kind of stream. But since he's a PR, he has to serve NS. Incase we force him & convinece him to study here in SG only so that he can fulfill his NS obligations - we may be doing injustice to his dreams.. he may get demotivated and lose interest to pursue his dreams. in extreme case, he may become completely negative and may blame us for not letting him pursue his dreams.
With his academics,we are confident of him getting admission in NUS / NTU - but not sure how good will his education be for the stream of his interest. But before that he has to serve NS. Also, after his enginering in SG (if he decides to study here), he still wants to go to US to do his PG. But as per the Tution Grant scheme for his study at NUS - he needs to work in SG for 3 years. If he dosen't, then we have to pay nearly $60K refund of the tution grant (its about $20k per year). If we choose not to take Tution Grant - then what's the use of being SPR - he can get far better education in US for the same fees as NUS - without the Tution Grant.
If we consider to give-up his PR, what would the consequences be? Do note that we have not taken any PR privileges (no tution grant till now as both children study in international school, no housing grant, no GST handouts.).. so financially we may not have to pay back anything to Govt. But since my son may be getting the NS call any week now, what would the consequences be if we give-up his PR now? Will the Govt ask entire family to give-up PR?
Looks like being an SPR has actually made us nomads - we neither belong to the country where we come from - nor we have SG citizenship. And we dont get any benefits - we are not allowed to buy HDB flat, no use of tution grant and there's a restriction about what streams of engineering can he choose here in SG?
Does it make sense to give-up his PR status and let him choose which country he wants to study in?(US, Canada, Australia etc?)
Feedback & suggestions appreciated..
saxenar wrote:We are a family of 4 (me, my wife, son & daughter). Its been 11 years since we have been in Singapore. We became SPR around the year 2009. I work in a MNC company and both my children go to International School. First 4 years we lived in HDB estate - at that time my son was 7 yrs and daughter was 5 yrs - both of them did not have any friends to play around - as none of the children of their age ever came down to play in the HDB estate. So we moved to a condo where they found friends and really grew-up well with all around social well being as well. While I & my wife have been actively involved in quite a few community events (volunteering etc) - and our children also accompany as and when they have time after finishing their studies.
We applied for our citizenship but the same was rejected. Now, my son is in junior college year 2 and he has decided to take-up Engeering in Astro Physics / Space stream and is keen to go to the US for his undergraduate degree and after that PG, research etc - as there's very limited scope for this kind of education in Singapore. He's quite good in his studies and has been securing 95%+ in all his academics. And he's absolutely sure that US is the place to be for this kind of stream. But since he's a PR, he has to serve NS. Incase we force him & convinece him to study here in SG only so that he can fulfill his NS obligations - we may be doing injustice to his dreams.. he may get demotivated and lose interest to pursue his dreams. in extreme case, he may become completely negative and may blame us for not letting him pursue his dreams.
With his academics,we are confident of him getting admission in NUS / NTU - but not sure how good will his education be for the stream of his interest. But before that he has to serve NS. Also, after his enginering in SG (if he decides to study here), he still wants to go to US to do his PG. But as per the Tution Grant scheme for his study at NUS - he needs to work in SG for 3 years. If he dosen't, then we have to pay nearly $60K refund of the tution grant (its about $20k per year). If we choose not to take Tution Grant - then what's the use of being SPR - he can get far better education in US for the same fees as NUS - without the Tution Grant.
If we consider to give-up his PR, what would the consequences be? Do note that we have not taken any PR privileges (no tution grant till now as both children study in international school, no housing grant, no GST handouts.).. so financially we may not have to pay back anything to Govt. But since my son may be getting the NS call any week now, what would the consequences be if we give-up his PR now? Will the Govt ask entire family to give-up PR?
Looks like being an SPR has actually made us nomads - we neither belong to the country where we come from - nor we have SG citizenship. And we dont get any benefits - we are not allowed to buy HDB flat, no use of tution grant and there's a restriction about what streams of engineering can he choose here in SG?
Does it make sense to give-up his PR status and let him choose which country he wants to study in?(US, Canada, Australia etc?)
Feedback & suggestions appreciated..
India Se ?saxenar wrote:We are a family of 4 (me, my wife, son & daughter). Its been 11 years since we have been in Singapore. We became SPR around the year 2009. I work in a MNC company and both my children go to International School.
Adding on, what makes me feel amused is parents really charting out the future for their kids, without really knowing what the future brings. Heck, nobody can predict the future right ?bro75 wrote:The consequence of giving up PR to avoid NS is that your son may never be allowed to work and live in Singapore. It is up to you to decide if that consequence is something you can live with.
What I have seen from the thread is that you have not really prepared your son for NS by placing him in International School. He would not have any local peers to bond with and would be going to NS without any of his friends doing so. His attitude towards NS would be different if he was in local school.
Even citizens pay taxes and GST. For higher rent, that is why they allow you to buy HDB after 3 years. You are looking at ways on how to avoid NS for your son and you say 3 years of work in SG + NS. You are trying to avoid this? Aren't you?saxenar wrote:Thank you all for your feedbacks. Want to clarify a few points based on your inputs:
f. Re:PR status itself is a privilege: Ofcourse - but that's not come for free -we do pay taxes and GST on everything - and we pay higher rent for accomodation - as we are not allowed to buy public housing. Plus our children have to sign a compulsory 3 years work in SG agreement against the tution grant - despite serving NS.
viewtopic.php?t=116575&start=15ecureilx wrote: While those may wish otherwise, I do feel the powers-be are gearing up to even severely punish those who avoid NS, either by their own decision or their parents'![]()
Despite what many believe non-citizens also pay taxes here , many considerably more , and for that they get almost constant online abuse.singaporeflyer wrote:
Even citizens pay taxes and GST.
It is the place where we chose to live and so can't complain. They did not force us to make a life here. Secondly, taxes here are way way lesser than what we would pay back home. So, can't complain.Barnsley wrote:Despite what many believe non-citizens also pay taxes here , many considerably more , and for that they get almost constant online abuse.singaporeflyer wrote:
Even citizens pay taxes and GST.
All the facilities that have been built with tax payer money i.e. non-citizens then have to pay again on top of that for the privilege to use them. How is that fair?
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