Moving from Canada

[Flyincanuck]

I might be moving to Singapore to start a new job. I have 3 and 5 year old children and wondered what kind of expenses I can expect for schooling and the pros and cons of private/public schools.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[beenhere10years]

Public schools are not an option. Check out the websites for:

The Canadian School
Overseas Family School
Singapore American School

When you travel to Singapore, make appointments to visit each one, this will help the most.

Good Lock!

[beenhere10years]

i mean luck...

[Guest]

Well, public schools are an option for their pre-primary years. They have lovely church kindergartens here that will cost you a quarter of the international kindergartens.

For the primary years it is a bit tough in local public schools but if you are on a tight budget, sometimes it is the only option. Problem, as a foreigner you can only take places that have not yet taken up by locals. i.e. most popular schools is not available to foreigners.

http://www.moe.gov.sg/corporate/education_system.htm

[Guest]

Hi there

Private schools : They costs a bomb but if the company you are working for are paying for the kids education ...why not?? Or if you can afford the fees they ask......go ahead...

Public schools : They are not so bad. Singapore's brightest kids and academics also succeed in life schooling in public schools.....Your kids are still young and children will surpirse you with their learning abilities. If you want the kids to immerse in the local environment and schooling culture etc....then public school is it.....

I am from the Netherlands and both my boys are ages 2 and 4....they will be joining the public schools no doubt....

Anyway - whatever your decision is...Good Luck to ya!!!!

[Flyincanuck]

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it! What do the fee's work out to in public school? If I read it right on the moe website, people with employment passes only pay $3 a month for the first 2 years, plus the bi-annual donation ?

[austin]

Schools that are affiliated with a church are private. Having had kids in both local preschools and the American school, I have to say there is no comparison. The local school was adequate certainly, but the International Schools have better facilities and generally a more creative approach to learning. Add to that much smaller class sizes, a vast volunteer pool and a familiar curriculum for seamless transitions and there really is no comparison. No matter where you live, your children deserve the best education you can possibly afford. Your company may not pay for preschool age children but tuition from Kindergarten onwards at the Canadian school should be included in your 'package'.[/i]

[Guest]

Hi Flyincanuck...

I am Singaporean myself but both my kids are of Dutch nationalities. I recently called the MOE - I asked what the fees are for a primary school going kid - around the age of 6 - 7 who do not have the Singapore Citizenship.

I was told that the monthly payable fees is SGD90.50 and a donation to the MOE for every two years would be SGD1000.00 for per child. But if the child holds a Singapore PR ( Permanent Resident ) status.....then we do not have to pay the donation fee. This is what I have gathered....

We are thinking of a long term stay in Singapore and hence our decision to let the boys study in a local public school which I must admit is very much affordable for us........

If I may be so blunt to ask you - would you be getting any allowances for the kids education?? If you do - then I would in your shoes then choose a private school which caters more to your residing country's education system. From my experience and what I have heard from some expats friends....the private schools curriculum are more relaxed compared to the public school but then again....they both ( public and private ) offer equally good education - it is how you look at it.....

Well this is what I can contribute at this moment but should you need any more info...just mail me here or if you like we can stay in touch.....

Greetings from Holland
Janet

[Guest]

I am Austrian and PR and my kids attend local schools. I have other kids gone through local school and survived. For us, we CANNOT afford an International School.

[Guest]

Hi Guest from AUSTRIA....

Pfff.............tell me about it.....International school we cant afford either!!

Called up the dutch school in Singapore and kids age starting 4 will have to be charged at SGD14000 for school fees and there are still other fees like deposits an what not to be considered...so it comes to about SGD20000 per year for one child...and we have TWO!!!!!!!!

May I ask how long have you been in Singapore andhow are your kids getting on in the local school???

Cheers from the Netherlands
Janet

[cariad]

our kids are 1 and 2 so we do not need to make a final decision for some time.
We expect to be here quite long term but not long enough to see the kids finish primary school.
The International Schools are very expensive if they are not in your package - we would be paying out of pocket and I'm personally not sure it's the best use of our resources.
I have taught in the Singapore system and the downsides are obvious, the large class sizes, the amount of homework and the general pace of learning and most off-putting for me: the pressure to do well in exams.
However, if you won't be here long term your kids will escape much of that pressure. And you can be assured that your kids will receive a good education here whatever your choice. I wish you well in Singapore.

[meLch33]

any dutch tutors to recommend?

Kindly email to mersa88@hotmail.com

Thanks in advance!