Can expat and local couple apply for International School for child

[abbby]

Asking on behalf of friend: Is it possible to expat husband and local wife to apply for an International School for their child?

[smoulder]

If the child is a Singaporean then by default, he will have to be admitted to a local school. I believe there is some provision wherein the parents can be granted exemption by writing into the MOE. I don't know first hand, but I'm guessing that permission will be granted by showing evidence that the family can transfer out of Singapore.

[roslind.fong]

Singaporeans can go to International Schools even if both parents are Singaporeans, I think long ago, they were not allowed but things have changed . Generally due to the high International School fees, it is quite unusual for both Singaporean parents to send their kids to International schools.

[malcontent]

Singaporeans can go to International Schools even if both parents are Singaporeans, I think long ago, they were not allowed but things have changed . Generally due to the high International School fees, it is quite unusual for both Singaporean parents to send their kids to International schools.

This post is misleading. Cost is not the only obstacle — if it were, many more Singaporeans would be studying in International school.

Singaporeans can only enroll under exceptional circumstances with MOE approval. The only cases I know of true blue Singaporeans getting enrolled include special needs children and internationally mobile parents who have careers that included overseas assignments.

In the case of one parent being non-Singaporean, they also have a chance at getting the exception — especially if the child is a dual citizen, based on the family’s potential to migrate to that spouse’s country in the future.