Why does MOE charge more for non ASEANs?

[BedokAmerican]

Does anybody know why the public school system in Singapore charges more for international students who are not from non-Asian countries versus those from Asian countries?

I understand charging less for citizens/PRs, but isn't a foreigner a foreigner regardless if they come from a place such as Thailand or Malaysia versus another continent? Anyone know why there's the tuition/fee discrepancy for ASEAN vs non-ASEAN?

Here's a fee structure I found online that surprised me (but maybe I shouldn't be too shocked). Scroll to bottom of page:

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissi ... eral-info/

[offshoreoildude]

I've never before seen ASEAN pricing on a pricing schedule. Perhaps it's a sign of things to come - the AMU (Asean Monetary Union) issuing an currency unit?

[offshoreoildude]

It took awhile but here is the name of the AMU's new monetary unit.

The Asean New Union Sen! (A.N.U.S).

[sundaymorningstaple]

Possibly due to the aggravation of having people who need to be catered for if they are not liable to do a second language or don't already have a familiarity with the other 3 languages here (Malay, Mandarin or Tamil).

I really don't have a clue unless it's strictly to milk the western or Japanese/Chinese expat cow as it were.

[JR8]

Cue: The Indochinese economies all imploding in flames, while SG sits back and pops a cold one <It's all going to plan, one day we will rule them all>.

[JR8]

Possibly due to the aggravation of having people who need to be catered for if they are not liable to do a second language or don't already have a familiarity with the other 3 languages here (Malay, Mandarin or Tamil).

I really don't have a clue unless it's strictly to milk the western or Japanese/Chinese expat cow as it were.

Somebody could e-mail the MOE or a school and ask them. But I expect you'd probably get a 'blur' reply like 'It is government policy...'

[sundaymorningstaple]

Have already done so, but will be interesting if I get a reply at all.

[BedokAmerican]

Have already done so, but will be interesting if I get a replay at all.

Thank you for doing that. Let us know if you hear anything.

[therat]

I found this in MOE-FAQS

http://ifaq.gov.sg/moe/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx#FAQ_30880
3. Finance Matters >> School and Miscellaneous Fees

Why are the school fees payable by ASEAN and Non-ASEAN International Students (IS) differentiated?

The fee differentiation between ASEAN and Non-ASEAN IS in schools is to recognise Singapore's close ties with other ASEAN countries.

[sundaymorningstaple]

The same people they are now trying to get rid of in the pogrom against FTs. Strange?

[therat]

When ASEAN set up in 8 Aug 1967 , only has 5 country

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_sta ... an_Nations

ASEAN was founded on 8 August 1967 with five members: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

1984-01-07 Brunei join in
1995-07-28 Vietnam
1997-07-23 Laos and Myanmar
1999-04-30 Cambodia

[PrimroseHill]

Does this mean that I am entitled to pay less now that we are PR and my DD is in an International School?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Update. Just received (17 April)

Dear Mr XXX XXXXX,

Thank you for your email on 14 April 2013.

We will be sharing your email with the relevant department for their follow-up and our officers will be responding to you directly.

Rest assured that every effort will be made to respond to you as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we would be pleased to assist if you require further clarification by emailing us at contact@moe.gov.sg with the following reference no.: 2013/04/014xxx.

For more information on MOE related enquiries, please visit our website at www.moe.gov.sg. Alternatively, you may call us at 6872 2220 (Mondays to Fridays: 8am to 6pm and Saturdays: 8am to 1pm) or call +65 6872 2220 via your local operator if you are calling from overseas.

Thank you and have a pleasant week ahead.


Yours sincerely,

Ms Rayhana Wahid
Customer Services Branch, MOE
for PERMANENT SECRETARY (EDUCATION)

So, nothing yet, but still waiting.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Does this mean that I am entitled to pay less now that we are PR and my DD is in an International School?

No, it only means your daughter, if a PR, would pay less if she was going to a local school. International Schools are not governed by the MOE.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Update. Just received (17 April)

Dear Mr XXX XXXXX,

Thank you for your email on 14 April 2013.

We will be sharing your email with the relevant department for their follow-up and our officers will be responding to you directly.

Rest assured that every effort will be made to respond to you as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we would be pleased to assist if you require further clarification by emailing us at contact@moe.gov.sg with the following reference no.: 2013/04/014xxx.

For more information on MOE related enquiries, please visit our website at www.moe.gov.sg. Alternatively, you may call us at 6872 2220 (Mondays to Fridays: 8am to 6pm and Saturdays: 8am to 1pm) or call +65 6872 2220 via your local operator if you are calling from overseas.

Thank you and have a pleasant week ahead.


Yours sincerely,

Ms Rayhana Wahid
Customer Services Branch, MOE
for PERMANENT SECRETARY (EDUCATION)

So, nothing yet, but still waiting.

Dear Mr Xxx Xxxxx

I refer to your further query on differentiation of fees between ASEAN and Non-ASEAN students .

2 We have granted ASEAN students a lower fees is in recognition of Singapore’s close ties with its ASEAN neighbours.

3 Thank you for the opportunity to clarify.

Unfortunately, she is only reading from the website and cannot think whatsoever, nor is she allowed to deviate from the script. What to do?