X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Lower fees in independent schools for Singapore students from low income families

3 min read
Lower fees in independent schools for Singapore students from low income familiesLower fees in independent schools for Singapore students from low income families

The new subsidies apply to 8 independent schools in Singapore and two specialised independent schools...

Children from low and middle-income families will have to pay less fees at independent schools in Singapore from April 2019. A new scholarship for independent schools has also been announced.

Education Minister Ong Ye Kung announced higher fee subsidies and a new scholarship on 27 December 2018, at a ceremony to appoint 66 new principals. These new measures aim to increase diversity at top schools.

School fees reduced for low income students

Currently, school fees at independent schools cost between S$3,600 and S$6,600 each year, while school fees at Government and Government-aided schools cost between S$300 and S$396.

In his speech, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said, "Today, regardless of family background, students who do well in PSLE or qualify for Direct School Admission (DSA) do look forward to the opportunity to study in a popular independent school."

"One potential impediment is the cost of attending independent schools."

Mr Ong also revealed that 7.5% of students living in HDB 1-2-3 room flats made it into the top 20% in the PSLE.

"These students are eligible for the popular secondary schools even those with the most stringent entry criteria. We should ensure that they are not held back to attend the school of their choice."

The new subsidies apply to these 8 independent schools in Singapore - Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Hwa Chong Institution, Methodist Girls' School, Nanyang Girls' High School, Raffles Girls' School, Raffles Institution, Singapore Chinese Girls' School and St Joseph's Institution; and two specialised independent schools - NUS High School and the School of Science and Technology."

Fees for students from households with a per capita income of $690 and below (or gross monthly household income of up to $2,750) are already fully subsidised now.

"But those above this income tier pay a percentage of the independent school fees. To illustrate, a student from a middle-income family with gross monthly household income of between $4,000 and $6,900, pays 30% of school fees in independent schools. This can still come up to over a thousand dollars per year which is not a small sum.

"We will increase our subsidy level for such students. To illustrate, students from the lowest income tier continue to pay zero fees. As for the student I mentioned earlier from the middle-income family who used to pay over a thousand dollars per year today, he will now pay 1.5 times the fees of Government and Government-Aided Schools, which is about $450 a year."

scholarship for independent schools

New UPLIFT scholarship for Independent schools

MOE will also introduce an UPLIFT scholarship for independent school students from low-income families.

Mr. Ong revealed that, "We will implement a new UPLIFT Scholarship for Independent Schools, to further help students from lower income families, especially with out-of-pocket expenses."

"This scholarship will complement the Independent School Bursary, and consists of a cash award of $800 per annum to help offset the out-of-pocket expenses for students from lower income households." These expenses include those for equipment for CCAs, or student-initiated projects or activities.

"This scholarship will be offered to lower income students who are admitted to independent schools, and have performed well in PSLE or demonstrated talents to qualify for DSA."

"Through these additional financial assistance, all students, regardless of family income or background, can and should aspire to an education in a school of their choice, and need not worry about the cost of education."

"These are significant steps we are taking to enhance the diversity of our independent schools, while preserving their meritorious culture."

Partner Stories
Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers With 3M Girls Can Tinker Program
Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers With 3M Girls Can Tinker Program
3M and Science Centre Singapore Announced 3M Girls Can Tinker, a Year-Long Science Outreach Program for 300 Underprivileged Girls
3M and Science Centre Singapore Announced 3M Girls Can Tinker, a Year-Long Science Outreach Program for 300 Underprivileged Girls
Here’s Why Our VIP Mums Love Kinderland Preschool & Infant Care
Here’s Why Our VIP Mums Love Kinderland Preschool & Infant Care
Online Enrichment Classes For Your Child: What You Need to Know
Online Enrichment Classes For Your Child: What You Need to Know

(Source: MOE)

Also READ: List of scholarships in Singapore for primary and secondary school students

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jaya

  • Home
  • /
  • Education
  • /
  • Lower fees in independent schools for Singapore students from low income families
Share:
  • List of scholarships in Singapore for primary and secondary school students

    List of scholarships in Singapore for primary and secondary school students

  • MOE To Extend Assistance for Low-income Families, Preschools To Offer Offsets In Fees

    MOE To Extend Assistance for Low-income Families, Preschools To Offer Offsets In Fees

  • Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

    Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

  • Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

    Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

app info
get app banner
  • List of scholarships in Singapore for primary and secondary school students

    List of scholarships in Singapore for primary and secondary school students

  • MOE To Extend Assistance for Low-income Families, Preschools To Offer Offsets In Fees

    MOE To Extend Assistance for Low-income Families, Preschools To Offer Offsets In Fees

  • Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

    Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

  • Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

    Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.