Access to Singapore’s high quality education system comes at a high cost if your child is a foreigner. The fees for foreign students can be almost twice the amount for PRs. Once your child gets PR, they can enjoy subsidised fees.
Lets compare fees at each stage of education in Singapore.
There are two main categories of childcare education
1. Ministry of Education (MOE) kindergartens
2. Preschool anchor operators
MOE kindergartens are the cheapest option for PRs as they have the most affordable fees among the choices listed above. Foreigners are not eligible to enrol in MOE kindergartens. MOE makes key decisions on the syllabus in Primary schools. As such the syllabus will be geared towards preparing your child for primary education. Not having a PR will cause you to miss out on these programs.
Preschools under the Anchor Operator scheme have a variety of subsidies and grants which assist them with providing high quality early childhood education at affordable rates. PR can enjoy cheaper fees for preschool anchor operators compared to foreigners.
There is a substantial fee difference for PRs and foreigners in primary schools. In 2020 PRs have to pay approximately $220/month. Foreigners have to pay a much higher fee. Those from ASEAN countries have to pay $465/month (2020). Others have to pay $750/month (2020).
Similarly there is a substantial difference in the fees for PRs and foreigners in secondary school. In 2020 PRs have to pay $380/month. Foreigners from ASEAN have to pay $780/month (2020). Others have to pay $1400/month (2020).
After graduation secondary school students have three routes to take on.
1. Junior College (JC)
2. Polytechnic
3. Institute of Technical Education
Again there are substantial price differences in this sector too. Independent JC’s are able to set their own fees. Thus we will not be using them in our comparison. In 2020 PRs paid $460/month for JC fees. Foreigners from ASEAN paid $1040 (2020). Foreigners from other countries paid $1750 (2020).
The fees for six public universities vary greatly. However eligible students are likely to receive a tuition grant to subsidise the cost of education. Even then the fees PRs have to pay are substantially lower.
1. Improved chances of public school enrolment
In Singapore parents have to register their children for a primary school a year before their enrolment. The registration includes several phases.
PRs are allowed to register for a primary school that they prefer. However foreigners are only allowed to submit an indication of interest online. Priority is given to Singapore Citizens and PRs. hence admission for foreigners may not be guaranteed.
If you have a child who is currently studying in your preferred primary school, your other children may also be given a spot at the Phase 1 admissions stage. This option will not be available for you if you do not have a Singapore PR or Singapore citizenship.
The Singaporean government offers a variety of subsidies to reduce medical cost for residents. However these schemes are only available for PRs and citizens.
One health scheme which is available to all singaporean Citizens and PRs is Medishield life. This is a basic health insurance scheme which is managed by the Central Provident Fund (CPF). It is designed to help Singapore Citizens and PRs with hospital bills and certain outpatient treatments in public hospitals. All Singapore citizens and PRs are insured under this scheme as Medishield is an opt out scheme. Singapore citizens and PRs are insured under this scheme after their CPF contribution upon turning 16 years of age. Having a PR ensures that your child’s medical bills are subsidised in the future.
There are numerous advantages to applying for a PR for your child. Applying for PR is an important step to take for ensuring success for your children. Check out our 30 min free consultation and speak to our experts about your child’s immigration status today.