22 December 2015

International schools in Singapore are faced with rising demand, as expatriate parents find it increasingly difficult to secure places for their children in local schools.

For example, both Nexus and EtonHouse international schools have announced expansion plans. Nexus was awarded a new campus site in Aljunied by the Economic Development Board early this month.

International schools have attributed the recent increased demand from expatriates to the Government’s policy of giving priority to Singaporeans for local school admission. Those who do secure places in local schools also have to pay higher fees.

A common gripe about international schools, however, is that they set lower curriculum and examination standards compared to the Ministry of Education and the Singapore-Cambridge Examination Board.

According to the latest annual report released by the Council for Private Education, there were about 45,000 students enrolled in the 30-plus international schools in Singapore last year.