MOE doesn't endorse private schools

ST Forum

March 9, 2006
MOE doesn't endorse private schools

I THANK Mr John Tan Liang-Joo ('MOE-certified'. What does it really mean?'; ST, March 1), Mr Ken Tai Meng Kian ('MOE-registered' does not mean 'NIE-trained'; ST, March 6) and Mr Lau Chin Loong ('Check out private school before enrolling'; ST, March 6) for alerting members of the public to the checks they need to make before enrolling in private schools.

Under the Education Act, private schools have to be registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE) before they can operate. As part of the registration process, these schools have to comply with statutory requirements on building and fire safety, have an acceptable curriculum and the teachers have to have basic academic qualifications for the courses offered. MOE will permit suitable teachers to teach in private schools after checking that they possess educational qualifications beyond the levels proposed for them to teach, and that they have the knowledge related to the subject areas to be taught.

As the private education industry is a diverse and growing one, we agree with Mr Tai and Mr Lau that members of the public are encouraged to carry out checks on the schools, their facilities and teaching staff before signing up for their courses.

Registration with MOE is not tantamount to accreditation or endorsement of the quality of the private schools or their teaching staff.

We believe in letting the market decide on the quality and usefulness of the courses offered, and allowing the private education providers to work with agencies such as Spring Singapore and the Consumers Association of Singapore to ensure better standards and protect the interests of the students.

Lim Chee Hwee
Director, Higher Education
Ministry of Education