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Cost can be a prohibitive factor for many families when it comes to education. The inability to afford expensive school fees is why so many families opt for public education. In Singapore, though, even public schooling has its price.
If you are an expatriate family considering relocating to Singapore, it is important that you understand the fees associated with educating your child there. Most expatriate families prefer for their children to attend traditional schools as opposed to being homeschooled because it maximizes the potential for socialization and cultural immersion. However, cost can be a major factor there too, as expatriate families can typically expect to be charged amounts on the higher end of the spectrum for each age range.
Here’s what you need to know about Singapore school fees as an expatriate family, including how much schooling typically costs, what those costs cover, and how to get the best value for your investment in your child’s education.
Preschools in Singapore
Preschool has the potential to be the most costly step in your child’s education in Singapore. Because preschool and kindergarten only recently became so widely accepted as crucial for childhood development, there are no public options for these age groups. As such, all preschools are essentially private institutions and can set their fee structure accordingly.
While preschool can cost anywhere from $160-$320 per child, per month in Singapore, institutions utilizing more sought-after methods such as Montessori can command anywhere from $800-$2,000 monthly. Again, this is because many people still see this level of schooling as a luxury in the country – and it’s a luxury that parents know might give their children a huge educational advantage, so they are more than willing to pay for it.
While preschool can be very pricey in Singapore, it is important to note that financial assistance programs are also widely available for this age range. This is because the government embraces the child development expert-led theory that children benefit tremendously from being in the classroom during the early years of their lives. By offering assistance to families in affording preschool and kindergarten, more children in Singapore are starting their education off on the right foot.
Primary School in Singapore
Once primary school begins, fees do drop considerably for families in Singapore. In fact, if you elect to send your child to a public school and that child is a legal resident of Singapore, you won’t owe a single cent for their education. Now, that’s affordable, but first preference for the limited seats is for children of legal residents!
Hence, many families do end up with private education and international schools are popular in Singapore. These schools are well-funded and offer fully-featured learning environments and flexible curricula. Parents are aware that their children will get the maximum advantage in these secondary schools.
Private schooling for your primary school-aged child may begin around $200 per month. This climbs significantly if you are a non-resident of Singapore, with even permanent residents paying far greater sums than those with legal citizenship. Families from ASEAN countries will pay less than those from outside the ASEAN area with foreigners and expatriates from farther away paying as much as $700-$800 per month, per child.
Secondary Education in Singapore
While secondary education still is not as potentially-costly as preschooling in Singapore, there are also far fewer financial assistance programs in existence in the country to help families afford it.
Public schooling begins at around $5-$10 per month for most families. This makes the public schools an attractive option for those who are on an extremely tight budget. However, many expat parents opt for private secondary schools, because the private schools are global or international schools with well-rounded curricula.
Private education at the secondary level begins at $300-$400 per student, per month. This increases sharply for foreigners, again, with families from inside the ASEAN area paying an average of around $700-$800 per child, per month. Those outside the ASEAN area are on the hook for even more, shelling out around $1,200-$1,500 per student, per month.
As an additional consideration, there are also popular preparatory programs in many Singaporean private schools. These programs are a two-year course load that prepares students for college by accelerating their instruction and challenging their minds in ways that help them grow and develop. While these booster programs are wildly popular among students and families with university aspirations after secondary school concludes, they do also incur additional costs. As with many things, they are something that families should weigh in terms of both budget and needs.
While the advantages of private and international schools cannot be overstated, there are still many families who cannot afford these institutions at their regular price. If you are interested in having your child attend one of these schools, speak to financial assistance officers in the school district itself, or in your expatriate community. You can also explore scholarships. They may be able to help you find assistance, fee waivers, and other funding support to ensure that your children can get the holistic, high-quality education they deserve at a price your family can afford!
