More bite in private education framework, with more PEIs meeting baseline standards

More private education institutions (PEIs) in Singapore have met baseline standards set out by the Council for Private Education's (CPE), a statutory board which regulates the private education industry.

By December 2011, almost half of all registered PEIs had attained longer registration periods of four or six years, compared with just 32 per cent in June in the same year. 

The percentage of PEIs that achieved EduTrust certification also increased - from 22 per cent to 28 per cent in the same period. 

The majority, or 68 per cent, of students studying in PEI courses in 2011 were enrolled in these EduTrust-certified PEIs. 

The sector has 338 PEIs as at 31 December 2011, offering 5,700 courses in four main segments - commercial post-secondary, vocational, preparatory and foreign system school. 

Excluding foreign system schools, 187,000 students were enrolled in the sector in 2011. 

About half took up part-time programmes, and more than 60 per cent were locals. 

These statistics were published in the CPE's latest annual report, tracking the progress of the regulatory framework introduced in late 2009, as part of the cleanup of a sector plagued by issues such as poor standards, closures and disputes over course fees and course administration. 

It comprises the mandatory Enhanced Registration Framework (ERF) and the voluntary EduTrust Certification Scheme, which are administered by the CPE to raise and maintain standards in the sector. 

Mr Henry Heng, Chief Executive Officer of CPE, described the higher level of compliance as a positive development that will help to ensure quality. 

He said the sector has made good progress in the past three years but there's scope for improvement. 

The CPE, he said, will continue to review and strengthen the quality and regulatory framework for the sector.