School fees for non—Singaporeans to go up

SINGAPORE: School fees for students who are permanent residents (PRs) and international students in government and government—aided schools will go up from January 2013.

The fees will increase by S$50—$80 per month for students who are PRs and by S$115—$250 per month for international students.

School fees for students who are Singaporean citizens will remain unchanged.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) said the fee increase for non—Singaporean students studying in government and government—aided schools will further differentiate fees by citizenship.

Also from next January, the monthly standard miscellaneous fees for all students will be raised.

The revised miscellaneous fees will increase by S$1.00 at primary level, S$2.00 at secondary level and S$2.50 at pre—university level.

For those in need of financial assistance, MOE has in place the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) to help them pay for school fees, standard miscellaneous fees and basic schooling expenses such as textbooks and school attire.

Singaporean students who come from a family with a gross household income of not more than S$2,500 per month or a per capita household income not exceeding S$625 per month will be eligible for the FAS.

— CNA/al