School Fees for International Students with Singaporean Parent

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will review and reduce the school and tertiary institution fees payable by international students who have at least one parent who is a Singapore citizen.

Mr Heng Swee Keat: Students at mainstream schools, Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Polytechnics and Autonomous Universities (AUs) pay fees based on their nationalities. There are a small number of international students with at least one parent who is a Singaporean citizen. They pay school fees at international rates.

For this group of students in mainstream schools and the ITE, MOE will assess their situation and exercise flexibility on a case-by-case basis if their parents experience difficulties in paying their fees.

In the Polytechnics and AUs, these students can take up the Tuition Grant Scheme and enjoy the lower subsidised fees in return for a service obligation. They can also apply for Government loan schemes, which provide loans to supplement the subsidised fees payable.