Non-compliance with EduTrust Quality Mark Guidelines by Private Education Institutions (PEIs)

Mr Ang Hin Kee asked the Minister for Education (a) over the last three years, how many private education institutions (PEIs) have failed to comply with the EduTrust quality mark guidelines; (b) over the same period, how many PEIs received more than one warning for non-compliance with the guidelines; and (c) whether the Council for Private Education (CPE) conducts regular checks to ensure that PEIs adhere to guidelines.

Mr Heng Swee Keat: The EduTrust Certification Scheme (EduTrust) is a voluntary quality assurance scheme for private education institutions (PEIs).

CPE carries out an on-site assessment before awarding EduTrust certification, and carries out regular on-site assessments after certification to ensure the PEI's continued adherence to EduTrust guidelines. CPE may also direct a PEI to undergo an ad-hoc assessment at any point during its certification period if there are valid concerns.

Since 2010, six EduTrust-certified PEIs have not been granted renewal of their EduTrust certification as they failed to meet the requirements. Another four PEIs have been issued warnings, and of these, two later had their EduTrust certification suspended.