Foreign Students Taking GCE "A" and "O" Levels in Singapore Schools

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Education (a) in the past five years, how many foreign students took the GCE "O" and "A" levels in Singapore schools; (b) how many years were they studying in Singapore before they sat for the GCE "O" levels; and (c) what is the foreign student proportion of junior college enrolment in Singapore.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: Over the last five years, foreign students made up around 5% of enrolment in our secondary schools and junior colleges. Similarly, foreign students formed about 5% of the GCE "O" and "A" level school candidature. Foreign students studied for six years, on average, in our national schools, that is, primary and/or secondary school, before sitting for the GCE "O" level examinations.