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Public Schools vs. Private Schools

There are a multitude of options for world-class school education in Singapore. On the one hand, there is a local public school system, which focuses on developing 21st century competencies in students from a young age. On the other hand, there are over 50 international schools in the country to cater to the diverse educational needs of the expat families that relocate here from across the world.

Broadly speaking, all parents want their children to experience a great education, be it at the primary or secondary level.But not everyone agrees on what a great education looks like. Is it creative and engaging? Focused and practical? Data-driven and futuristic? In Singapore, you will be able to find a private school that is the right fit for your child’s personality and your family’s requirements.

Comparing Public And Private Education in Singapore

Public Schools

  • About 250 + primary and secondary public schools in Singapore
  • Only about 4% of Singapore's public school students come from the international community and another 9% hold permanent residence.
  • Majority follow a National Curriculum with rigorous academic focus
  • Different levels of extra-curricular activities and academic support
  • MOE offers preschools, primary schools and secondary schools

Private Schools

  • More than 40 private schools
  • Cater mostly to international families
  • They offer either a country-specific syllabus or an internationally recognised curriculum, which varies widely in theme and approach.
  • Offer a wide range of additional activities and facilities
  • Most are all-through and run from kindergarten to Grade 12 within the same school
  • The Committee for Private Education oversees all private institutions under the Private Education Act to ensure quality and regulatory alignment.

To give one example of our K-12 international school, OWIS provides expat families of all nationalities with an all-inclusive and welcoming school environment, affordable school fees, and internationally recognised IB PYP, IGCSE and IB DP curriculum.

Academic Excellence: is quality a concern?

Singapore’s public schools frequently rank among the finest in the world, especially on maths and science lists.

Their reputation for academic excellence springs from a robust commitment to competitive education. Teachers emphasise procedures and subject mastery resulting in overall excellent performance on standardised examinations and transdisciplinary approach in education.

The curriculum for private schools in Singapore varies widely from school to school. Some institutions take the traditional school approach and focus on information recall. Others take the future-proofed approach to education, which is more broadly methodological. With so much diversity in their curricular choices, Singapore’s private schools also vary widely in quality and outcomes. Simply put, if you’ve seen one private school in Singapore, you’ve seen that one school. The international school nearby may offer a totally different approach and produce a different kind of graduate student.

At OWIS, for example, we have adopted programmes based on a cycle of inquiry that foster curiosity, critical thinking and creativity in your child and place them on the path to lifelong learning. Each school day is an enjoyable balance of academics and holistic development through additional programmes, such as sports, the arts and languages.

Considerations For Choosing Between Public and Private Schools

Choosing whether to go the local public school route or private school route means taking the following aspects into consideration:

Cost

Public Schools

Singapore has constructed one of the most admired public school systems in the world, and its Maths curriculum, in particular, is second to none. Most of Singapore's curriculum prepares students to pass levelled, standardised examinations.

Private Schools

Private school tuition can range higher than public school costs, starting at S$13,000 a year and topping out at S$50,000 a year.

Admission

Public Schools

As in most countries, citizens enjoy first priority for slots available in public schools, followed by expat families who are permanent residents. There is an annual ballot and an entrance test for children from expat families vying for limited seats. Foreigners cannot request a school, meaning children can get placed in a school allocated by the Ministry of Education. Expat families who plan to enrol their child in public school should always have a backup plan in case they are waitlisted in favour of local families.

Private Schools

Admission to private schools is often much more straightforward. Expat families can choose the right school for their child by researching school features, location, fees and parent testimonials and going for virtual tours or open house days.

Academic Year

Public Schools

Singapore's public schools take holidays in September, December, March, and June. The Academic Year runs from January to December. Families from other countries may find this schedule inconsistent with their native calendar.

Private Schools

Private schools choose their academic year for themselves. The most popular academic calendar is August - July which aligns with northern hemisphere schools.

Curriculum

Public Schools

Singapore has constructed one of the most admired public education systems in the world, and its maths curriculum, in particular, is second to none. Most of Singapore's curriculum prepares students to pass levelled, standardised examinations.

Private Schools

International schools typically select the curriculum used in their home country, or they adopt an internationally-recognised curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate approach.

Primary School: Public vs Private

Class Size

Public Primary Schools

The class sizes might be larger in public primary schools, which could limit direct interaction between teachers and students. 

This setting might also affect the personalisation of the learning experience for each student.

Private Schools

Conversely, private primary schools in Singapore often benefit from smaller class sizes. 

The increased teacher-student interaction allows for a more individualised approach to teaching, enabling greater academic support and fostering better individual growth.

Resources and Extracurricular Activities

Public Primary Schools

Singapore’s government heavily invests in public primary schools, ensuring they are equipped with excellent facilities and offer a broad spectrum of extracurricular activities. 

The Edusave scheme supports students’ engagement in co-curricular activities, highlighting the government’s commitment to holistic education.

Private Primary Schools

High funding from tuition fees and generous donations typically give private primary schools access to even more superior resources and a diverse range of extracurricular activities.

Social Environment and Diversity

Public Primary Schools

The student body in public primary schools comprise various ethnic groups such as Chinese, Malay, Indian, and others. 

This ethnic diversity promotes racial and cultural harmony, integrating these values into the national curriculum.

Private Primary Schools

Private schools, including OWIS, place a strong emphasis on maintaining a diverse cohort. 

By capping any single nationality to 30% within each grade, OWIS ensures a balanced mix, fostering an international environment where students can appreciate and learn from different cultures.

Cost and Accessibility

Public Primary Schools

Substantial government subsidies allow public primary schools to offer affordable education option for Singaporean citizens, with nominal fees for permanent residents and somewhat higher fees for international students, reflecting the government’s commitment to education.

Private Primary Schools

In contrast, private schools fees in Singapore are significantly higher, reflecting their target demographic of expatriates and affluent local families. 

While financial aid and scholarships may be available, they are not as widespread, making private education a considerable investment for families.

Secondary School: Public vs Private

Academic Quality and Approach

Public Primary Schools

Public secondary schools adhere to a comprehensive curriculum prescribed by the Ministry of Education. 

This curriculum covers a variety of subjects with special emphasis on mathematics, science, and bilingual proficiency, to ensure a well-rounded education grounded in critical subject areas.

Private Secondary Schools

Private secondary schools provide a varied educational programme, including the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels, or the American high school diploma.

These options cater to both the expatriate community and local students seeking an international education, allowing for a wider choice in academic pathways.

Preparation for Further Education

Public Secondary Schools

Public secondary schools are highly effective in preparing students for further education.

They offer rigorous preparation for entry into Singapore’s competitive junior colleges, polytechnics, and universities, focusing on high-stakes national exams such as the GCE O-Levels and A-Levels.

Private Secondary Schools

Contrastingly, private secondary schools aim to provide a global perspective on education through internationally recognised qualifications, such as IBDP. 

This global approach facilitates entry into universities both in Singapore and abroad, providing a broad foundation for future academic pursuits.

Social Environment and Diversity

Public Secondary Schools

Reflect the multicultural makeup of Singapore, promoting racial and cultural integration. Public schools often participate in community involvement projects, fostering a sense of civic duty and national identity among students.

Private Secondary Schools

Private institutions, including international secondary schools like OWIS, prioritise creating a diverse student body. 

By imposing a cap on the percentage of any given nationality within each grade, they ensure a balanced and international social environment.

Cost and Accessibility

Public Secondary Schools

The government heavily subsidises public secondary education in Singapore. While fees for permanent residents are slightly higher, and considerably more for international students, the quality of education offered represents significant value due to the subsidies provided.

Private Secondary Schools

In contrast, private secondary schools have higher tuition fees, reflecting the premium on the international curriculum and the facilities offered. These schools primarily cater to the expatriate community and affluent local families. 

Though scholarships and financial aid are available, they are less common, making private education a significant investment.

Choose the right school for your child in Singapore’s diverse educational landscape.

Entrusting the education and holistic development of your child to the right school – public or private – takes careful thought and research.

Let us know what information we can provide you to make your choice a little easier. Our admissions team will be happy to guide you through the application process and answer any questions you may have about our academic approach, focus on all-round development and core values. Whether your family is new to Singapore or your child is transitioning from a local school to our private school, our experienced and caring teachers will ease the settling process. We will ensure that you and your child are welcomed into our vibrant and multicultural school community  and he or she loves to come to school every day.  

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