14 February 2017
Last year, 25 private educational institutes deregistered with the Committee for Private Education (CPE), including Nanyang Education Institute and M2 Academy. In 2015, 17 private schools shut down.
This spate of private school closures threatens Singapore’s status as a premier education hub.
Even more private institutes are expected to close this year, as the authorities are enforcing newer and stricter rules. Among other things, private schools that offer degrees will have to take part in an annual graduate employment survey run by the CPE. Private schools will also require a minimum paid-up capital of $100,000.
Some schools have voluntarily deregistered as they have decided to focus on shorter skills-based modular courses. Schools not offering degrees, diploma or full-time courses at the post-secondary level need not be registered with the CPE.