It is an open secret that these “independent” schools have been charging sky high school fee (more than 20 times the public school), building sprawling campus, attracting students mainly from rich families and etc etc. One of my relatives quitted her well paying teaching job and got a BMW just to fetch his son to and fro this elite school, she may be an exception but it is the social stigma that many parents just can not ignore.
Raffles Institute Swimming Pool
One day while I was walking past the Raffles Institute, I heard some noise coming from the school, peeped in and saw a swimming pool (it was discretely camouflage by plants to avoid the prying eyes). Imagine why schools need their own swimming pools? I was told by friends that many such independent schools own their own swimming pools, there may be more such luxury items that the ordinary folks are not privy to know and will be disgusted to know that we are turning these good schools into snob schools over the years (partly funded by Government, many such good schools were originally funded by missionaries or by public donations). These schools used to produce some of the past and current prominent politicians, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs regardless of their family background. It is sad to see that it is now become the playground of the rich.
Askmelah applauds the latest clamp down by MOE to reign in the Independent schools from going overboard, extravagance has no place in schools, period !!!
Funding cuts for top independent schools in Singapore
MOE also tells schools to moderate fund-raising for campus upgrading
Six top independent schools in Singapore have had their funding cut and, along with other mission schools, have been told to moderate fund-raising activities for campus upgrading.
In addition, they will have to comply with a new directive urging all schools with air-conditioned classrooms to install fans and use air-conditioning only when necessary.
The six schools rank among the top in the Singapore education scene, comprising the Raffles secondary schools and its junior college, Hwa Chong Institution, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and NUS High School of Mathematics and Science.
They all run both the Integrated Programme (IP) and Gifted Education Programme (GEP). The IP provides a seamless secondary and junior college education with students bypassing the O levels. The GEP caters to students in the top 1 to 2 per cent of their cohort.
MOE revises funding formula for independent schools to ensure equity
The Ministry of Education (MOE) said it has revised its baseline funding formula for independent schools to try to make it more equitable because the old formula saw disproportionately high funding going to schools with higher enrolments.
This is because the old formula gave independent schools a certain amount of grant for every student they have, said the Ministry, in its clarification to an “inaccurate” report published by The Straits Times on Monday.
That report said six top independent schools have had their funding cut and that MOE has told schools to moderate their fund-raising activities for campus upgrading. Those that want to raise funds for non-standard campus upgrading, such as swimming pools, will also need MOE’s approval, it added.
Yesterday, MOE clarified that under the new formula, funding cuts will affect only four schools and the reductions are “no more than 3 per cent”. It added that six schools will, in fact, get higher funding this year — about 5 per cent more for three of them and between 1 and 3 per cent more for the remaining three. (Askmlah: What the #$#%@?)
All schools are also already required to seek permission for fund-raising activities.
The Ministry did not spell out the details of the new formula, other than to say it has both a fixed and variable component that seeks to provide more equitable funding to the schools.
It added that reviews of funding to schools are done regularly — the formula revision was one of the major changes in this round — to ensure they are adequately funded and that the resources are well spent.
MOE noted that it has received feedback in recent years on the burden of fundraising placed on parents, students and other stakeholders.
“It is in this context that we have advised schools to moderate their fund-raising activities and to take into consideration the cost of operating any additional facilities,” it said.
“As it is, the Ministry already invests significantly in the infrastructure of each school. MOE will continue to approve fund-raising requests by schools based on the educational merits of each request. This applies to all schools, including independent schools.”
On its new directive to schools with air-conditioned classrooms to install fans and use air-conditioning only when necessary, MOE said it was in line with urging schools to be cost-effective and ecologically sustainable in their operations.
Responding to the new funding formula, Hwa Chong Institution Principal Hon Chiew Weng said its spending will not see any significant changes overnight, but only minor adjustments. He did not say if his was one of the schools to have its funding cut.
Dr Hon added, though, that his school will have to be more innovative in the way it goes about enhancing the quality of interaction between teachers and students.
The school is also reviewing some of its programmes to see how best to optimise its resources, he said. For example, some overseas immersion programmes could be run in regional countries or in Singapore instead, or alumni or student leaders could take over the running of selected Sabbaticals modules from vendors.
Dr Hon also said the salaries of his school’s teachers will not be affected and the staff development budget will not be cut.
Members of Parliament whom TODAY spoke to welcomed MOE’s move, saying it would ensure that the disparity between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ would not be widened.
Mr Lim Biow Chuan, who is Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Education, said: “It’s a move by MOE towards the redistribution of funds and it addresses the concern of some parents on the difference in funding.” He added it was a further step towards making every school a good school.
Mr Baey Yam Keng, who is also on the Education GPC, added: “The disparity between schools adds to the stress of parents who may feel that going to a certain school would mean access to different resources and facilities.”
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