International schools get more room to grow

Aug 20, 2008
International schools get more room to grow
Govt offers buildings and land, allowing 8,000 places by 2015 to ease
space crunch
By Jane Ng

TO EASE the shortage of places in schools for expatriate children
here, the Government is making available public buildings and vacant
land for up to four more foreign schools.

International schools can occupy a former school in Upper Serangoon
as a permanent new campus or one of three other former schools
temporarily until new buildings are built on vacant plots in Bukit
Batok, Hougang or Yishun.

At full capacity, the four permanent sites will be able to take in
more than 8,000 students by 2015.

This is about three times the current enrolment of one of the biggest
international schools here, the United World College of South East
Asia (UWC).

The Government's announcement yesterday comes at a time when many
international schools here are full, and popular ones have long
waiting lists.

The number of expatriates here has been growing over the years and
the school space crunch was starting to cause problems for companies
looking to move their expatriate employees here, the American Chamber
of Commerce in Singapore had recently reported.

The problem, which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong raised as a
possible 'constraint' on Singapore's growth, is being tackled by a
government committee chaired by the Economic Development Board (EDB).

Agencies like the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) are also involved in
the drive to attract more foreign schools to add to the 38 operating
here already.

These schools offer an international curriculum from preschool, right
up to the Singapore-equivalent of a junior college.

Because of the pressing need for more schools, successful tenderers
for the four sites must start classes by next year.

Their proposals will also be assessed on their curriculum, proposed
enrolment and investment commitments.

EDB's director of education and professional services, Mr Toh Wee
Khiang, expects a good response, as there have been many enquiries
from both new players and existing schools.

On the use of former schools, Mr Teo Cher Hian, a SLA director
handling the project, said that adapting these vacant buildings
optimises Singapore's scarce land resources.

He added: 'It also provides immediate solutions to cater to the
growing demand since they are purpose-built with playfields and other
ancillary facilities.'

To date, 19 international schools are using state properties as
campuses, including the Avondale Grammar School in Toa Payoh Rise.

Among the established international schools interested in the new
sites is the Singapore American School.

Its superintendent, Mr Brent Mutsch, said the sites would be
considered for the expansion of its Woodlands campus.

It has about 3,800 students from preschool to the 12th grade, and has
had a waiting list for several years.

News that classes in new schools could open up as early as next year
was welcomed by Mr Niraj Parekh, 31, an investment banker, whose
daughter Isha has been on the waitlist at UWC since she was two
months old last November.

'When more information becomes available about the schools, we'll
reassess the situation. But we know the quality of education that UWC
offers so we'll definitely keep her on the waitlist there,' said Mr
Parekh.

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