Singapore is one of the most developed countries in Asia, with excellent business conditions. Many of the largest companies in the world have their South Asia headquarters or offices located in Singapore. The employees of these multinational companies usually have children who are studying in school. When these employees are transferred to Singapore, or take up a job in Singapore, they would like to find a suitable school for their child, so that his or her education is not disrupted. Specifically, they would like to get more information on Singapore school admission, the procedure which is followed, and the factors considered while evaluating a student.
Choosing a School
There are a large number of schools in school and the education system which they follow will differ. If the parents of a child have a transferable job or are likely to relocate to another country after a few years, it is advisable to choose a school that follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. There are schools following the IB program in most developed countries and large cities, so it is easier for the student to get admission to a new IB school, and continue with their studies. It is also better to consider a school that is highly rated, there are several websites that provide details of the top schools in Singapore. The school should admit students throughout the year so that the student does not lose an academic year.
Application
All schools have an application form for students interested in admission and in some cases, the application form can be filled out online. The parents will have to provide details of the student in the application form like name, date of birth, address, and education till date. The school will also specify the application fee which has to be paid. Additionally, for students whose parents are not citizens or permanent residents of Singapore, additional documents like copies of the passport of the parents, student, birth certificate, and school reports for the student will also have to be provided.
Evaluation
After all the information and documents are provided to the school, the school will usually evaluate the older students, to check their proficiency in the different subjects. This will help the school admit the student to the right class with a suitable teacher. In some cases, the student may not be fluent in English or may require additional assistance in his studies. In this case, the student will have to undergo additional evaluation using video calls, personal interviews with teachers, or may even be asked to attend school on a trial basis for a few days.
Student contract
After the evaluation is complete, the experienced teachers or principal will usually recommend a suitable class for the student. If the parents confirm that they are interested a contract for enrollment will be sent to the parent so that he can review the terms and conditions. After the parent signs the enrollment contract, he will also have to pay the enrollment fee which is specified. After this, the family of the student admitted can meet the teachers, and staff, and tour the school to review the facilities which are available.