Source : Straits Times - 9 Jun 2008
Aussie school’s $45m extension is latest; long waiting lists at popular ones
THE Australian International School’s new campus extension in Lorong Chuan makes it the latest among international schools here to address the issue of the squeeze on places.
The $45 million junior school complex is a self-contained one on the school’s existing campus.
The fact that it needed this add-on facility points to the booming expatriate population here: many international schools are full, and popular ones have long waiting lists.
All eight schools contacted have either expanded or will do so in the next few years.
The number of expatriates here went up nearly 10 per cent in just one year, from 798,000 in 2005 to 875,500 in 2006, going by latest available figures.
The demand for places in international schools is expected to grow. A survey done by the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham) among its member companies last year found that a third - or 22 out of 68 - would be expanding their expatriate headcounts here by about 200 within the next three years.
These employees have about 300 children who will need places in international schools here.
The employees of the companies surveyed had among them 24 children who were on waiting lists.
AmCham has set up a committee to give its member companies better access to these waiting lists, and to work with various agencies to help schools gauge their expansion needs more accurately.
AmCham chairman Steve Okun, noting that many AmCham member companies have been unable to move key employees here because these employees’ children do not have places in their selected schools, said: ‘With most international schools at their admissions’ saturation, the situation is only worsening.’
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently counted the squeeze on places in international schools as a ‘constraint’ here, and said the Government had stepped in to ease the shortage by helping these schools to expand.
The director for education and professional services at the Economic Development Board (EDB), Mr Toh Wee Khiang, said that EDB was facilitating the expansion of the German European School and the United World College’s second campus.
It is also trying to interest top-quality institutions in setting up pre-tertiary schools here, he added.
But at least one school principal thinks the support given is insufficient.
He complained: ‘The EDB is attracting many companies here, but it is helping only some schools with expansion. Not enough is being done for many others. We are pretty much left on our own.’
The Australian International School happens to have room to expand on its existing campus.
Its new block has 40 classrooms for 800 pupils, a cafeteria, music and art rooms, a children’s library, more outdoor eating and play areas and an underground carpark.
The school’s population, now at 1,860, is expected to climb to above 2,100 next month.
Together with its other campus just next door, the school will be able to accommodate 2,500 students - and hold off having a waiting list for 18 months, said its director for marketing and enrolments Kim Douglas.
The school expects to have a waiting list again from 2010.
Its principal, Mr Peter Bond, said: ‘With many schools facing a similar situation as us, families want to know there’s a space for their children before bringing them here.’
He said he expected ‘no respite in the short term’.
The state of schools:
Australian International School
Where: Lorong Chuan
No. of students: 1,860
Age range: Three to 18 years
Annual fees: $21,088 to $26,979
Waiting list: None
Issue it is facing: The opening of the new junior school will stave off the waiting-list problem for only 18 months.
German European School
Where: Bukit Tinggi Road
No. of students: 1,075
Age range: 18 months to 18 years
Annual fees: $19,100 to $23,500
Waiting list: None
Issue it is facing: The school is covered for the next three years, but is still on the lookout for a campus nearer the current one.
Where: 95, Portsdown Road
No. of students: 2,250
Age range: Three to 18 years
Annual fees: $20,000 to $25,000
Waiting list: One to two years
Issue it is facing: The expansion planned in the senior school will increase the school’s total intake to close to 3,000 in five years.
Lycee Francais de Singapour (French School of Singapore)
Where: Ang Mo Kio Ave 3
No. of students: 1,390
Age range: Two to 18 years
Annual fees: $11,000 to $21,500
Waiting list: 50 children
Issue it is facing: To create 26 more classrooms, the school will demolish and rebuild the kindergarten block. This will allow the school to take in 2,000 students by 2011.
DPS International School
Where: 36 Aroozoo Avenue
No. of students: 250
Age range: Four to 17 years
Waiting list: Three months
Annual fees: $4,200 to $5,700
Issue it is facing: Open since 2004, the school is planning to set up another branch soon.
NPS International School
Where: 10 & 12 Chai Chee Lane
No. of students: 212 as at May 2008
Age range: Four to 15 years
Waiting list: None for now.
Annual fees: $7,800 to $11,400
Issue it is facing: Plans to expand but may not be soon.
United World College Southeast Asia
Where: Dover and Ang Mo Kio (Holding campus)
No. of students: 2,900
Age range: Four to 18 years
Waiting list: Nine months
Annual fees: $19,485 to $24,315
Issue it is facing: The school’s long waiting list gave it the push to set up a second campus in Tampines by 2010.
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