BY SANDRA DAVIE

SENIOR WRITER

THE pent-up demand for a universityplace at home has pushed up the numberof Singaporeans pursuing degrees and di-plomas at private schools to more than100,000.

This is in stark contrast to the 12,000places set aside each year for Singapore-ans at the three local universities.

There are about 45,000 Singaporeanspursuing undergraduate degrees at thethree universities and the Singapore Insti-tute of Technology, an institute meantfor polytechnic upgraders seeking a de-gree.

Figures from the Council for PrivateEducation, which tracks student numbersin private schools, showed that total en-rolment had reached 146,000 by the mid-dle of this year, of whom 33,000 are for-eigners. The remaining 113,000 are Singa-poreans.

Going by the profiles sketched out bythe schools, most of the Singaporeans areaged below 30 and tend to be polytechnicgraduates hoping to get their degrees intwo years.

The leading private education institu-tion, Singapore Institute of Management(SIM), has the lion’s share of close to30,000 Singaporeans attending its cours-es.

The institute’s global education arm,

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JAPAN’S Coast Guard is boosting thesecurity around the disputed Senkakuislands with China amid increasedChinese naval activities in the area.

Its ageing air force is also expectedto see a major overhaul with a newfighter deal by the end of the year.L WORLD PAGE A12

PROTESTS against the globalfinancial crisis continued for a secondday yesterday, as hundreds of peoplecamped out in several cities in Europeand Asia – and vowed to stay on“indefinitely”.L PRIME PAGE A4

Braving the heat of a 4m-long fire pit ofsmouldering coal and sandalwoodbarefooted, about 4,000 devotees took partin the annual Firewalking Festival, alsoknown as Thimithi, at the Sri MariammamTemple in South Bridge Road yesterday.

The Hindu festival, which originated from

Tamil Nadu, south India, is held in honourof the goddess Draupadi Amman, and is anexpression of faith and penance.

Devotees fast for up to a month before thefestival, taking vegetarian meals and givingup comforts such as footwear and beds toprepare themselves for the event. Thefestival attracted thousands, includingsupporters of the devotees and tourists.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

THE PAP Community Foundation(PCF), which runs half thekindergartens in Singapore and abouta third of childcare centres, is makingit a top priority to raise standards atthe pre-school centres it runs acrossthe country.L PRIME PAGE A3

BY MELISSA PANG

KWONG Wai Shiu Hospital (KWSH), oneof Singapore’s oldest charity hospitals, isset to become the largest single-site nurs-ing home operator by around 2015.

It will be adding 200 beds to its exist-ing 400, bringing the total number of

beds at its community hospital and nurs-ing home to 600.

A new 10- to 14-storey building willbe built at its Serangoon Road site to con-solidate all the beds in the hospital.

The $70 million expansion plans wereannounced by Health Minister Gan KimYong at KWSH’s 101st anniversary cele-bration yesterday.

The project, which will be partiallyfunded by the Ministry of Health (MOH),is the most expensive one in the hospi-tal’s history.

When completed, the expanded facili-ty, which will take in mainly needy

patients, will go some way in meeting thedemand for nursing home beds.

Said Mr Gan: “Given its prime locationin the community and its strong collabora-tion with other health-care institutions,Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital is well poisedto meet the demand of nursing homebeds in the central region of Singapore.”

He said his ministry is working withKWSH to “redevelop and expand its facili-ties and services”.

Senior citizens living in the surround-ing estates can also look forward to a“one-stop centre providing a holistic andcomprehensive suite of care services for

the elderly”, he added.Besides step-down care facilities, the

hospital also offers services such as tradi-tional Chinese medicine consultation forcharges as low as $2.

Yesterday’s announcement comesalmost a year after Prime Minister LeeHsien Loong revealed that the hospital’sland lease, which expires in 2015, wouldbe extended.

The hospital is still in discussion withthe authorities on the period of exten-sion, said KWSH’s chairman Patrick Lee,63.

The hospital, which sits on prime landnear Boon Keng MRT station, has 14blocks of mostly single-storey buildingsand a three-storey main building.

Four blocks with historical value willbe preserved, three of which were built in1857 and formerly belonged to Tan TockSeng Hospital. A new multi-storey build-ing will be built.

The rest of the 2.4ha piece of land willbe returned to the Government for rede-velopment.

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MORE closed-circuit televisions(CCTVs) will be set up inneighbourhoods across Singapore tohelp deter and solve crime.

Police said the locations of thecameras will be picked based oncrime, security and public orderconsiderations.L HOME PAGES B1-2

‘Wall St’ protests persist

It will become largestsingle-site nursing homeoperator by about 2015More eyes in the streets

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Japan boosts sea patrols

Burning devotion

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PCF pre-schools’ new goalKwong Wai ShiuHospital to add beds

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Over 100,000S’poreansseek degreesat privateschools

M I C A ( P ) 1 0 8 / 1 1 / 2 0 1 0 M O N D A Y , O C T O B E R 1 7 2 0 1 1 A S I N G A P O R E P R E S S H O L D I N G S P U B L I C A T I O N E S T A B L I S H E D 1 8 4 5 9 0 C E N T S * *

L Ms Eileen Chew,23, from InnovaJunior College.Enrolled in Bachelorof Psychologydegree, James CookUniversitySingapore.Why the privateschool route:“I did not even trythe local universities

though my A-level results were OK. Iwanted to do a psychology degree and Ipicked James Cook University becausethey offered a psychology degreecourse that is recognised by theAustralian Psychology AccreditationCouncil, which means I have the optionto go on to practise as a psychologist inAustralia.

On top of that, James Cook doesinteresting research in the discipline.Currently, I am involved in twointeresting research projects – onsuicide prevention and parenting.”

L Mr Mazlan Maskor, 22, from theRaffles Institution integratedprogramme. Enrolled in the Universityof Wollongong Bachelor of Psychologyprogramme offered by the SingaporeInstitute of Management (SIM).

Why the private school route:I applied for a few courses in the localuniversities but was unsuccessfulbecause my A-level results were notthat great, so I looked at SIM.

Also, I have an interest inpsychology and SIM offered a course inthat.”

L Ms Nur Aqilah Muhammed Hashim, 20,from Ngee AnnPolytechnic electricalengineering diploma.Enrolled inUniversity ofNewcastle, Australia,electrical engineeringdegree offeredthrough PSBAcademy.Why the privateschool route:“Despite my good

Grade Point Average I could not land aplace to study engineering in the localuniversities. University of Newcastle isreputed to be among the bestAustralian universities for engineeringand PSB is a reputed private educationprovider.”

L Mr Dallas Wong, 21, from PioneerJunior College. Enrolled in Universityof London Bachelor of Science inBanking and Finance at SIM.Why the private school route:“I had good A-level grades but my GPpulled me down and I didn’t stand achance in the universities.

But despite my poor GP grade, I was

admitted into the University of Londonprogramme because my grades in theother subjects were decent.

I am hoping to do well enough in theUniversity of London programme to beadmitted into the master’s programme

offered by the London School ofEconomics.”

L Mr Charles Koh, 23, Temasekpolytechnic diploma in mechatronicsengineering. Enrolled in Queen

Margaret Hospitalityand TourismManagement degreecourse at the EastAsia Institute ofManagement.Why the privateschool route:“While studyingengineering in thepolytechnic, Ibecame interested in

hotel management. With thedevelopment of the IRs (integratedresorts), I see good career opportunitiesin the field. That’s why aftercompleting polytechnic, I decided totake up a hospitality managementdegree and I chose the private schoolroute because the public universities donot offer hotel management degrees.”

L Ms Venice Hu, 24,diploma in foodscience and nutritionfrom TemasekPolytechnic.Recently graduatedwith a Bachelor ofCounselling, SIMUniversity (UniSIM).Why the privateschool route:

“The localuniversities do not offer courses in theareas I am interested in, such ascounselling. The Government’s tuitionfee subsidy for UniSIM students wasanother reason why I chose to take upthe degree at UniSIM.”

POLYTECHNIC graduate Alan Lim, 23, worksthree evenings a week and on the weekends sothat he can put himself through the Royal Mel-bourne Institute of Technology business degreecourse offered via the Singapore Institute of Man-agement (SIM).

The engineering diploma holder has to work tosupport himself as his electrician father could notafford to pay for his course fees that will add up to$30,000 over three years.

He had considered taking the SIM University(UniSIM) route, where working adults are given a55 per cent fee subsidy by the Government.

But he feels that his Australian RMIT degreewill give him an edge in the job market. He alsowanted to complete his degree before going out in-to the job market.

He wishes the Government would help him bycovering part of his course fees so he can workless and spend more time on his studies.

He also feels that as a Singaporean, he shouldbe given help to take that “one shot at universityeducation” right here at home.

Mr Lim, like several other Singaporeans en-rolled in private schools, welcomed the announce-ment two weeks ago that a committee set up tolook into providing more university places for Sin-

gaporeans was studying the private school routeas an alternative pathway to a degree.

Minister of State for Education LawrenceWong, who was officiating a graduation ceremonyat UniSIM, said he did not want to prejudge theoutcome of the review. But he said the privateschool route was “certainly one of the options onthe table”.

When asked about the uneven quality in the pri-vate education sector, Mr Wong stressed thatwhatever pathways the panel recommended, therewould be no compromise on quality as it was im-portant to ensure that graduates continued to com-mand a premium in the job market.

The quality of private schools was also a worryfor Ms Candice Leow, 24, who took three years todecide on the private school route.

She has done her homework and is now eyeingeither SIM or James Cook University Singapore.Both schools have the four-year EduTrust certifi-cation, a new quality mark given out by the Coun-cil for Private Education which oversees the pri-vate education industry.

The main issue with private schools and givingsubsidies boils down to quality. Students inter-viewed say there could be criteria set, on pro-grammes and examination results.

Private school heads agree that the Govern-ment need not fund the schools directly. Instead,the tuition fee grants could go to the students whoget into the high-quality degree courses at the bet-ter schools, just as it subsidises UniSIM studentsnow.

All Singaporeans studying for a degree at Uni-SIM receive a 55 per cent tuition fee subsidy –there are currently more than 10,000 studentswho benefit from the scheme. Students at themainstream universities receive more than 70 percent subsidy.

UniSIM president Cheong Hee Kiat agreed thatif the Government were to give a subsidy, thenthere must be assurance of quality and accounta-bility for the money spent.

The university has to account for how the mon-ey is spent and is subject to audit checks by the Ed-ucation Ministry.

Private school heads also point to the sterlingresults of their Singapore students, to make thecase for a tuition fee subsidy from the Govern-ment.

SIM’s University of London programme thisyear produced 117 students with first-class hon-ours and 414 with second-class (upper) honours.The majority are Singaporeans.

James Cook University’s deputy vice-chancel-lor Dale Anderson, who heads the Singapore cam-pus, says Singapore students work hard to gradu-ate among the top of the class and many do.

He said: “The Singapore students enrolled inour campus are very motivated and hard-workingand many go on to attain first class honours, if notsecond upper honours. They well deserve to besupported by the Singapore Government.”

SANDRA DAVIE

which runs programmes in partnership with overseasuniversities, such as the University of London, has17,000 local students. Its other arm, the SIM Universi-ty (UniSIM) for working adults, has about 12,000 Sin-gaporeans.

Many of the Singaporeans are also pursuing degreesin the more established private schools such as PSBAcademy, Management Development Institute of Sin-gapore (MDIS), James Cook University Singapore andEast Asia Institute of Management.

Private schools such as SIM have also noted a trendof more Singaporeans opting to study full-time, afterless than three years of work, instead of juggling work

and studies.At SIM, about 12,000 students – two-thirds of

the 17,000 locals enrolled – are studying full-time.Five years ago, only half of the 9,300 local studentsenrolled at SIM did so.

Private education industry veterans estimate thatfive years ago, only about 70,000 Singaporeanswere in private schools.

Two weeks ago, Minister of State for EducationLawrence Wong said the committee looking at waysto provide Singaporeans with more university plac-es is studying whether the private school route is aviable alternative.

The panel is considering whether the Govern-ment ought to “provide support” to studentsenrolled in private schools, the same way it subsidis-es UniSIM students.

The Education Ministry’s view is that more uni-versity places could be provided, Mr Wong said, andthe panel recognises that the expanded universitysector must cater to a wider spectrum of studentswith different backgrounds, abilities and talents.

Among those aspiring for a degree is Ms JanetteYeo, 24. She plans to study psychology at JamesCook University Singapore, after she failed repeated-ly to get into the local universities.

“I was initially sceptical that I would get a properuniversity education at a private school, but am gladto find out that they offer quite a few student activi-ties and interesting research opportunities,” shesaid.

Private school officials point to the rising aspira-tions of Singaporeans and the crunch at the local uni-versities as reasons for the spike in their numbers.

Applications to the local universities have exceed-ed 50,000 a year since five years ago. Half are Singa-porean applicants.

About 25 per cent of the Primary 1 cohort gets a

place, or about a total of 12,000 places a year.Even when the fourth university, the Singapore

University of Technology and Design, is up nextyear, the figure will rise to only 30 per cent.

Mr Andrew Chua, chief executive of East AsiaInstitute of Management, said: “A significantnumber of the remaining 70 per cent also aspire to adegree. They cannot be ignored.”

Singapore students at the private schools say thatwhile they see a degree as a must, they will not set-tle for a second-rate degree with little market value.

Hence, they make a beeline for reputablebrand-name university partners. Those enrolled inSIM note that its university partners include the Uni-versity of London, the University of Sydney, the Uni-versity of Warwick and the University at Buffalo,New York.

Among the PSB Academy’s partners are the Uni-versity of Western Australia and University of New-castle. These schools, ranked among the top 10 Aus-tralian universities, were the alma maters of severalColombo Plan Scholars in the 1960s and 70s, includ-ing Minister for National Development Khaw Boon

Wan who is a University of Newcastle engineeringgraduate. PSB Academy has 5,000 Singaporeans.

Singaporeans turn to private schools also to savecosts, spending between $20,000 and $40,000 intotal, compared to the $70,000 to $100,000 pricetag of studying abroad.

Overseas universities also give credit exemptionsto polytechnic upgraders, enabling many to upgradetheir diploma to a degree within two years.

The new private school accreditation schemesput in place last year have also given students moreconfidence.

Several which have won the four-year EduTrustmark, like SIM, PSB and MDIS, have set upfull-fledged campuses and improved their studentfacilities to offer students the full universityexperience with active student bodies and sportsclubs.

SIM, dubbed Singapore’s unofficial fourth univer-sity, has the full suite of lecture theatres, seminarrooms, laboratories, a library and facilities for stu-dent activities in its Clementi Road campus. It alsooffers personal development, enrichment, exchangeprogrammes, career talks and recruitment fairs.

Mr Lee Kwok Cheong, who heads SIM’s globaleducation arm, said sports and co-curricular activi-ties help to develop the softer skills such as team-work and communication skills which will give itsgraduates the edge.

James Cook University Singapore is unique forhaving research facilities in its campuses in UpperThomson Road and Ang Mo Kio.

Said its deputy vice-chancellor Dale Andersonwho heads the campus in Singapore: “We believe ingiving our students, whether Singaporeans or for-eigners, the full university experience, whichincludes research.”

sandra@sph.com.sg

FROMPAGE A1

Why the privateschool route?

Government subsidywould help, say students

SIM students (from left) Dallas Wong, Loy Liang Wei and Mazlan Maskor. Mr Loy, 23, is doinga Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology business degree at SIM. All three did not do wellenough to get into the local universities. ST PHOTOS: DESMOND FOO, LAU FOOK KONG

Singaporeans pick moreestablished private schools

Singapore studentsat the privateschools say that while they see adegree as a must, they will not settlefor a second-rate degree with littlemarket value. Hence, they make abeeline for reputable brand-nameuniversity partners.

primeLspecial report

THE STRAITS TIMES MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 2011 PAGE A6