Singapore's decision to hike fees for foreign students distresses Malaysians parents

Johor Baru (Malaysia), Dec. 22 (ANI): The Singapore Government's decision to increase the school fees for the foreign residents has caught Malaysians living in that country by surprise.

Dalillah Yusof, 46, whose three children with permanent residency are studying in Singapore, was shocked to hear about the development.

"I am currently paying 440 ringgits per year for my son in secondary school and 352 ringgits each for my son and daughter in primary school. If the Singapore Government increases the fees substantially, I may have to review my decision to send my children to schools there," The Star Online quoted her, as saying.

Singapore Education Minister Ng Eng Hen recently announced the plan to increase the school fees for foreign students as part of a move to draw a distinction between Singaporeans and non-citizens.

A businesswoman, Hiu, said she might have to consider other options should her non-PR daughter's primary school fees be increased to triple the current amount.

"She has been following the Singapore's school syllabus for the whole of primary school. It will be very difficult to take her out from the school as the syllabus is different from Malaysia," she said.

She however was thankful that the Singapore Government had given a year's notice for the proposed hike.

Currently, about eight percent of students in national schools in the republic are PRs, and four percent are international students. (ANI)