Expats Should Not Confine Their Search To Only International Schools

Source : The Straits Times, Forum, Sep 19, 2007

IT AMAZES me how expats continue to look only at international schools when looking for options for their children, especially for preschool ages of two to six years, 'Expats hit by space crunch' (ST, Sept 17).

Local preschools are a definite option for them. Only 77 per cent of this country's preschool capacity is taken up (data from MCYS, March 2007).

So expats should cast their nets a little wider than just the usual international schools, and not have to wait for six months to enrol their child, feeling frustrated in between. Local preschools are already offering internationally-acclaimed curricula such as the Multiple Intelligences (MI) curriculum and Montessori, which expats would readily recognise.

In fact, our own heartland preschool here in Tampines already hosts nationalities of various backgrounds such as the UK, Japan and India. And with local preschool fees at a fraction of those of international schools, this will be one expense that expats will surely find welcoming, in the midst of ever-escalating rentals today. What's more, they will be giving their child the one advantage they will never get from any international school, that is, the chance to live, play and grow side by side with Singaporean children.

Now, wouldn't that be an education worth its weight in gold for any expat child, when he becomes an adult and starts reminiscing? As former expats ourselves, we actually sought local education for our children, rather than international schools for exactly the reasons above.

Nellie Tan Geok Lee (Ms)

George Lee

Carpe Diem Young Hearts Pte Ltd