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Post by fed up on Oct 31, 2006 21:17:32 GMT 7
All the schools seem to be hiking their fees by 7-10%. Is this just a coincidence or do you think there is some sort of cartel? Just curious - do the schools lease with each other at all?
In the UK some top public schools were busted for fee fixing a couple of years ago.
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Post by fed up on Oct 31, 2006 21:28:07 GMT 7
Sorry - liase
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Post by veteran on Nov 1, 2006 7:27:24 GMT 7
I know its tough isn’t it. But to be fair most of the leading schools have held their fees steady for a good number of years, and I guess they are all facing the same cost pressures.
I know UWC had a parents’ presentation detailing their costs and why the increase was required. At the end of the day we all want the best teachers for our children and they don’t come cheap.
And remember, in some countries, like Australia private schools get government subsidies and still charge like wounded bulls.
On a side note. Over the years I have been surprised at the steady increase in the number of places on offer at International schools, and yet the best ones still have waiting lists. So demand and supply at work I guess.
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Post by fed up on Nov 1, 2006 8:00:15 GMT 7
I see your point, but it seems funny that first Tanglin and UWC put their fees up, then a couple of months later, Canadian and AISS put theirs up. What I am questioning is whether this is just a coincidence or are the other two just trying their luck as they know parents have little choice but to pay it.
It would be interesting to know whether places like Chatsworth, OFS and ISS are doing the same thing.
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Post by veteran on Nov 1, 2006 8:33:38 GMT 7
To be honest I have no idea whether there is collusion, and just because it looks like it could doesn’t make it so.
And remember it’s my understanding that all members of these trust school have to have a Singapore government representative on their boards.
Anyway, as someone who paid my own school fees throughout my children’s education in Singapore I feel your pain, although that doesn’t help does it!
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Post by fed up on Nov 2, 2006 20:57:43 GMT 7
Actually I don't really believe there is any collusion as I think most of the international schools here hate each other. There is fierce competition for students. However, I do think the less popular schools position themselves to be only slightly cheaper than the top schools. There are lots of new expats coming in so lots of demand for school places. These schools have a captive market because there just aren't enough places at the top schools. Some of the schools are filling up with rich Thai, Vietnemese, Mainland Chinese etc who come over and stay with guardians. A couple of the international schools have really cornered this niche market.
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Post by Dubai girl on Nov 16, 2006 20:52:26 GMT 7
It is a scam, but we all have to pay if we want our kids to go to a good or at least decent school. I think it's rubbish that they tell you the fees go up in order to get good teachers. They use all the excuses and the teachers are the same, building may or may not get built and maybe the kids get new guitars. There is not much to show if anything for the increases!!
In Dubai the fees went up every year and every year they said, "this is the last time". we eventually left the country. It was costing us to much money to send our kids to school!!
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Post by Bubble on Feb 1, 2007 22:49:01 GMT 7
I would have thought the housing price increase in Singapore would flow through to teachers which could be one factor in cost increases.
We pay our own school fees as well, but fairs fair.
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Post by ouch on Jun 12, 2007 6:28:21 GMT 7
School fees also go up when the rent on the building and land goes up...
Teachers are forking over more in rent, and the school is going to have to find that from somewhere. Also, some international schools just gave their staff a pay rise.
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