The APSC Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

The beacon of ethical business and management practices; and professional conduct for Member PEOs, in the provision of education and training, thereby maintaining appropriate industry standards and quality among private education organizations (PEOs) in Singapore.

Preamble

APSC is committed to the quality provision of private education and training by its Member PEOs. It seeks to encourage Member PEOs to promote accuracy in advertising, fair trade and consumer choice.

APSC Code of Ethics affirms the professional standards expected of each PEO, in relation to the management, marketing and delivery of education and training services.  

APSC Member PEOs are required to act with integrity in all dealings with all stakeholders; including governmental agencies, students and their parents. All Member PEOs are obliged to abide by the APSC Code of Ethics, and failure to do so, may result in termination of membership.

All APSC Member PEOs must agree to abide by the APSC Code of Ethics, and its By-Laws and pay annual membership fees on time.

Educational Objectives  

Within the general purpose of providing education, each PEO defines its educational objectives in a way that clearly communicate the purpose, and that lend itself to meaningful evaluation.

Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order

All member PEOs must be exemplary in their professional practice and conduct. The Association reserves the right to take proper disciplinary action against any member PEO who commits any act which prejudices the good order of the Association.

• Exemplary Conduct

All member PEOs (including associate members) are to be exemplary in their day-to-day conduct of their business with one another, to students and other stakeholders of the Association. In particular, exemplary conduct also include the avoidance of discriminatory remarks against other member PEOs which is tantamount to irresponsible behaviour of the member PEO.

• Due Respect

• Conduct Prejudicing Good Order

All member PEOs (including associate members) are to be exemplary in their day-to-day conduct of their business with one another, to students and other stakeholders of the Association. In particular, exemplary conduct also includes the avoidance of discriminatory remarks against other member PEOs which is tantamount to irresponsible behaviour of the member PEO.

• Transfer between Member PEOs or Schools

All Member PEOs are to request new & transferring students to seek consent from their previous schools if they have not been studying in those schools for more than 12 months. Such students are expected to maintain 90% overall attendance in their previous schools. It is preferred that both Schools consent to the transfer.

• Transfer between Member PEOs or Schools

All Member PEOs are to request new & transferring students to seek consent from their previous schools if they have not been studying in those schools for more than 12 months. Such students are expected to maintain 90% overall attendance in their previous schools. It is preferred that both Schools consent to the transfer.

• General Ethical Considerations

Member PEOs are expected to participate in the Association's programs and activities whenever possible.

Member PEOs are encouraged to participate in the sharing of knowledge with respect for acknowledgment of individual contributions.

All activities should be for the improvement and best interest of the Association, rather than for individual's gain.

Member PEOs are to serve their associations faithfully, respecting confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest and activities for personal (or PEO’s) gain at the expense of their associations or their member PEOs.

No improper use of inside information, or the employee's status, power and authority.
Commitment to code of ethics or professional conduct is expected of every member PEOs (voting members and associate members) of APSC.

Serve all members of their associations impartially, provide no special privilege to any individual member, and accept no personal compensation of their associations impartially, provide no special privilege to any individual member, and accept no personal compensation from a member except with the knowledge and consent of their association's governing boards.

Association shall provide no special privilege to any individual member PEO, and accept no personal compensation from any member PEOs, except with the knowledge and consent of the Association.

Any efforts make should be for the betterment of the Association.

• Professional Conduct & Practices

Member PEOs of APSC must see themselves as professional organisations with specific obligations to all stakeholders arising out of their shared responsibilities.

As PEOs, they provide a valued service, namely the offering of structured educational opportunities; have made a commitment to meeting specified educational needs of students enrolled into their courses; and have a corporate social responsibility and obligation to governmental authorities that legitimatise their existence and that help to support them in the discharge of their responsibilities, directly and indirectly.

The essence of this social obligation is expressed in the word "integrity"--that a PEO is what it says it is and does what it says it does. In a complex organisation where its staff members discharge a variety of tasks, interact with students in a number of different ways, and operate in the context of regulatory environments, an assessment of its organisational integrity is facilitated and evidenced by a clearly articulated set of PEO-student relations set forth in a Code of Professional Conduct and Practice so that both organisations and students have a set of standards against which these obligations and performance might be assessed.

PEOs also have societal obligations of a organization to organization basis. The APSC code of professional conduct and practices must also encompass such obligations, all of which are set out in appropriate guidelines

Fair Practice  

PEOs maintain responsible and fair procedures in all matters affecting students. This principle includes the provision and delivery of educational programs, the provision of necessary supporting services as described, and due process with regard to disciplinary matters and the handling of grievances.

Full Disclosure

PEOs provide complete and accurate information on all pertinent aspects of organisational policies and practices directly affecting students. Such information include the following:

a. Marketing Information & Practices (Official Publications)

• Careful attention is given to the accuracy of the information provided in or supplied to publications concerning the PEO. These include catalogues, student handbooks, course schedules, recruiting materials, and reference works.
• Special care is taken to avoid misleading statements, whether by omission of important details, misleading jargon, or failure to note restrictions. Cautionary statements are included where necessary.
• Publications are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the material is accurate and up-to-date and that the language can be readily understood.

b. Student Admissions and Recruitment

• Students are provided with information which will enable them to make informed decisions about their studies in Singapore.
• Member PEOs do not pay employees, 3 rd party consultants or students commissions or bonuses for the recruitment of students or contract with companies that adopts unethical and unprofessional recruitment practices.
• Admissions and recruiting staff are provided with accurate up-to-date information about the PEO and its educational programs.
• Recruiting materials present an accurate and balanced picture of the PEO and its educational programs.
• Admissions requirements and procedures are clearly stated in appropriate publications, and strictly adhered to.

c. Financial Matters

• Tuition costs and other fees are fully described in appropriate publications, particularly when charges vary according to program, level or type of study, or student status.
• Insofar as possible, students are notified of potential additional costs, such as special equipment or laboratory fees.
• The terms for refunding tuition or other charges and for waiving certain requirements are explained and published.
• Students are clearly informed about all types of financial assistance for which they might be eligible, including application and award procedures. Any limitations or restrictions are clearly described.

d. Student Support Services & Record Management

• Documented information for students about its support services and resources availability.
• Formal statements explaining PEO policies with respect to student records and accounts, the maintenance of their privacy, and their availability to students are published.
• Efficient procedures are maintained in handling records and in providing students reasonable access to their records.
• Complaint or appeal mechanisms are available for resolving difficulties that students may have concerning their records. The student's right to challenge, and request correction of, information are made clear.

e. Educational Programs and Requirements

• PEOs inform students about the full range and frequency of program options available to them and about all requirements for academic progress and program completion.
• Students are given advance notice of any changes in requirements or programs, and changes are not made in a way that unduly impede the academic progress of students already enrolled.
• Informal complaint mechanisms are available to students who have complaints above academic matters; students are informed of these procedures and encouraged to discuss their grievances initially through these channels.

f. Career Counseling and Placement

• PEOs make efforts to provide students with reliable and up-to-date information about appropriate career opportunities.
• Career counseling programs are directed to giving students a realistic picture of the employment market, including projections of probable demand as well as current information on the nature of typical career and earning patterns, and on the educational requirements for various occupations.
• Statements about career counseling or placement programs are made available to all students and accurately describe the nature and extent of the services. Such statements highlight any charges for particular services and any restrictions in offerings.

g. Grievance Procedures

• Students are provided with channels for registering and discussing their grievances and getting them resolved. Such channels include informal mechanisms to handle minor problems as quickly as possible as well as more formal structures to allow for hearings and, if necessary, appeals.
• Descriptions of existing complaint channels and procedures for using them are made available to all students.
• The terms for assuring confidentiality in handling grievances are also clearly explained.

h. Student Services

• PEOs provide full and accurate descriptions of the various services offered to students.
• When changes in such services must take place, whether in services, in fees, or in policies, adequate notice is given and equitable adjustments made.
• Any restrictions in the availability of services are made explicit to students.
• Students are given full information on organisational policies in and procedures with respect to conduct, including information on disciplinary proceedings followed in connection with violations.
• Students are informed about opportunities for students to participate in the formulation of policies affecting student activities.

i. Accreditation

• PEOs indicate in their official catalogs, recruiting materials, and advertising their organisational accreditation status and, where appropriate, the accreditation status of their programs.
• When referring to accreditation, PEOs provide accurate descriptions in the format provided by their accrediting bodies.
• Such information is also provided to relevant governmental bodies like ICA, MOE, SPRING