On 9 Sep 2004 , the Economic Development Board (EDB) launched the Education Excellence Framework to develop high-quality education providers and protect the interests of students.

The Framework is aimed primarily at private education organisations (PEOs) and focuses on three key components: academic excellence, organisational excellence, and good student protection and welfare practices.

The CaseTrust for Education scheme, which is administered by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), is a key initiative under the third component of good student protection and welfare practices. It has been customised by CASE for the education industry in Singapore . The scheme gives students and their parents assurance that the PEOs have put in place proper systems and practices to look after the welfare and interests of students in Singapore .

All PEOs that want to enrol foreign students are given until 1 Dec 2004 to obtain a Case-endorsed Student Protection Scheme. This is an important component to achieve CaseTrust for Education. From 1 Sep 2005 , PEOs must achieve all requirements of the CaseTrust for Education scheme if they intend to bring in foreign students.

CaseTrust for Education Scheme Consultancy Programme

CASE has put in place a panel of CaseTrust consultants to provide consultancy services to help PEOs achieve the CaseTrust for Education certification. More information on the CaseTrust panel of consultants and the consultancy fee structure can be found in the CASE website at www.case.org.sg

PEOs that engage an approved CaseTrust consultant for consultancy services leading to the CaseTrust for Education certification will be eligible for support under SPRING Singapore 's Domestic Sector Productivity Fund. The support level is up to 50% of consultancy fee and 30% of certification fee. Support for certification fee applies only for PEOs that take up the consultancy services. The grant will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis upon successful attainment of the CaseTrust for Education certification.

The qualifying period for the support is from 9 Sep 2004 to 8 Sep 2005 and is available for the first 200 PEOs only.

Enquiries/Application Procedure

Interested PEOs can apply through the following three associations :

Association of Private Schools and Colleges Singapore
C/O East Asia School of Business

98 Henderson Road
Singapore 159543
Telephone: 6272 0890

Association of Small and Medium Enterprises
199B Thomson Road Goldhill Centre
Singapore 307636
Telephone: 6224 0868

Singapore Education International
C/O First Link Investment Corp Ltd
6 Battery Road, #19-02
Singapore 049909
Tel: 6535 5517

All applications should be made on the prescribed form, fully completed and received by the Association at least one working day before the commencement of the project .