MOE Services for Returning Singaporeans

Ministry of Education (MOE) is committed to assisting all Singaporean children, including returning Singaporeans, to benefit from our education system. In this regard, we provide a comprehensive suite of services to Singaporeans who are going overseas, Singaporeans who are coming home, as well as new Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

In recognition of the different needs of returning Singaporeans, MOE has provided several options for school admission. Returning Singaporeans can choose one or more options that is based on their individual needs. (See table below for a summary of the school admission options available to returning Singaporeans.) For example, returning Singaporeans who have a strong preference for a school of choice may choose to approach the school directly to seek admission, or also apply to MOE for assistance for placement into the school.

Singaporeans Going Overseas

Leave of Absence Scheme (LOA)

Singaporeans who are planning to go overseas for work or related concerns may reserve school places for their children in their current schools under the Leave of Absence (LOA) Scheme. Upon their return to Singapore the children can be readmitted to their schools directly.

Read more about the Leave of Absence Scheme (104kb .pdf).
Download a copy of the LOA Application Form (16kb .pdf).
Boarding Award Scheme (BAS) for Secondary/Junior College & Millennia Institute Students

In addition, parents who are planning to go overseas for work or related concerns but prefer their children to attend Singapore secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute can apply for the Boarding Award Scheme (BAS). The BAS aims to provide young Singaporeans (attending secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute in Singapore) with the benefits of a Singapore education while living in hostels in Singapore whilst their parents are working or living overseas. MOE will help to place applicants into school-based hostels and pay for 50% or 100% of the hostel boarding fees.

Read more about the Boarding Award Scheme.
Singaporeans Currently Overseas

Primary One Registration

Parents with Singaporean children due for Primary One while abroad are encouraged to register them with primary schools in Singapore during the annual Primary One Registration Exercise (usually held from July to September). Overseas Singaporean children enjoy the same priority as their counterparts residing in Singapore. Parents can participate by either appointing a proxy to act on their behalf during the exercise or indicating their school choices to MOE who will act on their behalf. School places would then be allocated to these children upon successful registration. If their children are unable to join the school in the new school year, parents can reserve the school places by applying for Leave of Absence after registration.

Immersion Programme

Singaporeans returning from overseas for their vacation may want to consider the Immersion Programme which allows Singaporean pupils to attend classes for a stipulated period to get a feel of school life in Singapore and helps in easing their re-entry to the system. Returning Singaporeans can approach schools directly to apply for immersion or write in to Pupil Placement Section via moe_returnhome@moe.gov.sg for assistance.

Singaporeans Returning Home

Summary of School Placement Options Available to Returning Singaporeans

In recognition of the different needs of the returning Singaporeans, MOE has provided several options as outlined below for school admission so that Returning Singaporeans can choose one or more options based on their individual needs.

For example, returning Singaporeans who has a strong preference for a particular school may choose to approach the school directly to seek admission. Returning Singaporeans can also apply to MOE for assistance to be placed into a school, indicating his / her schools of choice. Alternatively, returning Singaporeans may apply to participate in the special school placement exercises, such as the “School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans” (SPERS) or the “Direct School Admission Exercise” (DSA), to seek admission. More details on the different options are below:

Queries

For enquiries on MOE Services for Returning Singaporeans please contact us at:

Customer Service Centre
Ground Floor, Podium Block
Ministry of Education, Singapore
1 North Buona Vista Drive
Singapore 138675
Tel: +65 68722220
Fax: +65 67754487 / +65 67768616
Email: moe_returnhome@moe.gov.sg