Private Education Act

From 21 December 2009, all Private Education Institutions (PEIs) must register with the Council for Private Education (CPE) to operate in or from Singapore. The new regulation regime, set out under the Private Education Act and its subsidiary legislation, comprises the mandatory Enhanced Registration Framework (ERF) and the voluntary EduTrust Certificate Scheme. Both ERF and EduTrust will be administered by the CPE.

For more information, please refer to CPE website: www.cpe.gov.sg

SMa Institute is proud to be amongst the early batch of PEIs to be registered with the CPE in May 2010. Please click here for the registration certificate.

In September 2010, SMa Institute attained EduTrust certification, which was awarded by the CPE. Please click here for our EduTrust certificate.

Following are the new requirements that we have put in place:

1. PEI-Student Contract

As stipulated by CPE with the aim of enhancing the confidence of students and their parents in the quality of education in Singapore, SMa Institute will enter into a standard Private Education Institution (PEI)-Student Contract with our students. The contract lays out the important terms and conditions governing the relationship between the student and SMa Institute. We will honour all terms and conditions spelt out in the contract and in all communication materials.

A copy of the standard student contract is available for inspection upon request and also on the CPE website: www.cpe.gov.sg

2. Cooling-off Period

There will be a cooling-off period of seven (7) working days after signing the standard PEI-Student Contract. Students have the right to cancel the contract within seven (7) working days and be entitled to a full refund less any applicable bank administrative charges and consumed fees. After the cooling-off period, SMa Institute’s refund policy will apply.

3. Fee Protection Scheme

SMa Institute has in place a Fee Protection Scheme (FPS) to protect the paid fees of both local and international students. The FPS serves to protect the student’s fees in the event that the PEI is unable to continue operations due to insolvency, and/or regulatory closure. In addition, the FPS protects the student if the PEI fails to pay penalties or return fees to the student arising from judgments made against it by the Singapore courts. The FPS is compulsory for all students. SMa Institute has appointed Lonpac Insurance Bhd as our FPS insurance provider. Under the FPS insurance scheme, students’ fees are insured by Lonpac Insurance Bhd. In case of events as stated above, students will be able to claim their paid fees from Lonpac Insurance Bhd.

The insurance premium will be 0.9% of insured course fees subject to GST. Amount payable is 0.9% x course fees payable (without GST) + prevailing GST. However, if amount payable (0.9% of course fees) is less than or equal to S$25, then the amount payable shall be subjected to the minimum amount of S$25 (inclusive of GST).

Student has to make the Insurance Fee payment (in SGD) together with the course fees payment. Payment mode includes:

1) Cash
2) Cashier's order (payable to “SMa Institute of Higher Learning Pte Ltd”)
3) Cheque (payable to “SMa Institute of Higher Learning Pte Ltd”)
4) NETS
5) Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard or AMEX)

The insured period is for the entire duration of the course as stated in the course outline/schedule provided during admission. Students who seek deferment or re-enrolment resulting in extension of the course duration will have to pay additional premium for the course fees applicable to the extended period.

More details of the FPS can also be found in the FPS Instruction Manual, available at CPE’s website: www.cpe.gov.sg

4. Medical Insurance

SMa Institute has in place a group medical insurance scheme for all its students for the entire course duration. SMa Institute has appointed AIA Insurance Singapore Pte Ltd as the insurance provider for all students. This medical insurance scheme will have a minimum coverage as follows:-

• An annual coverage limit of S$20,000
• Coverage of up to B2 ward in government and restructured hospitals
• Twenty-four (24) hours coverage in Singapore and overseas (if student is involved in SMa Institute’s related activities) throughout the duration of the course

>> View Medical Insurance Policy

Last update 19 Sept 2011