<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Credible private schools: Not MOE's job, but Case must be more thorough
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Monday's letter, 'Take proactive steps', by Ms Tan Mei Ling and wish to point out her misconception of the role of the Ministry of Education on the issue of fake degrees.
Why should the ministry endorse or accredit the quality of courses when the law requires private schools to be registered? Asking for the ministry's endorsement is like asking the registrar of a company to vouch that all companies it registers will be fair, honest and trustworthy.
The ministry should, as I understand it, be responsible only for schools, institutes, colleges and universities under its direct charge.
Having said that, I cannot understand the Consumers Association of Singapore's (Case) rationale in certifying private schools that issue degrees within such a short period of study. This is especially so when its CaseTrust accreditation is seen as an immediate recognition of a company the public can trust.
Case should exercise more due diligence in examining private schools seeking its CaseTrust label so that students who trust the integrity of the hallmark are well protected. We expect foreign students to trust a CaseTrust label and it is not right to plead 'buyer beware' when matters go awry.
If Singapore is serious about being a quality and trustworthy regional education hub, credible certification or accreditation is vital.
Paul Chan
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Monday's letter, 'Take proactive steps', by Ms Tan Mei Ling and wish to point out her misconception of the role of the Ministry of Education on the issue of fake degrees.
Why should the ministry endorse or accredit the quality of courses when the law requires private schools to be registered? Asking for the ministry's endorsement is like asking the registrar of a company to vouch that all companies it registers will be fair, honest and trustworthy.
The ministry should, as I understand it, be responsible only for schools, institutes, colleges and universities under its direct charge.
Having said that, I cannot understand the Consumers Association of Singapore's (Case) rationale in certifying private schools that issue degrees within such a short period of study. This is especially so when its CaseTrust accreditation is seen as an immediate recognition of a company the public can trust.
Case should exercise more due diligence in examining private schools seeking its CaseTrust label so that students who trust the integrity of the hallmark are well protected. We expect foreign students to trust a CaseTrust label and it is not right to plead 'buyer beware' when matters go awry.
If Singapore is serious about being a quality and trustworthy regional education hub, credible certification or accreditation is vital.
Paul Chan
