Many parents who are relocating from India to Singapore are searching for a good school where their child can receive an excellent education in an international yet familiar environment.

There are many Indian schools in Singapore to choose from, with some being well- established and others being newcomers to the region. With growing availability of schools in Singapore, parents often find it challenging to choose the one that will be best suitable for their child.

To choose a good Indian school in Singapore, the parents must take the right factors into consideration. Some of the top things to look for while choosing an Indian school in Singapore are:

1) CPE Registration and Accreditation

In Singapore, the Council for Private Education, or CPE, regulates the private education sector. Any family who is relocating to Singapore from India should only look for schools that are registered with the CPE. Qualified schools will provide their CPE registration number in all their external communication like website, ads, letter-heads and so on. While it is less likely that a school is operating in Singapore without a CPE registration, it is always good to find out the date of validity and whether the school is adhering to all the requirements of the CPE.

It is also pertinent to check whether the course or curriculum offered by the school is accredited by the board. For example, GIIS offers a CBSE programme that is accredited by the board. Parents must check upfront with the school management whether the curricula offered by them are accredited by the board.

2) Years of experience in the field of education

A new school is a new endeavour for the teaching team, as well as the administrators who are still learning to work together. Conversely, if the school has been into business for several years, the teachers are bound to have significant experience in teaching. At the same time, an established Indian school in Singapore will have proven experience of catering to the expatriate population and will understand the pulse of the community.

3) Type of Curricula offered

As with any type of school, each of the Singapore Indian schools uses a different curriculum. Parents will need to evaluate their own needs and preferences in regards to curricula. It's important to note that some Indian schools in Singapore offer only Indian curriculum, such as the CBSE. While there are other schools that offer a blend of both national and international curricula, offering flexibility to the students to select a programme that works best for their own needs and educational goals.

GIIS, for instance, offers CBSE as well as IB PYP, CLSP, IGCSE and IBDP. Parents who are relocating to Singapore from another country find it beneficial to have multiple curricula available in one school, as this allows them to personalise their child's educational experience.

4) Cultural continuity

It is vital that international students who are living away from their home country have an opportunity to continue to learn about their own culture and nationality. For example, parents who are relocating from India will prefer an Indian school that over and above provides experiences related to their country’s cultural background.

GIIS, for example, provides students with various platforms to explore their cultural identity. Indian dance and Indian music are offered as ECAs and CCAs at school. Also, the school’s cultural wing, Global Indian Cultural Centre, provide an ideal environment for diverse communities in South East Asia to learn and enjoy the rich cultural heritage of the Indian sub-continent.

Along with cultural continuity, parents should also look at the fact that the school has a diverse population so that the child absorbs and acquires the traits of the local community and culture as well. There is a growing trend towardsWhile most of the Indian schools in Singapore have Indian expat population only, GIIS boasts of students from over 40 nationalities.

5) Proven academic results

The best way to evaluate a school's success is to look at the exam scores of students in Grade 10 and Grade 12. These are decisive exams that often determine what a student's possibilities and options are for the future. These exam scores are the best reflection of the school staff's expertise and its dedication to its students, and the results showcase the overall quality of the Indian school.

For nearly 20 years, Global Indian International School has been helping Indian expatriate students achieve outstanding scores before moving on for higher studies to prestigious international universities.

GIIS consistently proves that it can deliver results, as many of its students are placed in the top universities around the globe. Parents who are interested in learning more about GIIS are invited to schedule a campus tour today.

There is a large Indian expatriate community in Singapore, and that population continues to grow every year. There are a number of options available for the parents to choose from, and this makes it even more important for the parents to select a school that is well-established within the community.

Related articles:

- Smoothen the Transition of your child from India to Singapore
- Ten Tips for Life in Singapore
- Education in Singapore: What Should Expat Parents Look For?
- Cost of schooling in Singapore