Laws and Other Basic Regulations Concernign Education

The legal framework for education in Singapore is defined in the Education Act (1985 Ed) and the School Regulations (1990 Ed).

The Compulsory Education Act (Cap 51) was passed by Parliament in October 2000 and compulsory education is being implemented from January 2003. According to the Act, a child of compulsory school age is one who is above the age of 6 and who has not yet attained the age of 15. If a child fails to attend as a pupil at a national primary school or a designated school/home-schooled (where exemption is granted), a parent/guardian of the child may be guilty of an offence. The penalties provided for a person convicted for the offence are a fine not exceeding 5,000 Singapore dollars, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to both.

The Compulsory Education Act 2000 also provides for the establishment of a body known as the Compulsory Education Board. The duties of the Board include investigations whether the provisions of the Act or any regulations have been contravened and to make recommendations on their enforcement.