They will also have to renew their registrations periodically, unlike now when registrations are one-off.

These new measures will be introduced in legislation - a Private Education Bill - to be tabled by the end of this year, to deal with private schools with shoddy standards.

Minister of State for Education Gan Kim Yong announced this yesterday after MPs - including Dr Ong Seh Hong (Marine Parade GRC), Mr Yeo Guat Kwang (Aljunied GRC) and Dr Amy Khor (Hong Kah GRC) - raised concerns that Singapore's reputation for providing quality education had been compromised by errant private schools.

A recent Straits Times report highlighted at least a dozen private schools with shockingly inadequate standards in courses, staff and facilities.

There were schools offering unaccredited degrees taught by lecturers with dubious qualifications.

The number of private schools in Singapore has ballooned from 150 in 1987 to 1,200 last year.

As part of the new regulatory framework, private schools that wish to enrol foreign students must obtain a new quality certification called EduTrust, said Mr Gan.

This will replace the existing CaseTrust for Education scheme, which focuses mainly on the protection of fees paid by students.

This was started three years ago by the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) to encourage the private education industry to raise its standards.

It ensures that students' fees are protected by requiring schools to deposit them into a separate bank account or by buying insurance.

'EduTrust will introduce new requirements over and above those required under CaseTrust, including minimum standards of academic processes,' said Mr Gan.

Also from next year, private schools will be held accountable by an independent Council for Private Education, which will be set up by the Education Ministry.

The council will be headed by the former principal and chief executive officer of Nanyang Polytechnic, Mr Lin Cheng Ton.

Council members will be 'highly regarded individuals with expertise in education, quality assurance and business', said Mr Gan.

Government agencies such as the Economic Development Board, Singapore Tourism Board and Case will also be represented.

The council will decide on all registration and quality certification of private schools and carry out checks on the schools.

News of the stricter standards and stiffer penalties were welcomed by the more reputable privates schools here, such the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS).

MDIS secretary-general R. Theyvendran said: 'It's a very positive and timely move.

'We hope that there will not be any more damage done to the system by the few who do not have the passion to enhance the education system.'

sujint@sph.com.sg