SINGAPORE - The Council for Private Education will cancel the registration of the Kings International Business School from May 5.

The council said in a statement on Monday that its investigation had found that the private school had offered and awarded some students with diplomas in maritime studies without requiring class attendance or assessment.

The school will not be allowed to offer and conduct private education courses, with immediate effect.

In addition, the council has told Kings to arrange for its students to continue their course at another suitable school, or refund them their full course fees by May 5.

Based on available records, there were 10 students taking diploma courses at the Bukit Merah school as of February 11.

It is the first time that a private education institution here will have its registration cancelled for issuing diplomas without ensuring the students had received proper instruction and assessment since the council was set up in December 2009.

The council advised people to be cautious of, and not take up, offers for a certification without having to attend classes or take examinations.

It also asked people who knew of such offers, to report them to the council at 6592 2108 or CPE_CONTACT@cpe.gov.sg