Singapore is a magnet for private education, from language schools and tuition centres to professional academies and institutions enrolling international students. But if you plan to run a private school, you cannot simply incorporate a company and open your doors. Private education institutions (PEIs) are regulated under the Private Education Act 2009, and you must register before you can operate. If you intend to enrol international students, you will also need EduTrust certification.
Raffles Corporate Services works with a panel of experienced Singapore law firms who offer cost-effective and efficient legal service and advice. This article is general information only and is not legal advice.
This guide explains who counts as a PEI, the Enhanced Registration Framework, the EduTrust Certification Scheme, the student protection measures you must put in place, and the practical steps to get set up in 2026.
Who Is a Private Education Institution?
A PEI is broadly any private entity that provides educational programmes in Singapore, other than the Government-funded schools and institutions. This captures a wide range of businesses: private schools offering academic or professional qualifications, language and enrichment providers, and academies preparing students for external examinations. The sector is regulated under the Private Education Act 2009 as administered by the national skills authority (SkillsFuture Singapore, which comes under the newly formed Skills and Workforce Development Agency from 1 July 2026 following its merger with Workforce Singapore).
The Enhanced Registration Framework (ERF)
Every PEI must register under the Enhanced Registration Framework (ERF) before it can operate. The ERF sets the minimum standards a PEI must meet, and it is built around three pillars:
| ERF Pillar | What it requires |
|---|---|
| Corporate governance and administration | Sound management, qualified staff and proper systems |
| Student fee protection | Measures that safeguard fees students have paid |
| Information disclosure | Clear, accurate information so students can make informed choices |
ERF registration is not indefinite. It is granted for a fixed period and must be renewed, with the registration term reflecting the PEI’s track record and standards. Registration can be suspended or revoked if standards slip, so ongoing compliance matters as much as the initial approval.
The EduTrust Certification Scheme
EduTrust is a voluntary quality assurance scheme that distinguishes PEIs which consistently maintain high standards across their education services and continually improve student outcomes. There are three tiers of award:
EduTrust Star
The highest tier, awarded to institutions that demonstrate outstanding achievement across all areas of management and provision of education services.
EduTrust
Awarded to institutions that achieve a consistently good standard across the assessment criteria, typically for a four-year term.
EduTrust (Provisional)
A shorter, entry-level certification for institutions newer to the scheme, allowing them to build a track record.
Crucially, EduTrust certification is a practical requirement for PEIs that wish to enrol international students, because it underpins the issue of Student’s Passes. If your business plan depends on foreign students, EduTrust is not optional in practice, it is essential.
Student Protection: Fee Protection and Insurance
A central aim of the framework is protecting students who pay fees upfront. PEIs are required to put in place a Fee Protection Scheme to safeguard fees in the event the institution is unable to continue delivering a course, and to provide medical insurance coverage for their students. These measures are a core part of ERF compliance and are scrutinised closely for institutions serving international students.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up a PEI
1. Incorporate a Suitable Entity
Register a Singapore entity to operate the school. Most commercial PEIs use a private limited company; not-for-profit or community education providers sometimes use a company limited by guarantee. If you are formalising an existing tuition business, our guide on converting a sole proprietorship to a Pte Ltd explains the benefits of the company structure.
2. Build Your Governance and Systems
Put in place the management team, qualified teaching staff, academic board and administrative systems the ERF expects. Set up CorpPass so you can transact with the regulator.
3. Arrange Student Protection Measures
Put your Fee Protection Scheme and student medical insurance in place, and prepare clear course information and contracts.
4. Apply for ERF Registration, Then EduTrust
Submit your ERF registration application. Once registered and operating, apply for EduTrust certification if you intend to enrol international students, aiming initially for EduTrust (Provisional) and building towards the full award.
The Corporate Compliance That Runs Alongside
Registration is only part of the picture. A PEI is still a company with the usual obligations: corporate tax filings, possible GST registration depending on turnover, and the full set of statutory deadlines captured in our Singapore company compliance calendar. Education-sector registration and company compliance both need to stay current for your school to operate lawfully.
Common Pitfalls When Setting Up a PEI
The most frequent mistake founders make is assuming they can enrol international students on the strength of ERF registration alone. In practice, EduTrust certification is needed before a PEI can sponsor Student’s Passes, so a business plan built around foreign enrolment must budget the time and effort to achieve EduTrust, not just ERF registration. Underestimating that timeline can leave a school registered but unable to recruit the very students it was set up to serve.
Other pitfalls include weak corporate governance and record-keeping, inadequate fee protection arrangements, and course information that overstates outcomes or accreditation, all of which the regulator scrutinises closely. Because registration terms and certification tiers reflect a PEI’s track record, cutting corners early can result in a shorter registration period and closer supervision. Building strong governance, honest marketing and robust student protection from day one pays off in longer registration terms and smoother renewals.
How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help
Opening a private school in Singapore means aligning your corporate structure, ERF registration, EduTrust readiness and ongoing statutory compliance. Raffles Corporate Services helps education founders incorporate the right entity, set up CorpPass, and manage the accounting, tax and secretarial obligations that sit alongside sector registration. For the education standards themselves, always refer to the latest guidance from the national skills authority.
The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services
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