Singapore schools, a top choice for Hong Kong expats

Schools in Hong Kong have closed again in January as the territory tightened its restrictions 

Expats are escaping Hong Kong’s pandemic restrictions for their children. However, securing a spot at Singapore’s top private school proved to be no easy feat. International schools across the city-state told the Financial Times that they have had more inquiries than usual, but were unable to meet the influx of demand. 

Schools such as Tanglin Trust School, the Canadian International School, and the Perse School Singapore have had applications exceeding the amount of those from the previous year.

Schools in Hong Kong have closed again in January as the territory tightened its restrictions. International businesses such as JPMorgan and Bank of America have considered relocating their staff to Singapore, but the growing waitlists at Singapore’s schools have made these plans more difficult to achieve.

Daniel Beatty, Asia general manager at Glanbia, relocated to Singapore from Hong Kong in September. According to him, having a place in a good school plays a huge role for those who are looking to relocate.

“Families are saying: ‘Right, if we cannot get kids into places in Singapore . . . we’re planning to go to the UK or Australia,’” he added.

Meanwhile, classrooms in Hong Kong are losing their students one by one due to the gradual decrease in the value of Hong Kong school debentures.

Singapore has always been a pillar of stability, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports The Business Times.

More: Why is Singapore a global family office hub?

The World Health Organisation and the International Monetary Fund praised the country’s pandemic response, as authorities were able to launch a coordinated and comprehensive policy response.

Properties in Singapore remained resilient during the pandemic, with the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s benchmark overall private property price index climbing 13 percent in the last two years.

Singapore’s housing market is likely to be the most regulated among its peers across the globe, and it will continue to be one of the most appealing cities for businesses and investors even after the pandemic.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].