By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
In government and government-aided schools in 2026, Singapore Citizens pay no school fees in primary school, S$5 a month in secondary school and S$6 a month at pre-university. Every student also pays a monthly miscellaneous fee: S$13 in primary, S$20 in secondary and S$27 at pre-university. Permanent Residents pay S$330 a month in primary and S$680 in secondary, while international students pay S$595 to S$2,540 depending on level and whether they come from an ASEAN country. Fees are billed monthly, usually by GIRO. Low-income citizen families can apply for MOE’s Financial Assistance Scheme, which in 2026 is open to households earning S$4,000 or less a month, or S$1,000 or less per person.
For citizen families, public schooling is remarkably affordable. The bigger bills sit elsewhere, and a little planning covers them.
Quick facts
- Citizens, primary: S$0 school fees plus S$13 miscellaneous fees a month.
- Citizens, secondary: S$5 plus S$20 a month.
- PRs: S$330 (primary), S$680 (secondary), S$760 (pre-university) a month, plus miscellaneous fees.
- International students: S$595 to S$1,290 (ASEAN) and S$1,035 to S$2,540 (non-ASEAN) a month.
- GST: international students’ school fees include GST; they pay 9% GST on miscellaneous fees too.
- Single-tier miscellaneous fee: one flat rate per level since 1 January 2024.
The 2026 fee table
Monthly school fees set by MOE for 2026, before miscellaneous fees:
| Level | Citizen | PR | International (ASEAN) | International (non-ASEAN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | S$0 | S$330 | S$595 | S$1,035 |
| Secondary | S$5 | S$680 | S$1,090 | S$2,190 |
| Pre-university | S$6 | S$760 | S$1,290 | S$2,540 |
Add the monthly miscellaneous fee, which is the same for everyone at each level: S$13 (primary), S$20 (secondary) and S$27 (pre-university). Fees for citizens and PRs are stated without GST; schools note that international students’ school fees already include GST, and 9% GST is added to their miscellaneous fees.
What a year costs: a worked example
| Student | Monthly | 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen, primary | S$0 + S$13 = S$13 | S$156 |
| Citizen, secondary | S$5 + S$20 = S$25 | S$300 |
| PR, primary | S$330 + S$13 = S$343 | S$4,116 |
| PR, secondary | S$680 + S$20 = S$700 | S$8,400 |
| Non-ASEAN international, secondary | S$2,190 + S$21.80 = S$2,211.80 | S$26,541.60 |
The international student’s miscellaneous fee includes 9% GST (S$20 × 1.09 = S$21.80).
The costs beyond fees
For citizens, the fees are the smallest part of the school bill. Budget too for:
- Uniforms, shoes and bags, renewed as children grow.
- Textbooks and workbooks, bought from the school’s booklist each year.
- Personal learning device in secondary school, which citizens can pay for partly with Edusave.
- School bus or public transport, plus pocket money for recess.
- Enrichment, camps and excursions, some of which Edusave can cover.
Help with fees
MOE’s Financial Assistance Scheme helps Singapore Citizen students from lower-income households. For 2026 the income limits are a gross household income of S$4,000 or less, or a per capita income of S$1,000 or less. Apply through your child’s school, and do not buy textbooks or uniforms before applying, because schools say these are not reimbursed afterwards. Families on ComCare may be granted assistance automatically; ask the school.
The WahLiao Verdict
Citizen families can budget well under S$30 a month per child for fees and put the real planning into uniforms, books, devices and transport. PR and international families should treat school fees as a major household cost and check MOE’s schedule each October, when changes for the coming years are usually announced. If money is tight, speak to the school early; help exists and is meant to be used.
Questions people ask
Do citizens pay school fees in primary school?
No. Citizens pay only the S$13 monthly miscellaneous fee in primary school.
What are miscellaneous fees for?
They help pay for school programmes and resources beyond basic tuition. Since 2024 there is a single flat rate per level rather than separate standard and second-tier fees.
Why do PRs pay so much more?
School fees are set to reflect citizenship, with citizens receiving the highest subsidy, then PRs, then international students. MOE has raised fees for non-citizens in steps over several years.
How are fees paid?
Monthly, usually by GIRO deduction arranged through the school.
Sources: Ministry of Education, school fees for 2024 to 2026; St. Gabriel’s Secondary School, 2026 fees, miscellaneous fees and GST; Xinmin Secondary School, 2026 Financial Assistance Scheme criteria; Ministry of Education, school fees checker. The Big Buy explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Childcare Fees in Singapore 2026: The Fee Caps and the Subsidies · Singapore School Holidays 2027: MOE Term Dates · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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