Updated: 02/17/2014 19:05 | By Channel NewsAsia
Manager of unregistered private school fined for collecting fees from students
SINGAPORE: A manager of an unregistered private education provider has been fined S$18,000 after he pleaded guilty to two charges of contraventions under the Private Education Act.
Natarajan Panner Selvam of Kalaibharathi International School Private Limited (KBI) had knowingly assisted an unregistered private education institution (PEI) to provide private education.
Forty-year-old Natarajan had also failed to comply with directions issued by the Council for Private Education (CPE) to refund the course fees received from students.
KBI had collected fees amounting to over S$82,000 between February and June 2012 from 12 students who had enrolled for full-time studies under the Indian national primary/secondary school curriculum.
CPE said at the time, KBI was not a registered PEI as its application for registration was still being processed.
CPE said KBI had been informed that it must not advertise, collect fees, or conduct classes before its application for registration was approved.
KBI's application for registration was refused on December 13, 2012.
CPE then issued written directions for KBI to refund the full course fees to its students.
When KBI did not comply with the directions, CPE proceeded to file changes with the court.
Another manager of KBI, 34-year-old Panneerselvam Susanna, was issued with a stern warning for her auxiliary role in committing the offences.
- CNA/fa
