Any family relocating to Singapore will be only too aware of the difficulties of securing a school place for their child. The quality of schooling in the region is extremely high, but there is fierce competition for places and good schools have long waiting lists.Nicholas Brummitt, Chairman of the International School Consultancy (ISC), a provider of data and market intelligence on the global international school market, believes that these new opportunities for international school development opened up by the Singapore government will be excellent news for the international business community. “This announcement is an acknowledgement by the Singapore government of the crucial part Foreign System Schools, particularly English-medium international schools, play in attracting international companies to the country,” he said.“Availability of quality schools for children of international executives is a key consideration when they decide on a posting location,” said Mr. Alvin Tan, the Economic Development Board’s (EDB) Assistant Managing Director and Chair of the inter-agency Request For Interest committee. “Foreign system schools play a part in strengthening Singapore’s position as an attractive global city and home for business,” he added.This new Request For Interest exercise is likely to boost interest from new international companies. Several 30-year lease sites zoned for education use are being made available, and the EDB is looking for a range of high-quality schools and curricula to meet the diverse educational needs of the families of international executives relocating to Singapore.According to the latest data in the ISC Research Singapore Market Intelligence Report, which includes market analysis, trends, forecasts and the intelligence necessary for international school development, Singapore currently has 83 English-medium international schools and kindergartens, employing 5,667 full time staff and teaching 58,785 students.The ISC Research Singapore Market Intelligence Report states that, with very few exceptions, local citizens are not allowed to attend international schools at primary level in Singapore and so demand for places is therefore closely linked to the size of the expatriate community. The government maintains tight control of the international schools sector, and releases land for school development only when it foresees sufficient demand for places.