THERE is such a mind-boggling array of private schools out there.

So how do you decide which one to apply to?

After all, the fees are high at private schools, as they are not subsidised like government schools are.

It makes sense to be sure that your parents' - or your own - hard-earned money will get you a quality education.

You also want assurance that the paper qualifications from your school will be recognised by potential employers.

First things first.

Check whether the school you are interested in is accredited, or if it provides quality courses.

Right now, there is no formal accrediting body for private schools in Singapore.

But that will soon change.

The Edutrust seal of approval, which will be awarded to private schools of academic quality, will be launched later this year.

The Association for Private Schools and Colleges Singapore lists only four private schools here as having accredited courses.

It is currently inviting private schools to submit applications to be entered in its register of accredited courses.

In the meantime, you will have to do your own homework.

Many of the private education providers here offer diplomas and degrees awarded by foreign colleges and universities.

Thanks to the Internet, it is possible to check if the foreign schools are accredited, without making expensive overseas calls.

It may take more than one click of the mouse, but it is not likely to be hard work.

Accreditation is done by the government in most countries, usually the Ministry of Education or the equivalent.

But in the US, accreditation is done by private associations.

There are six regional accreditors in the US, so it helps to know where the school you are checking on is located.

There is also a list of bona fide US accreditation bodies that you can refer to as bogus schools have been known to set up their own fake accreditation bodies in the past.

Some of the foreign colleges and universities will also mention on their websites that they have a Singapore-based education partner.

Some private education providers offer courses that are not accredited by academic bodies.

Instead, the specialist courses are accredited by industrial associations or professional organisations.

A quick check online or in the Business Listings directory will tell you if the association or organisation exists.

It is harder to conjure up an association with thousands of commercial members out of thin air than to create a website for a fake foreign academic accreditation board.

Make a visit yourself

Apart from doing your due diligence online, it is a good idea to check out the school in person.

If the school consists of just two classrooms and a reception area, alarm bells should go off in your head.

The visit also lets you see if the school facilities will be adequate for your study needs.

While you are there, speak to the academic staff to find out more about the course structure and syllabus.

Better yet, ask for copies of the past year's syllabus. That way, you can compare the course content with what is offered by other schools.

Besides speaking to the staff, try to speak to any students who happen to be in school.

They should be able to tell you if there is anything to worry about.

Do the teachers in the school keep leaving so that students have to keep adapting to a new teacher every fortnight?

Are the lecturers unable to answer questions about the course syllabus?

On a less alarming note, are students able to approach their teachers after class for extra help or to clarify questions they may have?

If the current students are unhappy with the school, chances are that you will be too if you enrol.

In the end, you have to assess a combination of factors - formal accreditation, the course content, the teaching staff and school facilities - to decide which school you should pick.