By Santokh Singh

FROM numerous developments in the sector over the years, one trend is clear:

Private education is set to grow bigger and better.

Not only is it going to take its own pride of place, it looks set to rival some levels of our public education system.

Just take a look at the facts and figures.

In 2002, the education sector accounted for just 1.9 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) or about $3 billion.

In 2006, the sector contributed 3.2 per cent of GDP or $6.7 billion.

A Times of India report last year said that there were 80,000 foreign students in Singapore, up from 50,000 in 2001.

The numbers are growing - with a target of 150,000 by 2015.

But it is not only the foreign students who are making the numbers.

I already know of some local parents who are opting to bypass the traditional polytechnic to university route for children and go for the degree programmes offered by private institutions here.

Already two schools, PSB Academy and SIM Global Education, are making a name for themselves with their direct-from-O-levels-to-degree courses.

I do believe that others will soon follow suit and gain both a foothold and recognition.

Why not?

After all, there are some very strong factors in their favour.

They are attracting not only some of Singapore's best, but the world's best as well - earning themselves more credibility.

They are offering courses that traditional schools do not.

Take the example of schoolmates Loke Min Xiu and Tsai Wen Juan featured in this Guide.

They have now enrolled for the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore's Workforce Skills Qualifications Diploma in Tourism.

Both 22, they graduated from the National University of Singapore with bachelor's degrees, yet they see the need to upgrade themselves further.

Therein lies the other attraction of the private education sector - the variety of courses being offered.

Before Singapore launched its Global Schoolhouse initiative in 2002, most private institutions were offering courses limited to business, commerce, information technology and languages.

But now, students here - whether from the O levels or university graduates - are spoilt for choice.

As this Guide will reveal, there are courses in tourism, psychology, hospitality, management, fine arts and even gaming.

There are more schools for students to choose from.

But with the good, there will be some which are not so good. As recent press reports have shown, there are schools that are not up to the benchmarks set by the sector.

Thankfully, they are few and far between.

Even so, there is a need to be careful with how you spend your money. This Guide offers you tips on how to do your checking.

It is also heartening to note that the Ministry of Education is taking firm measures to clean out the bad ones.

With EduTrust, the MOE's quality certification scheme for private education set to be introduced this year,we are bound to see some of the best standards set here.

Not only is Singapore geographically located to be an education hub, its reputation for standards precedes it.

That is why foreigners are flocking here to upgrade themselves.

So there has never been a better time to consider the private education sector as an alternative for locals.

Precisely the reason for The New Paper's Go Guide - back again this year, more informative and more attractive.