Blk 250 Bishan Street 22 #B1-384 Singapore 570250 Tel: 6451 4188 Fax: 6451 3181 EMC STUDENTS HANDBOOK Director s Message Dear concerned parent, guardian and student, Education matters. EMC is an established education services provider since 1900s. We offer researched and developed enrichment and self-improvement programmes for school-going children and working adults. Our Mission, Vision and Values highlight our passion to provide exceptional value in our teaching services. Our training programmes are conducted by qualified and experienced teaching staff. We set up appropriate and conducive Learning Environment to conduct our classes. We provide necessary Student Support Services to ensure that both our local and foreign Students needs and concerns are looked into. We are dedicated in the delivery of the services that we provide. We believe that all our Students are able to achieve their goals of learning at EMC. We extend a warm welcome to you as our Student. Yours sincerely, Elizabeth Yeak Director EMC The contents of this Students Handbook are applicable to all Students of EMC. The details on travelling to Singapore and requirements of Student Pass are only applicable to Foreign Students.
Our Organisational Profile EMC Learning Resources Pte Ltd (EMC) since 2001, a company owned and incorporated in Singapore, is the owner of the EMC brand that is supported by sub-brands such as EMC Workshops and EMC Learning Centre (registered with Ministry of Education, 1994). EMC Workshops was founded in the year 2000 and has since offered enrichment Programmes in English, Mathematics and Science to local schools. EMC Workshops works with local schools to empower young minds through knowledge to achieve their highest potential. As a holding company for the 2 sub-brands, EMC Learning Resources Pte Ltd also the publishing arm of the group and this company is responsible for the publication of the teaching resources of EMC. EMC Learning Centre organises and conducts programmes for Foreign Students. The focus of EMC Workshops is to look into programme delivery for local students and companies. Specific requirements by EMC Learning Centre for enrolling Foreign Students are explained in this Students Handbook. Key Success Factors EMC s key success factors can be attributed to: The Director, Principal and Writer The director, principal and writer, Elizabeth Yeak holds a Bachelor of Arts (Singapore), Diploma of Education (Singapore) and Montessori Diploma (London). Elizabeth Yeak teaches English Language and English Literature at Pre-University A levels and Secondary O levels. She also teaches Phonics, Mathematics and English Language at Primary and Pre - School level. Besides teaching young minds, Elizabeth also does teacher - training. Altogether, she has over 20 years of teaching experience. Elizabeth Yeak has worked with young children on the reading methodology since the 1990s. This work cumulated in her writing of Phonics books for the young. To date, she has written over 50 published titles, including Phonics Series With Beth and Seth and the highly successful series of Primary readers, Stories Around The World, published by Pearson Education Asia, Longman, since 2002. These well-illustrated readers are currently used as primary school supplementary readers in Singapore as well as the overseas market. The Teachers Team The EMC Teachers Team ensures sound teaching pedagogy and study approaches in our publications. Our graduate teachers hold relevant teaching qualifications with the Ministry of Education, Singapore and have many years of teaching experiences in Singapore schools.
Teaching Programmes Developed By EMC Group Our Teaching Programmes are gravitated around 3 key pillars that EMC espouses as the key to a successful and fulfilling program for children around the world. The 3 key pillars are as follows: a. Student-Centred b. Teacher-Facilitated c. Books and Materials-Guided STUDENT-CENTRED TEACHER-FACILITATED BOOKS AND MATERIALS-GUIDED All our teaching programmes are current programmes that are being conducted in over 80 Public Primary Schools in Singapore. Our programmes are developed in-house and derive from the teaching experiences, academic knowledge and research and a deep understanding of the child s learning psychology by a team of teachers and academicians.
CORPORATE OBJECTIVES AND BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY Business Philosophy EMC is an established education services provider since 1900s. We offer researched and developed enrichment and self-improvement programmes for school-going children and working adults. Our Mission, Vision and Values highlight our passion to provide exceptional value in our teaching services. Qualified and experienced teaching staff conducts our training programmes. We set up appropriate and conducive Learning Environment to conduct our classes. We provide necessary Student Support Services to ensure that both our local and foreign Students needs and concerns are looked into. We are dedicated in the delivery of the services that we provide. We believe that all our Students are able to achieve their goals of learning at EMC. Mission Statement The mission of EMC is to provide each student the highest quality educational experience that inspires a passion for intellectual enquiry. We bring your child to greater heights and empower young minds through knowledge to achieve their highest potential. Vision For Excellence EMC aims to be the preferred choice of enrichment centre of Asia. EMC will serve and meet the intellectual needs of the students. EMC is dedicated to ensure that every Student will understand, interact and enjoy the learning. We want to help raise the literacy rate of the young and working adults, in the English language, Maths as well as Sciences. We aim to be most current and user-friendly in our teaching methodology. Values E - Excelling in the delivery of educational products and services M - Motivating and encouraging personal development of our staff and students C - Client-focussed in our service Our Facilities Lectures are conducted in 4 well-equipped Training Rooms. Each classroom can accommodate about 15 Students at one time. Given the utilisation of the training facilities and the number of Programmes that can be conducted in a day, EMC has the capacity to enrol about 44 Students. EMC has established links with various agencies to rent training premises (e.g. Singapore Sports School, Toa Payoh Learning Hub). These premises provide ideal training facilities with comfortable seating, presentation equipment and arrangements for classroom exercises.
Teaching Staff EMC has over 200 associate Teachers who are experienced and qualified teaching professionals, registered with the Ministry of Education, Singapore. The trainee to trainer ratio of 15:1 allows for ample interaction and coaching during the conduct of the Programmes. Teaching Methodology The conduct of the Programmes uses a combination of lectures, audio-visual media, quizzes, discussions and exercises to allow for an overall teaching and learning approach. EMC is dedicated to ensure that every Student who participates in the Programmes will understand, interact and enjoy the learning. Students must attend the classes conducted and records will be kept. All Students must fulfil a 75% attendance record in order to sit for assessments and examinations.
Learning at EMC Learning Centre Student Protection Student Protection Scheme (SPS) Student to EMC Learning Centre can participate in the SPS which serves to protect the Student s fees in the event that EMC Learning Centre is unable to fulfil its obligations of conducting and completing the Programme that the Student is enrolled. All Foreign Students must sign up for the SPS, whereas Local Students can choose to participate in the SPS. EMC Learning Centre has taken up the Student Tuition Fee Insurance Agreement with NTUC Income and the Student will have to pay the additional premium to NTUC Income. Standard Student Contract The Standard Student Contract is a legal document that ensures rights and conditions between the Student and EMC Learning Centre and it covers the following requirements: (a) Programme details including Programme title, pre-requisites, qualification awarded and Programme duration (b) Full details of all fees tuition and non-tuition fees, additional fees and deposit (c) Participation in the Student Protection Scheme (d) Refund policies (e) Dispute resolution All Foreign Students must enter into the Student Contract. For Local Students, the Student Contract looks after the interest of both parties, especially so if the Local Student chooses to participate in the SPS. Programme Application, Fees, Student Pass and Refund Policies Programme Application From all information provided will be treated in strict confidence o Student completes the Application Form and pays the appropriate Deposit as required for the Programme to be enrolled Registration & Programme Fees upon acceptance of the application, the needed Registration Fee and Payment requirements for the Programme as given in the Programme Brochure and Programme Application Form
Schedule 2 of the Student Contract provides details of the Payment Schedule Conditional Letter of Offer and Student Pass Application for Foreign Students o When Registration is accepted, Student receives a Conditional Letter of Offer from EMC Learning Centre. Student needs to apply for Student Pass and Travel Visa as necessary. o EMC Learning Centre will submit to Singapore ICA for the Student Pass. For rejected cases, appeal will be done. If ICA does not approve, 25% of the Deposit paid will be returned. o Students should check with Agent or EMC Representative in their country on Student Pass status BEFORE travelling to Singapore. o Students to take note of Programme Commencement Date and to arrive in time in Singapore. Refund Policies EMC Learning Centre practises the Refund Policy in line with the requirements of the Standard Student Contract endorsed by CASE. PROGRAMME APPLICATION DEPOSIT A Deposit is collected upon submission of the Programme Application Form. The Deposit amount is stated in the Programme Application Form and will depend on the type of Programme and the processing requirements of Local or Foreign Students. This Deposit is non-refundable. For Foreign Students, if the Student Pass is not approved, EMC Learning Centre will refund 25% of the Deposit paid. For all other cases, the Deposit will be used as payment towards the Programme Registration Fees. PROGRAMME FEES AND ADDITIONAL FEES The Fees that a Student pays for a Programme is clearly stated in the Programme Brochures, Programme Application Form and the Student Contract. The Student can seek a refund on the basis of the Conditions for Refund (stated below).
Conditions for Refund 1. EMC Learning Centre Obligations not met Student can seek immediate withdrawal in the event of: (a) EMC fails, for any reason, to commence the Programme on the Commencement Date (b) EMC Learning Centre fails, for any reason, to complete the Programme by the Completion Date (c) EMC Learning Centre terminates the Programme for any reason prior to the completion of the Programme Under these circumstances, EMC Learning Centre will within 14 days upon receiving the Student s notice of withdrawal, refund to the Student 100% Programme Fees and Additional Fees less any applicable charges payable or paid under the Student Protection Scheme. 2. Student seeks transfer or withdrawal from the Programme When a Student decides to withdraw from the Programme not because of EMC Learning Centre not meeting the obligation as stated in paragraph 1 above, then EMC Learning Centre will within 14 days of receiving the notice of withdrawal consider the refund of the Programme Fees and Additional Fees according to the Table below. % of the aggregate amount of the Programme Fees and Additional Fees paid If Student s written notice of withdrawal is received 75% More than 21 days before the Commencement Date 50% Before, but not more than 7 days before the Commencement Date 30% After, but not more than 7 days after the Commencement Date 15% More than 7 days after the Commencement Date, but not more than 30 days after the Commencement Date 0% More than 30 days after the Commencement Date
A Student who transfers from the Programme to another Programme in EMC Learning Centre, will be deemed to have withdrawn from the Programme and the refund applicable is given in the Table above; unless otherwise agreed between EMC and the Student. A Student who withdraws from EMC Learning Centre to take up a Programme in another place of learning will be interviewed to provide such information as to help the Student decide that the external transfer is in the Student s best interest. The refund applicable is given in the Table above. In all withdrawal and transfer cases for Foreign Students, EMC Learning Centre will submit the necessary information and documents to ICA for necessary updates or cancellation of the Student Pass. 3. Student seeks deferment of study All deferment requests will be looked into and provisions will be made for the Student to enrol at a later date. For Foreign Students, such deferment is not allowed and ICA will be informed on matters regarding the Student Pass. Refunds of the Programme Fees and Additional Fees for deferment cases are subject to the same conditions of Programme withdrawals as given in the Table in paragraph 2 above; unless otherwise agreed between EMC Learning Centre and the Student.
Travelling to Singapore and Arrival Processing for Foreign Students Flight Arrangements o Make flight arrangements to Singapore upon receiving the Conditional Letter of Offer. Ensure status of Student Pass before confirming departure. Money o Foreign Students should travel to Singapore with about US$1,000 (S$1,700). This will help in the payment of down payment for accommodation and living expenses for about 2 weeks. o Money-changing services are available at the Airport and at other approved moneychangers in the city. o Foreign Student should also have the means to pay for the first payment of the Programme Fees according to the Payment Schedule. Relevant original documents for Immigration at Changi Airport o Documents to be produced include Valid passport for minimum of 6 months Conditional Letter of Offer from EMC Learning Centre Copy of Approved-in-Principle Letter from ICA Arrival Processing by EMC Learning Centre o EMC Learning Centre will process the Foreign Student for admission and payments including verifying all original documents o Payment should be paid in according to the Schedule of Payment for the Programme o EMC Learning Centre will hand to the Student the original Letter from ICA. The Student should keep this letter safely. Student will proceed to ICA. Student Pass processing at ICA o Documents to be produced include Valid passport for minimum of 6 months Birth Certificate Educational Certificates and Result Transcripts Conditional Letter of Offer from EMC Learning Centre Copy of Approved-in-Principle Letter from ICA Proof of Fixed Deposit Proof of Parents Occupations EMC Learning Centre 10
Medical Screening o Foreign Students receive original Approved-in-Principle Letter from ICA and proceed for Medical Screening at a clinic. Estimated cost of S$50 to be paid by the Foreign Student. o Obtain the Medical Report and submit to ICA to exchange for the Student Pass. o Requires about 3 working days for the whole process. Student Services and Support Programmes Student Pass Application o Assistance will be given to Foreign Students to apply for the Student Pass with ICA. Accommodation assistance o Assistance will be provided to Foreign Students with contacts to housing agents o Foreign Students will take up direct dealings with the housing agents to find suitable accommodation Setting up of Bank Account o Different requirements by the banks o Provide passport and Student Pass for identification o Passport needed to cash Travellers Cheque. o Receive money from Parents in terms of bank drafts and these can be deposited in the Student s Account and drawn in 1 to 2 working days. EMC Learning Centre 11
Orientation for all Students o A comprehensive Orientation Programme will be conducted to introduce all Students of EMC to the Programme and the administration facilities o The Orientation Programme will cover: EMC Mission, Vision and Values Student Protection Scheme Student Contract Student Handbook details Students Code of Conduct including dress code, class attendance, behaviour, leave of absence, restrictions of working under the Student Pass Grievance Procedure The requirements of the Programme Programme work, projects etc. Examinations regulations Library and study facilities Student Services including welfare and counselling services EMC Policies on Payment refund, transfer, withdrawal Accommodation and Transportation Contact Numbers of Key Staff, useful contact details, feedback channel EMC Learning Centre 12
Grievance Procedure o EMC Complaints Resolution Process is given below Receive complaint Direct to relevant person and acknowledge the complaint Investigate Respond to complainant Within 1 working day Complainant satisfied with the solution? YES NO Seek discussion and explain solution END Within 14 to 21 working days Complainant satisfied with explanation? YES NO Refer to CASE Mediation Centre EMC Learning Centre 13