Singapore's public schools come under the purview of the Ministry of Education. Singapore has many primary schools and secondary schools, as well as junior colleges, centralised institutes, polytechnics and universities providing tertiary education.
Under the Compulsory Education Act which came into effect on 1 January 2003, all children have to start attending primary school at the age of 7.[1] It is a criminal offence to fail to do so;[1] however, parents may apply for an exemption from the Ministry of Education for their child to be homeschooled or to attend full-time religious institutions.[2]