Parental woes

Naturally, things would appear more dire to those who are actually footing the college bills.

Rubendren Kanagaratnam worries that he will not be able to finance his children's education as he is unsure if he will be able to retain his job in the hospitality industry.

'My second daughter wants to study medicine. The best we can do is to hope that her STPM results will ensure her place in a public university,' says Rubendren.

In general, StarEducation found that middle-class parents were more concerned about whether they could still afford to send their children abroad, as foreign universities were deemed to be 'more reputable'.

As articulated by one parent who declined to be named, education remains a priority. 'I just don't want to send my children to third-rate universities here.'

Adult education

For adult students juggling work and study, the pressure of the economic uncertainty can be overwhelming.

'My schedule was full and perfectly balanced before this,' says law graduate and advertising executive Rachel Chew, who is studying for her Bar examinations.

Chew explains that due to the number of lay-offs at her workplace, she now has to work extra hours and struggles to keep up in class.

'I want to keep studying, but I might end up paying more just to repeat the examinations. If I don't pay attention to work, I may cease to have the option altogether.'

Taylor's University College architecture student Karthigeya Maheendren, 28, says the current economic scenario is a case of history repeating itself.

'My family was badly affected by the 1997 Asian economic crisis. When I left school then, there were no degree programmes in architecture that I could complete locally. So I worked part-time and took night classes for certificate courses instead.'

Currently a full-time student, Karthigeya has no problems sustaining himself financially as he gets help from his parents.

'But I think there are people out there going through what I experienced during the last crisis, especially those from families with a few children to support.'