Singapore - A private Singapore school has to stop offering degree courses from the University of Northern Virginia after the US institution lost its accreditation, news reports said Thursday.

Shines College has been offering the courses on its premises in Singapore.

The US university lost its accreditation, a confirmation of academic quality, with the US Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools on August 6.

Shines College officials, however, told The Straits Times newspaper that they were only informed on September 4 when an Education Ministry official contacted them.

Director Dennis Tan said he would look into transferring the 270 affected students to other degree programmes. The students, mainly foreigners, had each paid 18,000 Singapore dollars (12,587 US dollars) in fees.

Private schools offering dubious programmes have cropped up repeatedly in Singapore, prompting educators and students to call for more stringent checks on academic standards.

The Education Ministry plans the introduction of a scheme to ensure basic quality standards next year. (dpa)