Most often, these study mamas are from mainland China, where they are also known as péidú māmā (陪读妈妈), but nationalities from other countries such as Australia, Malaysia, South Korea and Taiwan have also been observed.
[1] The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore possesses records that suggest that there were at least 10,300 study mamas of various nationalities, with two-thirds of the study mamas in Singapore in July 2005 coming from mainland China.
In an article in China's People's Daily, it is estimated that peidu mamas require RMB¥1 million (approx S$217,000) of living and education expenses for their child to receive education from Primary 1 to Secondary 4 in Singapore.
[2] Subsequently, the Singaporean government will allow them to come to Singapore, primarily to accompany their children during their studies here.
[3] The government places restrictions on the employment of study mamas, arguing that their primary purpose of stay here is to take care of their children.