Your child will enter Primary 1 in 2023, so there are some changes you need to be aware of for the upcoming P1 registration in 2022. Let’s see what’s changed. Then we’ll get into some case studies so you can better understand your child’s chances.
- Combined Phase 2A(1) and 2A(2) into single Phase 2A
- Increase in reserved places for Phase 2C
- Priority ranking based on Home school distance
- 30-month stay requirement
- Case Studies
- The only factor you can control
- Primary Schools near recent & Upcoming New launches
Phase 1
Phase 1(No changes)
- For a child who has a sibling currently studying in primary school.
Phase 2
Phase 2 (Combined Phase 2A1 and 2A2)
| Previous | Now |
| 2A(1)Whose parent or sibling is a former student of the primary school, including those who have joined the alumni association of the primary school as a member. Whose parent is a member of the School Advisory or Management Committee. | Combined both 2A(1) and 2A(2) into Phase 2A Whose parent or sibling is a former student of the primary school, including those who have joined the alumni association of the primary school as a member. Whose parent is a member of the School Advisory or Management Committee. Whose parent is a staff member of the primary school. From the MOE Kindergarten under the purview of and located within the primary school. |
| 2A(2) Whose parent is a staff member of the primary school. From the MOE Kindergarten under the purview of and located within the primary school. |
Why the change? This change aims at giving phase 2A(2) registrants more or better chances. As more slots are given to Phase 2C, it will result in fewer places in the earlier phases. If 2A1 has strong demand, only the balance of a few slots or no vacancies are left for 2A2.
At the end of Phase 2A, one-third of remaining places, if any, will be allocated to Phase 2B, and two-thirds to Phase 2C.
Phase 2B
Phase 2B (20 vacancies, no changes)
- Whose parent has joined the primary school as a parent volunteer not later than 1 July of the year before P1 registration and has given at least 40 hours of voluntary service to the school by 30 June of the year of P1 registration.
- Whose parent is a member endorsed by the church or clan directly connected with the primary school.
- Whose parent is endorsed as an active community leader.
Phase 2C
Phase 2C (40 vacancies) For a child who is not yet registered in a primary school.
| Previously | Now |
| 20 vacancies | 40 vacancies |
Phase 2C Supplementary (No changes)
- For a child who is not yet registered in a primary school after Phase 2C.
Phase 3
Phase 3 (No changes)
- For non-citizens, non-PR children.
Priority ranking based on Home school distance
Computerised balloting will be conducted when the number of registrants exceeds the school vacancies in any phase. Priority admission will be given based on the child’s citizenship and the HSD category, which is based on the address used for registration.
Priority admission is ranked in this order.
- Singapore citizens (SC) living within 1km
- SCs living between 1km to 2km of the school
- SCs living outside 2km
- Permanent residents (PR) living within 1km of the school
- PRs living between 1km to 2km of the school
- PRs living outside 2km
30 month stay requirement
MOE recognises that some families are unable to remain at the address used for registration for the entire duration of the child’s primary school studies. Even so, a child who gains priority admission through their distance category is required to reside at the address used for registration for at least 30 months from the start of the P1 Registration Exercise.
If the 30-month stay condition is not met, MOE reserves the right to transfer the child to another school with vacancies, as the priority admission to the first school was based on the declared address used for registration.
Case Study 1
School has total vacancies of 200 for p1 registration.
Phase 2B had already reserved 20 slots, Phase 2C had already reserved 40 slots.
Balance of 140 slots for Phase 1.
| Phase | Applicants | Vacancies at start | Balance vacancies end of Phase | Ballot? |
| 1 | 60 | 140 | 80 | No |
| 2A | 140 | 80 | 0 | Yes |
| 2B | 10 | 20(reserved) | 10 | No |
| 2C | 70 | 40(reserved) + 10 (from 2B) | 0 | Yes |
| 2C supplementary | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
**At the end of Phase 2A, one-third of remaining places will be allocated to Phase 2B, and two-thirds to Phase 2C.
2A Balloting (140 pax for 80 vacancies) Priority admission ranking based child’s citizenship and the Home School Distance category
| Priority | Applicants | Status |
| SC living within 1km | 50 | Success |
| SC living between 1km to 2km | 50 | Ballot. 50 pax ballot for 30 slots |
| SC living outside 2km | 25 | Unsuccessful |
| PR living within 1km | 15 | Unsuccessful |
Computerised balloting will be conducted centrally by MOE. All registrants who are required to ballot are assured of an equal chance for admission into the school.
2C Balloting (70 pax for 50 vacancies) Priority admission ranking based child’s citizenship and the Home School Distance category
| Priority | Applicants | Status |
| SC living within 1km | 20 | Success |
| SC living between 1km to 2km | 10 | Success |
| PR living within 1km | 10 | Success |
| PR living between 1km to 2km | 20 | Ballot. 20 pax ballot for 10 slots. |
| PR living outside 2km | 10 | Unsuccessful |
Computerised balloting will be conducted centrally by MOE. All registrants who are required to ballot are assured of an equal chance for admission into the school.
As you can see, if you’re a Singapore Citizen, it makes a lot of sense to get within 1km and you’d be the first priority when balloting does occur.
Case Study 2
School has a total of 150 vacancies for p1 registration.
Total vacancies for P1 registration : 150
Reserved for Phase 2B: 20 slots
Reserved for Phase 2C: 40 slots.
Balance of 90 slots starting for phase 1 after reserving for Phase 2B, 2C.
| Phase | Applicants | Vacancies at start | Balance vacancies end of Phase | Ballot? |
| 1 | 55 | 90 | 35 | No |
| 2A | 5 | 35 | 30 (⅓ will go to 2B, ⅔ will go to 2C) | No |
| 2B | 10 | 20(reserved) + 10(from 2A) | 20 | No |
| 2C | 38 | 40(reserved)+ 20(from 2A) + 20(from 2B) | 42 | No |
| 2C supplementary | 50 | 42 | 0 | Yes |
| 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
**At the end of Phase 2A, one-third of remaining places will be allocated to Phase 2B, and two-thirds to Phase 2C. (10 slots will go to Phase 2B and 20 slots will go to Phase 2C)
The only factor you can control is home-school distance (HSD)
After we have understood how P1 registration and the home-school distance ranking work, it’s clear that the recent changes have placed even more emphasis on Home-School Distance (HSD). Frankly, this is the only factor that is in the control of parents.
Previously Alumni/Parents are former students (PHASE 2A1) have a significant edge over (PHASE 2A2). As the 2 phases merge in the latest change, Alumni loses its edge as HSD becomes the most important factor.
Having said that, your chances are increased in Phase 2C, as the number of fixed vacancies doubled to 40. Getting into a popular primary school through Phase 2C while your address is outside the 2km range is probably as difficult as striking the lottery. So, like a spoiled record, HSD is still the factor that would give your child the best chances possible.
If your current address is within 1km of the primary school of your choice, congratulations! You’re in the strongest position. Else you might want to consider renting or relocating to within 1km for the best odds regardless if you’re a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident.
Primary Schools near recent & Upcoming New launches
MORI
Within 1km
- Kong Hwa School
- Geylang Methodist School (Pri & Sec)
1km to 2km
- Canossa Catholic Primary School
- Tanjong Katong Primary School
Piccadilly Grand
Within 1km
- Farrer Park Primary School
- St Joseph’s Institution Junior
1km to 2km
- Anglo-Chinese School (Junior)
- St Margaret’s Primary School
- Hong Wen School
- Bendemeer Primary School
Upcoming AMO Residences @ Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 Condo Project
Within 1km
- Ai Tong School
- Ang Mo Kio Primary School
- CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School
1km to 2km
- Anderson Primary School
- Catholic High School
- Mayflower Primary School
- Teck Ghee Primary School
**Disclaimer: Information above about school distances is only for general information. Please check with OneMap for the most updated information.
Credits:
- https://www.moe.gov.sg/primary/p1-registration/distance
- https://www.moe.gov.sg/primary/p1-registration/changes-to-p1-registration/what-the-change-in-home-school-distance-calculation-means-for-you
- https://www.moe.gov.sg/primary/p1-registration/understand-balloting
- https://www.onemap.gov.sg/main/v2/schoolquerymenu
