Forum Letter Replies
Proximity is important, but not sole deciding factor for P1 Registration
Mr Tan Chor Hoon asked why proximity to school does not outweigh contributions by committee members of grassroots organisations and parent volunteers in the Primary 1 Registration Exercise ( “To the point”, Today Voices, 5/8 ).
MOE agrees that proximity to school is an important consideration for most parents. Therefore, it ensures that there are sufficient school places on a regional basis so that primary school students do not have to travel far to attend school.
Proximity to school is not the sole deciding factor in Primary 1 admission as it would inevitably favour those with the financial means and hence have more flexibility in choosing where they live. Instead, the current Primary 1 Registration framework seeks to balance various considerations, including convenience for the family, parents’ ties to the school, community involvement and proximity to the school. It ensures that available school places are allotted fairly, according to a set of transparent criteria.
Phase 1 of the Primary 1 Registration exercise gives priority to parents who already have a child studying at the school of choice. Phase 2 of the exercise recognises the contributions and ties that parents have with various schools and communities. For schools to thrive, the support of key partners like parents and the community is critical, as they help to build up and strengthen the school’s tradition and ethos, and support its students.
Proximity to the school is a consideration in all phases if the number of applications exceeds the number of vacancies. In such an event, the vacancies will be balloted in the following order of priority:
- Children living within 1km of the school of choice
- Children living between 1km and 2km of the school of choice
- Children living outside 2km of the school of choice
Director (School Planning and Placement)