Relocating Popular Schools to Neighbourhoods with Different Housing and Socioeconomic Status (SES) Mixes

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr David Hoe, Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will consider periodically relocating popular schools to neighbourhoods with different housing and socioeconomic status (SES) mixes to better align school access with the principles of meritocracy and social mixing.

Response

1. In planning for schools across Singapore, MOE's main objective is to ensure that national and localised demand for school places are met. We take into account several factors, including current and projected school-going populations in each residential area, as well as the supply of places provided by schools in the vicinity.
2. When the demand for school places falls or is projected to fall in a particular area, we will consider relocating schools in that area, including popular schools, to areas with higher demand. These are usually areas where significant new housing is being developed, and the schools will then serve the new residents moving into those areas.
3. MOE will continue to review our school admissions policies so that our schools continue to remain accessible to children from all backgrounds.