Defer from commencement of Primary 1 or Junior 1

Overview

If your child's birthday falls on 1 January 2020, they are due for P1 in 2026 as they will be 6 years old as of 1 January 2026. However, this will mean that they will attend P1 or J1 one year earlier than their peers born in the same year. 

If you want your child to enter primary school on 2 January 2027 instead, you can apply to defer their commencement of P1 or J1 by one year.

MOE also recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances whereby a child may not be ready for formal schooling due to medical conditions or other circumstances. In such circumstances, you may wish to seek deferment of the commencement of P1 or J1 for your child.

Any deferment application is subjected to MOE's approval.

When to apply

You will need to apply for a deferment between January and May one year before your child is due to start P1 or J1.

For example, if your child is due to start P1 or J1 in 2026, you will have to apply for a deferment between January and May 2025.

How to apply

If your child's birthday falls on or after 2 January 2019, and you wish to apply for their deferment from their commencement of P1 or J1, you will need to:

• Submit an online deferment application between January and May in the year before they are due to start P1 or J1.
• Submit a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) report​(1.4MB) completed by a qualified professional to support the application if your child has been diagnosed with medical conditions or other circumstances. The CNA will help MOE understand and support your child’s educational needs. Medical professionals may refer to the CNA Professional User Guide​(784KB) for more information.