It is time for my youngest boy to register for admission to Primary 1 of which the school term starts in Jan 2010. Registering our children for a primary school of our choice can be a challenge for parents in Singapore.

For Darren, the process is smooth as a breeze as he is joining the same school as his elder brother, Brendan. That is he falls under Phase 1 of the registration phase. During Brendan’s time, Ed and I were definitely not so relaxed. We prepared earlier and put in effort to ensure that Brendan got into a top school of our choice and also not too far from our home.

Two years before his admission to the ideal school, we spent time identifying a school and then submitting our area of interests to the school as Parent Volunteer. We were lucky because among a large number of other applications as Parent Volunteer that were submitted to the school for consideration, our request was approved. We were so happy that the areas that we volunteered for have matched what the school would want. Next, I remembered Ed spending much effort at home and also in the school during his available hours as Parent Volunteer. Our efforts paid off as Brendan successfully joined the school. It was like winning a race and efforts does not seem to be the only essential element for this race but also the luck.

In Singapore, I know of parents who relocate their homes or join community work just to enable their kids to enter a school of their choice. For parents, an important information we need to possess is the registration phases for admission to primary 1 and also make it a point to find out more early. I have friends who are keen to send their children to an ideal school but disappointed or late to find out that they could no longer turn back the clock to get themselves prepared earlier. In a way, some are stressed. Although, I have settled my primary school admission for Darren, I could feel the anxiety of my friends as I have gone through it.

I have extracted the following registration phases for admission to primary school from Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) website:

Category1¹: Children who are Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents

1) Phase 1

For a child who has a sibling studying in a school of choice. All children registered under this phase will be given places in schools.

Registration: Tuesday 7th July 2009 and Wednesday 8th July 2009

2) Phase 2A1

For a child whose parent is a former student of the school and who has joined the alumni association as a member not later than 30 Jun 2008; or whose parent is a member of the School Advisory/Management Committee.

Registration: Thursday 9th July 2009

Announcement of Result: By Friday 10th July 2009

3) Phase 2A2

For a child whose parent or sibling has studied in the school of choice; or whose parent is a staff member of the school of choice.

Registration: Monday 13th July 2009 and Tuesday 14th July 2009

Announcement of Result: By Thursday 16th July 2009

4) Phase 2B²

For a child whose parent has joined the school as a parent volunteer not later than 1 July 2008 and has given at least 40 hours of voluntary service to the school by 30 June 2009; or whose parent is a member endorsed by the church/clan directly connected with the school; or whose parent is endorsed as an active community leader.

Registration: Monday 20th July 2009 and Tuesday 21st July 2009

Announcement of Result: By Friday 24th July 2009

5) Phase 2C

For a child who is ineligible for or unsuccessful in earlier phases.

Registration: Wednesday 29th July 2009, Thursday 30th July 2009 and Friday 31st July 2009

Announcement of Result: By Tuesday 11th August 2009

6) Phase 2C Supplementary

For a child who is unsuccessful in gaining a place in a school of choice at Phase 2C.

Registration: Friday 14th August 2009

Announcement of Result: By Wednesday 19th August 2009

Category 2³: Children who are neither Singapore Citizens nor Singapore Permanent Residents

7) Phase 3

For a child who is neither a Singapore Citizen nor a Permanent Resident.

Registration and Announcement of Result: Friday 28th August 2009

Footnotes:

1. Should the number of applications exceed the number of vacancies in any phase, places will be balloted according to the following order of priority:

a. Children living within 1 km of the school of choice.

b. Children living between 1 km and 2 km of the school of choice.

c. Children living outside 2 km of the school of choice.

2. At the end of Phase 2A(2), 50% of the remaining places will be allocated for phase 2B and the other 50% for Phase 2C registrants in a school. In the event that less than 50% of the allocated vacancies are taken up at Phase 2B, the remaining vacancies will be carried forward to Phase 2C.

3. Children who are Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents and who have not registered at any of the earlier phases are also eligible to register at this phase. Registration in this phase will be done on a first-come-first-served basis.

The primary school registration process is not an easy process. MOE, in its response to a Forum Letter, stated on 3^rd July 09 that:”MOE would like to state unequivocally that the buying of school places is not allowed. All school principals are aware that under no circumstances are they to solicit or accept donations in exchange for school places” and “The current Primary 1 Registration framework aims to provide children with school places according to a set of transparent criteria, guided by educational goals that serve the interest of the child”.