A Complete Guide to Primary School in Singapore
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The Complete Guide to Primary Schools in Singapore
1. An Overview of Primary Schools in Singapore
All Singapore citizens who live in Singapore are mandated to attend a national Primary School unless an exemption due to a valid reason is granted. Some key points that parents should take note of in choosing a suitable Primary school are the Primary school registration dates, vacancies, and balloting updates on the schools applied.
The start of the Primary school education journey may be daunting for both students and parents. For students, it is the start of their formal education journey where they are required to enter a new institution and face increasingly rigorous material. For parents, worries about providing sufficient support for their children during their formational years might arise. Fret not! At MindFlex, we offer nearly 27,000 Primary school tutors who are able to guide your child on his or her academic needs.
2. Primary School Registration
The annual Singapore Primary One Registration Exercise is for children who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents to register for Primary One (P1) in the following year.
Primary One Registration Exercise
Primary 1 registration is a process to register your child for mainstream Primary schools in the following year. The registration for Primary schools will be done fully online. There are 2 modes for online registration:
- Online Application Form for Phase 1/2A/2B:
- Phase 1: The Primary school where the older sibling is currently studying will provide parents with more details on how to register their younger child
- Phase 2A & 2B: The Link to the online form and user guide will be posted on the MOE website during the registration period
- Primary One Internet System for Phases 2C and 2C Supplementary
By the end of the registration phase, parents will receive an SMS on whether the application has been successful.
*Parents should also note that you are only able to apply for 1 school at any given registration phase, P1 registration is not on a first come first serve basis and you will be required to upload relevant documents during the registration.
Additional Considerations
| If your child is a Singaporean living overseas |
Leave of absence |
| If your child has special educational needs |
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| If your child is assessed to be not ready or unsuitable for P1 |
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| If your child is an international student |
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How Balloting Works
Balloting is conducted when the number of registrants exceeds the school vacancies, in any phase from 2A to 2C Supplementary. Check the list of primary schools that require balloting at the end of the phase here.
Computerized balloting will be conducted by MOE. Priority admission will be given to children in this order:
- Singapore Citizens (SC) living within 1km of the school.
- SCs living between 1km and 2km of the school.
- SCs living outside 2km of the school.
- Permanent Residents (PR) living within 1km of the school.
- PRs living between 1km and 2km of the school.
- PRs living outside 2km of the school.
3. How to Choose a Primary School
There are several factors to consider when choosing which Primary school to enroll your child into. This section discusses the various factors that should play an important role in your decision-making process.
- Location
Selecting a Primary school near the student’s home can save them time and travel costs. Your child will also be able to have longer hours of rest, and have more time and energy to focus on their academics, as well as other interests. Priority admission will be granted to applicants residing near their choice of primary school. The address used for Primary 1 (P1) registration should be the parents’ official residential address as reflected on their NRICs. This address will be used to determine the Home-School Distance category, where required for consideration of priority admission.
Priority admission is given in this order:
- Singapore Citizens (SC) living within 1km of the school.
- SCs living between 1km and 2km of the school.
- SCs living outside 2km of the school.
- Permanent Residents (PR) living within 1km of the school.
- PRs living between 1km and 2km of the school.
- PRs living outside 2km of the school.
- Secondary School Affiliation
As the difference between affiliation and non-affiliation can be as much as 40 points, parents may feel that having an affiliated Secondary school gives their child an edge over students without affiliation. You may click here to see the full list of affiliated schools.
- Single-sex vs Co-ed schools
Being in a single-sex school is beneficial as there may be lesser distractions and lower chances of having early relationships. For co-ed schools, it promotes gender equality. Students will be doing the same activities and receive equal treatment. Additionally, it boosts students’ self-esteem as they are open to different kinds of personalities, and will learn how to deal with them with respect.
On the other hand, single-sex schools may limit students to only single-gender interactions which are vastly different from the real world, this could make communication with students of the opposite gender daunting for them. In a single-gender classroom, students may not have the opportunity to listen to other perspectives and gain a broader understanding of each other.
Overall, both kinds of schools have their advantages. It is important for you to do your research on the different schools, and learn more about the classes, existing students’ performance, and even the learning environment before deciding which school is the most suitable for your child.
- Student’s Interests
Each Primary school has its own programmes and co-curricular activities (CCAs). Parents may consider their child’s interests before picking a suitable school that is able to provide them with the platform to develop their strengths and passion. There are CCAs that are only provided in selected schools. Hence factoring a student’s interests into the choice of Primary school, is of utmost importance.
4. Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs)
CCAs are a key component of students’ holistic education. Through CCAs, students will be able to explore their interests and talents. CCAs are also a platform where students can develop their characters, learn values, social emotional competencies and other relevant skills to prepare them for future challenges.
During CCA sessions, students from diverse backgrounds are brought together to interact and develop friendships. Through this, students are also able to develop a sense of belonging to their CCA community and form bonds with more schoolmates outside their classes.
In Primary schools, CCA is strongly encouraged but is not compulsory for all students. Schools usually offer CCAs from the following sub-groups:
- Physical Sports
- Clubs and Societies
- Uniformed Groups
- Visual and Performing Arts
5. Transferring Primary School
If you are looking to transfer your child out of their current school, it is a decision that will have an impact on your child’s education in the long run. The change in environment can potentially disrupt the quality of your child’s education and hence, it is an important decision.
Parents have different reasons for wanting to transfer their children out of their current primary school. The most common reason is due to a change in residential address. In that case, you will be offered a primary school nearer to your new residential address which has available vacancies. If there are no primary schools within 3km of your new home with available vacancies, the student will have to remain in their current school.
An appeal can be considered if:
- The student has a serious medical condition such as kidney problems or heart complications
- The student has autism or dyslexia
- The student has physical disabilities that require them to use wheelchair and prosthetics
However, do note that if you are seeking transfer due to the above reasons, you should approach your child’s current school for assistance.
To apply for your child’s school transfer, you may do so via the MOE online system using your Singpass. You will receive the outcome of the transfer application through SMS sent to the mobile number you have provided in your application. You may also log in to the online system using Singpass. If you decide not to accept the primary school offered or miss the reporting deadline, your child will remain in their current school. If you choose to accept the school offered, you will have to report to the current primary school to initiate the process (bring along your child’s birth certificate/entry permit and both parents’ NRIC/entry permit) and the new school.
For details on key dates and other information, you may refer to the MOE website here
6. Primary School Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) How to register for Primary School?
Registration for Primary schools will be done fully online. There are 2 modes for online registration:
- Online Application Form for Phase 1/2A/2B:
- Phase 1: The primary school where the older sibling is currently studying will provide parents with more details on how to register their younger child
- Phase 2A & 2B: Link to the online form and user guide will be posted on the MOE website during the registration periods
- Primary One Internet System for Phases 2C and 2C Supplementary
By the end of the registration phase, parents will receive an SMS on whether the application has been successful.
*Parents should also note that you are only able to apply for 1 school at any given registration phase, P1 registration is not on a first come first serve basis and you will be required to upload relevant documents during the registration.
2) How much would Primary School education cost?
School fees differ based on the type of schools that the student is attending
For Government/Government aided Schools (including autonomous schools):
Singapore citizens: $6.50-$13 / month
Permanent Residents: $230-$268 / month
ASEAN International students:$490-$528 / month
Non-ASEAN International students: $825-$888 / month
For Independent/Specialized-Independent Schools:
Singapore citizens: $300-600 / month
Permanent Residents: $600-1000 / month
International students: $1000-2500 / month
3) Which school should I enroll my child in if they have special needs?
All primary schools are equipped with resources to support students with mild special educational needs. Children who have the cognitive ability to access the national curriculum and are able to learn in large group settings can register in mainstream primary schools through the P1 Registration Exercise.
For children with moderate-to-severe special educational needs, they may apply to a special education (SPED) school such as AWWA School, Rainbow Centre, and MINDS.
4) Are CCAs compulsory?
In primary school, CCA is strongly encouraged but is not compulsory for all students.
5) How many subjects do I have to take?
Primary school students will learn the following subjects: English, Mother Tongue, Math, Science, Art, Music, Physical Education, Social Studies, and Character and Citizenship Education. In Primary 5 and 6, they will be offered English, Mother Tongue, Math and Science at either foundation or standard levels, depending on their Primary 4 examination results.
6) Which level would my child enter if we come from overseas?
The Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) is for international students seeking admissions to Primary 2 to 5 and Secondary 1 to 3 in the following academic year. Your child should not be more than 2 years older than the appropriate age for that education level.
| Education Level | Appropriate age as at 1 Jan of admission year |
| Primary 1 | 6 to 6+ |
| Primary 2 | 7 to 7+ |
| Primary 3 | 8 to 8+ |
| Primary 4 | 9 to 9+ |
| Primary 5 | 10 to 10+ |
| Primary 6 | New students are generally not admitted at this level |
7) Are there exams?
Primary school students in Primary 1 and 2 will not have to sit for any tests and exams. Schools will be removing mid-year examinations for all primary school students by 2023, in an ongoing move to shift the focus from academic grades and tests. The most important exam to note would be the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
8) What if I did not get my choice of Primary School?
You may consider putting your child in the school’s waiting list as other parents may withdraw their children for various reasons, allowing your child to secure a place in that primary school.
9) Must I enroll my child in a Primary School?
All Singapore Citizens born after 1 January 1996 and living in Singapore must enroll in a national primary school unless exemption is granted. If your child is residing overseas, you will need to inform MOE when your child is due for P1 registration.
If your child is not ready to enter primary school due to medical conditions or other circumstances, you will have to submit a completed deferment application form to MOE’s Compulsory Education Unit between January and September of the year before your child is due to commence primary school.
10) At what age can I enroll my child into Primary School?
Your child must be at least 6 years old on 1 January at the year of admission to P1.
11) How does the balloting process work?
Balloting is conducted when the number of registrants exceeds the number of vacancies. Computerised balloting will be conducted by MOE. Priority admission will be given to children in this order:
- Singapore Citizens (SC) living within 1km of the school.
- SCs living between 1km and 2km of the school.
- SCs living outside 2km of the school.
- Permanent Residents (PR) living within 1km of the school.
- PRs living between 1km and 2km of the school.
- PRs living outside 2km of the school.
8. Conclusion
Primary school is a significant stage in children’s lives where they start to make more friends and learn to take on more responsibilities. Undoubtedly, entering primary school is an integral part of student’s growth as their experience and performance can directly influence the future of the children’s educational pathway and personal development.
Here at MindFlex, we have a wide selection of Primary Tutors available to impart their tips and tricks to prepare your child for their PSLE examinations at the end of their Primary school journey. If your child is struggling to do well in any Primary subjects, our tutors can help with this! Tutors ensure that they are teaching according to the latest MOE syllabus, ensuring that themes are divided according to the student’s comprehension capacity with engaging lessons.
Setting the first major phase in your child’s education and helping them appreciate the joy of studying helps your child to have a well-rounded and holistic learning experience. Academically qualified to teach Primary school students, we are sure that you can find a tutor that is committed to seeing your child excel even throughout Secondary School.
The post Primary School Singapore – A Complete Guide to Primary School in Singapore appeared first on MindFlex Home Tuition (Find Tuition Teachers in Singapore).
