Singapore’s New School Admission Rules: More Choices, But Parents Who Moved Face Disruption

Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced changes to the Primary 1 registration exercise starting in 2027, reserving more places for families without prior ties to schools. While the move aims to widen access, it has disrupted plans for parents who moved homes to secure spots in popular institutions, particularly in the Bukit Timah area.

The changes, announced on September 10, increase the number of places reserved for Phase 2C from 40 to 60 for schools with intakes of 180 or more pupils. This phase is for families with no alumni or volunteer connections to a school. Additionally, a new two-track system will apply to 12 schools, including Nanyang Primary and Raffles Girls’ Primary, allocating half of Phase 2C places to children living within 2km and the other half to those living farther away.

Why Did Parents Move Homes for School Proximity?

Many families in Singapore relocate to be within 1km or 2km of their preferred schools, as proximity has historically boosted admission chances in Phase 2C. For example, Elizabeth Chan, a 35-year-old doctor, bought a condominium in Bukit Timah in August 2026 to be within 2km of Raffles Girls’ Primary School (RGPS) for her three-year-old daughter. She said the changes came as “a shock,” as the spots available for families like hers would be halved to 69, potentially increasing competition.

Similarly, Charmaine Tan, 42, had been renting in River Valley and planned to move to Bukit Timah to be within 1km of Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS). With the new rules, she said she might have considered other neighbourhoods like Joo Chiat, which has more girls’ schools. She now intends to apply as a parent volunteer to improve her chances under Phase 2B.

What Are the New Rules for Phase 2C and the Two-Track System?

The MOE’s changes aim to widen access to popular schools and promote social mixing. The two-track system applies to 12 schools in areas where public housing makes up less than 40% of homes within 2km, compared to the national average of about 80%. Under this scheme, half of Phase 2C places are reserved for children living within 2km, and the other half for those living farther away.

For parents like Janice Lim, 40, a marketing specialist, the increased Phase 2C spots could help her son secure a place at Hong Wen School, a five-minute walk from home. Her daughter was out-balloted in 2025, but Lim noted that new BTO developments in her estate might attract more applicants, mitigating the benefit.

How Do the Changes Affect Alumni and Parent Volunteers?

Alumni and parent volunteers face reduced chances under earlier phases like 2A and 2B, as more places are shifted to Phase 2C. Ang, a 33-year-old dance teacher, said her husband is an alumnus of ACS Primary, which will move to Tengah in 2030. She feels “a little more anxious” about her son’s chances under Phase 2A, especially as the school becomes co-ed, expanding the applicant pool.

Kelvin Seah, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore, said the two-track scheme “weakens the strong role that residential location currently plays in determining access.” He expects some pushback from alumni and volunteers, but also notes that families living beyond 2km now have a more credible chance of admission.

What Do Experts Say About the Policy’s Impact?

Jason Tan, a professor at the National Institute of Education, said the varied reactions reflect the difficulty of balancing objectives like social mixing, alumni recognition, and convenience. “Some of these objectives may not always be mutually compatible,” he said. He hopes the changes won’t lead to greater parental anxiety or more elaborate strategising.

Seah added that with 20 more spots in Phase 2C, more schools would have had to ballot. In the 2026 exercise, 31 schools went through a ballot at Phase 2A; under the new rules, 27 more could face that prospect.

Are There More Options for Families Now?

Some parents see the changes as an opportunity. Jasmine Lin, 37, an alumnus of Mee Toh School, chose Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School for her daughter due to convenience. She said the family will look for a co-ed school nearby for her son, emphasising that “the teachers and schools do play a huge role, but we believe so much of it also lies on the families.”

Chan, who is reconsidering RGPS, said she may apply to other schools if her family is just outside the 2km radius. She is also considering volunteering for Phase 2B, but remains philosophical: “Family upbringing is still the most important... Wherever she ends up, I hope that she knows that she’ll be okay.”

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the new Primary 1 registration rules take effect?

The changes apply to the Primary 1 registration exercise starting in 2027.

Which schools are affected by the two-track system?

Twelve schools, including Nanyang Primary, Tao Nan, Raffles Girls’ Primary, and Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, will implement the two-track system.

How many more places are reserved for Phase 2C?

Phase 2C places increase from 40 to 60 for schools with intakes of 180 or more pupils.

Additional reporting by Shermaine Ang.