Singapore’s revised Primary 1 registration framework will be implemented from 2027 without a transition period, Education Minister Desmond Lee said in Parliament on Wednesday (7 October).
The decision comes after several Members of Parliament called for more time for families who had already made long-term plans based on the existing registration rules.
Mr Lee said the Ministry of Education (MOE) recognised that some families had made residential arrangements based on the current framework, but added that more families would benefit if the changes were introduced sooner.
MPs Raised Concerns Over Families’ Earlier Plans
During the parliamentary discussion, MPs highlighted that some parents may have made significant decisions, including where to live, based on the existing Primary 1 registration system.
MP Tin Pei Ling said some families had made major and long-term arrangements under the current framework and suggested delaying the changes by one year.
MP Gho Sze Kee proposed a longer transition period of about three years for families who had already made housing, childcare and schooling plans.
However, Mr Lee said MOE had weighed the impact on affected families against the benefits of implementing the changes earlier.
He added that some parents had also questioned why the changes were not introduced for the 2026 P1 registration exercise instead.
New Rules Will Apply From 2027 P1 Registration
The revised Primary 1 registration framework was announced by MOE in September and will apply from the 2027 registration exercise.
One major change is that Phase 2C places at most primary schools will increase from 40 to 60 places. Phase 2C is open to children without prior links to the school, and MOE said the increase would provide more opportunities for such applicants.
The increase in Phase 2C places means there will be fewer places available under Phase 2A, which is for children with certain links to a school, such as having a parent who is a former student.
A new two-track system will also be introduced at 12 schools located in areas where public housing makes up less than 40% of homes within 2km.
For these schools, Phase 2C places will be split into one track for children living within 2km and another for those living beyond 2km. Within each track, home-school distance priority will not apply.
MOE Says Changes Aim to Keep Schools Accessible
Mr Lee said the changes are intended to help schools remain open and accessible, allowing children from different backgrounds to interact and learn together.
He also said MOE would continue monitoring how the changes work in practice and review the Primary 1 registration framework if needed.
Responding to questions on whether more Phase 2C places should be reserved for children from specific socio-economic groups, Mr Lee said MOE would not introduce priority based on factors such as living in rental flats.
He said the objective was to broaden access rather than reserve places for particular groups.
