SINGAPORE - More schools will hold a ballot on Friday, after the latest phase of the Primary 1 registration exercise ended on Tuesday.

This year, 28 schools, up from 24 in 2013, will conduct a ballot for children who applied for a place in Phase 2B, which is for parents who are school volunteers, grassroots leaders or have church or clan links. The figure was also 28 in 2012.

This is despite a new rule that started this year, to ensure there will be more vacancies for children who apply in the later stages. All primary schools are required to set aside 40 places to be split equally across Phases 2B and 2C. Phase 2C is for children with no ties to the schools.

The schools which require balloting in this phase include popular ones such as CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School, where 34 children had applied for 21 vacancies at this stage, and Methodist Girls' School (Primary), which had 44 children signing up for 28 spots.

Of the 28 schools, 26 are holding a ballot for Singaporean children who stay within 1km or 2km of the school, or are residing outside 2km of the school. Two schools are conducting a ballot for children who are permanent residents.