Fewer primary schools to hold a ballot in Phase 2C this year

South View Primary School conducted their Phase 2B of the 2012 Primary 1 Registration on 19 July 2012. Fewer primary schools will be drawing lots to allocate places for the latest registration stage this week. A total of 86 schools, down from 91
South View Primary School conducted their Phase 2B of the 2012 Primary 1 Registration on 19 July 2012. Fewer primary schools will be drawing lots to allocate places for the latest registration stage this week. A total of 86 schools, down from 91 last year, will have to conduct a ballot  on Wednesday for children who applied in Phase 2C for children with no ties to their schools of choice. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - Fewer primary schools will be drawing lots to allocate places for the latest registration stage this week. A total of 86 schools, down from 91 last year, will have to conduct a ballot on Wednesday for children who applied in Phase 2C.

Phase 2C is for children with no ties to their schools of choice.

The earlier phases are for children with siblings who are current or former pupils or have parents who are alumni or school volunteers, have church or clan associations, or are grassroots leaders.

Some of the schools which require a ballot are Ai Tong School in Bishan, where 49 children had signed up for 31 places, and Mee Toh School in Punggol, which had 123 children registering for 58 spots.

Of the 86 schools, 65 are holding a ballot for Singaporean children. The rest are for children who are permanent residents.

That fewer schools need to conduct a ballot in this phase could be because of a new rule this year. All primary schools have to set aside 40 places, split equally between Phases 2B and 2C before the start of the registration exercise, to ensure there are places at popular schools for children with no connections to them.

In previous years, hot favourites such as Henry Park Primary and Ai Tong School had just eight and seven spots respectively in Phase 2C.

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