Starting from 2014, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will reserve 40 places in every primary school for registrants in phase 2B and 2C, the ministry announced on Monday. This is to ensure continued open access to all primary schools.

These places will be reserved before the start of the primary one registration exercise. The number of vacancies left over after phase 2A2, including the 40 places, will be split equally between phase 2B and 2C.

This follows Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's announcement in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday that every school must set aside at least 40 places during the Primary 1 registration exercise for those who are not siblings of their pupils or children of alumni.