Platform for foreigners, returning S’poreans applying for local schools hit by technical issues
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Application for the admission tests was scheduled to start at 9am on July 9, and end at noon on July 22.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
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SINGAPORE – International students and returning Singaporeans seeking to study in schools here encountered technical issues on July 9, the first day they could apply for admission tests.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) said on July 9 in a notice on its website that international applicants, as well as returning Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs), who are registering for tests to qualify for places in Secondary 1 to 3 classes on the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (Seab) Candidates Portal are facing “some technical issues”.
The ministry did not elaborate on what these issues are.
A message on the Seab Candidates Portal said: “Please be assured that all seats are still available for registration. We will update you on the status by 9am on July 10. Please rest for the day.”
Using the platform, international students, Singapore citizens and PRs can register for tests to qualify for places in schools at Secondary 1 to 3 levels in 2025. International students can also apply to sit tests to secure places in Primary 2 to 5 classes.
Application was scheduled to start at 9am on July 9, and end at noon on July 22. The deadline for international students can be brought forward if all places in the Admissions Exercise for International Students tests are filled.
If successful in their application, the students seeking admission to local secondary schools will take their respective tests in the first week of September.
A notice on the MOE website on July 9 informed users that the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board Candidates Portal faced “some technical issues”.
Foreigners seeking admission to local primary schools will take the mathematics test on Sept 5.
MOE said: “We seek your understanding and patience, and encourage you to refer to this page for the latest information. We will update the page once the technical issues are resolved.”
Over the past five years, foreign students made up around 5 per cent of enrolment in Singapore’s secondary schools and junior colleges, according to a parliamentary reply in 2023.
The Straits Times has contacted MOE for further comment.
