Primary 1 registration

Parent volunteer scheme for Primary 1 registration: How does it work?

Around one-third of primary schools currently offer the parent volunteer scheme, under which parents help out at a school to qualify for a chance at priority admission.

Four primary schools scrap parent volunteer scheme for entry into P1

The scheme, which gives parents priority placement when registering their children for Primary 1, is often seen as a way to get a foot in the door of popular schools.

73 primary schools to hold ballots for Phase 2C of P1 registration

This year, a total of 79 schools are oversubscribed, meaning they have received more applications than there are vacancies.

Primary 1 registration: 31 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B

Nanyang Primary School in Bukit Timah is the most oversubscribed in Phase 2B, with 52 children vying for 20 spots.

Primary 1 registration: 31 schools to conduct balloting in Phase 2A

The most oversubscribed school during the second phase of the exercise is Red Swastika School in Bedok, with 88 applicants vying for 24 spots.

Commentary

P1 registration: Is it time to stop giving parent volunteers priority?

Some schools no longer accept parent volunteers, citing the administrative workload and challenges of managing parents whose children did not eventually get a spot in the school.

Six schools fill at least half their spots after first phase of Primary 1 registration exercise 2026

Valour Primary School is among the schools that have filled at least 50 per cent of their total spots.

P1 registration 2026: Will you need to ballot for your preferred school?

In Your Opinion Podcast

P1 registration: How did the parent volunteer scheme become an arms race?

Volunteering your time might seem like a straightforward way to secure your child's primary school spot, but consider whether this highly competitive arms race has caused the scheme to completely outlive its original, community-building purpose.

Smaller P1 cohort sizes for majority of primary schools from 2027 amid changing demographics

Primary 1 registration exercise at Guangyang Primary School.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.