Your child’s interests and talents

Sure, the academic curriculum is important and undeniably a central component of your child’s education. But a well-rounded education encompasses other areas such as sports, arts and information technology.

It’s worthwhile to think about what your child’s interests and talents are, and see if you can match them with a school that has demonstrated strengths in those areas, so that your child can develop his potential to the fullest. Who knows - your child could well be the next Tiger Woods or Yo-Yo Ma in the making!

A school’s unique strengths

Primary schools are not identical to each other! While all of them follow a standard curriculum, each school has flexibility over how it teaches and implements that curriculum. Over the years, many primary schools have developed their own particular niche areas and programmes.

Moreover, in 2005, MOE launched the Programme for School-Based Excellence (PSE), a funding scheme that helps primary schools further develop their areas of excellence. This year, 13 primary schools received the award. For example, Evergreen Primary School received the award for the performing arts, Punggol Primary School for hockey and Kranji Primary School for basketball. Also, 24 other schools which received the award in the previous two years had theirs renewed.

Besides using the PSE award as a gauge of a school’s strengths, you may also wish to consider a school’s vision and mission, its culture and whether it is affiliated to a secondary school - in which case your child could enjoy priority for admission to the secondary school (provided he meets the admission criteria). The close link between affiliated primary and secondary schools can also mean that your child enjoys a sense of familiarity and easier adjustment as he progresses to his secondary education.

The Mother Tongue Languages and niche programmes offered differ from school to school.

Mother Tongue Language

Under Singapore’s bilingual policy, all students (including foreigners) are required to take both English and a mother tongue language (MTL) - Chinese, Malay or Tamil. MTLs are compulsory examination subjects for PSLE.

Depending on what your child’s MTL is, you should confirm that the school of your choice offers the language. Chinese is offered in all primary schools, Malay in all except Special Assisted Plan (SAP) schools, and Tamil is offered in most schools.

If your child is taking Chinese language, you may also wish to consider the 15 SAP primary schools which offer Higher Chinese from Primary 1. These schools aim to promote the Chinese language and culture in students from a young age. The schools are:

• Ai Tong School
• Catholic High School
• CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School
• Holy Innocents’ Primary School
• Hong Wen School
• Kong Hwa School
• Maha Bodhi School
• Maris Stella High School
• Nan Hua Primary School
• Nanyang Primary School
• Pei Chun Publis School
• Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary
• Poi Ching School
• Red Swastika School
• Tao Nan School

Children with special needs

If your child has learning difficulties such as dyslexia or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), you could look for schools in your neighbourhood that have Special Needs Officers who could assist your child to integrate into the school environment.

At present, there are 64 schools with such officers for dyslexia and 33 primary schools for ASD. More information about these schools and the provision of Special Needs Officers is available at MOE’s Psychological Services Branch website. In addition, there are also 31 schools will full handicap-friendly facilities.

Distance between school and home

There are many advantages to enrolling your child in a school within your neighbourhood. For one, your child can enjoy more sleep compared to those who have to wake up early to travel a long way to school. Going to school nearby also means lower transportation costs, even none at all if the school is within walking distance. In addition, with a school that is nearer to your home, you may find it more convenient to attend school events and get involved with what’s going on in your child’s school.

Not sure which schools are within 1-2 kilometres of your home? You can purchase the information at the Singapore Land Authority website.

Before you make a decision

Check out MOE’s School Information Service website, a one-stop service portal, for more information on primary schools. From there, you can follow links to the websites of your preferred schools.

Visiting the schools in person helps too. Take time to attend their open house and speak to the staff to find out what the schools can offer your child. Alternatively, call or email the schools for more information.

As with all other important decisions, choosing a primary school for your child is no easy task and can seem like a daunting process. But all the efforts are well worth it when you find the right place for your child, where he can grow and thrive in a school environment that best caters to his needs and potential.