The different phases of Pri 1 registration

Category 1: Children who are Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents

• Phase 1: For a child who has a sibling studying in a school of choice
• Phase 2A1: For a child whose parent is a former student of the school and who has joined the alumni association as a member not later than 30 Jun 2009; or whose parent is a member of the School Advisory/Management Committee.
• Phase 2A2: For a child whose parent or sibling has studied in the school of choice; or whose parent is a staff member of the school of choice.
• Phase 2B: For a child whose parent has joined the school as a parent volunteer not later than 1 July 2009 and has given at least 40 hours of voluntary service to the school by 30 June 2010; or whose parent is a member endorsed by the church/clan directly connected with the school; or whose parent is endorsed as an active community leader.
• Phase 2C: For a child who is ineligible for or unsuccessful in earlier phases.
• Phase 2C Supplementary: For a child who is unsuccessful in gaining a place in a school of choice at Phase 2C.

Should the number of applications exceed the number of vacancies in any phase, places will be balloted according to the following order of priority.

1. Children living within 1 km of the school of choice.
2. Children living between 1 km and 2 km of the school of choice.
3. Children living outside 2 km of the school of choice.

Category 2: Children who are neither Singapore Citizens nor Singapore Permanent Residents

• Phase 3: For a child who is neither a Singapore Citizen nor a Singapore Permanent Resident.

The strengths of the system

Transparent

The Pri 1 registration framework is transparent and all parents have access to information about the registration process.

Fair

The Pri 1 registration is a fair process. All schools are to strictly adhere to the processes and guidelines of the Pri 1 registration framework, and no child is given preferential treatment due to special relationships.

People- and needs-oriented

The Pri 1 registration framework takes into account various considerations for children to study in the same school as their siblings or their parents' alma mater, as well as the distance between of the home from the school.

Differentiates between citizen and PR

From 2010, Singapore Citizens (SCs) will be given two ballot slips per child, while Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) will continue to get one ballot slip per child whenever balloting is conducted by any school during the Pri 1 Registration Exercise. SCs will therefore have a higher chance of securing a place for their child in a school of choice when there is balloting.

Rewarding

The framework also encourages parents to contribute to the school and community.

Choosing a school for your child

Distance

Distance is an important consideration. It is best to not have your child spend too much time travelling to and from school, as it might mean less time for learning and resting.

Schools' niche areas

All schools in Singapore adopt the same standardised curriculum, and are staffed by quality teachers graduating from the National Institute of Education (NIE). In choosing a school, parents could also consider your child's interest, as different schools offer different activities. For example, some schools may have a stronger focus in sports, music, performing arts, computing, Chinese cultural studies, or the sciences, among others.

Conclusion

The Government has invested a lot in education. While schools may have autonomy in developing its niche areas, the essential curriculum, infrastructure and resources are equally distributed to all schools. Your child will be able to benefit from a good education in any school. Thus, parents need not be too worried or picky. Instead, participate actively in school activities, get to know more about the school culture and identity and communicate more with the teachers. I'll also encourage parents to spend more time to accompany your child in his or her studies, and not to give too much pressure. For a child, any school here is a good school.

Contributed by:
Mr Ngoh Choon Ho
Principal
Hong Wen School

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公正透明的制度：小一新生入学登记

孩子要报名入学了，家长们都很紧张，希望孩子能进入自己心目中首先的学校。虽然新加坡教育部再三地强调，新加坡的学校都是好学校，每所学校都有不同的特色，近及年来，许多所谓的邻里学校也表现的非常特出，但是，在家长的心目中，各有他们各自认可的好学校，报名的紧张气氛也因此而产生了。

新加坡的小一新生入学登记制度是非常公正与透明的，所有的学校都得严格地遵守教育部所规定的原则，不许有任何偏差。

小一报名不同阶段的制定

第一组：　儿童本身是新加坡公民与永久居民

• 第1期： 儿童的哥哥或姐姐目前在该校就读
• 第2A（1）期： 儿童的父亲或母亲是该校的校友，并且在一年前已是校友会的会员，或者父亲或母亲是该校咨询委员会或学校董事会的会员
• 第2A（2）期： 儿童的父亲，母亲，哥哥或姐姐曾经在该校读书，或者父亲或母亲是该校的教职员
• 第2B期: 儿童的父亲或母亲在一年之前加入学校成为家长义工，并在报名这一年的6月30日之前为学校提供了至少40小时的志愿服务；或父亲或母亲是与该校有直接联系的教会／宗乡会馆的成员，并受认可；或者父亲或母亲是活跃的社区领袖
• 第2C 阶段： 儿童不符合上述登记条件，或在上述登记期报名却无法得到学额。
第2C（附加）阶段： 儿童在2C期登记却无法获得所选择学校的学额。

以上任何一个登记期里，若报名人数超过学额，校方将根据住家与学校的距离优先抽签分配：

• 1公里以内
• 1－2公里
• 2公里以外

第二组：　儿童本身不是新加坡公民或永久居民

• 第3期：　 儿童本身不是新加坡公民或永久居民，或是还没在以上阶段登记的新加坡公民与永久居民（这阶段以先到先得的方式来处理）

制度的特色

透明

新加坡的小学一年级报名制度是绝对透明的，每一个家长都能得到报名程序说明册子佯细内容。

公正

整个制度对每一个孩子都是公正的。所有的学校都得严格遵守小一报名的条规与程序，绝对没有任何一个孩子因为某种特殊的关系，得到不同的待遇。

人性化

制度也考虑到一些人性化的需求，让孩子与哥哥姐姐读同一所学校；让校友的孩子到自己的母校就读；让住在学校附近的孩子获得优先考虑。

公民、永久居民的利益

整个制度首先照顾公民与永久居民的利益。从今年开始，公民将在需要抽签时有两次抽签机会，占有一定的优势。

奖励

制度也鼓励家长为社区、学校做出贡献。

家长应该如何选择学校

距离

距离应该是个重要的考量，不要让孩子每天花太多的时间在路途上，以免剥夺孩子休息与学习的时间.

学校的重点发展项目

新加坡的学校都大同小异，都遵守一定的课程标准，老师也都是从国立教育学院毕业。学校的不同在于重点发展的项目，例如有的学校比较重视体育运动、或音乐、或表演艺术、或电脑、或中华文化、或宗教教义、或数理等等。家长不妨根据本身的需求，孩子的兴趣，加以选择。

结语

新加坡政府对教育的投资很大，虽然学校有自主权发展各自的重点项目，基本的课程、设备、资源都是一样的。孩子在任何一所学校就读，都能享受到优质的教育。所以，只要家长们不太挑剔，积极地参与学校的活动，多了解学校的运作，多与老师沟通、多陪伴孩子学习，不要给孩子太大的压力，任何一所学校对孩子来说，都是好学校。