Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Neighbourhood schools now require balloting

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Neighbourhood schools now require balloting

Hi Mr Tan,
You said "parents have the choice to ignore these competitive requirements and send their child to a nearby school, i.e.instead of competing for the "good" schools.". I wish to update you on the P1 registration today. Many so-called non-famous schools (eg. in Woodlands, Sembawang) require balloting nowadays. This is due to the fact that PRs enjoy the same priority as citizens for P1 registration. As S'pore PR is easily obtainable, this is tantamount to giving foreigners equal standing as citizens for P1 registration. The recent amendment to give citizens an extra ballot slip is just cosmetic. A PR whose sibling is already studying in the school will get priority over citizens without one. Is this fair?

The P1 registration priority system is very convoluted for a reason. It allows many well connected parents to obtain backdoor entry to famous schools without a soul noticing. I have come across such cases before. It is ironic that this government prides itself as being meritocratic!

TY

6 comments:

Spur said...: Sign up to be grassroots leaders or appointment holders. You will get priority placing for Pri Sch. Also got some other perks like free or subsidised season car parking. That's why plenty of PRs in grassroots in the last few years. They also enjoy the networking and contacts for jobs etc.; November 24, 2010 2:11 PM
Unknown said...: "This is due to the fact that PRs enjoy the same priority as citizens for P1 registration."
This may be true, but this doesn't mean that PRs and citizens are 100% equal here.
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/primary-one-registration/phases/
Phase 1 requires to have a sibling in the school. So let's simply look at the other cases, assuming that a child doesn't have any siblings there yet.

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.

This means that the number of PRs here is already reduced, as it is unlikely the parents went to school here as well (not impossible, but rather the exception). I have no experiemce with School Advisories/Management Committees, but I assume most members (the majority) are citizens.

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.

Again, more likely to be applicable for citizens.

Phase 2B2
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.

Now this is the phase where I assume most PRs might enter, if not 2C.

"As S'pore PR is easily obtainable..."
It isn't. Most people just never see how many people got rejected.

"A PR whose sibling is already studying in the school will get priority over citizens without one. Is this fair?"
See above. The situation is possible, but more likely that a citizens will get a slot.; November 24, 2010 3:06 PM
Anonymous said...: The PAP government no longer where it is heading nowadays.; November 24, 2010 4:15 PM
Ms Long said...: i honestly think that the relevant authorities should review the primary school registration.

education is meant for the masses and every child whether their parents are lower income, middle income or so from the elite group) should be treated somewhat equally.

i find the current unlevel playing field for entry into primary school -- disturbing to say least. it seems to promote "elitism" from the start.; November 24, 2010 5:43 PM
yujuan said...: And they say Singaporeans always come first. We are tired of listening to lip service only, after the elections, we'll be back to square one.
May as well immigrate and come back as PRs.; November 24, 2010 6:19 PM
if-only said...: i feel that it is time that the MOE review the primary school admission criteria.

everyone - whether lower/middle-class/upper class has the right to access basic quality education without prejudice.

to have such a competitive and unfair primary school registration system speaks of elitism. is there such a need @ such a young age? why perpetuate the vicious cycle?

i think, maybe 30 years ago when i was in primary school, our system was more meritocratic.

i came from a neighbourhood system, but got into the top girl's school and then JC on my own merit. i think that's the chance that all citizens should be entitled too WITHOUT PREJUDICE. i am not sure if our current system serves that purpose.; November 25, 2010 1:41 AM