Singapore’s new Primary 1 rules: Who lives around the 12 schools getting a wider catchment?
Singapore is implementing a new two-track registration system for 12 primary schools to increase access for families living outside the immediate vicinity. The policy aims to address the demographic imbalance in schools currently surrounded by high concentrations of private housing.
Why it matters
Educational policy changes regarding school catchment areas directly impact social equity and housing accessibility in urban environments.
In contrast, around Raffles Girls’ Primary School (RGPS), just 5 per cent of homes within 2km are public housing – the lowest proportion among primary schools in Singapore.
RGPS is one of 12 schools that will adopt a new two-track system for Phase 2C from the 2027 Primary 1 registration exercise, aimed at widening access to schools in neighbourhoods dominated by private housing.
An ST analysis of the neighbourhoods around the 12 primary schools in Bukit Timah, Newton and Marine Parade shows stark differences in their housing mix. With public housing making up as little as 5 per cent of homes within 2km, a wider catchment could bring a different pool of families.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in