PRIMARY ONE REGISTRATION EXERCISE

PRIMARY ONE REGISTRATION EXERCISE

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(Number of PR applicants): **

4.

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the percentage and number of permanent residents who gained entry at each phase of the Primary One Registration Exercise in the last three years; and (b) whether there is a need to revise the criteria so that Singapore citizens will be given higher priority at each registration phase for the schools of choice.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: Permanent Residents (PRs) comprised about 13% of the children admitted during the 2009 Primary One (P1) Registration Exercise. This is similar to the proportion of PRs in Singapore’s resident population. The majority of PRs were registered at or after Phase 2C, which is for children with no existing ties to the school.

MOE regularly reviews the P1 Registration Exercise framework to ensure that all Singaporean children continue to have access to a primary school near their home. The enrolment of PRs adds diversity to our schools and there is educational value for Singaporean children to be exposed to children from different cultures from a young age.

Singapore citizens enjoy privileges within the education system that PRs and international students do not. For instance, only Singapore citizens are eligible for Edusave Accounts, Edusave scholarships and awards, Post Secondary Education Accounts, Government top-ups, and other forms of Government financial assistance such as the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme, the Independent School Bursary and Short-term Study Assistance Scheme. PRs currently pay 20% more in school fees than Singapore citizens. MOE revises school fees for PRs and international students from time to time, to reflect larger subsidies for SCs.

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