PREPARATORY/PRIMARY SCHOOL REGISTRATION SYSTEM (Priority for children residing within 2 km of school)

Mr Heng Chiang Meng asked the Minister for Education whether greater priority will be given to children residing within 2 km of a school in the preparatory/primary school registration system.

The Minister of State for Education (Dr Seet Ai Mee) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, registration of children for admission to school follows the Preparatory Year/Primary One Registration Scheme. Should the number of applicants exceed the number of vacancies in any phase of the Registration Scheme, priority is given to children living within 2 km of the school of choice.

Mr Heng Chiang Meng (Cheng San GRC): Sir, as we are fast becoming a country where time is a very precious commodity, should not the saving on time and also the saving on increasing transport cost be a more important consideration in the allocation of places in primary schools?

The second question is: Does the Minister of State not think that current changes in population policy require a fresh relook at the registration system?

Dr Seet Ai Mee: Mr Speaker, Sir, there are no plans at present to amend the priority scheme for registration of primary school children.