PRIMARY ONE INTAKE IN TAMPINES GRC (Reduction in 2006)

PRIMARY ONE INTAKE IN TAMPINES GRC

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(Reduction in 2006): **

4.

Mr Ong Kian Min asked the Minister for Education (a) what are the reasons for reducing 2006 Primary One intake in six popular primary schools in Tampines GRC by between 30 and 60 places; and (b) what measures will be taken to alleviate the transport expenses and inconvenience faced by those children who are affected by the reduced number of places.

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam: Generally, the approach taken by MOE in planning the Primary 1 (P1) intake is to provide more than sufficient places for eligible P1 students on both a national and regional basis. For the 2006 P1 intake, we will have a surplus of 9% of P1 places based on the number of Primary 1 going children on a nationwide basis and a surplus of 12% in Tampines Development Guide Plan (DGP). All Primary 1 going children will therefore be assured of a place in our primary schools.

The reduction in intake in some primary schools this year is due to the implementation of a few important initiatives in recent years and in the coming years to improve the quality of primary education. These include the reduction of class size in Primary 1 and 2 from 40 pupils to 30, and the introduction of partial single session in primary schools. We have also been giving greater flexibility to schools in how they use some of their space and other infrastructural resources to improve the quality of education, for example, some schools are re-grouping their pupils into different classes according to their strengths.

To implement these initiatives, we are gradually reducing the Primary 1 intake in schools that currently have a high enrolment. We recognise that some parents will not be able to get their children into the schools of their initial first choice. However, their children will have places in schools in the same locality. Like all children, they will benefit from the smaller class sizes and other improvements.

In providing alternative places for children who are unsuccessful in getting a place in their choice school, we have also minimised the additional travelling distance they have to make from home.

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