‘Sufficient access’ to P1 places despite priority for MOE Kindergarten children

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Education (MOE) is “mindful” of anxieties over the priority in Primary One admission given to children attending MOE Kindergartens, and has designed the process such that others will still have a chance to enrol at the school of their choice.

Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng told Parliament on Tuesday (Jan 9) the process was “deliberately calibrated” such that children attending MOE Kindergartens will not have a better chance of gaining a place in a school, as compared with those whose siblings are already studying there or are alumni.

He added that at least 40 spaces will continue to be reserved for children of volunteers at primary schools, or whose parents are members endorsed by the church or clan directly connected with the school or are active community leaders.

Responding to questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC) and Zainal Sapari (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), Mr Ng also said any one MOE Kindergarten’s intake will be “significantly below” its co-located primary school’s intake for Primary One, so that there is “sufficient access” for other children.

Reiterating the rationale for giving priority Primary One admission to children attending MOE Kindergartens, Mr Ng said there are developmental benefits to young children when they remain in a familiar physical, social and educational environment.

His ministry was also responding to a “good number” of parents who had asked if the number of transitions their children have to go through can be reduced, since MOE Kindergartens do not cater to children of the nursery age, he added.

Mr Zainal asked how many MOE Kindergartens will be located in popular primary schools which have balloting in the last three years of Primary One registration. Mr Ng answered that the 35 new MOE Kindergartens to be established by 2023 will “generally be located in estates where there is higher demand for pre-school places”.

“It is too early to say if these schools will ballot in which phase of future Primary One Registration Exercises, or whether they will face balloting at all,” Mr Ng added.

Mr Ng also addressed concerns raised by some private pre-school operators on competition from MOE Kindergartens.

Noting that MOE Kindergartens will only make up one-fifth of the pre-school landscape when all 50 centres are up and running in five years, the minister said: “Parents will still have sufficient choice, and good pre-schools that are able to provide quality services that meet the needs and preferences of families will continue to play an important role in this sector.”