Primary 1 registration for children entering schools in 2025 will start on 2 July 2024! Here are the important facts and FAQs you need to know about:
- Families with children born between 2 January 2018 and 1 January 2019 can register online for the 2024 P1 Registration Exercises.
- For Singapore Citizens (SC) and Permanent Residents (PR) children, the P1 registration will open from 2 July 2024 to 30 October 2024.
- For International Students (IS), they must submit an online indication of interest form between 28 May 2024 (Tuesday) and 3 June 2024 (Monday) to by qualify for this year’s P1 registration.
- MOE will release the list of schools and vacancies on the P1 Registration website by 25 June.
Primary 1 Registration in Singpaore
Primary 1 registration for admission is an important milestone for familes in Singapore. It is a crucial process to secure a spot in primary school, and parents need to understand the details and steps involved. The registration process aims to be fair and transparent, considering multiple factors, such as age, proximity from home, and sibling enrolment.
This article provides a complete guide to Primary 1 registration for 2025 admission, including important dates, eligibility criteria, registration phases, and frequently asked questions.
Eligibility Criteria for Primary 1 Registration
Age requirement
To be eligible for Primary 1 registration for 2025 admission, your child must also be born between 2 January 2018 and 1 January 2019. Parents should ensure that their child meets these criteria before proceeding with the registration process.
For Singapore Citizens (SC) and Permanent Residents (PR)
The P1 Registration only accepts online registration through the P1 Registration Portal from 2 July 2024. Only one parent needs to submit the registration.
- Parents need Singpass for P1 registration: You need a valid Singpass with 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) to access the P1 Registration Portal. MOE advises parents to set up their Singpass 2FA early.
- Register your child for only one school in any phase: Multiple registrations are not accepted. MOE will take your latest submission made during the phase.
- If your registration in a phase is unsuccessful You can register your child in the next phase they are eligible for. If your child is unsuccessful in Phase 2C Supplementary, they will be posted to a school with available vacancy.
For Foreigners
International students (IS) will be able to register for Primary One during Phase 3, after SC and PR children under the earlier phases. Before Phase 3, ISes must follow a 2-step process:
- Indicate interest in late May:
Submit an online indication of interest form, between 9am on Tuesday, 28 May 2024 to 4.30pm on Monday, 3 June 2024. - Receive offer email and register by October:
You will receive an email from the MOE on whether your child can be offered a P1 place. If offered, you will also find instructions on how to register with the designated school in the email.
Five Phases for Primary 1 Registration
The Primary 1 Registration has five phases. Phases 1 to 2C Supplementary apply to Singapore Citizens (SC) and Permanent Residents (PR) children. International students (IS) must register through a 2-step process prior to registration in Phase 3.
Phase 1 to Phase 2B are for those with ties to the preferred school:
- Phase-1: For SC or PR children with siblings studying in the school of choice. All children registered under this phase will be offered a place.
- Phase-2A: For SC or PR children whose parents are former students, staff members, or member of the School Advisory or Management Committee of the school. This phase is also for SC or PR children who are currently in the MOE Kindergarten located within the school.
- Phase-2B: For SC or PR children whose parents have volunteered at the school before 1 July 2023, with at least 40 hours of service by 30 June 2024, a member endorsed by the church or clan directly connected with the school, or endorsed as an active community leader.
Phase 2C to Phase 3 are for those without ties to the preferred school:
- Phase-2C: For SC or PR children who are not eligible for the earlier phases.
- Phase-2C (Supplementary): For SC or PR children who are not allocated a school during Phase 2C.
- Phase-3: For international students who submitted an online indication of interest form before 3 June 2024.
Key dates for P1 Registration for 2025 Admission
| Phrase | Registration (9 AM – 4:30 PM) | Date of Results |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-4 July 2024 | 10 July 2024 |
| 2A | 11-12 July 2024 | 19 July 2024 |
| 2B | 22-23 July 2024 | 29 July 2024 |
| 2C | 30 July – 1 August 2024 | 13 August 2024 |
| 2C Supplementary | 15-16 August 2024 | 27 August 2024 |
| 3 | 28 May – 3 June 2024 | By October 2024 |
Note: Primary 1 Registration is NOT first-come, first-served.
Important Considerations for Parents
During the Primary 1 registration process, parents should consider the following:
- Research and understand nearby primary schools.
- Consider the schools’ past balloting statistics.
- Attend open houses or gather information from the school’s website.
- Prioritize choices based on factors like school values, academic offerings, and distance.
You can also use MOE’s SchoolFinder for a more holistic understanding of the offerings by each school. We encourage all parents to think through your preferred school choice before submitting your choice to avoid withdrawals or amendments. This ensures a smoother process and securing placement in your preferred school.
Balloting
Balloting may occur when there are more registrants than available spots in any phase from 2A to 2C Supplementary. MOE centrally conducts computerized balloting, ensuring all registrants have an equal opportunity for admission.
You can verify if your child needs to ballot for a spot at your preferred school by checking the list of schools requiring balloting at the end of the phase.
Priorities
The eligibility criteria for the five phases prioritize certain categories, including citizenship, sibling enrollment, and parental alumni or community leadership status.
During balloting, priority for admission at your preferred primary school depends on proximity and citizenship. Here’s the order of priority:
- Singapore Citizens (SC) living within 1 km of the school.
- SCs living between 1 km and 2 km of the school.
- SCs living outside 2 km of the school.
- Permanent Residents (PR) living within 1km of the school.
- PRs living between 1 km and 2 km of the school.
- PRs living outside 2 km of the school.
FAQs for Primary 1 Registration 2024
General Questions
What is Primary 1 Registration Exericse?
Primary 1 Registration Exercise is a process to enroll your child in mainstream Singapore primary schools in the following year. While primary school education is compulsory for all Singapore Citizens (SC), the Primary 1 Registration is also applicable to Permanent Residents (PR) and international students (IS).
When do I have to register my child for Primary 1?
You need to register your child for Primary 1 in the year they turn 6, or if they were born on January 1, in the year they turn 5.
My child is born on 2 January 2019. Can they take part in the 2024 Primary 1 Registration?
No, MOE requires children to be at least 6 years old on 1 January of the admission year. Therefore, your child can only be admitted to Primary 1 in 2026, and you should participate in the 2025 Primary 1 Registration Exercise.
What if I missed registering my child for Primary 1 in a phase they were eligible for?
Don’t worry. You can register your child in the next eligible phase, but no priority will be given.
Can I register my child in more than one school in the Primary 1 Registration?
No, you can register your child in only one school per phase. Multiple registrations are not accepted.
How do I register my child for Primary 1 while I am working overseas?
Don’t worry. The P1 Registration is fully online.
Can I submit my child’s P1 Registration in-person at a school?
No, P1 registration is fully online. MOE will only accept online registration for all phases. There will not be any in-person registration at primary schools.
If you are unable to register online, you can contact your school of choice via phone or email for assistance between 9am and 4.30pm on the respective registration days.
Can I register my PR child for Primary 1 in a local school?
Yes, MOE guarantees all eligible Singapore Citizen (SC) and Permanent Resident (PR) children a spot in a local primary school. Be sure to review the registration by phases to understand the steps required if your child is not a foreigner.
If I am a PR but my child is not, can I register my child for Primary 1 in a local school?
Yes, you can register your child during Phase 3 of the P1 Registration as a non-PR foreigner. The immigration status of the child determines the phase of registration, regardless of the parent’s status.
Is there a cap on PR children intake for the Primary 1 Registration?
Yes, three primary schools have such a cap for the 2024 P1 Registration:
- Bukit Timah Primary School
- Cantonment Primary School
- Opera Estate Primary School
This measure, introduced by MOE in 2020, aims to promote interaction between SC and PR children and foster PR children’s integration into Singapore.
Are international students eligible for Primary 1 registration in a local school?
Yes, non-PR foreign children register as international students (IS) for P1 during Phase 3 after Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents
To be eligible for the Phase 3 registeration, however, you must complete an online indication of interest by 3 June 2024.
What comes next after registering interest in June 2024?
In October 2024, registered families selected by MOE will be contacted to bring all original documents listed below in person to a designated school for verification. You will have to present both parents’ original passports and identity cards, so plan your travel accordingly.
Can I register next year?
Foreigners wanting to register outside of the P1 registration phases will have to take a rigorous standardized test called the AEIS and admission is at the discretion of the Singapore government. For more information consult the Ministry of Education.
What if our application is denied?
If your application is denied, all decisions are final and appeals are not considered. Families should prepare a backup plan for their IS child’s education.
Can I register my child who was not born between 2 January 2018 and 1 January 2019?
Outside of the P1 registration, all foreign children must take the AEIS exam to apply for a local school. Admission is at the discretion of the Singapore government. For more information, consult the Ministry of Education.
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