Every parents in Singapore will go through this stressful period at least once.
For some, this period might be much more stressful than work!

I am talking about Primary 1 (P1) registration.

Education is very important. No doubt about it. For parents, their children education is one of their major concern.
They want their children to get the best education so that they can do well in the society in the future. They want good teaching method which will not be too taxing for the kids and yet not too relax. They want good teachers who can teach, attract the students and cultivate the children learning desire.
And more importantly, a good and safe school environment with no or less bullying.

Not easy, right?

Singapore has developed good education system with many good neighbourhood schools. But to get into the good neighbourhood school is no easy task either.

Currently is the period for parents to register their kid for Primary 1. Parents are getting stressed. Some of the parents I know, who has been posted to oversea, will take leave and come back for the registration of their kid. For worryfather, I have been started to gather information about the process since my daughter is 18 months old.

Now, let me brief a bit on the process. It is complicated and not for the faint hearted.
There are 3 phases for the registration as according to Singapore Ministry of Education

Phase 1
For a child who has a sibling studying in the school of choice.

Phase 2A1
For a child whose parent is a former student of the school and who has joined the alumni association as a member not later than 30 Jun 2009; or whose parent is a member of the School Advisory/Management Committee. 

Phase 2A2
For a child whose parent or sibling has studied in the school of choice; or whose parent is a staff member of the school of choice.

Phase 2B2 
For a child whose parent has joined the school as a parent volunteer not later than 1 July 2009 and has given at least 40 hours of voluntary service to the school by 30 June 2010; or whose parent is a member endorsed by the church/clan directly connected with the school; or whose parent is endorsed as an active community leader.

Phase 2C
For a child who is ineligible for or unsuccessful in earlier phases. If there is more children than the seats available, there will be ballot which will be divided into 3 categories.
Children staying less than 1km from the school, between 1km to 2km and more than 2km.

Phase 2C Supplementary
For a child who is unsuccessful in gaining a place in a school of choice at Phase 2C. Those schools with vacancy will be those less popular or in a more secluded place.

Phase 3
For a child who is neither a Singapore Citizen nor a Singapore Permanent Resident. 

Each school has certain amount of vacancy. Going through each phase, the seat will be taken. If in either of the phase, the number of registrants is more than the vacancy, ballot will be held.
Most popular schools will have enough students at Phase 2B2!


This mean that parents has to stay near the school (forgot about your dream house outside of the city), do some volunteer work at the school in order to have a chance to get your children into good school.
As of 16 July 2010, here is the school vacancies by phases.

So, parents, if you plan to send your children to Singapore primary school, please get a map and start planning now! But not to worry, every children will have a place for Primary 1, it is just a matter of which school.
Maybe you would like to share how's the process for your country too.