World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Singapore families move to improve children’s chances at popular schools
Some Singapore parents move to improve their children’s chances of entering popular primary schools.
Property agents say families sometimes buy or rent homes near a chosen school at least two years before admission.
Living nearby does not guarantee a place, because oversubscribed schools may still use balloting.
The strategy has come under scrutiny in a recent parliamentary debate about primary school admissions.
Singapore plans to widen admission to 12 schools in neighbourhoods with mostly private housing.
The move is intended to encourage greater social mixing.
Families may still face a ballot for a place, even if they live close to a school.
Singapore’s parliamentary debate over primary school admissions has highlighted families moving house to improve their children’s chances of entering popular schools.
Property agents say some parents seek to buy or rent homes near particular schools at least two years before admission.
Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and families may still have to enter a ballot if a school is oversubscribed.
Singapore is preparing to widen admission to 12 schools in predominantly private-housing neighbourhoods to encourage greater social mixing.
- Who
- Some families in Singapore are seeking homes near popular primary schools.
- What
- Parents are moving or planning to move to improve their children’s chances of admission.
- When
- Some families approach property agents at least two years before their children’s primary school admission.
- Where
- Singapore.
- Why
- To improve children’s chances of entering sought-after schools; the planned wider admissions at 12 schools aim to encourage greater social mixing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Some families approach property agents about buying or renting homes near particular schools.
Primary school admissions and families moving to improve their children’s chances came under discussion.
Singapore plans to widen admission to 12 schools in predominantly private-housing neighbourhoods to encourage social mixing.
- Schools affected by planned admissions changes
- 12
- Advance home searches
- At least two years before primary school admission
- Admission outcome
- Living near a sought-after school does not guarantee entry
- Oversubscription
- Families may still face balloting