SINGAPORE - A total of 88 primary schools will hold a ballot for places in Phase 2C, the latest stage in the Primary 1 registration process.

       In the 2023 exercise, 82 schools faced such a ballot in Phase 2C, which is for children who have no prior links to the schools.

       The most oversubscribed school was Princess Elizabeth Primary School in Bukit Batok, which received 270 applications for 41 places, meaning that about six children are vying for each spot.

       Nan Hua Primary School in Clementi, and Chongfu School in Yishun were also heavily oversubscribed, according to the latest registration figures released on the Ministry of Education’s (MOE’s) website on Aug 7.

       Phase 2C started on July 30 and ended on Aug 1.

       Nan Hua Primary had 160 applications for 40 vacancies, while Chongfu School had 153 applications for 43 places.

       Unlike in 2023, all 86 schools with more applications than spots available will be holding a ballot.

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       In addition, two schools that were not oversubscribed – Bukit Timah Primary School and Opera Estate Primary School – will be holding ballots as well.

       Both schools have a cap on the intake of permanent residents (PRs) for the Primary 1 registration exercise in 2024, and have reached it. The third school that also has a cap on the intake of PR children is Cantonment Primary School.

       This is a move by the MOE to prevent any concentration of PR children in local primary schools.

       All Singapore citizen children are admitted to Bukit Timah Primary School and Opera Estate Primary School, and balloting will be conducted for PR children residing outside 2km of these schools.

       Most of the oversubscribed schools – 60 of them – are facing a ballot for Singapore citizen children residing within 1km of the school.

       Balloting for children of PRs will be conducted in eight oversubscribed schools.

       Phase 2C is open to children who have no prior links to the school, while the earlier stages like phases 2A and 2B are for those whose parents are alumni or volunteers. Balloting results will be out on Aug 13, and vacancies for the next stage, Phase 2C Supplementary, will also be released on the same day.

       Phase 2C Supplementary will run from Aug 15 to Aug 16.