Who gets first on the waiting list really depends on the sch. Priority could be given to pvs who were balloted out in 2B or for parents who ask to be put on the list after 2C and 2CS.


We got a call earlier this year from the school where we were balloted out last year after doing PV for slightly more than 40 hrs. But we decided not to transfer our boy as we are v happy and contented with his current sch. The environment is a much better fit. Co-ed and with caring trs. So don’t need to worry if yr child didn’t get into a school of your original choice. It could v well be a blessing in disguise. What makes a school "good" is really the teachers and the school leaders. That’s what matters.

Hi,


My child will b in GMPS next year. I’d like to find out if all P1 pupils take higher Chinese. Thanks!

I was a parent volunteer (PV) in school A but was balloted out in phase 2B. In phase 2C, I tried again but still couldn’t secure a place for my child. When I was in school B, I witnessed how the last 30 min robbed my chance of balloting. At the last min after 4pm, some parents rushed in to register after withdrawal from another school. The figures were crazy. The vacancies increased but at the same time the take up rate increased faster. At 4.20pm, I knew I had no chance. I left.


According to the Admin Manager in school A, some parents who were PVs got a place in phase 2B but later decided to withdraw and register in another school in phase 2C. Likewise, some parents fr phase 2A acted similarly. At the end, the vacancies in school A increased by 6 places. But as most of you know, it’s MOE policy that the vacancies be given to the current phase.

It’s definitely not a fair system, especially when parents can pick and choose a school even at the eleventh hour. Not saying it’s their fault as everyone wants the best for their child but I’m pretty sure not many parents knew the kind of consequences their actions can have on other parents who didn’t secure a place from phase 2B up to 2C. It’s a loophole MOE needs to address and I’m sure I’m not the first one who feel this way. Parents should not be allowed to withdraw their application in any phases. Every child is precious and all parents should be given equal privileges in the registration process. For my case, I feel very much marginalised as a result. We worked hard to get a place in phase 2B. 8 of us were balloted out. This number could be fewer if some fickle-minded parents didn’t take up and reserve the place so as to continue ‘shopping’ in phase 2C.

It’s very sad to see how parents use the system to their own advantage. Closing the loophole by disallowing withdrawals is one way to ensure some fairness and transparency in the process. The only P1 registration is only the beginning of a long journey in a child’ s education. There will come many instances when u can’t reserve, shop and get the ‘best’ for your child as it’s still meritocracy that matters in the education system here.