2008 P1 Registration Exercise for 2009 In-Take

[red_ryder]

I’m trying to understand MOE’s statistics, especially in phase 2C. Does the number of applicants shown includes all people applying or only those within 1 and 2 km? Do people who live beyond 2km even bother applying in this phase?


I applied to be a parent volunteer at Nan Hua but was turned down. I live within 1km of the school but don’t know what the chances are in phase 2C, because MOE does not break down the statistics into those who live within 1km, those who live between 1km and 2km, and those who live outside 2km.

Anyone knows?

[angeliatay]

From my understanding, the no. of applicants in MOE stats reflects the total no. of registrants under the 2C phase for the school, including all distances.


What you should do is call the school and request for a breakdown. That’s what I did with the school of my choice and the adminstrator was kind enough to provide me with the no. of applicants that fell within 1km & 1-2km.

I understand that for some schools where the total no. of applicants who falls under the 1km + 1-2Km far exceeds the no. of spaces available, applicants who are outside of 2km are strongly encouraged not to apply as they would not stand a chance in the balloting. And in schools like Nanyang and Ai Tong, registration for those who were not within 1km proximity of school was not accepted as it was announced upfront that balloting will only be conducted for those who live within 1km.

In year 2006 & 2007, balloting was conducted in Nan Hua only for those who lived within 1km of school. Thus, it is most likely that the number reflected should be that of the no. of applicants who are staying within 1km of the school as those who do not fall into that category would have withdrawn their registration and applied in another school where they at least stood a chance of getting in. But as I’d mentioned, you should definitely call up the school to get the more details.

[dilemma]

Hi Red_Ryder


I am also staying within 1km of Nanhua and I am really in a dilemma whether to try for the balloting because I feel that this year chances is lesser than that of last year. It’s only Phase 2A2 and more than half the places has been taken.

I am formerly from Clementi Primary, I am not sure if I should go ahead and register under Phase 2A2 or try for Nanhua at Phase 2C.

I was also rejected to be a Parent Volunteer at Nanhua.

If I try for Nanhua and unable to get in after the ballot, will have to register in Pei Tong already because by then Clementi Primary will all be taken.

[red_ryder]

dilemma:

Hi Red_Ryder


I am also staying within 1km of Nanhua and I am really in a dilemma whether to try for the balloting because I feel that this year chances is lesser than that of last year. It's only Phase 2A2 and more than half the places has been taken.

I am formerly from Clementi Primary, I am not sure if I should go ahead and register under Phase 2A2 or try for Nanhua at Phase 2C.

I was also rejected to be a Parent Volunteer at Nanhua.

If I try for Nanhua and unable to get in after the ballot, will have to register in Pei Tong already because by then Clementi Primary will all be taken.

My daughter will be registering in 2009, so I still have one year to plan. Right now trying to decide between Henry Park or NanHua. Both I tried to volunteer and got turned down. If Henry Park is easier to get in, then I'll move to my parent's place in Ghim Moh and register from there.

But right now really have no idea what the chances are for people living within 1 km of both schools.

How is Pei Tong compared to Clementi Primary?

[dilemma]

Hi Red_ryder


Maybe you will have better chance next year as I understand that the birth rate in year of Goat is so much lesser than that of Horse. Henry Park is also a good school in this region.

Pei Tong has rebuilt the whole building so it must have the best facilities. Clementi Pri has two students scoring 275 and above last year.

[caroline3sg]

red_ryder

You can safely take the no. of applicants shown on MOE web (ie for those balloting within 1km) to be the actual no. of applicants who are actually staying within 1km. Those 1-2km and outside 2km would be told to withdraw after end of first day when the sch have compiled the no. of within 1km that have exceeded the no. of vacancies.

My colleague has this experience with Chongfu. My son’s nanny also had this same experience with De La Salle 2 yrs ago. To re-confirm, I called up De La Salle (I am due to register this end July) and was told the no. of applicants at 2C is actually all within 1km.

As someone put it, don’t know whether it is good or bad to be staying near good sch. So near, yet may not get ballot in. However, my colleague also justify that since need to ballot, don’t waste the chance. But must have back up plan. This back up plan must not have risk of balloting.

[red_ryder]

dilemma:

Hi Red_ryder


Maybe you will have better chance next year as I understand that the birth rate in year of Goat is so much lesser than that of Horse. Henry Park is also a good school in this region.

Pei Tong has rebuilt the whole building so it must have the best facilities. Clementi Pri has two students scoring 275 and above last year.

I doubt that low birth-rate means easier to get into good school. If the cohort is small that year, MOE will just scale down the vacancies proportionally. Otherwise a lot of the less popular schools will be left empty right? Anyway, thanks for the info!

[jedamum]

red_ryder:

If Henry Park is easier to get in, then I'll move to my parent's place in Ghim Moh and register from there.

Just a note - if you are thinking about Phase 2C in Henry Park, they require balloting for those residing within 1km. Registration using grandparents address will be categorised as registration within 1-2km regardless if the address is within 1km.

[caroline3sg]

tianzhu

My views against Mr Chong & the writer:
1) no. of PRs being 50K is greater than our births of 40K: I don’t think the 50K PRs’ children are of the same age.

2) The govt treat all our sch (including neighbourhoods) as world class. So indeed there are sufficient places for all children of foreign talent.

3) The writer must be a foreign talent or PR. If one is able to migrate, that person must have lots of money. Usually such people would go to international sch.

If a (reputable) sch can expand no. of vacancies to cater to dragon babies, I wonder why they have to cut enrolment when no. of births reduces. They can jolly well take everyone in till their limit of 390 places. This would definitely reduce the level of stress. Of course, if MOE were to allow this, this would mean labelling sch as good vs not so good as they are trying to abolish the ranking. No matter what, we already know which are the prestigous sch.

I was not aware that PRs are given same priority as critizens. Just like there are different subsidy for different income levels, varied housing rules for first timers, live near parents, upgraders; perhaps for PRs to enjoy same or almost same priority is that they must be 10 yrs and not newly converted PR. Now there isn’t any statistics to show new PRs taking a huge portion of successful registrations.

[Red_Rhino]

caroline3sg:

tianzhu

My views against Mr Chong & the writer:
1) no. of PRs being 50K is greater than our births of 40K: I don't think the 50K PRs' children are of the same age.

2) The govt treat all our sch (including neighbourhoods) as world class. So indeed there are sufficient places for all children of foreign talent.

3) The writer must be a foreign talent or PR. If one is able to migrate, that person must have lots of money. Usually such people would go to international sch.

If a (reputable) sch can expand no. of vacancies to cater to dragon babies, I wonder why they have to cut enrolment when no. of births reduces. They can jolly well take everyone in till their limit of 390 places. This would definitely reduce the level of stress. Of course, if MOE were to allow this, this would mean labelling sch as good vs not so good as they are trying to abolish the ranking. No matter what, we already know which are the prestigous sch.

I was not aware that PRs are given same priority as critizens. Just like there are different subsidy for different income levels, varied housing rules for first timers, live near parents, upgraders; perhaps for PRs to enjoy same or almost same priority is that they must be 10 yrs and not newly converted PR. Now there isn't any statistics to show new PRs taking a huge portion of successful registrations.

A few years down the road, you'll get more PRs vying for the already squeezed places available, especially in the popular schools. At least for current year registration, they may not be applying in phase 2A, but they can register in phase 2B. E.g. my colleague, both husband & wife are PRs, kid is also PR, they register in De La Salle under phase 2B, using church affiliation (they are catholics), and I am sure they are not the only ones.

I am neutral on my take on whether or not to give priority to Singaporeans, just citing an example to show the reality.