What Is the Special Assistance Plan?
The Special Assistance Plan (SAP) was introduced by the Singapore government in 1979 as part of a major reorganisation of the education system. Its goal was to preserve the rich cultural and academic traditions of the nine top Chinese-medium schools — which had historically produced many of Singapore's leaders — while transitioning them fully into the bilingual English-Chinese education system.
SAP schools are therefore distinguished by a dual commitment to English-medium instruction (in line with all Singapore schools) and a strong emphasis on Higher Chinese as a second language. Students at SAP schools are expected to offer Higher Chinese, which is assessed at a higher standard than standard Mandarin Chinese.
Why SAP Schools Are Sought-After
SAP schools are among Singapore's most academically prestigious primary schools. They tend to have:
- Strong bilingual outcomes — Students graduate with excellent Chinese proficiency alongside strong English skills
- Rich cultural traditions — Many SAP schools have histories stretching back over a century, with active alumni networks
- High PSLE performance — SAP schools consistently rank among the top performers in national examinations
- Structured co-curricular life — A wide range of CCAs, cultural events, and enrichment activities
The Nine SAP Primary Schools
As of 2026, the following nine primary schools carry SAP designation:
- Ai Tong School — Bishan (Central)
- Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) — Barker Road (Central) — note: ACS(P) is not officially SAP but has strong bilingual traditions
- Catholic High School (Primary) — Bishan (Central)
- Chongfu School — Yishun (North)
- Nan Hua Primary School — Clementi (West)
- Nanyang Primary School — Bukit Timah (Central)
- Pei Chun Public School — Toa Payoh (Central)
- Tao Nan School — Marine Parade (East)
- Yu Neng Primary School — Hougang (North-East)
Higher Chinese: What to Expect
At SAP schools, Higher Chinese (HCL) is the standard Chinese option — not an enrichment add-on. The curriculum is more demanding, with greater emphasis on classical texts, oral communication, and essay writing. Students who excel in HCL at PSLE gain a bonus point in secondary school posting.
Parents should be realistic about their child's Chinese language ability before targeting an SAP school. While SAP schools provide strong support for language learning, children with limited Chinese exposure at home may find HCL demanding.
Admission to SAP Schools
SAP schools follow the same P1 registration phases as all government primary schools. However, because of their prestige, most SAP schools are oversubscribed — especially in Phases 2A and 2B. Nanyang Primary and Ai Tong School, in particular, regularly ballot in Phase 2C with very limited vacancies.
Parents targeting SAP schools should:
- Check balloting history data on SGSchool's P1 Registration Data page
- Consider parent volunteering at Phase 2B to improve chances
- Have a backup school in mind, especially for the most competitive SAP schools
Is a SAP School Right for Your Child?
SAP schools are excellent choices for children from Chinese-speaking households or families who prioritise strong bilingual education. They are less suitable for children with very limited Mandarin exposure, who may struggle with the Higher Chinese curriculum.
Use SGSchool to browse all SAP schools, compare their balloting history, and explore each school's CCAs and programmes. Filter by SAP status on the school search page.