Question 1

When is P1 Registration 2026?

Accepted Answer

P1 Registration 2026 takes place in July 2026. Phase 1 registration (siblings) opens first, followed by Phases 2A(1), 2A(2), 2B, and 2C in sequential weeks. The child will start school in January 2027. Exact dates are announced by MOE on the MOE website.

Question 2

What age must my child be to register for P1?

Accepted Answer

Your child must turn 7 years old in the year of admission. For the 2027 intake, children born between 2 January 2020 and 1 January 2021 are eligible to register in the 2026 P1 registration exercise.

Question 3

Can I register my child at more than one school?

Accepted Answer

No. You may only register your child at one school during each phase. If your child does not secure a place, they automatically proceed to the next phase where you can select a different school.

Question 4

What documents do I need for P1 registration?

Accepted Answer

The main document is your child's birth certificate (original + photocopy). For PRs, you also need the child's Entry/Re-Entry Permit or In-Principal Approval. Additional documents may be required depending on your registration phase — for example, proof of alumni status for Phase 2A(2) or volunteer service records for Phase 2B.

Question 5

What happens if my child is not allocated a place?

Accepted Answer

Children who are not successful by Phase 2C Supplementary will be allocated to a school by MOE, typically a school near your registered address with available vacancies. Every eligible child is guaranteed a school place.

Question 6

What is Phase 2B Parent Volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Phase 2B is open to parents who have contributed at least 40 hours of volunteer service to their chosen school. Volunteering typically involves activities like library duty, reading programmes, or canteen monitoring. Parents must complete the required volunteer hours before the Phase 2B registration window opens.

Question 7

How does balloting work?

Accepted Answer

Balloting happens when the number of eligible applicants in a registration phase exceeds the number of vacancies remaining at the school. MOE then conducts a computerised random ballot. All eligible applicants have an equal chance — there is no benefit to applying early within the phase window.

Question 8

Does living closer to the school help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Within any phase that goes to ballot, MOE prioritises applicants in order: (1) Singapore Citizens over PRs; (2) within citizens, those living within 1 km are prioritised over those living 1–2 km, who are prioritised over those living beyond 2 km. Each distance band is balloted separately if still oversubscribed.

Question 9

What is a SAP school?

Accepted Answer

A Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school is a government primary school that offers Higher Chinese alongside English as co-equal first languages. There are 9 SAP primary schools in Singapore. They were originally elite Chinese-medium schools that transitioned to the SAP programme in 1979 to preserve Chinese language and culture.

Question 10

What is the GEP (Gifted Education Programme)?

Accepted Answer

The Gifted Education Programme (GEP) is a special programme for intellectually gifted students. Students are identified through a two-stage screening test in Primary 3 (around age 9). GEP students are placed in one of 9 designated primary schools to follow a more advanced and enriched curriculum from Primary 4 onwards.

P1 Registration & Primary School FAQ

P1 Registration Basics

Phases and Eligibility

Balloting

School Types

After Registration

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