P1 registration

A NEW rule requiring children to live for at least 21/2 years at the addresses they used to apply for primary school has been introduced. Beginning this year, those who gain priority admission to schools based on distance need to live at the address for at least 30 months from the start of the Primary 1 registration exercise.

Those with a yet-to-be-completed property also have to live at the new address for as long, but this can start only from when they move in and not from the registration, subject to certain limits. If this condition is not met, MOE may transfer the child to another school. distance priority has always been given with the expectation that the family will live at the address declared for Primary 1 registration.

Besides proximity, priority is also given to parents with various relations with the school ie whether it's  alama mater status, sibling referrals, or clan or church relations. We have joined the Hokkien Huay Kuan because of this. Membership has to be at least  2 years in order  to meet the voluntary hours.. which amazingly is not stated. The witting organiser  conducts induction for the new members  and during induction it was shared and showcased to parents of the need to stay within a kilometre and the voluminous hours they contributed. Many have hit 100 hours  and gotten  into to thier top selection. There was a mum whose school that she targeted was so popular that despite the 200 hours put in she sold her place to ensure that she is within 1km from the school, investing millions into a property  to hopefully secure a placement.

Well we succumbed to the pressure and joined as a member in order  to get the kids into Nan Chiau Primary school ie the best ranked school in our area. However as only the hokkien member could contribute  to the voluntary  hours, me and my side of the family cant help. Chris tried his best and managed to squeeze  in 59.5hours... 40.5 hours short of the hundred average. He very worried about the outcome. When i called the school and told him that her name didnt make the list. He was pretty upset with  himself... but hey i tricked him. Her name was on the short list and he was even more relieved  upon receiving the confirmation  letter from the  clan. Knowing  that all that hard work has borne fruits!

So yes we will be able to register her for P1 on Monday 20 July and hopefully there is no need for balloting!