P1 Registration Overhaul: 60 Phase 2C Places & The New Two-Track Scheme at 12 Schools
On 10 September 2026, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced landmark changes to the Primary One (P1) Registration Framework. Aimed at improving open access for children without prior connections and encouraging broader socio-economic diversity in top schools, these changes take effect from the 2027 P1 Registration Exercise (for children born in 2020 starting P1 in 2028).
The 2 Big Changes at a Glance
1. More Open Seats: Reserved Phase 2C places increase from 40 to 60 across all standard primary schools.
2. New Two-Track Scheme: 12 popular schools located in private-property enclaves will split Phase 2C seats 50/50 between families living within 2km and those living beyond 2km.
60
Phase 2C Reserved Seats (up from 40)
12
Two-Track Schools Selected
50 / 50
Quota Split (≤2km vs >2km)
2027
Implementation Year (2028 P1 Cohort)
⚖️ Winners & Losers: Who is Affected?
Who Gains an Advantage
✓
Families living >2km from popular schoolsFor the first time ever, at least 30 spots at Nanyang, RGPS, Tao Nan, and MGS are ring-fenced specifically for families living beyond 2km anywhere in Singapore with equal standing.
✓
General Phase 2C applicants across all schoolsThe 50% increase in baseline quota (from 40 to 60 seats) protects general applicants in competitive neighbourhood schools even after heavy Phase 2A/2B demand.
Who Faces Tighter Competition
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Residents living <1km from the 12 schoolsLocal quota is cut in half (~30 seats), and the <1km proximity priority is eliminated. You are pooled equally with everyone living up to 2km away.
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Phase 2A (Alumni) & Phase 2B (Volunteers / Clan)The 20 extra seats for Phase 2C come from earlier phases. Expect balloting to trigger earlier and at tighter distance bands in Phase 2A and 2B.
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Permanent Resident (PR) applicantsSingapore Citizens take absolute priority across both tracks. High SC demand means virtually zero chance of Phase 2C admission at the 12 schools for PRs.
🗺️ Visual Flowchart: How the Two-Track Scheme Operates
Phase 2C Pool
Total Phase 2C Vacancies
60 Minimum Baseline Seats
Plus any remaining seats carried over from Phase 2A & 2B
↓ Split Equally 50 / 50 ↓
Phase 2C (≤2km)
⚠️ Crucial Rule Change: No <1km priority! Applicants living 200m away and 1.9km away are placed in the same pool with identical odds.
If SC Applicants > 30 → Computerised balloting among all ≤2km SCs
Phase 2C (>2km)
🎯 Island-Wide Equal Standing: Applicants from Woodlands, Tampines, Jurong, or Sengkang all compete on equal footing regardless of address.
If SC Applicants > 30 → Computerised balloting among all >2km SCs
Automatic Vacancy Transfer: If either track has unfilled seats after accommodating all Singapore Citizen applicants, those remaining seats immediately transfer to the other track before balloting begins.
🏫 The 12 Two-Track Schools
MOE selected schools where public housing accounts for less than 40% of dwelling units within 2km (compared to ~80% nationally). Under the new framework, these 12 schools will divide their Phase 2C vacancies equally between applicants living ≤2km and applicants living >2km island-wide.
| School Name | Cluster / Town | Type | Special Programs & Attributes | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nanyang Primary School | Bukit Timah | Co-ed | GEPSAPAffiliated | View → |
Raffles Girls' Primary School | Bukit Timah | Girls | GEPGovernment | View → |
Methodist Girls' School (Primary) | Bukit Timah | Girls | GirlsAffiliated | View → |
Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School | Bukit Timah | Co-ed | SAP | View → |
Singapore Chinese Girls' Primary School | Novena / Bukit Timah | Girls | GirlsAffiliated | View → |
Tao Nan School | Marine Parade | Co-ed | GEPSAP | View → |
CHIJ (Katong) Primary | Marine Parade / Bedok | Girls | GirlsAffiliated | View → |
Ngee Ann Primary School | Marine Parade | Co-ed | Affiliated | View → |
Tanjong Katong Primary School | Marine Parade | Co-ed | Government | View → |
Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) | Central | Boys | BoysAffiliated | View → |
Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) | Novena | Boys | GEPBoysAffiliated | View → |
St. Margaret's School (Primary) | Central | Girls | GirlsAffiliated | View → |
Nanyang Primary School
Details →
Raffles Girls' Primary School
Details →
Methodist Girls' School (Primary)
Details →
Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary
Details →
Singapore Chinese Girls' Primary
Details →
Tao Nan School
Details →
CHIJ (Katong) Primary
Details →
Ngee Ann Primary School
Details →
Tanjong Katong Primary
Details →
Anglo-Chinese School (Junior)
Details →
Anglo-Chinese School (Primary)
Details →
St. Margaret's School (Primary)
Details →
Why aren't Catholic High, Rosyth, or Nan Hua on this list?
Many parents expected popular schools like Catholic High (Bishan), Rosyth (Serangoon North), or Nan Hua (Clementi) to be included. However, these schools sit within mature HDB estates where public housing already accounts for well over 40% of surrounding dwellings, naturally providing socio-economic diversity.
🎲 Step-by-Step: Two Real-World Balloting Scenarios
One Track Has Leftover Seats
School has 60 places (30 in ≤2km, 30 in >2km). 25 SCs apply in >2km, and 40 SCs apply in ≤2km.
Both Tracks Oversubscribed
Realistic for top brand-name schools: 75 SCs apply in ≤2km track, and 150 SCs apply in >2km track.
Zero seats transfer between tracks when both are full!
💡 Strategic Takeaways for Parents
🎯 1. Families Living Beyond 2km: You Have a Genuine Shot
If you live in Pasir Ris, Jurong, or Sengkang, brand-name institutions in Bukit Timah and East Coast were previously impossible to reach in Phase 2C. From 2027, 30 places are legally ring-fenced for families living >2km away, giving you equal odds with any other >2km applicant in Singapore.
🏠 2. Homeowners & Renters: The 1km Property Premium is Eroding
Buying or renting within 1km of these 12 schools no longer gives an edge over someone living 1.8km away. Both are pooled together in Track A. If you are relocating primarily for P1 admission, ensure you factor in that local seats are halved and competition within the 2km radius will be fierce.
⚠️ 3. Permanent Resident (PR) Families: Avoid Phase 2C at These 12 Schools
Singapore Citizens take absolute priority across both tracks. Because SC applicants will easily exceed 30 places in both tracks, PRs will have zero places available in Phase 2C. PR families should conserve their application for schools with proven surplus Phase 2C vacancies.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does this change affect the 2026 registration exercise?
No. The 2026 exercise continues under current rules. The 60-seat Phase 2C quota and Two-Track Scheme take effect in mid-2027 for the P1 cohort entering school in January 2028 (children born between 2 January 2020 and 1 January 2021).
Can parents choose which track to apply under?
No. Your track is determined automatically by MOE based on the official registered residential address on your NRIC, calculated using OneMap home-school distance data.
What happens if a child loses the ballot in the >2km track?
The child will not secure a place in Phase 2C and will proceed to Phase 2C Supplementary to apply for schools with remaining vacancies, or will be posted to a nearby school by MOE.
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