Citizens and PRs debate primary 1 registration

[116520]

Personally, I feel that the local pri 1 registration system is quite ok.

Ok because there is no system that is perfect. There are of course some popular schools and there are some not so popular schools. MOE cannnot change all school names to Raffles. Even if they do so, there will be "Good Raffles" and "Bad Raffles" schools after all....

There are limited resources in each school therefore there is a limited space avail each year. There are many phrases for diff groups of ppl and now we have "parent volunteers phrase" for ppl who wish to try earlier. At least our system is ballot when there is not enough space avail. In countries like Hong Kong and Japan, good schools interview students and parents. Sometimes they give "entrance tests" to kids as well. Luckily this doesn't happen in singapore....

[BRABUS]

My son didn't got a place in our 1st choice primary school ,3 years ago , we stay within 1km range , 200+ seats but got 2000+ kids , i think at least 20% are PRs .Maybe it also becos my son born in the millennium year .

[pet]

i abit more heng, my daughter now p2...

her p1 reg. whn come to 2c, still got 30+ seat for 1-2km. and only 16 applicant nia...so no need ballot... hee

its really stress out lah for parents, grandpa ( my dad, whn he was still healthy also join in the stress )... .. really a whole family stress.

tht same yr, i faster go join old boys ... get ready to get my boy into earlier phrase. hahahahhaa

as for PR/ citizen thing, i am ok with equal chance. .. but on the whole, tis p1 reg sys sucks ... hahahahhaha

[Frogmen]

You are right bro, I went thru the Pri 1 registration last year but unfortunately didnt secured a place from the balloting even though i am within the <1km.

[116520]

Frogmen, I guess you're a parent too...

[Frogmen]

Its really nerves wacking. This issues had been bought up many times throught out years at this moment of time without any resoultions for the MOE. It's time for the MOE to step out of their shell and given all Singaporeans parents a satisfactory reply.

[116520]

I know how you feel... my girl went thru balloting even we are staying <1km....luckily she got in... this year pri 1 registration is a bit crazy... I was stressed too...

[Frogmen]

"Why are Phase 2C children given an equal chance in Primary 1 registration?"

MR EDUARD TAY: "My child was unsuccessful in balloting for a place in a neighbourhood school, less than 2km from our home. His chances were poor, having to vie with children registered under Phase 1A, 2A1, 2A2, 2B and first-generation permanent residents' (PRs) children under Phase 2C.

I did national service (NS) and so will my son, while first-generation PRs can choose not to do NS when they reach 18 by returning to their own country.

Why are these Phase 2C children given an equal chance in Primary 1 registration at the expense of Singaporeans like my son? While I understand the need to attract foreigners, I hope the Government will not do so at the expense of citizens and give us priority in balloting or in the registration phases, rather than make us compete for places in a neighbourhood school."


"We too have a right to give our children the best education."

MRS SWETA AGARWAL: "This is in response to yesterday's letter by Mr Eduard Tay, "Permanent residents - Why are these Phase 2C children given an equal chance in Primary 1 registration?"

I understand Mr Tay's disappointment that his son did not get a place in his school of choice. As a permanent resident for about six years now with my husband working here, I feel we too have a right to give our children the best education.

Just because we are not citizens does not mean we deserve less. We pay taxes and abide by Singapore's laws and if our children cannot get places in good schools, why would we stay?

Our daughter has a place in our choice of school and we are very happy. I hope I have not offended Mr Tay and I wish him all the best so his son can secure a place in a good school too."

"Not all schools are equal and parents just want the best for their children."

MR TONY LIM: "I refer to yesterday's letter by Mr Eduard Tay. A permanent resident (PR) child was guaranteed a place in the school of our choice because his parents did not have to face balloting as they had bought an apartment within 1km of the school.

We live between 1km and 2km from the school and our child lost out on the balloting. Not all schools are equal and parents just want the best for their children. Many PRs place their children in government-funded schools and not in expensive international schools.

I have given my fair share to Singapore, so did my father, and so too, hopefully, will my son. It is convenient for an eligible foreigner to obtain permanent residence and, as my case illustrates, reap what citizens like me sowed."

"Mrs Agarwal has the option of returning to her country to find a good school for her daughter. Mr Tay's child does not. Should any government not take care of its citizens first?"

MR JIMMY LOKE: "To Mrs Sweta Agarwal who argued that permanent residents (PRs) like her family have an equal right to give their children the best education here, I pose this question: If she has been a PR for a lengthy six years, why has she not taken up citizenship?

She further implied that it was pointless staying here if her daughter could not get into a good school. Therein lies the difference between PRs like her family and Singaporeans like Mr Eduard Tay, whose letter prompted her response.

Mr Tay asked why the children of PRs should have the same chance of a Primary 1 place in their preferred school.

Mrs Agarwal has the option of returning to her country to find a good school for her daughter. Mr Tay's child does not enjoy that luxury.

As a Singaporean, Mr Tay served national service for 21/2 years and spent 13 more years as a reservist. Should any government not take care of its citizens first?

I do not think Mr Tay and I are asking too much. I do not mean to offend Mrs Agarwal by making this point and I hope she and her family will join us as citizens in the near future."

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.


.... funny .. it seemed not long ago when I thought we were wondering why Singaporeans are not willing to have children. HELLO??? Are they dumb or just numb in the brain??? Isnt it OBVIOUS why Singaporeans do not want to have children? Its so stressful already living in Singapore, having to pay for a HDB that costs 10 times more then 30 years ago, but our salary is NOT 10 times what it was 30 years ago ... (salary for a non-PSLE was about $900 per month, and HDB was about $30K for 5 rm flat ... 30 years back)

So.. I guess the "mystery" of why Singaporeans do not wish to have children, is solved.

Its just to stressful enough to make ends meet... so why have another reason to be stressed up...
Posted by: whosaiddat at Wed Aug 19 23:02:54 SGT 2009


I think WE the origin Citizen of this Country has been downgraded to 'PRs' instead!!

In my opinion, Why our garment must ballot everything?? Study also need ballot, think in the whole world only this red dot got such rule!! So in my opinion, Why not make it simply, first phase all give to WE the Citizen of Spore since we, the FATHER, have to serve NS for 10-13 years or more depending.

If not in a nutshell, its 'MONEY TALKS BULL S H I T S WALKS'!!
Posted by: feng shui at Wed Aug 19 22:55:07 SGT 2009




How we can survive last decade without PRs/FTs before n after PAP govrnmt ? We are people of brain talents in this country w/out resources n yet we gone thru without sweat until today for you n our children.We can welcome foreigners coming to our soil not for enjoyment but with equal hard working but remember priority reserves for locals (see my thread on Vietnam).We don't see conflict of interests today
Look at Japan people of brain talents,they can survive w/out PRs/FTs
Their policy is not new,they do not encourage foriegn immgrts which they can see will affect their people's livelihood but orderly maintain a std salaries for the people.The Jpnese hv change from high quality,unique pack n high price to nice pack, good n acceptable price cheap from Asean countries
Do we hear Jpnese complain or quitters ? MM Lee see aging .....
Posted by: Ooi Hong Leong loses S$1b at Wed Aug 19 22:52:47 SGT 2009




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