Getting into a brand-name primary school for a child can mean that he/she is more or less made for life.

It is for this reason that parents plan and worry many years ahead to ensure that their children are enrolled in the "right" primary school, lest their children be doomed to a lousy future.

Well, that may be an exaggeration, but being in a brand-name primary school can confer some special privileges because those studying in it have a priority to enrol in an affiliated secondary school.

Over time, some of these schools become less diverse and resemble closed communities, which may not be desirable for social cohesion.

Things are set to change, however, as Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng announced in Parliament on Mar. 7 that all secondary schools with affiliated primary schools will be required to reserve one-fifth of their places for students from non-affiliated schools from 2019.

Currently, 27 secondary schools offer their affiliated primary school students priority in the Secondary 1 posting. Affiliates qualify for this priority only if they meet the cut-off point and list the affiliated secondary school down as their first choice.

"Affiliation has its educational merits. It helps foster a strong school spirit and preserve schools’ traditions and ethos. Notwithstanding these merits, we have to ensure that our schools are open to all students, regardless of their backgrounds or connections.

Most affiliated secondary schools already admit more than 20% of non-affiliates today. However, since this proportion can vary from year to year, we are setting aside 20% of places every year, in every affiliated secondary school, to strike a balance between recognising affiliation and ensuring open access for all students."

For parents with children outside the affiliations and children who aspire to enter these schools, this is a welcome change for the better.

Here's the complete list all 27 secondary schools with the respective affiliated primary schools:

Boys Schools

1. Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)

2. Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Both are affiliated with: Anglo-Chinese School (Junior), Anglo-Chinese School (Primary)

3. Catholic High School

Affiliated with: Catholic High School (Primary)

4. Maris Stella High School

Affiliated with: Maris Stella High School

5. Monfort Secondary School

Affiliated with: Montfort Junior School

6. St Andrew's Secondary School

Affiliated with: St Andrew's Junior School

7. St Gabriel's Secondary School

Affiliated with: St Gabriel's Primary School

8. St Joseph's Institution

9. St Patrick's School

Both are affiliated with: De La Salle School, St Anthony's Primary School, St Joseph's Institution Junior, St. Stephen's School

Girls Schools

1. CHIJ Katong Convent

Affiliated with: CHIJ (Katong) Primary

2. CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)

Affiliated with: CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh)

3. CHIJ St Joseph's Convent

Affiliated with: CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity, CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel

4. CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School

Affiliated with: CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School

5. CHIJ St Theresa's Convent

Affiliated with: CHIJ (Kellock), CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace

6. Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)

Affiliated with: Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

7. Nanyang Girls' High School

Affiliated with: Nanyang Primary School

8. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)

Affiliated with: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

9. Singapore Chinese Girls' School

Affiliated with: Singapore Chinese Girls' Primary School

10. St Anthony's Canossian Secondary School

Affiliated with: Canossa Convent Primary School, St Anthony's Canossian Primary School

11. St Margaret's Secondary School

Affiliated with: St Margaret's Primary School

Co-ed Schools

1. Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary)

Affiliated with: Fairfield Methodist School (Primary)

2. Geylang Methodist School (Secondary)

Affiliated with: Geylang Methodist School (Primary)

3. Holy Innocent's High School

Affiliated with: Holy Innocents' Primary School

4. Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School

Affiliated with: Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School

5. Manjusri Secondary School

Affiliated with: Maha Bodhi School, Mee Toh School

6. Ngee Ann Secondary School

Affiliated with: Ngee Ann Primary School

7. St Hilda's Secondary School

Affiliated with: St Hilda's Primary School

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