For every child, a good school: Chan Chun Sing assures parents who are worried about P1 registration

The registration period for children's admission to Primary One in 2026 will take place from Jul. 1, 2025 to Oct. 31, 2025.

This is an important decision for parents.

A difficult decision time for parents: Chan

Minister of Education Chan Chun Sing touched on this decision that parents face for their children in a Facebook and Instagram post on May 15.

In it, Chan said that parents he met had shared that P1 registration is a difficult decision time for them.

He asked the parents to not worry. Saying that they shouldn't consider "what is a good school" by other people's standards or perceptions, but rather consider what is a good school for their child.

This would be done by considering their child's "learning needs, strengths and interests".

Chan then shared what steps have been taken over the years to keep schools open and inclusive, "accessible to children from different backgrounds".

"We reserve 20 and 40 places in Phases 2B and 2C respectively in every school. In the last three years, most of our primary schools had sufficient vacancies to admit all applicants in their respective phases – and did not have to conduct balloting."

Chan acknowledged that many parents might worry that the system will only allow their children "one chance", which would result in their future being set in stone if they entered a "less-popular school or less-favoured course".

But he assured parents that there was a "whole lifetime ahead for our children to break new grounds, find their purpose and to flourish".

"'For Every Child, a Good School; At Every Age, a Good Learner.'

Wherever our children go, they will be taken care of – and well supported to reach their fullest potential."

Chan first shared the slogan, which is "close to my heart" during the MOE's Committee of Supply Debate this year.

Chan said that the slogan meant that the parents do not need to chase after what other people desire as a popular school.

Instead, Chan said that parents can consider their children's need and what is most appropriate for his or her learning needs, before choosing the school.

Image from Chan's Facebook