To prepare for a new school year, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced that the Primary 1 registration for 2023 opened on 29 June 29 2022. Recently, officials finalised the start of the 2023 school year; New classes officially commence on 3 January 2023.
The date we mentioned above applies to students in Primary 1, Kindergarten 1 and secondary school. On the other hand, parents with kids attending Kindergarten 2 and Primary 2 to 6 can prepare their kids for school afterwards. Their classes start on 4 January 2023.
The announced 2023 dates closely follow the expected days announced by MOE officials. Because of this, kids and parents have ample time to prepare for what’s to come after receiving the results from the P1 registration for 2023.
What Happened in the P1 Registration for 2023
The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore informed parents that the Primary 1 registration for 2023 commenced on 29 June 2022. Parents also had the advantage of applying for a slot with MOE’s online administration.
Because of this, no one lined up for any in-person registration at schools. However, the online system has been the main means of application for the past two years.
Furthermore, parents can expect more Primary 1 places set aside from the following registration exercise. They aim to take in children who do not qualify for priority admission.
Increased Slots for Non-priority P1 Registration for 2023
Image source: iStock
MOE stated that the number of places reserved doubled to 40 for the Primary 1 group. Moreover, each primary school will be required to allocate 40 spots. This opens slots for students with no link under Phase 2C of the annual exercise.
For Phase 2C, they prioritised those students who are living near the area. According to MOE, the competition for reserving slots intensified since 2014. It happened when the MOE decided to set aside 20 places a year for Phase 2C.
No More Priority
One in three schools had to undergo balloting in Phase 2C last 2022 school year. It is intended for Singaporeans living within 1km of the school. It is up from one in four schools that were balloted in the same category in 2014.
Meanwhile, MOE combined Phase 2A(1) and Phase 2A(2) in the current year. It will only mean that they will no longer prioritise children whose parents are in the alumni association. They will not have priority over those who have parents or siblings who used to study in the school. All students need to compete in the same phase.
Phases and Key Dates for P1 Registration for 2023
Earlier this 2022, MOE officials announced several key dates for P1 registration for the 2023 school year. Parents can use this as a guide to prepare for the next school year’s registration. Additionally, you can use the old dates as a guide to the possible P1 registration for the 2024 school year.
-
Phase 1
For prospective students with older siblings enrolled in their preferred school. Those registered under this phase are guaranteed to get slots in the schools.
Phase 1 registration started in the early morning of Wednesday, 29 June 29. It convened in the afternoon of the following day, Thursday, 30 June.
-
Phase 2A
For students with a parent or sibling who is a former student in the primary school. This also includes those who joined the alumni association of the primary school. Moreover, this applies to kids with parents who work or are affiliated with the school.
Additionally, this registration included children from the MOE Kindergarten within the primary school. Registration opened on the morning of Wednesday, 6 July. It ended on the afternoon of 8 July 2022. Parents received the results on 18 July 2022.
-
Phase 2B
This applies to parents who volunteer at the prospective student’s school. Those backed up or endorsed by the school, church, or clan also apply under this category. Additionally, if you work as an active community leader, these slots match your kids.
This registration opened from 9 am on Tuesday, 19 July 19, to 4.30 pm on Wednesday, 20 July. Applicants got the results via text message on 26 July 2022.
-
Phase 2C
Phase 2C for P1 registration aims to secure more slots for other children. Parents of those kids waiting for the new application schedule on the morning of 27 July. It then convened on the afternoon of 29 July.
After securing slots, all the parents needed to do was wait for the results. Fortunately, the message they waited for appeared on 1o August 2022.
-
Phase 2C (Supplementary)
This section serves the students who did not register in Phase 2C. This time, more parents got the chance to get slots for their kids on 15 August 2022. The registration closed on the following day in the afternoon.
Those who registered for Phase 2C Supplementary received a notification of the result on a different day from Phase 2C. Messages should’ve appeared on your devices on 25 August 2022.
Image source: iStock
Preparing Your Child for Primary 1
After fulfilling all the school registration and requirements, the next thing to do is prepare your child. You must be able to help your child adjust and prepare for their next milestone, which is Primary 1.
Meanwhile, here are 12 tips that help you and your child prepare for the new school year:
- Talk to your child about primary school
- Assist them in staying focused on schoolwork
- Introduce basic school rules
- Help your child adapt to different routines
- Role-play canteen food runs
- Urge them to make new friends
- Involve your child in buying or choosing their primary school supplies
- Gently impose early sleeping schedules
- Test-run their transport to and fro school
- Check if your child has got their basics
- Encourage your kid’s independence
- Communicate and converse with your child regularly
This article was updated by Kaira De la Rosa.