Is it time to redesign the P1 registration exercise from scratch?

October 25, 2026

Dear readers,

When his eldest son enters Primary 1 in a few years, Mr S Sharif could have an advantage over other parents.

As an alumnus of Tanjong Katong Primary School, he can give his son a better shot at admission to the school by registering him under Phase 2A, which is reserved for those with prior links to the school.

Yet, the 36-year-old believes such privileges are unfair. Would he still use his alumni connection though? Yes, he admits. "Since this is the system we have, I'll take advantage of it."

His dilemma captures a larger tension in Singapore's P1 registration system: How do we reconcile wanting the best for our own children with creating a fairer system for everyone, one that provides broader access to all children regardless of socio-economic backgrounds and who their parents are?

With changes to P1 registration coming in 2027, this week's Big Read examines whether the reforms go far enough, what more could be done and why bolder changes will be difficult for some parents to swallow.

As Singapore aspires to become a more "We First" society, are parents prepared to give up their own advantages for the greater good?

Yours faithfully,

Yasmine Yahya
Deputy Chief Editor, CNA Digital (Commentaries, Features, Lifestyle & Luxury)

Any shake-up of the P1 registration system would entail bold and difficult changes. Would parents be ready for it?