What changes in P1 registration from 2027
MOE announced changes to the P1 Registration Framework on 10 Sep 2026. They apply from the 2027 P1 Registration Exercise — children starting Primary 1 in 2028. Two things change: Phase 2C reserved places, and the Two-Track Scheme in Phase 2C at 12 schools.
Phase 2C places 40 → 60
Reserved places rise from 40 to 60, except at schools with a P1 intake below 180. Phase 2B stays at 20.
Two-Track Scheme at 12 schools
Phase 2C places split into a ≤2km and a >2km track, with no 1km advantage inside a track.
The 2026 exercise is unaffected
Families who registered in the 2026 exercise are not affected in any way.
1. More places in Phase 2C
Every primary school reserves places for the later phases: 20 for Phase 2B and 40 for Phase 2C. From the 2027 exercise the Phase 2C reservation rises to 60, which gives more children with no sibling, alumni or volunteer connection a place in the open phase.
| Phase | Reserved places | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 2B | 20 | Unchanged |
| Phase 2CNew | 4060 | Schools with a P1 intake below 180 keep 40 |
| Phase 1 / 2A / 2C(S) / 3 | — | Unchanged |
Places left over from earlier phases (such as Phase 2A) flow into Phase 2C, so the actual 2C pool is usually larger than the reservation.
2. Two-Track Scheme in Phase 2C
At the listed schools, the Phase 2C places are split evenly between two tracks: a ≤2km track (homes within 2km of the school) and a >2km track (homes beyond 2km). This applies at the 12 schools below only — every other primary school keeps distance priority in Phase 2C, with the larger number of places.
Inside a track there is no home-school distance priority — a home 1.9km away faces exactly the same ballot as one 300m away.
- ✓Citizens first: Singapore Citizens across both tracks are admitted before any Permanent Resident, in either track.
- ✓Leftover places flow between tracks: if one track has places left after everyone in it is placed, they go to the other track.
- ✓If a pool cannot be split evenly, the extra place goes to the ≤2km track.
- ✓Phase 2C only: Phases 1, 2A, 2B, 2C(S) and 3 are completely unchanged.
The 12 schools
Criterion: public housing makes up less than 40% of dwelling units within 2km. MOE reviews the list periodically; ACS (Primary) is expected to leave it when it relocates to Tengah in 2030.
What does NOT change
- ✓Phases 2A and 2B still rank by distance: within 1km ahead of 1–2km, and 1–2km ahead of beyond 2km. The distance advantage only disappears in Phase 2C at the listed schools.
- ✓The Phase 2B reservation stays at 20 places.
- ✓Sibling (Phase 1), alumni (2A) and volunteer / grassroots / church-clan (2B) routes are all unchanged.
- ✓The 2026 exercise is already completed and is not affected — everything on this page starts from 2027.
- ✓Families preparing for 2B (volunteer hours, grassroots service) should carry on exactly as planned.
What it means for you
If your target school is on the list: any address within 2km is now your Phase 2C ticket — there is nothing extra to gain from squeezing inside 1km. A 1–2km home ballots alongside the closest addresses, so the 1km-boundary premium buys nothing in 2C (Phase 2B still rewards distance). Homes beyond 2km sit in the >2km track and do not compete with nearer applicants.
If your route is Phase 2B: the Two-Track Scheme does not touch Phase 2B. The volunteer, grassroots, church and clan routes still rank by distance, so within 1km remains the strongest position and any address strategy you chose for 2B stands.
If you are simply in the open phase: most schools add places in Phase 2C (40 → 60), which eases pressure on the open phase, and Phase 2C Supplementary still follows it.
Dates for the 2027 exercise
MOE has not yet published the dates for the 2027 exercise, and we do not guess them. They are usually announced around April/May; always confirm on MOE's website.
Phase Eligibility Checker
See which phases you qualify for
Schools near you
Chances by home address
Elite School Strategist
Phase-by-phase plans for 24 schools