The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced a reduction of 867 spots in Phase 2A of the 2026 Primary 1 registration exercise across all primary schools in Singapore. This decision aligns with MOE's earlier move to decrease Primary 1 intakes for most schools, aiming to address the declining student cohort sizes projected for 2027 and subsequent years. The reduction is intended to minimize the need for school mergers or relocations and to maintain a balanced geographical distribution of primary schools nationwide.
In the 2026 registration exercise, Canossa Catholic Primary School, which has a total of 120 spaces, will not be accepting any children under Phase 2A. This phase primarily caters to children of alumni, staff members, and members of the school's advisory or management committee. The school received 61 applications in Phase 1, which is designated for children whose siblings are currently enrolled. With 60 spaces allocated for Phases 2B and 2C, no spots remain for Phase 2A applicants. This marks a significant change from the previous year, where the school had 19 open spots in Phase 2A.
Overall, 61 primary schools have reduced their intake for the 2026 Primary 1 registration exercise, while 12 schools have increased their available spaces. The school with the next fewest spots available in Phase 2A is Pasir Ris Primary School, which can accommodate 17 students in this phase. Gongshang Primary School, which was the most oversubscribed in last year's Phase 2A, now has 124 available places for Phase 2A, up from 67 in 2025. Nanyang Primary School, often oversubscribed in Phase 2A, has 125 spots open to students in this phase, down from 144 in 2025.
Applications for Phase 2A will commence at 9 am on Thursday and conclude at 4:30 pm on Friday. The results will be released on July 17. Parents are advised to check the registration website for updates on available vacancies and to plan accordingly.
The MOE's decision to reduce Primary 1 intakes is part of a broader strategy to adapt to changing demographic trends and to ensure that primary schools remain accessible and appropriately distributed across Singapore. This approach aims to provide every child with the opportunity to attend a nearby school while maintaining the quality and sustainability of the education system.
For more detailed information on the Primary 1 registration process and the specific changes for the 2026 exercise, parents and guardians are encouraged to visit the official MOE website or contact the respective schools directly.