The Phase 2B registration stage of the Singapore Primary One (P1) Admissions is often one of the most stressful for parents, especially when popular schools have more applicants than available vacancies. In 2024, 22 primary schools required balloting even for Singapore Citizens (SC) living within 1km — a clear sign of how competitive these schools are.
Here’s a breakdown of these 22 schools and what the data tells us.
🧾 What Is Phase 2B?
Phase 2B is for:
- Parents who are volunteers at the school
- Members endorsed by churches or clan associations affiliated with the school
- Active community leaders
Even with these affiliations, living close to the school is still critical — and not even enough in some cases.
🏫 The 22 Schools Requiring Balloting (Singapore Citizen Within 1km)
| # | School Name | Vacancies | Applicants | Oversubscription Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nan Chiau Primary | 44 | 112 | 2.55x |
| 2 | Holy Innocents’ Primary | 20 | 57 | 2.85x |
| 3 | Ai Tong School | 20 | 53 | 2.65x |
| 4 | Kong Hwa School | 36 | 71 | 1.97x |
| 5 | Chongfu School | 21 | 53 | 2.52x |
| 6 | Tao Nan School | 31 | 62 | 2.00x |
| 7 | CHIJ (Toa Payoh) | 20 | 42 | 2.10x |
| 8 | Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) | 25 | 50 | 2.00x |
| 9 | Nanyang Primary | 20 | 50 | 2.50x |
| 10 | Catholic High School (Primary) | 20 | 38 | 1.90x |
| 11 | Nan Hua Primary | 20 | 39 | 1.95x |
| 12 | Rulang Primary | 20 | 37 | 1.85x |
| 13 | CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School | 20 | 35 | 1.75x |
| 14 | Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (Primary) | 20 | 35 | 1.75x |
| 15 | Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) | 31 | 50 | 1.61x |
| 16 | St. Hilda’s Primary | 20 | 33 | 1.65x |
| 17 | Fairfield Methodist Primary | 22 | 33 | 1.50x |
| 18 | Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary | 21 | 30 | 1.43x |
| 19 | Rosyth School | 20 | 29 | 1.45x |
| 20 | Henry Park Primary | 21 | 27 | 1.29x |
| 21 | Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) | 29 | 34 | 1.17x |
| 22 | Pei Chun Public School | 27 | 30 | 1.11x |
🔍 Key Observations
🔴 Most Competitive
- Holy Innocents’, Ai Tong, Nan Chiau, Chongfu, and Nanyang saw more than 2.5x oversubscription.
- Your chances of getting in even if you live within 1km are slim — balloting is a must.
🟡 Moderately Competitive
- Catholic High, Nan Hua, Rosyth, SCGS, CHIJ TP are all above 1.5x, making them tough but not impossible if you’re within 1km.
🟢 Least Competitive (Still Needs Ballot)
- Pei Chun Public (1.11x), ACS (Primary) (1.17x), and Henry Park (1.29x) had the least oversubscription among this group — still requiring balloting but with relatively better odds.
📌 Why This Matters
Choosing the right school is about more than just academic results — location, culture, CCAs, and even alumni networks play a role. But in the eyes of MOE’s balloting system, distance is king, and in 2024, even proximity didn’t guarantee admission in many elite and popular schools.
If you’re a parent planning for P1 registration in future years:
- Volunteer early (by age 3–4)
- Move closer (within 1km ideally)
- Have realistic expectations for hot schools
📅 What’s Next?
If you failed to secure a place in Phase 2B, you can still register during Phase 2C, where any SC or PR child not yet registered can apply. But keep in mind, competition is often tougher, and balloting becomes even more common — even among those living close by.
📝 Final Thoughts
The 2024 Phase 2B balloting results show how intensely competitive some schools have become — especially in mature estates or those with strong brand names. The key takeaway: prepare early, plan realistically, and don’t rely on distance alone.