Primary 1 Registration: the Phases, Explained for Parents

Updated 2026-10-11 · by Coastline Tutors

Coastline Tutors writes these guides from SEAB and MOE documents and published Singapore figures; each claim links to where it comes from.

Who registers, and when

Primary 1 registration places children in mainstream primary schools for the following year. For Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents it is conducted online, from June to August, over five phases: Phase 1, 2A, 2B, 2C and 2C Supplementary, each with its own eligibility criteria and registration period (MOE). International students register through a two-step process before Phase 3 (MOE).

The rules that catch parents out

From MOE’s key points (MOE):

• One school per phase. Multiple applications are not accepted; MOE takes your latest submission in the phase.
• If unsuccessful, move to the next phase your child is eligible for.
• After Phase 2C Supplementary, an unsuccessful child is posted to a school with an available vacancy.
• MOE encourages deciding on the preferred school before submitting, because withdrawals or amendments can cause delays or a missed phase.

MOE publishes each school’s vacancies and balloting data from the previous exercise, and a checker for which phases your child is eligible for.

Changes from 2027

MOE will change the P1 Registration Framework from the 2027 exercise, for children starting P1 in 2028 (MOE). Check MOE’s page for the details before planning around the current phases.

East-side schools

Our school guides list every primary school in Marine Parade, Katong, Bedok, Tampines and Pasir Ris, with addresses, nearest MRT, mother tongue offerings and SAP status from MOE’s own data.