SINGAPORE — With Singapore society becoming more “stratified”, changes will be made to the primary and secondary school admission processes so that popular schools in Singapore do not become “closed circles”, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

From next year, every primary school will reserve at least 40 places for children with no prior connection to the school. Without elaborating on where the places could come from, Mr Lee said: “We will give every Singaporean child a chance to enter the primary school of his choice.”

At the secondary school level, the Direct School Admissions (DSA) scheme will be broadened to admit outstanding students with special qualities such as character, resilience, drive and leadership.

Explaining the changes, Mr Lee acknowledged that giving priority to siblings and children of alumni during primary school admissions helps the school develop unique traditions and identities.

However, he expressed concern over the shrinking number of places, especially for popular schools, for children with no prior connection to the school.

“And if we do nothing, one day, these schools may have no places at all for those with no connections,” he said. “We don’t want our primary schools to be closed institutions, and you can only get in if your parents had been there.”

Singapore has an “excellent education system”, but society is becoming more “stratified” and competition is “intensifying”. “The focus is too much on examination performance, not enough on learning,” he said. “I think we need to recalibrate to keep our system open, to focus on things that matter more than exam grades in the long run.”

Under the expanded DSA criteria, students will be “actively sought” by top secondary schools, or suggested by primary schools. It is critical to develop students holistically and expose them to diverse backgrounds to build empathy and understanding, and top schools must stay open to talents from all backgrounds, Mr Lee said.

To assist qualified applicants, the Ministry of Education will also enhance financial assistance and bursary schemes for top secondary schools. Students from low-income backgrounds should not be put off top schools for fear they cannot afford it, or cannot fit in, Mr Lee said.

The ministry is expected to provide more details on the changes.

At the rally, Mr Lee also touched on meritocracy, a subject that has generated debate as concerns mount over the widening income gap and the role of elites in the country.

Mr Lee said meritocracy must remain the fundamental organising principle of Singapore society.

“We have to recognise people for their contributions and efforts, not for their backgrounds, not for their status, or wealth or connections,” he said, adding that Singapore cannot be a society based on “guan xi”, the Mandarin term for connections.

And those who succeed through meritocracy must “feel the duty to contribute to society”.

Mr Lee brought up the example of Dr Yeo Sze Ling, an A*STAR research scientist who became blind at age four. Against the odds, she went on to study at the Singapore School for the Visually Handicapped, Bedok South Secondary School, Serangoon Junior College and eventually graduated from National University of Singapore with three degrees, including a PhD.

Dr Yeo, who is also Adjunct Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University, also volunteers at the Society of the Physically Disabled to help others overcome their disabilities.

“Sze Ling proves that you can do well if you work hard, it doesn’t matter what your circumstances are,” said Mr Lee.

“And that is what we have to try to do, to contribute back to the society and keep the system fair for all.”