SINGAPORE — Unlike the Singaporeans who are alumni of prestigious primary schools, Ms Wendy Chung, who came from Hong Kong and is now Singaporean, does not have connections with any primary school here.

Getting her two children into schools of her choice near her home would have been a challenge, but the announcement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that 40 places per primary school will go to students with no prior connections to the school has given her hope.

“It is fairer for parents like me who do not have any affiliations with top schools,” said the Hougang resident, 28, who is currently eyeing two schools in the vicinity — Hougang Primary School and Rosyth School.

Her ideal number of places would be 50 to 60 places, but she acknowledged that it would be good to see the outcome of the new measure before opening up more places.

Announced yesterday, the move, together with the broadening of Direct School Admissions (DSA) criteria for secondary schools, has been welcomed by parents and principals alike, for evening out the playing field to some degree for children to enter the school of their choice, and enhancing diversity at schools.

Mr Tan Yap Kin, Principal of Ai Tong School — which is popular with parents owing to its reputation for academic excellence, said the move will open up opportunities for more children.

“(Parents) will be elated that more places have been given in the later phrases, thus enhancing the probability of getting a seat in the school for the children,” he said.

Mr Yong Kit Mun, 53, who has three children and hopes his 11-year-old daughter can pursue her secondary school education at the Singapore Chinese Girls School (SCGS), said that with the new DSA criteria, “hopefully ... we won’t end up chasing after the highest grades only”.

He set SCGS as a goal because of the “holistic education” it provides, he added.

Mrs Poh Mun See, Principal of Raffles Girls’ School, pointed out that with increased diversity at schools, students’ learning experience will be enriched through exposure to broader perspective in life, and this will help them integrate better with society.

Xue Jianyue