A
NEW rule requiring children to live for at least 21/2 years at the
addresses they used to apply for primary school has been
introduced, with parents largely supportive of the
change.
Beginning this
year, those who gain priority admission to schools based on
distance need to live at the address for at least 30 months from
the start of the Primary 1 registration exercise.
Those with a
yet-to-be-completed property also have to live at the new address
for as long, but this can start only from when they move in and not
from the registration, subject to certain limits.
The
Ministry of Education (MOE) did not set any specific time period
previously. If this condition is not met, MOE may transfer the
child to another school.
When asked, MOE
said the distance priority has always been given with the
expectation that the family will live at the address declared for
Primary 1 registration.
While the MOE's
intent is that this should be for as long as the child is in
primary school, it "recognised the practical challenges of imposing
an explicit 'minimum stay' that would meet the policy intent while
not making it overly onerous and rigid".
The
news, reported by Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao yesterday, has
sparked a lot of discussion. Parents felt the rule would deter
people from renting homes and moving away shortly after their
children get spots in schools, and said it will not affect them as
they do not plan to move soon.
But
some who rented properties near schools may be stuck if their
leases do not last 30 months.
For
Primary 1 registration, schools conduct a ballot when the number of
applicants exceeds available places. Those who live nearer the
school - usually within 1km - get priority in the
ballot.
A
handful of parents have taken advantage of this to get their
children into popular schools. A father who lied about where he
lived to get his daughter into a top school in 2013 was given two
weeks' jail this year.
Property agents
said the rule is unlikely to affect rental or home prices. One
agent, Mr Jack Tam, said those who rent places near popular schools
are rare.
Horizon Real
Estates' key executive officer Lena Low agreed, but said those who
rent homes may need to get longer-term leases.
Some who just
want the address get cheaper studio apartments without living
there, she said. If they have to move in now, they need a bigger
place, she said.
Housewife
Shellin Tan, 38, who has a six-year-old son, said the rule is fair
but "those who want brand-name schools will still find properties
with longer leases or buy homes near them".
Mr
Lim Biow Chuan, chair of the Government Parliamentary Committee for
Education, said the rule ensures families live near their kids'
schools. But the period may be too long as some may genuinely need
to move, he added.
asiaone