Cases of Failure to Register Children with National Primary Schools, Legal Action Taken and Outcomes

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Education in each year for the past five years, where parents fail to register a child for Primary 1 in a national primary school (a) how many cases have been escalated to the Compulsory Education Board and what are the outcomes of these cases; and (b) how many cases have resulted in legal action being taken against uncooperative parents and what are the outcomes of these cases.

When a Singaporean child is not registered for Primary 1, the Ministry of Education (MOE) takes steps to locate the child and engage the parents on schooling matters, including placement into a suitable school. Where needed, MOE works with other Government agencies to support the child and the family. Should the parents remain uncooperative, MOE may escalate the case to the Compulsory Education Board.

Over the past five years, only one case needed to be escalated to the Board. Following the Board’s intervention, including summoning the parents for a hearing, the child was placed in a primary school and attendance has been regular. To date, there has not been a need for MOE to take legal action against uncooperative parents.