Primary 1 registration completed

Primary 1 registration is such a huge affair over here in Singapore. Parents start preparing for their children's entry into choice schools even before their children are born. Parents start queuing up for infant care, kindergartens and then applying to participate in parent volunteer programmes at primary schools, hoping to get their children into the the Phase 2B of the registration phases.

We are just so fortunate that we were eligible at Phase 2A2 at a "good" (by Singaporean standards) primary school because hubby was an old boy. However, I think we would not have participated in Parent Volunteer Programme even if we didn't.

I myself came from a neighbourhood primary school and I don't think I fared any worse than my counterparts who were from "top" schools. So our consideration for our boys' primary education was really  a decision made primarily (pun intended haha) based on convenience. We were already at Phase 2A2, and the school is quite near to where we live. We would only be at Phase 2C for any other nearby schools. (Most schools have limited places by the time the registration reaches this phase, and very often, there is balloting for places at this phase.) Really a no-brainer choice for us.

What are my thoughts on choice of primary schools?

1. There is no selection of students at primary schools. Everybody starts on a same level. Top schools may seem to produce more top students at PSLE, but when you look into percentages, they may all produce similar percentage of top scorers. Of course, I don't deny that they will be exceptions.
2. Proximity is a very important factor. Making small children travel long distances tire them out. Where then is the energy left to concentrate on their studies?
3. ALL schools would have both great and not-so-great teachers. Good schools, lousy teachers, not-so-good schools, great teachers. All luck of the draw. We'd be blessed if our boys meet great teachers in their lives. These teachers can come from anywhere.
4. Schools only provide one facet in education. There are many other facets of education. Parents, society etc..
5. Academic excellence is not everything. Life is not just about As.

We are just glad that we are done with the registration so that we can quite fretting and get on with enjoying the rest of the year before we have to start figuring out how we would maintain our sanity and not be trapped  in the mad race.