Considering Proximity to Child's Enrolled School When Assigning Flats under Public Rental and Parenthood Provisional Housing Schemes

49 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB considers proximity to a child's enrolled school when assigning flats under the Public Rental Scheme and the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme; (b) whether HDB tracks school transfers among children in such households following relocation; and (c) what measures are in place to minimise disruption to children’s education when tenants under either scheme are required to relocate.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Under the Public Rental Scheme and the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme, applicants may select a rental flat from available vacancies across Singapore. However, due to the tight supply, applicants may not always be able to secure a rental flat in their most preferred location.

While we do not track the number of school transfers following rental relocation, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and Ministry of Education (MOE) work together to assist families with school transfers. Where feasible, HDB will also align relocation flat selection exercises to MOE's school transfer cycles so that the child can start in the new school in the new school term. For public rental families who are enrolled in ComLink+, a dedicated family coach or case worker will walk alongside them through the transition, connecting their children with relevant children's development and education programmes in the community.