Verification of Primary 1 Registration Applications Made by Parents Undergoing Divorce

77 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Education regarding Primary 1 registration for children whose parents are separated, undergoing divorce proceedings or divorced (a) what verification processes are in place to ensure that a parent who submits an application has obtained the other parent's consent; and (b) what recourse is available for parents whose consent was not sought, other than seeking a Court order.

Mr Desmond Lee: For Primary 1 registration, the Ministry of Education (MOE) requires both parents of every child to give consent to the school choice as both would typically have legal responsibility for the child. The registering parent must declare that he or she has obtained the other parent's consent before submitting the registration. MOE takes this declaration as confirmation that both parents have agreed on the school choice.

Where there is a dispute between the parents, MOE will first allow time for parents to discuss and agree on the schooling arrangement for their child. If both parents cannot agree, either parent may approach the Family Justice Courts or the Syariah Court to obtain a Court Order to authorise a particular parent to decide on the school choice. MOE will process the child's registration in accordance with the Court Order.