Number of primary schools in Singapore 1960-2022

In 2022, there were 180 active primary schools in Singapore. Singapore’s education system consists of three levels: primary, secondary, and post-secondary education. Primary education, which lasts for six years, is the only compulsory level for all citizens and residents.

Changes in primary education

The last ten years mainly saw an increase in the number of primary schools, despite decreasing enrollments year-on-year. This was in part due to the transformations in the primary education sector in the past decade. Most schools transitioned to single-session schools in 2016, leading to a reduction in average class sizes. This period also saw an increase in the number of primary school teachers, thus reducing the student-teacher ratio.

Inequality in the education system

The Singapore government had introduced these changes and increased spending in primary education to reduce inequality at the onset of formal education. Even so, parents compete each year to enroll their children in so-called elite schools. This is due to the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), a nationwide examination at the end of six years of primary education. The PSLE results determine which secondary school a child is eligible to attend, which in turn play a significant role in a child’s educational path.