How does the 1km school rule work for P1 registration?
For oversubscribed P1 phases in Singapore, MOE gives balloting priority by home-school distance: children living within 1km of the school are prioritised first, then those between 1km and 2km, then those beyond 2km. Distance is measured using MOE's SchoolFinder tool from the child's official residence. Living within 1km does not guarantee a place — it only improves balloting priority.
The full rules
How the 1km distance rule works
When a P1 phase is oversubscribed, MOE allocates places by home-school distance priority before balloting. The rule has applied since 1 July 2022.
Priority bands
| Priority order | Distance from school |
| 1st | Within 1km |
| 2nd | Between 1km and 2km |
| 3rd | More than 2km |
Key conditions
| Item | Rule |
| How distance is measured | MOE's own measurement via the SchoolFinder tool |
| Which address counts | The child's official residence |
| Stay condition | A 30-month minimum stay after registration applies to an address used for priority |
> Note: Distance priority affects balloting order, not guaranteed admission. If more applicants in a band apply than there are places, balloting still occurs within that band.
Worked example
Worked example
Suppose a primary school is oversubscribed in a given P1 phase and three families apply:
| Family | Measured distance (SchoolFinder) | Priority band |
| A | 0.8km | Within 1km (1st priority) |
| B | 1.5km | 1km–2km (2nd priority) |
| C | 2.4km | More than 2km (3rd priority) |
MOE fills places starting with Family A's band (within 1km). Only if places remain after the within-1km applicants are considered would Family B's band be reached, and then Family C's.
If Family A used this address for priority, they must meet the 30-month minimum stay condition after registration.
What this means for you
If you live within 1km
You sit in the top distance band for balloting priority. This improves your chances in an oversubscribed phase but does not guarantee a place if that band is itself oversubscribed. Confirm your distance using MOE's SchoolFinder, not an estimate.
If you live between 1km and 2km
You are in the second priority band. You may still secure a place if the within-1km band does not fill all spots. Check the exact measured distance, as SchoolFinder's figure is what MOE uses.
If you are considering moving closer
An address used for distance priority carries a 30-month minimum stay condition after registration. Factor this in before relocating solely to improve priority.
Related questions
Does living within 1km guarantee a P1 place?
No. It places you in the top balloting priority band, but if that band is oversubscribed, balloting still decides who gets a place.
How is the distance measured?
MOE measures it using its own SchoolFinder tool, based on the child's official residence. Your own estimate or a map app's figure is not the basis used.
What address can I use?
The child's official residence. An address used for distance priority is also subject to a 30-month minimum stay condition after registration.
What is the 30-month stay condition?
If you use an address to claim distance priority, you must stay at that address for at least 30 months after registration. The provided data does not specify penalties for non-compliance.
When did these distance rules take effect?
The home-school distance priority arrangement described here has applied from 1 July 2022, per MOE's P1 registration guidance.
Sources: MOE — P1 registration: home-school distance · Last verified 2026-10-12