Address Verification Under Primary School Registration Proximity Policy and Action Taken on Fraudulent Declarations

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Yip Hon Weng, Yio Chu Kang

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) what is the Ministry's process to verify addresses declared under the Primary school registration proximity policy, and how are fraudulent declarations detected; (b) what is the policy for schools on reporting fraudulent declarations to the Police; and (c) what is the Ministry's standard protocol if fraud is discovered after enrolment and what consequences could be faced.

Response

1.MOE takes a serious view towards parents who intentionally falsify address information for the purpose of Primary One (P1) registration, as this undermines the integrity of the P1 Registration Framework.

2.The address used for P1 registration should be the official address of the registering parent as reflected in his/her NRIC at the time of registration, and declared by the parent to be true and correct. The parent and child are expected to reside at the declared address. Parents are also allowed to use the address of a yet-to-be completed property where the family must move in within 2 years of the child's entry into P1, resale property where the family must reside from the start of the child's P1 school term, or the address of a caregiver. Parents have to declare these addresses accordingly during P1 registration.

3.Cases of false address information are detected through regular school checks on addresses, and also reports from members of the public. MOE will investigate such cases rigorously. We are also continually strengthening our detection and investigation capabilities.

4.Where there is evidence of wrongdoing, MOE will transfer the child to another school with available vacancies based on the family's actual residential address. Our schools will help the child to settle into the receiving school.

5.Giving false information to a public servant is a criminal offence punishable under the Penal Code. Where there is reason to believe that false information has been given, MOE will refer the case to the Police for their investigation and action.