Commenting on the concerns of the alumni affiliation system in primary schools, SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan said, “The worry always is that we grow enclaves, because if too many places go to affiliates, then there is no chance to inject new blood.” She said it is “more worrying” when the school is in a private estate and students who enter through proximity priority are from more privileged families. However, she added that the “complex layering system” that the Ministry of Education uses can be seen as safeguards that prevent school communities from becoming too exclusive no matter how strong the alumni ties are. She pointed out that the school’s alumni should have some form of diversity as well, and will not all be from the same social status. The system is “carefully designed, with staggered priorities and different phases” which should lead to a good mix, she said.