Commenting on the parent volunteer scheme, SMU Assistant Professor of Sociology Jacqueline Ho argued that the parent volunteer scheme is not universally accessible and is antithetical to Singapore’s meritocratic principles. She noted that encouraging greater parental involvement or building ties with a school is unnecessary if the child is not guaranteed a place, and questioned whether essential functions provided by parent volunteers could instead be staffed or paid positions. With the review of the P1 registration system underway, she said removing the scheme may not be an effective solution as it may shift pressure elsewhere. She proposed centrally allocating pupils to schools based on proximity and demographic diversity, adding that previous reforms have been tweaks, whereas the system may need an overhaul.
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