By Amelia Tan

TOP primary school pupils are found in schools across the island.

In fact, the top 10 per cent of pupils who sit for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) each year are from more than 95 per cent of the over 170 primary schools.

This point was made by Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lui Tuck Yew during a dialogue yesterday.

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A resident of Aljunied-Hougang constituency had asked if admitting students based on how close they live to a school would give rise to a rich-poor income divide and different standards among schools.

Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui said the fact that the best and brightest come from a range of schools shows that, generally, educational standards are high.

He also attested to the standards of neighbourhood schools. Both of his daughters had attended neighbourhood schools where, he said, they enjoyed six years of schooling and did well in the PSLE.

They are now aged 13 and 17.

RADM Lui also said that even if a child is from a primary school where most of the pupils are from private homes, or from one where most pupils live in HDB estates, they will still have the chance to meet children from other socio-economic backgrounds as they progress to secondary school and then, tertiary education.

Also, school proximity is just one criterion for admission. Others include whether the child's parents are alumni or if the parents had volunteered in the schools or grassroots organisations.

RADM Lui added: 'There will be some schools with more students from private estates...but for the entire school system, I don't think it is something to be overly worried about.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.