School programmes, and the new GEP, explained
阅读中文版 · Read in Chinese →CCAs, ALP, LLP, GEP, the acronyms pile up fast. Here's what they actually mean, and a calm answer to the question on every kiasu parent's mind: do I need to worry about the Gifted Education Programme yet?
Last reviewed against official sources: 25 July 2026
The GEP is being replaced, not just tweaked
MOE is discontinuing the old centralised Gifted Education Programme from 2027. The last Primary 4 intake under the old system was in 2026. Here's what replaces it:
- No more changing schools. Previously the top sliver of pupils moved to one of nine designated GEP schools. Under the new model, high-ability learners stay in their own primary school.
- Much wider access. Around 10% of each cohort will get school-based high-ability provisions, up from around 7% today (the old GEP selected about 1%).
- Identification around Primary 3, but via a single standardised exercise testing English and Maths aptitude and reasoning, with further entry points in Primary 4 and 5 for late developers.
The 15 Advanced Module centres
Part of the new model is a weekly after-school Advanced Module in English, Maths and Science, held at 15 designated centres hosted by primary schools across Singapore, chosen for geographic spread and access by public transport. MOE's Committee of Supply 2026 infographic names all 15:
- Ahmad Ibrahim Primary School
- Clementi Primary School
- Geylang Methodist School (Primary)
- Innova Primary School
- Jurong West Primary School
- Kheng Cheng School
- Palm View Primary School
- Pioneer Primary School
- Punggol View Primary School
- Queenstown Primary School
- St. Gabriel's Primary School
- Tampines Primary School
- Teck Ghee Primary School
- Yew Tee Primary School
- Yu Neng Primary School
The programmes every school runs at least one of
Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)
Sports, performing arts, clubs and uniformed groups that build character and interests. Offerings vary by school and become more structured in the upper primary years.
Applied Learning Programme (ALP)
A non-examinable programme about applying what you learn to the real world, frequently STEM-themed but sometimes focused on the environment or reasoning. Where a school offers it, the theme differs by school.
Learning for Life Programme (LLP)
A character-and-values programme delivered through real experiences across the six primary years, think student leadership, outdoor education or sports and character. Where a school offers it, again the theme differs by school.
Common questions
The GEP is changing. Does it affect my child starting P1 in 2027? +
Not at registration, and not for years. The old centralised Gifted Education Programme is being discontinued from 2027 and replaced with school-based high-ability provisions. A child entering P1 in 2027 would only meet the new Primary 3 identification exercise around 2029, and would stay in their own school throughout. There is no 'gifted' selection at P1.
Do I need to start enrichment classes early to prepare for the GEP? +
No. The new model identifies a wider group (around 10% of the cohort) through a standardised P3 exercise focused on reasoning and aptitude, drawing on teacher observations, not on how much tuition a child has had. The most useful preparation at P1 age is curiosity, reading for pleasure and confidence, not drilling.
What's the difference between ALP and LLP? +
Every primary school runs at least one of them (from 2026 a school may offer an ALP, an LLP, or both), and the theme differs by school. The Applied Learning Programme (ALP) is non-examinable and focuses on applying knowledge to real-world settings (often STEM). The Learning for Life Programme (LLP) is about character and values through experiential learning (e.g. leadership, outdoor education, sports). They're worth comparing when choosing a school, but they're not admission criteria.
Are CCAs important in Primary 1? +
CCAs build character and interests, but participation usually becomes more structured in the upper primary years rather than at P1. A school's CCA offerings can be a nice reason to prefer it, but they aren't a registration factor.
Find your child's group
Every cohort has its own WhatsApp group of parents going through the exact same year, real-time registration updates, school reviews, balloting news and answers from people one step ahead of you. Pick the year your child starts Primary 1.
The 2026 registration exercise runs from 30 June to 30 October 2026, with the citizen and PR phases finishing in late August. This is the live cohort, phase dates, balloting and school choice are happening right now.
Registration in mid-2027. Get the lay of the land early, school shortlists, the 30-month address rule, and what to prepare.
Plenty of runway. Useful if you're weighing a home move for distance priority or choosing a kindergarten with an eye on P1.
Free to join. A friendly, parent-run space, no spam, no selling.