ACS (Primary) to relocate to Tengah, enrol girls in 2030 among MOE’s moves to meet demand in new towns

In 2030, the Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) in Singapore will undergo significant changes, as reported by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The primary school will relocate to Tengah, becoming co-educational. Additionally, it will be situated next to a new special education school, co-run by the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) and Methodist Welfare Society, set to open in 2031.

The decision to relocate ACS (Primary) from its current campus on Barker Road to Tengah, more than 12 kilometers away, was made in consultation with the ACS board of governors and MOE. The goal is to meet the educational needs in the developing region of Tengah, part of MOE’s broader strategy to provide better access to mainstream and special needs education in newer towns across Singapore.

Students already enrolled in the Barker Road campus won’t have to relocate to the new Tengah campus. ACS (Primary) will also continue to admit younger male siblings of existing students into Primary 1 at the Barker Road campus from 2030 onwards, provided their older sibling is still studying there. The Tengah campus will admit girls when it opens in 2030, beginning with a Primary 1 cohort.

In 2033, the Barker Road campus of ACS (Primary) will consolidate with Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) in the Newton Road area on Winstedt Road. This reconfigured ACS (Junior) will shift all operations to Barker Road around 2039. ACS (Primary) offers the Gifted Education Programme, catering to intellectually gifted students.

The decision to introduce co-education at the Tengah campus is aimed at providing a well-rounded primary school education without limiting school options in the new neighborhood. It aligns with the MOE’s efforts to diversify student profiles and cater to a more diverse population in the Tengah estate.

The move to relocate elite primary schools like ACS (Primary) to developing areas is expected to make these newer towns more attractive to young couples and families. The school’s current location in an area dominated by private housing has been a draw for students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

The school will continue to provide a holistic education, which is focused on not just academic excellence, but also on character development and serving others. The move to Tengah will also bring ACS closer to a number of other education institutions, including the National University of Singapore, the Millennium Institute, and Singapore Technological University.