Structure-reinforced privilege: educational inequality in the Singaporean primary school choice system

Parents around the globe are increasingly understood to contribute educational inequality through their choice of schools. This important critique risks minimising way systems may favour certain parents over others. A case study Singapore and its primary school enrolment process helps illustrate how parent’s interactions with reinforce some privileges leading structure-reinforced privilege. Using a discourse analysis newspaper coverage Singaporean parent website observe communicate preferences, we demonstrate that complex system creates confusion anxiety among parents, allows privileged gain an admissions advantage in perceived elite Numerous admission while initially intended strengthen family-school ties, rewards those resources, furthering perception reality economic inequality. The offers ideas for simplify giving priority families limited resources.