Montfort Junior School will transition to a co-educational institution starting in 2028, the school announced on Saturday, April 25. The move will see the school admit its first cohort of female students through the 2027 Primary 1 registration exercise.
Under the new guidelines, younger female siblings of current students will be eligible for Phase 1 of the registration exercise. The Montfort School’s management committee confirmed that daughters of alumni will be eligible for Phase 2A priority.
The school has clarified that it does not intend to accept girls for Primary 2 through Primary 6 cohorts in 2028. Parents and alumni of both the junior and secondary schools were first notified of this transition in March.
Aligning Education with Societal Realities
Lim Boon Heng, chairman of St Gabriel’s Foundation, stated that the decision accounts for Singapore’s changing demographics and current societal realities. He noted that the original decision to segregate boys and girls reflected the social values of a past generation.
Mr. Lim cited the 1950s, when men and women sat separately during Catholic mass in Singapore, as an example of the norms that existed when Montfort School opened in 1916. He described the segregation of genders in education as an “artificial means” of schooling.
By becoming inclusive, the school aims to reflect the actual community and stay pertinent to the times. This shift is also expected to allow the institution to serve a wider segment of the community.
Practicality and Parental Demand
Beyond societal alignment, the move addresses practical concerns for modern families. Mr. Lim noted that parents today often prefer co-educational schools to avoid undergoing the Primary 1 registration exercise multiple times for different children.
Having children attend the same school is also viewed as more logistically convenient for parents. This practical approach was a key factor in the decision-making process.
Long-term Transition and Future Outlook
The shift toward co-education is not isolated to the primary level. Montfort Secondary School is also expected to commence accepting female students by the time the first batch of girls from the junior school graduates.
This sequence is designed to ensure that female students can benefit from the affiliation between the primary and secondary schools. This ensures a continuous educational pathway for the first cohort of girls.
Montfort joins other institutions making similar moves, including Maris Stella High School (Primary) and Anglo-Chinese School (Primary), which will become co-ed in 2027 and 2030, respectively.
The decision followed discussions that began in 2019. While some alumni expressed a desire to remain a boys’ school—citing different teaching needs for boys and girls—many recognized the practical necessity of the change.
Looking ahead, the possibility of other schools under the St Gabriel’s Foundation umbrella, such as St Gabriel’s Primary and Secondary schools, becoming co-educational has been floated. However, Mr. Lim confirmed that no decisions have been reached regarding those institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Montfort Junior School start admitting girls?
The school will become co-educational from 2028, with the first batch of female students being admitted during the 2027 Primary 1 registration exercise.
Will the secondary school also become co-ed?
Yes, Montfort Secondary School will start accepting female students by the time the first batch of girls from the primary school graduates to maintain the affiliation between the two schools.
Who is eligible for priority registration for female students?
Younger female siblings of existing students are eligible for Phase 1 and daughters of school alumni are eligible for Phase 2A priority.
Do you believe that the transition to co-educational environments better prepares students for the realities of modern society?
