Should children be “strategic” about their co-curricular activity (CCA) choices in primary school, or should they simply use this time to explore different interests?

It’s worth giving this question some thought, because CCAs could require plenty of commitment, in terms of time and training fees. And if your child is aiming for a Direct School Admission or DSA offer, choosing the right CCA could be crucial.

For families with a tighter budget, the cost of non-subsidised CCA training sessions could also be a significant expense.

Below, we’ll offer some advice on CCAs. But first, a gentle reminder: While you can do your research, the most important person to speak to is your child. Find out what they like or want to try, and respect their choices. No matter which CCA your child picks, they will gain valuable skills, form new friendships, and create lasting memories.

What CCAs do primary schools have?

Looking for a list of CCAs that primary schools offer? Refer to our data visualisation below:

For the best viewing experience, please use your desktop or laptop. You can also view this directly on Tableau Public.

Are CCAs compulsory in primary school?

No, CCAs are not compulsory in primary school.

However, children are typically encouraged to join a CCA from Primary 3, and most do. But do note that different schools may introduce CCAs at different times.

How to choose a CCA in primary school?

If your child is already interested in an activity outside of school, they might want to choose a similar CCA in school. This is the ideal scenario, as their prior experience may give them an edge to represent the school in competitions.

Here’s something else that we've observed: savvy parents looking to secure a secondary school placement through the DSA process will often identify the private trainers attached to primary schools, in order to arrange additional training if needed. In fact, some parents make contact with these private trainers in the preschool years.

We understand that for some parents, these efforts may seem too involved or inorganic. At the end of the day, it’s about your child’s enthusiasm, and how much you wish to commit, as a family. It’s crucial to balance ambition with your child’s well-being and genuine interest in the activity.

What if my child doesn’t know what CCA to choose?

A practical approach is to expose your child to a wide range of activities, especially while they are in Primary 1 or 2, and have more free time.

For sports like badminton or table tennis, you can purchase equipment from stores like Decathlon, and book facilities to try out the sport, e.g. through ActiveSG or People’s Association. If cost is a concern, consider borrowing or buying second-hand gear.

For non-sporting activities, many enrichment centres offer free or discounted trials.

Having trouble identifying new activities to try? Many parents like to start with sports activities, mainly because these activities are good for health and take children away from their screens. In local schools, some of the more common sports CCAs include basketball, badminton, football, swimming, and table tennis, so you might like to let your child try these first.

If the cost of enrichment classes is an issue, take a look at ActiveSG’s academies and clubs. We’ve heard that students have secured DSA offers through their developmental programmes like canoeing and basketball.

You can also enquire with your child’s school about the Junior Sports Academy programme, which is for students in Primary 4 and 5. As participation is by selection only, you can check with teachers about the qualities that they’re looking out for.

If your child isn't interested in sports, consider activities such as music, where children can learn for fun, or take annual exams to track their progress. To avoid turning these activities into a source of tension, make sure that your child is on board with these plans.

While you may hope that your child excels in their CCA for an eventual DSA advantage, please remember that not every child will have the aptitude or desire to proceed along these paths. Some children may enjoy an activity without excelling, while others might find trials and competitions stressful.

At the end of the day, it's probably best to let your child have the final say. After all, childhood is a time for exploration, and your child's CCA experience may contribute to their development in ways that you might not anticipate.