Why so many "brand" schools in Bukit Timah area?

[ryanryan]

The other day, I was travelling along Bukit Timah Rd at around 730am. The jam was horrendous despite the operation of the Downtown line.

I understand the jam is partly caused by parents who sends their child to the many schools in the Bukit Imah vicinity.

A quick count reveals many "brand" or top schools located in this area. Anybody knows why there is such a concentration in this area and why has MOE not consider moving spreading them more apart ?

Primary
---------
1. Nanyang Primary
2. RGPS
3. SCGS
4. ACS Primary
5. Henry Park Primary
6. St Margaret Primary
7 MGS Primary

Secondary
------------
1. HCI
2. Nanyang Girl
3. MGS
4. SCGS
5. SJI
6. St Margaret

JC
--
1. HCI
2. NJC

[Jennifer]

Bukit Timah area was one of the earliest town set up during Raffles Stamford era.

[thsheng99]

Actually, MOE should consider to "re-distribute" these schools.

1. Will let more parents have a "chance" to get into these schools during P1 registration without having to buy an expensive property in Bukit Timah

2. Free up the "prime" estate land and get better ROI for land usage. Understand that psf in this area can go as high as 2xxx psf

3. Ease the congestion there. Building Downtime line there does not seem to ease congestion. Guess the rich still prefer to drive.

[Jennifer]

Not sure whether the land of some schools belongs to the State or private organisations behind the schools.

[GreenBird]

the new, big RGS Secondary campus (available, from 2019) is built in Bradell, luckily not Bukit Timah.

[thsheng99]

Bishan may be the next "branded" area with many such schools n the vicinity

- RI (sec+ JC)
- RGS ( 2019)
- Catholic High (pri + sec)
- Ai Tong
- St Nicholas ( Pri + Sec)
- SJI (temp location)
- Eunoia JC ( 2017)

[Jennifer]

3. Ease the congestion there. Building Downtime line there does not seem to ease congestion. Guess the rich still prefer to drive.

This is not the case for some stretches along Bt Timah Road.

We live near King Albert Park MRT station. From 2 congested lanes leading to Blackmore (where MGS is) to not congested at all now.

The stretch going to RGPS is a different case as the school is not "near TKK MRT station".

[stetan]

Not sure whether the land of some schools belongs to the State or private organisations behind the schools.

these schools are so rich to own "lands"? Don't it come under the govt or MOE?

[dimsum]

Not sure whether the land of some schools belongs to the State or private organisations behind the schools.

these schools are so rich to own "lands"? Don't it come under the govt or MOE?

yes. Some own the land. If you read up the history of the schools, you will understand.

[Jennifer]

Not sure whether the land of some schools belongs to the State or private organisations behind the schools.

these schools are so rich to own "lands"? Don't it come under the govt or MOE?

I do not mean schools that are rich.

I meant the founding organizations that set up the schools in the first place.

Before and during Raffles Stamford era, land sales to private individuals were not uncommon.

So happened Bukit Timah was one of the earliest developed areas other than the 红灯码头