If your child has just joined a local primary or secondary school in Singapore, you will quickly hear two names: Parents Gateway and SLS. Teachers expect parents to use the Parents Gateway app to read notices and reply to consent forms, and children use the Student Learning Space (SLS) for online lessons and homework. For families arriving from mainland China or elsewhere, these platforms can feel unfamiliar at first, especially if you are used to school updates arriving through a class WeChat group. This guide explains what each platform does, how to get started, and simple habits that keep you on top of school life.
Details of these platforms are updated from time to time, so treat this as a general introduction and follow the instructions from your child’s school and the Ministry of Education (MOE).
What Parents Gateway and SLS Are For
Both platforms come from MOE, but they serve different people and purposes.
| Platform | Who mainly uses it | What it is for | How you log in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parents Gateway app | Parents and guardians | School announcements, consent forms, event details, booking parent-teacher meetings | With Singpass, the national digital identity |
| Student Learning Space (SLS) | Students, with teacher guidance | Online lessons, videos, quizzes and assignments set by teachers | With a school-issued student account |
| Class group chats or emails | Parents, sometimes set up by teachers or other parents | Quick reminders and informal questions | Depends on the group |
The simple way to remember it: Parents Gateway is the official noticeboard between school and you; SLS is your child’s online classroom.
Getting Started With the Parents Gateway App
Parents Gateway is a mobile app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. To use it, you generally need:
- A Singpass account. Singpass is Singapore’s government login, similar in purpose to the real-name digital IDs you may know from China. Many foreigners holding long-term passes are able to register for Singpass. Check eligibility and set it up through the official Singpass website first, as you cannot log in to Parents Gateway without it. Our guide to using the Singpass app and face verification walks you through the app.
- Your details recorded correctly with the school. Parents Gateway links you to your child using the parent or guardian information the school holds. If you log in and cannot see your child, contact the school’s general office to check that your name and identification number are recorded correctly.
Once logged in, you will see your child’s school and a feed of messages. Turn on notifications so you do not miss time-sensitive items.
What You Will See in Parents Gateway
Most messages fall into a few types:
- Announcements. General information about school events, timetables, holidays, health reminders or changes in routine. Read these, but they usually need no reply.
- Consent forms. These ask you to agree or decline, for example for a learning journey (school outing), an enrichment programme or a photo release. They come with a due date. If you do not respond, your child may not be able to take part, so reply promptly.
- Meeting bookings. For parent-teacher meetings, the school may open time slots in the app for you to choose.
- Teacher contact details or forms, depending on how your school uses the app.
If your English is still developing, the language can feel formal. Many phones allow you to copy text into a translation app. If anything is unclear, it is perfectly acceptable to email or call the form teacher to ask. Teachers in Singapore generally welcome questions from new parents, and asking politely is better than guessing.
Understanding the Student Learning Space
SLS is an online learning platform used across national schools. Teachers assign lessons that may include short videos, reading, quizzes and written tasks. Your child might use it:
- During lessons in school, on school devices or their own.
- For homework or revision at home.
- During home-based learning days, when lessons move online for a period.
Your child receives an SLS login from the school. Help them keep the password safe and know who to ask if they forget it, usually the form teacher or the school’s IT contact.
For families from China, SLS may feel different from the large homework packs and online platforms common there. Assignments are often shorter and spread out, with deadlines set by individual teachers. The teacher can see when work is submitted, so finishing on time matters.
How to Support Your Child on SLS Without Doing the Work
You do not need to understand every subject to help. Practical ways to support:
- Sit with younger children for their first few SLS sessions so they learn how to navigate, submit and check feedback.
- Ask to see the assignment list each week and agree on when each item will be done.
- Set up a quiet spot with a working device, charger, headphones and stable internet.
- Check feedback together. Teachers often leave comments; reading them helps your child improve.
- Encourage independence as they grow. By upper primary and secondary, aim for your child to manage SLS on their own, with you checking in.
If your family does not have a suitable device or reliable internet at home, speak to the school. Schools can advise on support options available to students.
Weekly Habits for Newcomer Parents
A few routines make school communication much easier:
- Check Parents Gateway once a day, even briefly, especially at the start of a new term when many notices arrive.
- Reply to consent forms the same day you read them, so nothing slips past the due date.
- Add important dates to your phone calendar, such as exams, school holidays and parent-teacher meetings.
- Ask your child about SLS on Sunday evening: what is due this week and what is unfinished.
- Keep the school’s general office number saved, for login problems or changes to your contact details.
You may also be invited to class chat groups. These can be useful for reminders and for getting to know other parents, but the official information still comes through Parents Gateway and the school, so treat chat messages as helpful extras rather than the final word. Our broader guide to school apps and parent portals in Singapore covers other platforms some schools use alongside these two.
When You Need Help
If something is not working:
- Cannot log in to Parents Gateway: first check your Singpass account works, then contact the school office about your recorded details.
- Child cannot access SLS: ask the form teacher or the school’s IT contact to reset the account.
- Not sure what a notice means: email the form teacher. A short message such as “We are new to Singapore and would like to check what this form means” is warmly received.
Getting comfortable with the Parents Gateway app and SLS early in the term gives you a clear view of your child’s school life and helps them settle in faster. For other everyday tools that make life easier in a new country, see our list of essential apps for Chinese newcomers in Singapore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners register for Singpass to use Parents Gateway? Many foreigners holding long-term passes are able to register for Singpass, but you should check eligibility and set it up through the official Singpass website first. You cannot log in to Parents Gateway without it.
Why can’t I see my child after logging into Parents Gateway? The app links you to your child using the parent or guardian information the school holds. Contact the school’s general office to check that your name and identification number are recorded correctly. Also confirm your Singpass account works.
What happens if I miss a consent form deadline? If you do not respond, your child may not be able to take part in the activity, such as a learning journey or enrichment programme. Reply to consent forms the same day you read them, and turn on notifications so you do not miss time-sensitive items.
My child forgot the SLS password. Who do I ask? Ask the form teacher or the school’s IT contact to reset the account. Help your child keep the password safe in the first place. If you lack a suitable device or reliable internet at home, speak to the school about support options.
Should I rely on the class chat group for school updates? Treat it as a helpful extra rather than the final word. Class chats are good for reminders and meeting other parents, but the official information comes through Parents Gateway and the school. If a notice is unclear, email the form teacher.
Official sources: Ministry of Education (MOE)
Further reading: Teachers’ Day in Singapore Schools: What Newcomer Parents Should Expect