Education Bureau cracks down on "shell schools" and warns of tougher inspections
發佈日期: 2025-08-24 21:12
TVB News
After multiple mainland tutorial centres were found to recruit students and run classes in the name of Hong Kong private schools, the Education Bureau has flagged several more schools suspected of running such "shell schools."
These schools have been included in the government watch list.
The bureau has also issued a letter to all Hong Kong schools, reminding them of the need to truthfully submit their list of students to authorities.
In recent weeks, some Hong Kong private schools were found to allow mainland tutorial centres to operate classes under their name, enabling mainland students to sit the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exams as Hong Kong students.
After these so-called "shell schools" came to light, the Education Bureau has pledged a rollout of short, medium and long-term measures to crack down on such practices.
They include surprise inspections and a register of compliant private schools.
Speaking with TVB News, Acting Secretary for Education Jeff Sze says the bureau has sent letters to all Hong Kong schools -- encompassing government, subsidised and private schools -- spotlighting four points of compliance.
First, schools may not partner with third-party operators without being given the green light by the Education Bureau. Second, all fees collected must receive bureau approval. Publicity and promotional materials must be factual and toe the regulatory guidelines. And schools are required to submit a list of students to authorities in line with bureau requirements.
While schools already file such student lists to the Education Bureau annually, the bureau stresses these reports must be truthful and accurate.
When asked if schools should report the student lists more often, Jeff Sze says the bureau conducts head counts at schools when the new school year starts.
As for private schools, authorities also undertake surprise inspections to ensure legal operations and compliance as well as to verify the head counts.
The bureau adds that it would also focus on schools facing admissions or financial difficulties in addition to acting on serious complaints.
Sze says they wish to root out the "black sheep" from the education system and not let the handful of opportunistic schools to tarnish the reputation of Hong Kong education.
On whether the bureau received any more tip-offs, Sze says complaints are received from time to time with some schools already on their "concern list."
Authorities have requested submission of relevant information from such institutions flagged for further probes.
