Education Bureau offers optimisation plan for mergers of primary schools

已複製連結

15 primary schools have been allocated "zero classes" in the coming academic year and authorities say they have introduced an optimisation plan for mergers.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi expressed her hope that this would lead to "merging to upgrade" rather than "merging to save."

One of the primary schools unable to form classes for the next school year is Tai Kok Tsui's Fresh Fish Traders' School, established in 1969, primarily serving underprivileged students.

A primary 5 student says he had seen fewer schoolmates and a decline in newcomers especially amongst the lower grades.

Schools allocated "zero classes" must choose to merge with another school, cease operation, or convert to private operation.

The Education Bureau has proposed an optimisation plan. If a school successfully merges with another, it can receive a one-off additional subsidy of one million dollars.

At the same time it can also retain, for three years, the incumbent teachers.

If the school faces insufficient enrolment again within these three years, it can also unconditionally participate in the Primary One Admission system for the next year again.

Principal Sze Chi-king said he feels it is just a matter of time before the school has to close amid a declining population, especially in Yau Tsim Mong District.

He pointed out the only request they have for merging, is to ensure all current students be successfully transferred over.

The school authority stated that it will consolidate opinions of all stakeholders, and in accordance with the requirements of the authorities, submit a proposal regarding the school's future direction by the end of this month.

There are only 48,000 children of primary one eligible age in the next academic year. Fifteen primary schools face insufficient enrolment.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi, explains that the government, has managed the declining school-age population with a "soft landing" approach over the last decade, but those measures have now been exhausted.

The government is now pursuing merging actions to upgrade education quality, instead of forcibly maintaining the current number of schools.