Hong Kong’s Diocesan Boys’ School to become first to offer 3 university pathways

Hong Kong's prestigious Diocesan Boys' School is set to become the first institution in the city to offer three distinct university pathways by 2027, if the Education Bureau grants its approval. Headmaster Ronnie Cheng Kay-yen revealed this plan during a Primary One admission talk at the school's Mong Kok campus, after securing the necessary endorsements from Cambridge International Education and the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority.

Cheng expressed eagerness to proceed, stating, "We are going full throttle to offer the Diploma of Secondary Education, the International Baccalaureate and the International Advanced Level."

With 1,400 secondary students and 900 primary students currently enrolled, Cheng acknowledged the diverse learning needs and abilities among the student body. He emphasized the importance of tailoring learning models to suit each individual's pace, aptitude, and direction. Starting from the 2026-27 school year, Form Three students are expected to opt for one of the three curricula: the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE), the International Baccalaureate (IB), or the International Advanced Level (IAL).

The DSE is Hong Kong's primary university entrance pathway, while the IB and IAL are internationally recognized curricula.

The adoption of these three curricula comes at a time when Hong Kong public universities have witnessed a surge in student enrollments from non-local curricula. Over the past six years, the number of students applying outside the local DSE exam system has increased by 63%, from 2,706 in 2019-20 to 4,401 in 2025-26. Conversely, the number of home-grown students opting for the DSE exam has declined by 7%, from 12,355 to 11,503 over the same period.

Education consultant Samuel Chan Sze-ming noted that parents must carefully weigh the merits of the three curricula, balancing international competitiveness against their child's unique strengths and weaknesses. He highlighted that the DSE has shown limitations in overseas university applications, being more suited to students who excel in rote memorization.

The IB, on the other hand, is described as more comprehensive, integrating science and humanities through a project-based approach, but requiring strong time management and self-discipline. Chan added that the IAL is particularly appealing to students who excel in specific subjects while avoiding weaker areas, offering greater flexibility through its modular structure.

Currently, non-local curricula are offered at 53 international schools, eight private independent schools, and 21 semi-private local schools in Hong Kong. Parents such as Florence Yu, whose elder son is in Form Two, expressed their support for the expanded curriculum options, emphasizing that more choices are beneficial. However, Yu noted that admission into the school's IB program is highly competitive.

Another parent, surnamed Tsang, whose son is nearly five, welcomed the additional curriculum choices, recognizing that circumstances might change by the time his child reaches secondary school. He and his wife agreed that factors such as the child's interests, language skills, and time management abilities would play a role in their decision-making process.

The Education Bureau confirmed on Saturday evening that it had received the school's application and was currently reviewing it.