‘Worst yet to come’ as Hong Kong schools cut record 126 Primary One classes

Hong Kong public schools have eliminated a record 126 Primary One classes for the 2026-27 academic year due to a declining student population. This significant reduction, 8% lower than the previous year, has prompted sector leaders to issue a warning that the decline is far from over. The latest Primary School Profiles, compiled by the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, show a 1,558 to 1,432 decrease in Primary One classes across more than 500 local primary institutions.

Kwai Tsing was the most affected district, with nearly half of its 31 primary schools trimming their Primary One intake. Districts such as Tuen Mun and Eastern also saw class reductions. The sharp decline in enrolment is linked to a prolonged decline in local births since 2020, dropping nearly 20% annually due to pandemic-related curbs and social unrest aftermath.

Jessie Cheung Chok-fong, a primary school principal and consultant, anticipates further hardship as Hong Kong's birth rate continues to decline, with fewer than 30,000 births recorded between mid-2025 and mid-2026, marking the lowest figure since 1962. This trend is expected to continue, with the number of six-year-olds eligible for Primary One projected to fall to 40,600 in 2027 and further decrease to 31,500 by 2029.

Despite these challenges, 18 schools plan to expand their intake, adding one to eight classes in various districts. Parents applying for public Primary One places must submit their choices by September 25, with results released on November 23.