Schools urged to merge sooner as enrolments fall

The Secretary for Education in Hong Kong, Christine Choi, has advised primary schools with falling enrolment numbers to consider merging with other schools or ceasing operations. According to this year's Primary School Profiles, more than 120 aided and government primary schools have had to reduce the number of primary one classes, with around 60 running a single class.

Choi emphasized that the declining student population is a structural trend that will not be reversed in the next five to 10 years. She noted that schools have exhausted all possible measures to maintain the status quo, including reducing class sizes, lowering the enrolment threshold, and increasing the number of teachers. Choi urged schools to operate on a larger scale, as this would provide students with a richer learning experience and school life.

She also informed schools that the bureau is providing a one-off HK$1 million grant to schools that choose to merge, allowing them to retain surplus teachers and make curriculum adjustments during the transition period.

Brief written by urgent.news from RTHK English's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.