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A class of their own

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Elaine Yauin Beijing

If parents think the education system in Hong Kong isn't right for their children, they will likely look abroad for alternatives. Rarely would they set out to establish a school to meet their personal criteria, as former executive councillor Bernard Chan and his wife Yeo Peck Leng have done. Then again, the couple have an unconventional approach to child-raising.

Last September, the couple launched the Almitas Academy, a modest operation in North Point with three classrooms, five teachers and just two students - their sons Brandon and Bradley, aged 12 and nine.

The idea isn't to have personal tutors groom their sons for entry to the elite schools that are usually seen as stepping stones to success.

There is 'absolutely no need' for their boys to attend top schools, says Chan, who heads his family's banking and insurance group, Asia Financial Holdings.

'Graduation from elite schools is no guarantee for a good life. Many people serving time in the United States for commercial crime come from elite schools.

'We put greater emphasis on character and moral development.'

Instead of teaching, say, the International Baccalaureate programme, lessons at Almitas are based on Accelerated Christian Education, a US curriculum for grades one to 12. They cover the usual subjects such as languages, general knowledge, sciences, physical education and art. But there's also plenty of scope for learning life skills and Bible studies. Lessons are conducted in English and Putonghua, with simplified characters used for written Chinese.

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