Prestige secondaries reject overhaul of feeder system
Schools could have to switch from aided status to the DSS to reserve places for students from their linked primaries
Prestigious secondary schools urged the government not to abolish a policy that had for decades allowed them to admit a large portion of pupils from their private feeder primaries.
The change, which will take place by 2018 at the latest, means that the schools either have to switch from aided status to the Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) or cease reserving places for students from their linked primary sections.
According to Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) guidelines, aided secondary schools also have the option of forming through-trains with their private primaries by turning the latter to aided status. Alternatively, if they become DSS secondaries they can form through-trains with their private primaries.
However, Rosalind Chan Lo-sai, chairwoman of the Grants School Council, said the EMB had refused to allow for the switch of private primaries to aided status. An EMB spokesperson confirmed that it was difficult for the government to subsidise more primary schools.
Some of the schools, such as the Diocesan Girls' School (DGS), have already been considering switching to DSS. 'They are trying to respond to the demands of parents, many of whom would like see their children being educated under the same philosophy in primary and secondary,' said Ms Chan.
Stella Chiu, principal of St Clare's Girls' School, which has a private feeder primary, said she hoped the feeder system could be kept.
'Turning to DSS would require a consensus between the school, sponsoring body and parents. It is not easy,' she said. She added that the feeder relationship between her school and St Clare's Primary School had facilitated teaching and learning with the close connection between the two.
Secondary schools in the feeder system can take in a maximum of 85 per cent of pupils from their primaries. Under the EMB's policy, the schools have until 2012 to decide whether to switch to DSS and form through-trains with their private primaries. If they don't they would then have to open all their places to discretionary and central allocation applicants in 2018.
Timothy Ha Wing-ho, the education secretary of Sheng Kung Hui (Anglican Episcopal), said it was a shame that the feeder system was being phased out and accused the government of applying one policy across the board.
'Schools such as DGS and St Clare's have been doing well with their feeder primaries for decades,' he said. 'Why not let them continue? The schools are in a small minority with no voice. I doubt the rationality behind the policy.'
Mr Ha said there were many risks involved for schools to turn DSS. 'Many of the schools set up by missionaries do not want to go DSS as they have a mission to serve the poor,' he said.
Ms Chan explained that aided schools with linked private primaries would have to consider turning DSS because of the guidelines referred to in this story, not all popular schools as reported in last week's Education Post.
