There is surely something amiss in an education system when more than half of parents would gladly send their children overseas to study. A survey by a popular credit card company would seem to show this, with 52 per cent of 653 respondents in Hong Kong saying they would opt for such a choice if they had the chance, a considerably higher proportion than in the mainland (13 per cent) and Taiwan (34 per cent). So small a sample does not give an accurate reflection of community sentiment, nor were those polled asked for reasons, so it would be wrong to jump to conclusions. What is clear, though, is that schooling in Hong Kong is complex and can be elitist and frustrating.

The long queues last week for discretionary places in primary schools perceived as having the best reputations say much about the state of education. Some parents have moved districts, forced their children to take special classes in everything from music to horse riding and had them coached on how to handle an admissions interview in the hope that they will impress and be accepted. Parents know that once a child is in an elite school, there is every likelihood of them entering a good high school, university and job. Those that fail to get in will have to make do with second and third best. Families that can afford it send their children to English Schools Foundation and international schools, which have long waiting lists.

Perhaps the best indicator of the state of Hong Kong education is its worth to senior civil servants. Those who joined the government before 1996 are able to have their children educated in Britain with the majority of expenses paid for by taxpayers. It is a hangover from colonial days, but one that lets government officials decide which schooling system they believe is better. Many of those who are eligible opt for schools in Britain.