Nord Anglia international school row shows up Hong Kong’s bigoted politicians

Albert Cheng sees political bigotry taken to new heights as councillors of all stripes oppose the setting up of an international school campus in a Tin Wan shopping mall

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The campus of Nord Anglia International School in Lam Tin. Photo: Bruce Yan

Published: 3:33pm, 15 Jun 2017Updated: 7:14pm, 15 Jun 2017

Rivals from across the political spectrum have united in an effort to block an international school from having a new campus at a shopping mall in Tin Wan, west of Aberdeen in Southern district.

In the past, politicians have objected to community facilities on various grounds; others have blocked projects seen to undermine the value of their properties. The long list of necessary but unwelcome amenities includes a clinic for AIDS patients, a halfway house for the mentally ill, columbariums, landfills, an incinerator, and a mosque in the New Territories.

The not-in-my-backyard mentality is widespread. However, the level of political bigotry among local councillors has recently been taken to new heights.

A case in point is Nord Anglia Education’s plan to open an international school at the Tin Wan Shopping Centre, which is now being refurbished. The proposed campus would occupy 3½ storeys of the five-storey complex, which was taken over by a private developer from Link Reit in 2015.

International education is a growing global trend, and Asia leads the way

Two weeks ago, at a meeting of the Southern District Council’s committee for district development and housing, councillors of various political stripes sought to derail the plan.

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