THE English Schools Foundation (ESF) proposal to adopt continental hours and a shorter school day for primary schools looks likely to fail before this week's Joint Council of Parent Teacher Associations.
The proposal has sparked debate over whether school hours affect the quality of education, and criticism of the ESF's approach to the proposal. Some parents have questioned why the ESF did not issue all parents a standardised questionnaire.
Some parents also have questioned why shorter hours have been proposed after the ESF spent funds installing air-conditioning in schools and suggested summer hours could be extended.
Summer hours have been from 8.45 am to 12.30 pm for 63 of the 185 annual school days; winter hours have been from 8.45 am to 3 pm for the rest of the year. However, the ESF has proposed a shorter school day from 8.30 am to 2 pm. Teachers' hours would notnecessarily be cut.
Quarry Bay Primary School and Kowloon Junior School parents and teachers rejected the proposal at separate meetings last week.
Peak School, Kennedy Road, Bradbury, and Beacon Hill have also rejected the proposals, with Peak and Kennedy Road preferring winter hours all year.
Sha Tin Junior School, Clearwater Bay and Quarry Bay schools are expected to issue questionnaires to gain a response.