The importance that parents attach to education is illustrated by the number of tutorial schools. Almost 400 licensed establishments are flourishing while an even larger number operate outside the system. Demand for tutorial services jumped sharply in the past year. The reasons can only be guessed at, but it is safe to assume that it is not unconnected with the switch to mother tongue teaching.
Until the supply of registered establishments keeps pace with demand, many parents may decide that it is preferable to enrol at an unlicensed establishment rather than depriving their child of extra lessons.
The Ombudsman believes that the Education Department should set up teams to seek out and prosecute offenders. But the department points out that it does not even have money for more pressing priorities. Nor is it practical for its staff to act as detectives. But this is only one side of the story.
Just as worrying is the way in which bureaucracy thwarts schools that try to conform to regulations. All departments involved should work out a synchronised inspection system so that an application can be processed within months, rather than years.
Starting a school is costly. If red tape holds up good operators, that may play into the hands of the unscrupulous. There is clearly a demand for the service they offer, and the best should be encouraged.
But it should be possible to press for more cases of those who fall short to be prosecuted. The fines should be such as to act as a real deterrent. Imprisonment is too severe, but the alternative $25,000 fine is too small. And parents should remember that the first responsibility for a child's safety and well-being lies with them.
