THE PRICE OF SCHOOLING
United States At Harvard University in Boston, tuition fees for an undergraduate programme in the year 1999-2000 were US$22,028 (about HK$170,600) and US$1,590 had to be paid for student services fees. The university estimated that an extra US$9,270 would be needed to cover books, food and rent for a dormitory room.
United Kingdom For an international student on an arts course, the tuition fees for the same year were GBP6,684 (about HK$84,800) at Oxford University. Science courses cost GBP8,910 and clinical courses GBP16,337. College fees, payable to the college the student is registered with, were GBP3,275. According to the prospectus, an overseas student would need at least GBP6,700 for living expenses.
Canada At the University of British Columbia, an undergraduate programme cost C$13,830 (about HK$71,700) for international students for the year 1999-2000. Student fees were about C$230. An estimated C$1,200 would be needed to cover books and transportation, and C$7,200 to cover room and board.
Australia The tuition fees for an undergraduate course at the University of New South Wales in the same year were between A$11,000 (about HK$55,000) and A$12,000. For the faculty of medicine, the fees were A$25,000. The university estimated that an international student would require A$10,000 to A$12,000 each year for living expenses.
The primary section of the Chinese International School caters to children aged four to 10. Upon entry, pupils spend a year in reception class, which is an observation schedule. Fees for the reception class in 1999-2000 were $58,700, including $54,800 for school fees and $3,900 for books and stationery. The school fees for students in Years One to Six were $72,900, with an additional $3,780 to $4,250 for other expenses.
At the French International School, the primary section is divided into French and international streams, as is the secondary section. Fees for the French stream in 1999-2000 were $50,508. In the international stream they were $63,615.
Fees for students in the primary section of Hong Kong International School were $101,900. An additional education fee of $2,200 is charged. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a library, a cafeteria and an indoor gym. There is also a playground for the students.
At Shatin Junior School, which is under the English Schools Foundation, fees were $45,100. The curriculum is based on that of the British system, but slight moderations have been made to tailor to the needs of local students. Putonghua is a compulsory subject.
At the Chinese International School on Braemar Hill, tuition fees in the secondary section in the same year were $8,700. An additional $2,030 to $6,910 is charged to cover books, teaching aids, outings and stationery, bringing the total to between $89,030 and $93,910. Terri Shia, development director of the school, said facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a tennis court, and roof-top playing areas. Students are taught Putonghua in their Chinese classes.
Students at the French International School can choose to belong to either the French or the international stream, depending on their language abilities. Classes are conducted in French in the former and English in the latter. In the French stream, fees in the 1999-2000 academic year were $58,857 in the first cycle, and $72,357 in the second. In the international stream, fees for secondary students in Forms I to V were $82,449, but for students preparing for the International Baccalaureate they were $103,476.
At Hong Kong International School, tuition fees were $107,900 for students in the middle school (grades six to eight), and $120,200 for those in grades nine to 11 of the high school. In grade 12 fees were $120,750. Students in all grades have to pay an additional education fee of $2,200. The school follows the American curriculum. There is a library, a cafeteria, and an indoor gymnasium in each of the middle and high school divisions. An indoor pool, a football pitch, and two tennis courts are also available.
Like all other schools under the English Schools Foundation, South Island School charged $74,900 for each secondary school student in the year 1999-2000. The curriculum follows that of the English system, where students have to sit for GCSE and GCE A-level exams. An indoor sports centre, a swimming pool, a football pitch and a basketball court are provided for the students.