Cameras flash as grinning right-of-abode applicants arrive for first day in class

Wearing smart new uniforms and broad grins, 27 mainland children who until yesterday were barred from going to school attended their first lessons at a Catholic school that has defied the Government's ban.

The children, aged between six and 12, filed into a classroom at St Joan of Arc Primary School, in North Point, at 9am under the gaze of dozens of journalists, including one from Nippon Television in Japan, and camera crews.

Their first school day came two weeks after the South China Morning Post highlighted the children's plight, prompting at least five schools to defy the Government and admit the children. On Monday, the Security Bureau promised a review of the ban.

The children's teacher, Ms Ng, began the lesson by calling their names to mark attendance, only to find that some of the children - who have never attended school before or been barred for a long time - did not understand what was going on.

Seven-year-old Chu Ching-hiu was struck dumb at first when his name was called, but was taught how to say 'present' and soon answered loud and clear.

Ching-hiu is among the 187 mainland children barred from studying in Hong Kong but granted a recognisance letter for a temporary stay to await the result of their right of abode applications.