It pays to be able to charge fees

IT HELPS TO BE linked to one of Hong Kong's most prestigious universities when you are a new school.

HKUGA Primary School, founded by the University of Hong Kong's alumni association and supported by academics from its Faculty of Education, has quickly become a preferred option for parents with children in the Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS), receiving more than 1,200 applications for its 120 places in Primary One.

HKUGA has adopted a progressive teaching approach and recognises the importance of non-academic subjects. Dr Tse Shek-kam, a scourge of rote learning and dictation and a pioneer of a lively way of learning Chinese characters through rhymes, is among its advisers. For English, reading is regarded as key. Project learning, another buzz concept of education reform, is also prominent.

Afternoons, meanwhile, are devoted to non-academic modules, including arts, sports and community service - activities designed to 'provide rich learning experience and develop noble characters'.

Tse sees the school as developing into a model, with both the university and students benefiting. 'It is a good partnership. We can test our research, and in turn provide training for teachers,' he said. Academics may also go back to class for teaching experience, enabling them to relate better to the needs of their student teachers.

The Chai Wan school, which admitted its first students in 2002 but had its official opening at the end of last term, is one of the new generation of DSS schools that the government is pinning hopes on for injecting innovation and new choice in education. By allowing them to charge fees in addition to the subsidies they receive schools can invest in extra quality, in particular in smaller classes and enhanced resources.