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Advertisements seek $3 million to run private class after enrolments fall below 23

A school facing closure has launched a desperate appeal for funds in a last-ditch effort to stay open.

Northcote College of Education Past Students' Association School is running advertisements in  three Chinese papers today  as part of efforts to raise $3 million so it can run a private Primary One class.

The school in Kowloon City is among 22  ordered to halt Primary One classes this year after they failed to recruit the minimum 23 students.

Schools may avoid closure by merging with other schools, undergoing a special inspection to prove they merit being retained, converting to private schools under the direct subsidy scheme, or opening private Primary One classes.

Ten schools have appealed, but only two were allowed to continue,  both through a merger.

'The students need us,' said Northcote principal Dennis Koo Hok-chun.  'Most of the students from the district come from low-income families, and they need a school which will use its financial and teaching resources  to cater for their needs.'

Northcote, which has about $1.4 million in its reserve,   has received more than $10,000 in donations from students, parents and teachers.

Since  taking up his post two years ago, Mr Koo has set aside $200,000 of the school funds  for scholarships and financial aid each year. He also  injected into the curriculum elements of art and music education, which were carried out on an annual budget of $300,000.

The school bought 30 violins, a keyboard and several other  musical instruments.  Free music and dance lessons  were offered.

Mr Koo said he saw a need for greater exposure to art and music, which  were a luxury to  poor families, and that few schools  recognised this need.

Last year, 37 students in the district transferred to his school because their parents were attracted by its art education programme.

'I wish the government would see the unique role our school is playing in the community,' he said.

Law Wai-chuen,  chairman of the parent-teachers association, said Northcote had  improved significantly in the past two years. He has a son in Primary Four and a daughter in Primary Three of the school.

'Mr Koo has been very eager to understand and cater for the needs of our children,' said Mr Law. 'Aside from free music lessons, some poor students even  had lunches and exercise books paid for by the school. It will be a loss to the district if the school  is shut down.'

Mr Koo will meet legislator Audrey Eu Yuet-mee  today to discuss the possibilities of lobbying for the right of under-enrolled schools to continue operating Primary One class. The Legislative Council passed a motion moved by Ms Eu  to reduce class sizes in districts with sharp decreases in birth rate.



School appeals for cash to save its Primary One