Expats frustrated by the lack of educational options for their children
The government is undertaking an in-depth study of major international schools in Hong Kong to gauge better their ability to meet demand.
It has commissioned the American Chamber of Commerce to conduct the survey, which is expected to cover about 12 top international schools, mainly on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon.
'We are working on a research paper and survey about the international school place situation, said Jack Maisano, the chamber's president. 'We do think it's severe. We do think there are people who are not coming to Hong Kong because they can't get their kids in school.'
Mr Maisano said he suspected that hundreds, if not thousands, of people were on waiting lists for the schools. Failure to secure schooling for their children might dissuade some expatriates from taking up employment in the city. Some families opt for home schooling.
The shortfall, however, tends to be cyclical and limited to a certain number of in-demand schools that are heavily subscribed by expatriates, foreign passport holders and locals, who increasingly want their children to study international curricula.
Among English Schools Foundation establishments, the number of vacancies currently includes about 40 places in Year 5 and 70 in Year 10, while Year 7 is oversubscribed.