Schools to delay start times to help Shenzhen pupils avoid rush hour

Some New Territories schools will adjust their lesson times as the government tries to ease travel problems for children who have to cross the border from Shenzhen to attend school in Hong Kong.

Johann Wong Chung-yan, district officer for North District, said the government had already secured the agreement of a few kindergartens with cross-border students to postpone the start of classes to 9.30am from about 8am at present. This would enable schoolchildren to avoid rush-hour traffic.

The measures would initially cover a few kindergartens in North District, but Mr Wong told the Legislative Council's security panel yesterday that the government was negotiating with more schools, including primary schools in other areas of the New Territories.

Officials also told lawmakers they were considering allowing cross-border school buses to shuttle students directly between Shenzhen and schools in Hong Kong.

This was in response to lawmakers' calls for the government to provide more assistance for such schoolchildren.

Deputy Secretary for Security Cheung Siu-hing said the administration was already paying special attention to their situation.

'To facilitate their immigration clearance, the Immigration Department has opened additional counters for pupils' use during busy hours from Monday to Friday,' Ms Cheung said.