Some top schools said they would join the government's voluntary class-reduction scheme following a significant boost in incentives offered by the administration.
Heads of school associations say the willingness of elite schools to join is set to boost the participation rate in the scheme, which is aimed at fending off the closure crisis sweeping across the secondary sector.
Announced in March, the point of the scheme is to reduce the number of schools that have to be closed because they do not have enough students. It aims to share the load by encouraging more schools to reduce their number of Form One classes from five to four.
Currently, more than 200 secondary schools offer a minimum of five Form One classes.
The first round of the scheme received a dismal response from the sector, as only 23 out of more than 400 schools signed up for it. The scheme was unpopular with elite schools, as shrinking class numbers would give the impression that a school had difficulty getting enough pupils.
Details of the revamped scheme were revealed to more than 300 teachers and principals from schools with a minimum of five Form One classes yesterday. Principals present at the briefing said the revised terms received an overwhelming response from schools.
