Wan Chai school delays relocation amid opposition

A private school in Wan Chai has put its controversial move to new premises on hold in the face of strong opposition from parents and looming challenges from some members of the sponsoring body.

A board member of the Lingnan Education Organisation (LEO), the sponsoring body of Lingnan Primary School and Kindergarten on Stubbs Road, confirmed that the board had decided to delay the relocation until September next year. It had originally planned to complete the move by the end of next month.

The LEO intended to move the kindergarten to Siu Sai Wan, though it has not said where the primary pupils could go. Some kindergarten classes will shift in February if the organisation is able to register its proposed temporary premises in Siu Sai Wan next month.

The school's operator has said the relocation is to allow for safety issues at the existing site to be resolved. It told parents that unauthorised works in the kindergarten building had made the premises unsafe.

The relocation announcement came shortly after an adjoining site was sold to a property developer, prompting vehement protests from parents who questioned the school's motives. However, board chairman David Chan said the lots were zoned for government, institution or community use and added: 'There is no application to change the lease or rezone the site concerned.'

The controversy took a further twist two months ago when the government concluded, after an inspection, that the existing school premises did not pose a danger. Chan then launched a full study of the building's safety.

The LEO board decided to delay the move in a meeting on December 20, a member said.