Fears of overcrowding in border school classes
Plan to increase class sizes to accommodate mainland pupils at primary schools in Sheung Shui may reduce teaching quality, say experts
A temporary increase in places at Sheung Shui primary schools to cater for the influx of mainland children could jeopardise the government's push for smaller classes and damage teaching quality, education experts fear.
Undersecretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung announced yesterday that class sizes at 28 schools near the border would be increased by five, while additional classes would be added to some schools to cover an expected shortage of 1,400 primary one places. The average class size would be 36.
Education-sector legislator Ip Kin-yuen said schools would become overcrowded.
"Some special rooms may have to be converted to classrooms," he said. "Crowded campuses will lead to a drop in teaching quality."
Some special rooms may have to be converted to classrooms. Crowded campuses will lead to a drop in teaching quality
Officials have said that the influx of cross-border children to the city's schools will be resolved first with temporary measures.
Meanwhile, officials are considering an overhaul of the school allocation system to make sure places across the city are more evenly taken up.