Scrutiny over 'illegal' schools casts spotlight on bureau's processes
Wall Street English, which holds classes in unregistered premises, says it's still waiting for authorities' approval for registration after two years
Another school has been found to be running classes in unregistered premises, prompting calls for the Education Bureau to beef up inspection efforts.
Wall Street English, established in 1972 and which describes itself as the world's largest English-language teaching organisation, confirmed that it was still waiting for the registration for its school at Causeway Bay Plaza Two where it has run classes for almost two years.
It blamed the authorities for taking too long to process its application, submitted soon after it moved from its previous premises at Causeway Bay Plaza One.
The news came after the bureau this month launched an investigation into whether Modern Education was running classes in an unregistered school in Mong Kok.
To obtain registration from the bureau, an institution has to seek approvals from the Health Department, the Buildings Department and the Fire Services Department.
Wall Street sales and marketing director Vickie Chow said the institution was still waiting for registration after applying for all the required approvals two years ago. "We are still waiting for the approval from the Fire Services Department," she said.
The Education Ordinance requires any school that provides courses for at least 20 people in a day, or at least eight people at any one time, to be registered.