Frustrated Hong Kong parents turning to alternative education

RTC Gaia School in rural Tuen Mun organises what it calls a "life conference" every week, attended by all 60 pupils. There, different events and issues revolving around the community are discussed. One week in April, the topic was cruelty in nature.

The school had a rat problem, and some of the students had just witnessed one of the school's two cats devour one of the rodents.

One student from Primary 1, nicknamed Frog - in keeping with the school's mantra that everyone have nature-related nicknames - suggested that Gaia introduce giant pitcher plants to scare away the rats. A Primary 6 pupil named Saltwater Crocodile said the school toilets should be cleaned frequently to improve hygiene.

Another child, nicknamed Sled Dog, pointed out that the school cats were getting overweight and lazy - so a feline slimming club would have to be launched.

Gaia's is certainly an atypical approach to education - and one that is increasingly sought by Hong Kong parents.

Alternative schools like Gaia provide creative curriculums in what directors and parents say are more relaxed environments than typical schools.

When Gaia started in 2007, the school had just 14 pupils. Now it enrols almost 70.