Composition of Hong Kong school boards may be reviewed, education No 2 says

Undersecretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin also pledged to look into how to bring about a balance of power between the Education Bureau and schools.

Governance problems at more than 10 Hong Kong schools prompt call for change from union

The saga at Hing Tak School, which was accused of exaggerating pupil numbers to secure funding, raised concerns about the current school-based management model for public institutions, which gives boards more financial freedom and full powers in matters such as promoting teachers.

Speaking on a radio programme on Sunday, Choi said that the ratio of different stakeholders in school boards was something that could be discussed.

“But I personally feel that having a centralisation of powers is not so good and it does not go with what is happening in this era,” she said, adding a good balance should be struck.

Currently, the bureau stipulates that boards should have no more than 60 per cent of members from a school’s sponsoring body.

The remainder should consist of the principal, not less than one teacher representative, not less than one parent representative, one or more alumni members and not less than one independent member.