Two-thirds of Hong Kong’s direct subsidy scheme schools raise fees
Critics say charges have become exorbitant and more schools joining the scheme has contributed to widening gap between rich and poor
About two-thirds of Hong Kong’s direct subsidy scheme schools have raised their fees for this year, with the increases at one secondary school as high as 32 per cent.
The schools, which are increasingly popular among parents seeking an alternative curriculum for their children, receive government assistance as well as charge their own fees.
ECF Saint Too Canaan College in Kwun Tong saw the highest increase. The annual fee for Form Five pupils rose to HK$20,700, up from HK$15,700 last year. Fees for Form Four went up to HK$23,200, from HK$20,700 last year. Charges for other grades remained the same.
A spokeswoman for the school said the 32 per cent rise for Form Five was due to the school introducing policies to improve pupils’ learning spanning from Primary One.
“Actually, the parents of these pupils were paying the same fee, of HK$20,700, last year when they were in Form Four,” she said.
“When this group of pupils were in Primary One, we introduced smaller class learning for English, Chinese and maths lessons, with them split according to their abilities.”
