Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s largest international school operator cuts tuition fees as parents across city petition for financial relief
- English Schools Foundation’s 45 per cent discount on June tuition came a day after a petition bearing 2,500 signatures was sent to its chief executive
- Meanwhile, hundreds of parents with children at three other major private schools have sent similar letters asking for fee cuts
Hong Kong’s biggest international school operator has offered a 45 per cent discount on June tuition fees, while hundreds of parents from three other international schools are demanding similar reductions amid the Covid-19 shutdown of face-to-face classes.
The English Schools Foundation (ESF), which runs 22 schools in the city, on Tuesday said most of its 17,700 pupils’ families would be able to apply for the reduction. It also said it planned to launch a new emergency assistance scheme that would allow parents to defer up to half the fees from April, May and June, in addition to extending existing relief measures.
The 45 per cent discount can be claimed by any parents whose children’s fees are not already being paid for through financial assistance programmes or by government bodies.
In a letter to parents, ESF chief executive Belinda Greer said she understood that freezing future fees might not be enough for those who needed immediate help.
“Some of you have had your hours cut, or have been asked to take unpaid leave, others have lost their job altogether,” Greer wrote. “We want to do what we can to help get you through these extraordinary times.”