Thousands of Hong Kong pupils have withdrawn from school over past year with many leaving city, survey finds

Professional Teachers’ Union describes withdrawal figures as unusual and says contributing factors may include concerns over security law and education changes

It urges government to acknowledge and directly address the issue

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Hong Kong’s education sector is undergoing changes. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 9:32pm, 26 May 2021Updated: 9:20pm, 4 Jun 2021

Thousands of pupils have withdrawn from school over the past year with many departing Hong Kong, according to a survey by a teachers’ union, which found a quarter of institutions reported more than 20 of their students had left since September.

The Professional Teachers’ Union (PTU), which described the withdrawal figures as alarming, said contributing factors could include parents’ concerns over the Beijing-imposed national security law, which came into effect last June, as well as changes to the education scene such as an overhaul of the controversial liberal studies subject.

“The government needs to acknowledge and directly address this issue,” Fung Wai-wah, president of the pro-democracy PTU, one of the city’s major teachers’ unions, said on Wednesday.

The survey, which polled 183 primary and secondary schools this month, found that about 25 per cent, or 47 institutions, reflected more than 20 pupils withdrawing during the 2020-21 academic year.

More than 70 per cent of the schools also reported between one and 20 pupils dropping out. Just three schools said they had no students withdrawing.

Officials from the Professional Teachers’ Union release the findings on Wednesday. Photo: Handout