Hong Kong education: exodus of students could worsen, educators warn
- More than 15,000 pupils have dropped out of the primary and secondary school system, latest official figures show
- Principals warn the number could rise as countries further embrace Hongkongers leaving the city after the introduction of the security law
To cope with the shift in local demand for education, authorities should reallocate resources to improve standards and help schools suffering from a high dropout rate to allow smaller classes and the option of running more foreign curriculum programmes, they said on Monday.
Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung pledged officials would address the issue.
“Hong Kong is a free society,” Yeung said. “Of course there are people leaving Hong Kong. They are free to make these choices. In terms of the changes in the number of students, we’ve been staying in contact with schools ... If the changes are long-term and structural, we will think of long-term solutions.”
Yeung said the Education Bureau would have a better grasp of the situation after the city’s borders reopened as the Covid-19 pandemic was brought under control and the new school year began in September.