42 per cent of Hong Kong kindergartens applied to raise tuition fees
- About 440 kindergartens, comprising 300 subsidised schools and 140 non-subsidised ones, applied for tuition increase in 2022-23 school year
- Educators warn of closure risks, while at least eight kindergartens closed before end of school term this year, including one that merged with another
The number of Hong Kong kindergartens that have applied to raise tuition fees has nearly doubled, despite educators warning of the risks of closure due to challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, an emigration wave and a falling birth rate.
Authorities on Tuesday said about 440 kindergartens, comprising 300 subsidised schools and 140 non-subsidised ones, had applied for a tuition increase in the 2022-23 school year. This amounts to about 42 per cent of all preschools.
Meanwhile, about 540 preschools said their fees would remain the same and four requested to reduce their charges this year.
Separately, 38 primary and secondary schools under a direct subsidy scheme have asked to adjust their tuition fees as of last Monday.
The 440 applications from the kindergartens were more than the 250 in the last school year, of which only 88 were approved by education authorities.
Before the pandemic, 700 kindergartens applied to raise their fees for the 2019-20 school year, of which 278 were approved.
The Education Bureau said in a statement that the proposed tuition fees were being reviewed, and applications would be processed in accordance with established procedures.