14 Hong Kong kindergartens to shut by end of school year amid shrinking pupil population
- Industry leader Choi Lai-fong estimates at least 20 preschools will close before the beginning of new academic year in September
- Kindergartens are struggling with rising rents which take a minimum of half their tuition fee income, Choi adds
Hong Kong’s shrinking pupil population has taken a growing toll on kindergartens, with education authorities saying 14 such institutions will close down by the end of the current school year.
An industry leader also said on Monday that she expected at least 20 preschools would close before the beginning of the new academic year in September.
Choi Lai-fong, vice-chairwoman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, said private kindergartens, in particular, were struggling with rising rents that accounted for at least half of their tuition fee income.
Most landlords had raised rents after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Private preschools have been suffering from the emigration wave in recent years as many middle-class families chose to emigrate,” Choi said.
The private Rightmind Kindergarten in the South Horizons housing estate in Southern district reportedly told parents it would close down in July, saying it was unable to find suitable investors.