Hong Kong records uptick among semi-private schools seeking to raise annual fees, including top girls’ institution DGS
- Education Bureau says 54 semi-private schools under government’s direct subsidy scheme have applied to increase fees for next academic year, up from previous 49
- Prestigious Diocesan Girls’ School among DSS institutions seeking fee increase and hopes to raise annual tuition rates from HK$38,000 to HK$40,000
Hong Kong has recorded an uptick in the number of kindergartens and semi-private schools applying to increase their annual fees, including a top girls’ institution which has proposed raising rates by 5 per cent for the first time.
The Education Bureau said on Thursday that 54 semi-private schools under the government’s direct subsidy scheme (DSS) as of mid-May had applied to increase their fees for the next academic year starting in September, a rise from the 49 last year.
The number of preschools seeking a fee rise had also climbed to 660, surpassing the number recorded last year by 40.
A bureau spokeswoman also said 25 DSS schools had told education authorities that they would not adjust their fees.
About 310 kindergartens also opted to maintain their tuition fees, 30 fewer than last year, while one institution had applied for a fee reduction, she added.
“The Education Bureau will process the applications in accordance with established procedures and hopes to complete the vetting and approval procedures and notify the schools by the end of this school year,” the spokeswoman said.
