EditorialFewer class cuts a relief but Hong Kong schools still face closure risk
Government needs to ensure interests of those affected are taken care of, despite improvement in Primary One enrolment
According to Primary School Profiles 2025 released on Monday, there are 1,569 Primary One classes in public schools this year, 12 fewer than the 1,581 in 2024. Last year, there was a drop of 26 Primary One classes from the 2023-24 school year.
The improvement was attributed to an influx of children under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, an initiative introduced by the current administration in December 2022 to counter a brain drain expedited by the Covid-19 pandemic and changing economic and political environment. Those admitted, who are mainly mainland Chinese, can bring in their unmarried children aged under 18.
It is a relief when schools can enrol more pupils to meet the threshold of operation and funding by the government. The number of Primary One classes directly affects a school’s survival chances as each has to enrol at least 16 children to operate a class. Those failing to do so must submit a “way-out plan” to the authorities for approval or be forced to begin the process of closure.
Despite the reprieve brought by the talent scheme, some 14 schools face the greatest risk of not surviving as the number of their Primary One classes dropped from two last year to one this year. A clearer picture will emerge after a headcount by the Education Bureau in the middle of the month.
Talent admission is only a short-term measure. Parents will opt for better schools, leaving the ones with less-impressive performance at risk of under-enrolment. The shrinking pupil numbers should be addressed by raising the birth rate in the long run. This requires policy intervention at higher levels to help nurture an environment conducive to raising families and children.