https://www.scmp.com/rss/42928/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Jolene Otremba Jolene Otremba When Jenny began questioning the presence of children’s faces online, it wasn’t because of her own daughters. “I think it was when my niece turned 13,” she says. “She told her mum, ‘I don’t like seeing my face on social media.’ That really stuck with me.” Her daughters are now six and eight, but the comment prompted her to think ahead. “How will my kids feel when they see [their faces] in the future?” she wondered. That question is increasingly being asked by millennial parents in Hong Kong.... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3351106/why-parents-and-schools-are-rethinking-sharing-kids-photos-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3351106/why-parents-and-schools-are-rethinking-sharing-kids-photos-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 22:00:06 +0000 Amanda Sheppard Amanda Sheppard In recent months, families across Hong Kong have faced the difficult task of helping children process emotions resulting from the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, on top of a stream of unsettling news from around the world. Even children not directly affected may have seen images online, overheard adult conversations, or sensed anxiety at school and at home. Many parents struggle with how much to explain and how to respond to reactions that can seem unpredictable or confusing. “Children often... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3351775/how-parents-can-help-their-children-deal-grief-after-tai-po-tragedy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3351775/how-parents-can-help-their-children-deal-grief-after-tai-po-tragedy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:00:13 +0000 Salomé Grouard Salomé Grouard French sociologist Émile Durkheim described the classroom as society’s “great workshop”: a place where collective values are forged and passed between generations. It is here that the core lessons of social life, acceptance of others and respect for differences, are meant to take root. For too many LGBTQ students in Hong Kong, however, reality has often fallen short of that ideal. Liam Mak, co-founder and co-director of Quarks, the city’s first support network for transgender youth, describes... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3350488/how-hong-kongs-students-and-educators-are-reshaping-lgbt-inclusivity-classrooms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3350488/how-hong-kongs-students-and-educators-are-reshaping-lgbt-inclusivity-classrooms?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 22:00:14 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Like their local counterparts, international schools in Hong Kong are also facing difficulties in enrolment amid changing demographics. The latest revelation that eight international school operators, including the city’s largest, the English Schools Foundation (ESF), have failed to meet the non-local admission targets is not surprising. It underlines the challenges Hong Kong faces as it strives to enhance its international appeal to expatriates. According to the Education Bureau, the proportion... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349611/making-hong-kong-desirable-overseas-students-must-be-priority?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349611/making-hong-kong-desirable-overseas-students-must-be-priority?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:15:09 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu Eight international school operators in Hong Kong, including the city’s largest group, failed to admit enough non-local students this academic year, breaching their pledge to the government. The English Schools Foundation (ESF) said it had been increasing the proportion of “non-local passport holders” since the end of the pandemic, but noted it might take several years to return to mandated levels after being allowed to admit more local students during that period. The Education Bureau told the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3349156/esf-among-8-international-school-operators-failed-meet-non-local-student-targets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3349156/esf-among-8-international-school-operators-failed-meet-non-local-student-targets?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Andrea Lo Andrea Lo Hong Kong’s international schools talk a great deal about preparing students for university. Increasingly, they are also building spaces with this in mind. Rather than functioning simply as a backdrop to academic programmes, the physical environment is envisioned as a tool to shape behaviour. In new campuses, students are encouraged to practise independence, engage in collaborative work and build the self-management skills they will need beyond school. Stamford American School’s West Kowloon... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3348636/how-hong-kong-schools-are-transforming-mirror-university-style-spaces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3348636/how-hong-kong-schools-are-transforming-mirror-university-style-spaces?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:15:07 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu A US church that co-founded a prestigious Hong Kong international school has said it will take the lead in searching for a new head as the operator had failed to nominate candidates since 2022, accusing it of creating the “risk of leadership interruption” in the latest salvo in a war of words. The move by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) was revealed in a letter to parents on Sunday from Hong Kong International School (HKIS) management, which called the search part of church actions... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3348702/us-church-launches-search-new-hkis-school-head-amid-legal-row-operator?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3348702/us-church-launches-search-new-hkis-school-head-amid-legal-row-operator?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:10:49 +0000 Erica Fong Erica Fong From the classroom to the parent-teacher meeting, when it comes to achievement, one question persists: is a child’s potential written in their genes, or can it be boosted by education? The debate around nature versus nurture is especially pertinent in the context of Hong Kong’s high-stakes academic milieu – one in which students may find themselves on a predetermined track in science or the arts, regardless of their own preferences or natural talents. Experts agree that a child’s potential is... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3345153/nature-versus-nurture-unlocking-potential-hong-kongs-children?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3345153/nature-versus-nurture-unlocking-potential-hong-kongs-children?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:56:50 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Teachers can serve as the best examples for students by embracing lifelong learning themselves. They also face a steep learning curve in adapting to reforms as the city’s education sector undergoes a critical stage of consolidation in the face of an increasingly challenging social environment. The latest proposed requirement for teachers to obtain a practising certificate every three years, instead of the original registration for life, comes as yet another controversial but justified shake-up... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3343007/hong-kongs-new-teacher-certificate-scheme-will-enhance-education-quality?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3343007/hong-kongs-new-teacher-certificate-scheme-will-enhance-education-quality?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:45:09 +0000 Lynn Farah Lynn Farah For Hong Kong’s students, going to university is a defining moment, fraught with a complex calculus of personal passion, parental expectation and the perceived demands of a volatile job market. Yet, as educators and counsellors attest, the most successful path forward is not one of enforced compromise but of a more integrated way of thinking, merging practical experience with intellectual passion and purposeful career planning. From the experiential learning labs of City University of Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3342081/how-help-hong-kong-students-navigate-their-university-choices-and-career-paths?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3342081/how-help-hong-kong-students-navigate-their-university-choices-and-career-paths?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 07:34:13 +0000 Andrea Lo Andrea Lo Hong Kong has seen a striking rise in the number of students identified with special educational needs (SEN) over the past decade. There are nearly 60,000 SEN primary and secondary students in Hong Kong, more than double the number a decade ago, according to The Social and Emotional Support for SEN Children Adapting to Primary School Survey, a 2023 report by Hong Kong Christian Service. The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) alone among Hong Kong children aged six to 17 is now... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3340362/hong-kong-tackles-sen-technology-set-bigger-role-assessment-intervention?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3340362/hong-kong-tackles-sen-technology-set-bigger-role-assessment-intervention?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 02:28:32 +0000 Gayatri Bhaumik Gayatri Bhaumik In an increasingly interconnected age, many parents in Hong Kong choose to enrol their children in international schools in the hope of giving them a more global perspective. These schools, often ranked among the city’s best, have long been lauded for promoting cultural diversity and international curricula that help mould young global citizens. Recently though, Hong Kong’s international schools have faced criticism for not fulfilling their mandates as they used to. Instead, detractors argue... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3337612/global-roots-or-local-realities-inside-hong-kongs-evolving-international-schools?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3337612/global-roots-or-local-realities-inside-hong-kongs-evolving-international-schools?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 22:00:18 +0000 Jacqueline Kot Jacqueline Kot Imagine a classroom with no walls, where instead, trees provide a natural border of sorts, and air conditioning and lights are replaced by fresh air, breezes and unfiltered sunlight. Where children are free to jump, climb and make a mess – all on a normal weekday at school. Outdoor learning has long been a popular concept in Scandinavia, with children encouraged to develop their critical thinking and learn about nature and biodiversity through play and activities in real-life settings. Some of... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3336911/hong-kong-forest-schools-are-embracing-risky-play-children-young-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3336911/hong-kong-forest-schools-are-embracing-risky-play-children-young-2?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 22:00:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa “I am Hugo, and I’m pretty sure I’m the first ever person in my family to get my brain rotted,” says Hugo Lee, a nine-year-old student at Lion’s Club International School in Tin Shui Wai. It might sound odd to boast about having a rotten brain, but Hugo and his classmate, 10-year-old Jesswin Kerung, proudly compete to list as many slang words as possible. They rattle off words that parents of toddlers and young teens may already know: “skibidi”, “rizz”, “negative aura”, and the hottest slang at... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3335175/decoding-gen-alphas-quirky-slang-skibidi-italian-brain-rot-and-6-7?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3335175/decoding-gen-alphas-quirky-slang-skibidi-italian-brain-rot-and-6-7?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Dec 2025 22:00:09 +0000 Erica Fong Erica Fong Long before public and private school systems existed, the world’s first classrooms were almost all faith-based – from European monasteries in the Middle Ages to schools that integrated religion with secular learning throughout the Reformation and Enlightenment. Today, faith-based schools – be they Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim or otherwise – continue to offer rigorous academics alongside moral and spiritual instruction, laying a foundation for learning that nurtures both... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3333661/does-faith-based-education-really-contribute-academic-excellence-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3333661/does-faith-based-education-really-contribute-academic-excellence-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Nov 2025 10:00:25 +0000 Douglas Parkes Douglas Parkes You’ve visited campuses, spoken to teachers, reviewed the curriculum and extracurriculars, and are happy with the academic results. You feel good about the community and have finally chosen the right school for your young child. Congratulations! The hardest part is over. Now for the next step: understanding the admissions assessment. Sometimes this is straightforward, but it can just as easily be an impenetrable fog. Phrases like “social-emotional development skills”, “numeracy, cognitive... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3330460/how-hong-kong-schools-are-taking-holistic-approach-student-assessment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3330460/how-hong-kong-schools-are-taking-holistic-approach-student-assessment?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 22:15:08 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen A top international school in Hong Kong has pledged to invest around HK$2.5 billion (US$320.5 million) to renovate one of its campuses despite an ongoing legal row with a US church group that helped found the institution, saying the project will also benefit the wider community. The investment by Hong Kong International School (HKIS) includes a HK$1 billion “once-in-a-generation” sports complex, which will open on Tuesday. Situated next to its secondary school section’s Tai Tam campus and named... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3330507/hkis-pledges-spend-hk25-billion-campus-legal-fight-lcms-rolls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3330507/hkis-pledges-spend-hk25-billion-campus-legal-fight-lcms-rolls?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:31:15 +0000 Amanda Sheppard Amanda Sheppard According to a 2024 survey by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, 45 per cent of students polled identified their stress levels between seven and 10. These results demonstrated the first increase in four years. With stress levels on the rise, so too are the physical and mental consequences. These can range between sleep disruptions, headaches, changes in appetite, irritability, withdrawal and feelings of hopelessness. On Monday, it was reported that an 11-year-old boy in Tuen Mun died... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3330206/under-pressure-rising-stress-crisis-among-hong-kong-students?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3330206/under-pressure-rising-stress-crisis-among-hong-kong-students?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 08:17:39 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer For many parents in Hong Kong, securing a place for their child in a prestigious kindergarten is more than just an early educational milestone – it’s a decision that can lay the foundation for future academic success and, eventually, for career opportunities. Early admission into top kindergartens is increasingly viewed as the first crucial step in accessing elite primary and secondary schools, which in turn can serve as gateways to leading universities worldwide. Learning without... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3329348/getting-head-start-prestigious-kindergartens-hong-kong-can-lead-elite-education-and-successful?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3329348/getting-head-start-prestigious-kindergartens-hong-kong-can-lead-elite-education-and-successful?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2025 04:42:11 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen A war of words rekindled on Thursday after a church in the United States accused the Hong Kong International School (HKIS) of misleading students and parents about the value of some of its properties, an allegation the institution has brushed aside and called part of a “smear campaign”. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) said that the Hong Kong International School Association Limited (HKISAL), the institution’s operator, held properties not subject to restrictive lease terms that were... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3329296/lcms-hkis-enter-new-war-words-over-value-schools-properties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3329296/lcms-hkis-enter-new-war-words-over-value-schools-properties?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:41:14 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng Getting your child into an elite school or university is more competitive than ever. Good grades, meticulously curated extracurricular profiles and outstanding personal essays are just the start of a strong application. It can be difficult to know what else is required, particularly if your child is set on studying overseas. For parents who find the ins and outs of the admissions process daunting, seeking the professional help of a consultant may be the best course of action. More than just... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3327718/how-consultants-are-helping-parents-navigate-path-elite-school-admissions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3327718/how-consultants-are-helping-parents-navigate-path-elite-school-admissions?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 10:15:08 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong’s semi-private schools have received approval from authorities to increase tuition fees by about 4.6 per cent on average, slightly down from the 4.8 per cent rise recorded last year. The Education Bureau said on Tuesday that it had received applications from 174 schools to adjust tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year as of August 31. They comprised 40 semi-private schools under the government’s direct subsidy scheme (DSS), 71 private schools, and 63 international ones. Only one... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3327413/hong-kongs-semi-private-schools-raise-tuition-fees-about-46?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3327413/hong-kongs-semi-private-schools-raise-tuition-fees-about-46?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:12:54 +0000 Carmen Cao Carmen Cao Choosing the right international school in Hong Kong is a pivotal decision that shapes your child’s academic journey. With demand often exceeding the number of available places at leading institutions, proactive planning is essential. This guide aims to demystify the process, equipping parents with timelines, key criteria and actionable steps to secure their child’s place. Key selection criteria When navigating the admissions process, parents should consider several key criteria that influence... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3325836/ultimate-guide-international-school-admissions-hong-kong-parents?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3325836/ultimate-guide-international-school-admissions-hong-kong-parents?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:15:08 +0000 William Yiu,Leopold Chen William Yiu,Leopold Chen The operator of a top international school in Hong Kong has revealed it plans to negotiate soon with the institution’s US co-founder to seek an out-of-court settlement in response to a lawsuit over allegations it breached an operating agreement by serving only the rich. The senior management of Hong Kong International School (HKIS) told the Post about the plan on Tuesday after speaking with more than 700 parents at two town hall meetings at its Repulse Bay and Tai Tam campuses. During the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325771/hkis-operator-seek-out-court-settlement-talks-us-church-over-lawsuit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325771/hkis-operator-seek-out-court-settlement-talks-us-church-over-lawsuit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:18:51 +0000 Jiang Chuqin,Lam Ka-sing Jiang Chuqin,Lam Ka-sing A US-based church suing a top Hong Kong school is “not looking to sell or redevelop” seven local properties it owns with an estimated value of nearly HK$1 billion (US$127 million), insisting it intends to make a “significant investment” in the city through a new institution. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) told the Post on Saturday that it was in a “comfortable financial position”, despite expressing concerns last month about a “significantly deepening deficit” based on multi-year... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325444/us-church-fight-hkis-not-looking-sell-hk1-billion-property?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325444/us-church-fight-hkis-not-looking-sell-hk1-billion-property?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 12:38:29 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen A US-based church has recently dropped a bombshell by suing a top Hong Kong international school it co-founded for allegedly breaching an operating agreement, threatening to evict the institution from its campuses and set up a new one. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) from the United States has also accused the operator of Hong Kong International School (HKIS) of turning the not-for-profit institution into a business, an allegation that the school has denied. The Post dives into the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325430/what-behind-legal-rift-between-hkis-and-us-based-church?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325430/what-behind-legal-rift-between-hkis-and-us-based-church?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 08:00:28 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu A US-based church suing Hong Kong International School (HKIS) for allegedly breaching an operating agreement sold three properties in the city for a combined US$22 million in 2019 to pay debts, according to its official media platform. The move prompted Hong Kong’s Lutheran church to suspend its partnership with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) that year, with the local group saying at the time that the sale had gone against donors’ wishes and it reserved the right to take legal... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325383/us-church-suing-hkis-sold-three-hong-kong-properties-2019-pay-debts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325383/us-church-suing-hkis-sold-three-hong-kong-properties-2019-pay-debts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:25:35 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu Hong Kong education authorities will not process “at this stage” an application by a US-based church to set up a new international school to replace a top institution being sued for allegedly only serving the “rich”, due to the ongoing legal proceedings. The Education Bureau on Friday told the Post that it had already received the application from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) to establish a new school. The church has threatened to evict Hong Kong International School (HKIS), which... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325350/churchs-bid-replace-hkis-new-school-put-hold-education-bureau?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325350/churchs-bid-replace-hkis-new-school-put-hold-education-bureau?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Sep 2025 09:47:05 +0000 William Yiu,Leopold Chen William Yiu,Leopold Chen The operators of a top Hong Kong school have hit back at a US-based church that is suing them for alleged breach of contract for “serving only the rich”, expressing confidence that they will win the lawsuit while defending their institution as serving the international business community, not the wider public. They also said their relationship with the head of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), which co-founded Hong Kong International School (HKIS), had been cordial until 2022, when the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325248/we-will-win-hong-kong-international-school-hits-back-us-church-suing-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3325248/we-will-win-hong-kong-international-school-hits-back-us-church-suing-it?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:43:54 +0000 Amanda Sheppard Amanda Sheppard It’s hardly breaking news that students everywhere are struggling with the amount of homework they are given. Hong Kong in particular is known to impose some of the heaviest expectations, and in 2022, the city’s education minister even felt it necessary to caution that homework should aid education rather than torment students. Homework’s intended purpose is to allow for knowledge developed within school to grow further and be cemented. “It is an essential element of a Malvernian education,... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3317407/hong-kongs-great-homework-debate-how-much-too-much?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3317407/hong-kongs-great-homework-debate-how-much-too-much?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Aug 2025 22:15:08 +0000 Ruth Benny Ruth Benny Navigating the maze of schools in Hong Kong’s competitive education scene is no small feat. As an education consultant with more than 13 years’ experience steering families through this high-stakes journey, as well as many years of being a teacher before that, I’ve seen the process spark everything from blind hope to sheer panic. Yet, the secret to finding the perfect school is deceptively simple: it all hinges on a conversation: real, human interactions that provide a window into a school’s... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3321839/school-admissions-expert-ruth-benny-says-choosing-school-best-done-face-face?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3321839/school-admissions-expert-ruth-benny-says-choosing-school-best-done-face-face?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Aug 2025 07:21:27 +0000 Jolene Otremba Jolene Otremba In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and evolving job markets, fostering creativity in secondary education is essential not only for academic success but also for developing the leaders of tomorrow. For this reason, educators today are advocating for creativity to be seen as a vital tool applicable across multiple disciplines. “Creativity is a skill, not a talent. Therefore, it can be taught and learned,” explains Shaun Porter, principal (international programme) at Dalton School... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3317398/how-hong-kongs-secondary-schools-are-fostering-creativity-students?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3317398/how-hong-kongs-secondary-schools-are-fostering-creativity-students?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Aug 2025 22:15:08 +0000 Amanda Sheppard Amanda Sheppard Stephen Graham’s Netflix series Adolescence received universal acclaim from critics on its release in March this year. The British drama tells the story of a family whose seemingly ordinary existence is thrown into turmoil when their teenage son is accused of murder. What unfolds is a deep dive into the dangers of social media, toxic masculinity and misogyny. While entirely fictional, the drama had viewers and critics alike commenting on the realistic depiction of the worrying threats facing... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3319456/hit-netflix-series-adolescence-raises-key-questions-about-shaping-masculine-identities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3319456/hit-netflix-series-adolescence-raises-key-questions-about-shaping-masculine-identities?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jul 2025 22:15:08 +0000 Gayatri Bhaumik Gayatri Bhaumik Deciding on an educational path can be confusing for parents, with myriad considerations making choosing schools seem an insurmountable task. Which education system or curriculum is best? Would a public, private or international institution be most appropriate? And what about day schools versus boarding schools? Then, further complicating the issue, is the choice between coed and single-sex schools. In Hong Kong, single-sex schools were established in the late 19th century, mostly by missionary... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3317390/how-choose-between-single-sex-vs-coed-schools-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3317390/how-choose-between-single-sex-vs-coed-schools-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Jul 2025 22:15:08 +0000 Jacqueline Kot Jacqueline Kot The school holidays are a time of rest from school, where children can sleep past their alarm, indulge in more screen time than usual, and spend more time on their hobbies. However, much like a muscle, the brain needs exercise as well and too much down time will make it harder for children to bounce back to regular programming once school starts. On top of that, the two-month summer holidays are also a chance for children to gain experiences outside the classroom environment that can be fun and... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3318234/esf-explore-and-sports-and-theatre-camps-help-students-make-most-holidays?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3318234/esf-explore-and-sports-and-theatre-camps-help-students-make-most-holidays?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jul 2025 22:15:09 +0000 Jolene Otremba Jolene Otremba In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of education is being redefined. Technological advancements, economic shifts and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) have presented new challenges – and opportunities – for educators worldwide. International schools in Hong Kong are leading the charge in equipping students with the skills, mindsets and adaptability needed to thrive in an uncertain future. By combining rigorous academics with innovative programmes, these institutions are setting... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3317364/how-hong-kong-schools-are-reshaping-ib-programmes-better-prepare-students?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3317364/how-hong-kong-schools-are-reshaping-ib-programmes-better-prepare-students?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:15:07 +0000 William Yiu,Lynn Zhang William Yiu,Lynn Zhang Fifteen students from Hong Kong’s largest international school group who achieved high scores in the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme have shared their aspirations and preparation insights, with 11 planning to study medicine in the city. Another five students from the German Swiss International School on The Peak achieved top marks in the IB programme, on a par with Victoria Shanghai Academy, bringing the number of top scorers in the city to 37. The English Schools Foundation (ESF),... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3317229/top-scoring-ib-students-hong-kongs-esf-school-group-share-success-insights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3317229/top-scoring-ib-students-hong-kongs-esf-school-group-share-success-insights?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:00:08 +0000 Ben Young Ben Young Before ChatGPT and large language models (LLMs) rose to prominence, many believed that STEM-related skills like coding and data analytics would lead to some of the safest and most lucrative career paths. But with artificial intelligence (AI) already capable of doing some of these jobs close to the level of a trained human professional for a fraction of the time and cost, it’s possible that soft skills like creativity and communication will be the best way for students to distinguish themselves... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3316938/how-hong-kong-schools-are-preparing-students-evolving-technological-landscape?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3316938/how-hong-kong-schools-are-preparing-students-evolving-technological-landscape?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Jul 2025 22:00:21 +0000 Jeffie Lam Jeffie Lam A private primary school that offers an international curriculum in Hong Kong has abruptly announced its closure at the end of July, leaving some parents anxious about whether they can get back their debenture worth about HK$200,000 (US$25,500) as promised. A check by the Post on Saturday found that the website of Think International School, founded in 2003, was no longer online. In an email sent to parents earlier this week and seen by the Post, the private school on Boundary Street in Kowloon... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3316203/hong-kong-primary-school-offering-international-programme-announces-sudden-closure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3316203/hong-kong-primary-school-offering-international-programme-announces-sudden-closure?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Jun 2025 07:01:05 +0000 John Cremer John Cremer Some children have a natural aptitude for art or music or perhaps tennis, and in the classroom environment it soon becomes clear which of them are academically gifted. Those talents may be evident in any number of ways: a facility for languages, speed in solving maths problems, or even a special fascination with a non-curricular subject like astronomy. Within Hong Kong’s already competitive education system, class teachers do all they can to encourage and nurture this potential. But sometimes... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3315497/nurturing-gifted-students-hong-kong-schools-special-programmes-brilliant-young-minds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3315497/nurturing-gifted-students-hong-kong-schools-special-programmes-brilliant-young-minds?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jun 2025 10:15:08 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu The Hong Kong government will review whether to allow more semi-private secondary schools to offer a non-local curriculum on a self-financing basis, the education minister has said. Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin on Wednesday also dismissed a call to let non-locals attend public primary and secondary schools amid a local student population decline, explaining that the language of instruction was Cantonese and the curriculum targeted Hongkongers. Choi revealed the syllabus plan in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3314059/hong-kong-review-letting-more-semi-private-schools-offer-non-local-curriculum?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3314059/hong-kong-review-letting-more-semi-private-schools-offer-non-local-curriculum?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:15:04 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Southeast Asian companies like lender DBS Group Holdings and fast-food chain operator Jollibee and local education institutions are giving Hong Kong’s property market a much-needed boost, fanning hopes the worst of the investment slump may have passed. Southeast Asian firms and education firms each contributed around 22 per cent of the total HK$6.28 billion (US$809 million) property investment in Hong Kong in the first three months of the year, according to data compiled by Colliers. The rebound... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3309893/hong-kong-property-southeast-asian-buyers-schools-fuel-revival-commercial-deals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3309893/hong-kong-property-southeast-asian-buyers-schools-fuel-revival-commercial-deals?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 May 2025 00:30:11 +0000 Erica Fong Erica Fong Maths on Monday, taekwondo on Tuesday, piano lessons on Wednesday, creative writing on Thursday and swimming on Saturday. No, this isn’t a schedule of activities offered at your local community centre, but a typical week of extracurriculars for a student in Hong Kong on top of their regular academic curriculum, usually planned by a so-called “tiger parent” or “helicopter parent”. Used to describe parents who are too strict, protective and intensely involved in their children’s lives – with an... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3304727/are-hong-kongs-tiger-parents-harming-their-childrens-futures-pushing-them-too-hard?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3304727/are-hong-kongs-tiger-parents-harming-their-childrens-futures-pushing-them-too-hard?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Apr 2025 22:15:08 +0000 As corporations embrace new technology, regulations and social responsibilities, the accounting landscape is rapidly changing in tandem to meet their growing demands. This requires professionals to balance their soft and hard skills to stay competitive and create advancement opportunities. A handful of Hong Kong’s higher education institutions offer postgraduate programmes to accounting professionals, aiming to give students with real-world work experience the opportunity to better understand... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3304731/how-hong-kongs-universities-are-preparing-accountants-future-requirements?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3304731/how-hong-kongs-universities-are-preparing-accountants-future-requirements?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Apr 2025 22:15:08 +0000 Hong Kong’s emphasis on the visual arts is noticeable to all who visit, from the wealth of renowned galleries and acclaimed artists staging exhibitions within their walls, to annual events including Art Basel and Art Central, which form a cornerstone of Hong Kong Art Month, attracting legions of visitors from all over the world. The visual arts are equally well represented across Hong Kong’s educational institutions, each aiming to bolster the city’s home-grown talents and equip young creatives... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3304729/how-hong-kong-universities-are-shaping-future-arts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3304729/how-hong-kong-universities-are-shaping-future-arts?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Apr 2025 22:15:07 +0000 In the wake of the triple whammy of sociopolitical unrest, the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical upheaval, the past few years have not been easy on Hong Kong. Some have suggested the city is struggling to find its way amid heightened Sino-US rivalry, stiff competition from regional rivals and critics pouring cold water on its international reputation. They might be right in their observations about the present situation, yet premature in their conclusions about the future. There is no reason to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3304229/how-education-can-lead-way-hong-kongs-economic-revival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3304229/how-education-can-lead-way-hong-kongs-economic-revival?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Apr 2025 01:30:11 +0000 Every parent faces a dilemma when it comes to the amount of screen time that their children can have. On one hand, it is crucial that children are IT literate to be able to thrive at school and – later in life – in the workforce. On the other hand, too much screen time can have negative effects on children’s mental and physical well-being. So where’s the line? From the benefits of technology to help a child learn, to what happens when children are allowed unfettered use of their devices, and how... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3304209/finding-balance-where-draw-line-your-childrens-screen-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3304209/finding-balance-where-draw-line-your-childrens-screen-time?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Mar 2025 22:15:15 +0000 In Hong Kong, the landscape of education is rapidly evolving, requiring teachers and support staff to continuously improve their expertise. Not only do Master and Doctor of Education courses equip educators with contemporary pedagogical theories and research methodologies, ensuring they remain innovative in their teaching approaches, these courses also foster a culture of lifelong learning, inspiring educators to become role models for their students. Of course, these courses also provide... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3304206/how-hong-kongs-universities-are-helping-graduates-advance-career-education?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3304206/how-hong-kongs-universities-are-helping-graduates-advance-career-education?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Mar 2025 03:27:16 +0000 Students across East Asia are typically seen as diligent, smart and high-achieving, as Pisa scores show, but they also face overwhelming pressure to perform from parents, educational systems and society at large, and this can have impacts on their health. A recent study in Hong Kong found that more than 90 per cent of students were getting less than the 60 minutes of exercise per day recommended by the World Health Organization. “This is due, in part, to the heavy emphasis parents place on their... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3303649/hong-kong-schools-are-striving-healthier-balance-promoting-exercise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3303649/hong-kong-schools-are-striving-healthier-balance-promoting-exercise?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Mar 2025 10:00:52 +0000 The impact of Hong Kong’s restructuring has been felt widely and deeply in recent years. Just as the sluggish economy continues to take a heavy toll on businesses that fail to adapt, changing social demographics are also killing off local schools that cannot enrol enough students to qualify for government subsidies. Expedited by a low birth rate and an intensifying emigration wave, the problem of a shrinking school-age population has no quick solutions. Despite some government measures to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3303060/homework-needed-sort-out-hong-kongs-primary-one?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3303060/homework-needed-sort-out-hong-kongs-primary-one?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Mar 2025 23:28:07 +0000