https://www.scmp.com/rss/502884/feed Opinion pieces, commentary and analysis articles, and interviews with education experts focusing  on the latest trends surrounding secondary school students and their needs and experiences. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Hong Kong schoolteachers have been accused by education authorities of lacking knowledge of the national security curriculum and failing to “naturally” link it to different subjects. Education officials on Friday also hit out at some schools for not “fully referring to” an official national security event planning calendar to help arrange activities designed to boost a sense of patriotism among youngsters. They added that failure to use the calendar meant that pupils’ understanding of important... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3275675/hong-kong-teachers-accused-lack-knowledge-national-security-education-reports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3275675/hong-kong-teachers-accused-lack-knowledge-national-security-education-reports?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Aug 2024 10:00:08 +0000 A payment of at least HK$500,000 (US$63,745) for each grade is to be offered to Hong Kong secondary schools as an incentive to merge with other institutions as the city faces a double whammy from falling rolls and the emigration wave. The government proposal was made in a circular to schools on Friday and the Education Bureau will carry out a headcount of how many pupils each institution has after three weeks. Schools with too few students in Form One – fewer than two classes with a total of 26... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3232377/hk500000-grade-payments-offered-hong-kong-secondary-schools-encourage-mergers-school-rolls-fall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3232377/hk500000-grade-payments-offered-hong-kong-secondary-schools-encourage-mergers-school-rolls-fall?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Aug 2023 15:44:12 +0000 Two-thirds of applicants have secured their first choice of Hong Kong secondary school through the central allocation system, a slight drop compared with last year, education authorities have said. Pupils will be told their results on Tuesday, but families who were disappointed might find it more difficult this year to directly approach their preferred schools – known as “door-knocking” – after the Education Bureau announced last week it would reduce the number of places available because of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3227176/two-thirds-applicants-get-first-choice-hong-kong-secondary-school-through-central-allocation-system?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3227176/two-thirds-applicants-get-first-choice-hong-kong-secondary-school-through-central-allocation-system?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:42:53 +0000 Schools with shrinking pupil numbers should look at mergers to ensure their survival, Hong Kong education authorities have said. The Education Bureau on Monday highlighted a projected 15 per cent fall in the student population over the next six years. The bureau signalled it would reduce the number of schools in a “gradual and orderly manner” to ensure the best use of taxpayers’ money – but did not give a figure for how many would be axed. “With the changes in Hong Kong’s population structure,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3215031/hong-kong-schools-falling-pupil-numbers-urged-look-mergers-face-gradual-and-orderly-closures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3215031/hong-kong-schools-falling-pupil-numbers-urged-look-mergers-face-gradual-and-orderly-closures?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Mar 2023 14:22:30 +0000 Just like that, summer ended almost as quickly as it started for most Hong Kong children. For many families, the two-week summer holiday wasn’t really a break. Rather, it was yet another hectic disruption because “back to school” usually involves a mad dash to get new uniforms and textbooks. For schools, getting classrooms ready and orienting new students means there is no time for teachers to come up for air. But we had our summer break early, you might say. That’s true. The government moved... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3191072/students-and-schools-are-being-failed-hong-kongs-shifting-covid-19?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3191072/students-and-schools-are-being-failed-hong-kongs-shifting-covid-19?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Sep 2022 22:45:18 +0000 Hong Kong education authorities have rejected survival plans proposed by two under-enrolled secondary schools, with one set to close its doors in 2026, while the other will operate with fewer subsidies in the coming academic year. The two government-aided institutions - Caritas Chai Wan Marden Foundation Secondary School and Man Kiu College - each did not enrol the minimum number of students required for their Secondary One classes. The two secondary schools are located in the Eastern district,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3187351/hong-kong-education-authorities-reject-survival-plans-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3187351/hong-kong-education-authorities-reject-survival-plans-2?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Aug 2022 14:21:03 +0000 After 20 years as a primary schoolteacher in Hong Kong, Keith*, 47, quit his job a year ago to move with his wife and son to the United Kingdom. That meant giving up a comfortable salary of about HK$60,000 (US$7,643) a month. He also withdrew about HK$2 million from his teachers’ retirement fund, sold his home and disposed of his assets. Recalling how his principal tried dissuading him from leaving, the veteran mathematics and general studies teacher said: “The principal told me it was not easy... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3186763/teacher-exodus-leaves-hong-kong-schools-scrambling-hire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3186763/teacher-exodus-leaves-hong-kong-schools-scrambling-hire?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Jul 2022 02:00:29 +0000 Nicholas Yeung Chin-wang and his classmates shouted for joy when they learned they got into their secondary schools of choice in Hong Kong on Tuesday morning, saying their hard work had paid off after months of switching between campus and remote learning because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 12-year-old pupil at Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road) said he could not sleep on Monday night. “When I was taking the lift back to my classroom [on Tuesday morning], I started getting... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3186610/most-hong-kong-pupils-thrilled-get-secondary-school-choice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3186610/most-hong-kong-pupils-thrilled-get-secondary-school-choice?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Jul 2022 05:33:03 +0000 Ninety-four per cent of Hong Kong pupils have been allocated one of their top three choices for secondary schools, a record high satisfaction rate since the system was revamped in 2007. The Education Bureau on Monday said 49,448 eligible Primary Six children joined the secondary school places allocation system for the 2022-23 academic year, down about 2 per cent from last year’s estimated 50,700 pupils. Pupils were allocated places at local secondary schools in two stages. The first batch of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3186485/percentage-hong-kong-pupils-getting-secondary-school-place?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3186485/percentage-hong-kong-pupils-getting-secondary-school-place?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Jul 2022 07:44:31 +0000 All 451 secondary schools in Hong Kong have joined forces to appeal to the education authorities to freeze the number of classes and reduce their size to cope with problems caused by a shrinking pupil population. The call was made in an open letter to Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin on Thursday by the Joint Committee of the Secondary School Councils and the Secondary School Heads Association of 18 Districts. The groups, which represent all the secondary schools in the city, said... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3186128/secondary-schools-hong-kong-close-ranks-appeal-class-size?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3186128/secondary-schools-hong-kong-close-ranks-appeal-class-size?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:08:22 +0000 More than 8,500 Hong Kong students are estimated to have applied for school places in Britain since last September, according to an official report, with the influx attributed to a scheme in the country offering city residents a pathway to citizenship. The report released by the British government this month also revealed the distribution of Hong Kong students who have settled in the country, with Nottinghamshire, Kingston and Solihull as the top three choices, while Surrey and Leeds have the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3182728/bno-scheme-more-8500-hong-kong-students-estimated-have?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3182728/bno-scheme-more-8500-hong-kong-students-estimated-have?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jun 2022 01:25:49 +0000 Native-speaking English teachers (NETs) and advisers in government schools must declare their allegiance to Hong Kong or they may face dismissal, the Education Bureau has warned. The bureau on Friday said NETs and advisers employed on non-civil service terms should sign a declaration pledging to uphold the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, just as all government staff do. “The requirement for non-civil service government staff to sign a declaration is an open acknowledgement of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3181298/native-speaking-english-teachers-hong-kong-government?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3181298/native-speaking-english-teachers-hong-kong-government?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jun 2022 15:14:09 +0000 Kindergartens to secondary schools in Hong Kong will resume half-day, in-person classes in stages until mid-May, with students of higher forms the first to return to campuses, the education chief has said. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced last month that face-to-face classes would return from April 19 at the earliest, beginning with primary and international schools as well as kindergartens, but no further details were revealed. Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3173469/coronavirus-hong-kong-person-classes-kindergartens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3173469/coronavirus-hong-kong-person-classes-kindergartens?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Apr 2022 11:25:55 +0000 The turnover rate for native-speaking English teachers working in Hong Kong secondary schools over the last academic year has reached its highest level in eight years at 13 per cent, according to the Education Bureau. The figure was revealed on Wednesday in a written reply from the bureau to lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun. The legislator had previously asked if native-speaking English teachers were leaving Hong Kong because of the city’s strict anti-epidemic measures. The education authority said... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3173278/turnover-rate-native-english-teachers-hong-kong-secondary?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3173278/turnover-rate-native-english-teachers-hong-kong-secondary?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Apr 2022 11:56:56 +0000 Hong Kong secondary school heads have called for special arrangements for students sitting university entrance exams who have been affected by the recent Covid-19 outbreak as the city leader announced assessments would be scheduled for late April. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced on Monday face-to-face classes would resume as early as April 19, beginning with primary and international schools as well as kindergartens. Members of the education sector have cautiously welcomed... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3171306/hong-kong-schools-principals-call-special-support?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3171306/hong-kong-schools-principals-call-special-support?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:22:44 +0000 International and senior students could be allowed to continue their studies online in March and April, when the rest of Hong Kong’s pupils begin their summer holidays under a timetable revised due to the Covid-19 pandemic, after school heads raised strong concerns over disruptions to learning. Local and international school heads reported on Wednesday the likely concession following discussions with education officials, a day after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced school... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3168141/education-bureau-open-letting-international-and-older?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3168141/education-bureau-open-letting-international-and-older?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Feb 2022 00:30:21 +0000 Hong Kong’s primary and secondary schools have lost some 6,200 pupils in the four months since the summer holidays amid a broader emigration wave, according to new official figures, with districts having more elite campuses hit the hardest. The latest monthly figures released on Friday by the Education Bureau showed that there were 6,016 and 193 vacancies at secondary and primary schools respectively between August and the end of November. The figures are generally interpreted as the number of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3160184/hong-kong-schools-lost-6200-pupils-four-months-summer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3160184/hong-kong-schools-lost-6200-pupils-four-months-summer?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Dec 2021 13:29:37 +0000 Major international schools in Hong Kong are shortening their year-end and other breaks to give expatriate staff a longer summer holiday to return home and still meet the city’s strict quarantine requirements. The schools are worried that teachers unhappy that they could not return home this year because of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions might resign over the long separation from their families. The summer holidays are usually six weeks. Many schools are extending next year’s summer break to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3159310/will-hong-kong-lose-expat-teachers-over-strict-covid-19?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3159310/will-hong-kong-lose-expat-teachers-over-strict-covid-19?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Dec 2021 08:30:29 +0000 About 70 Hong Kong secondary schools have highlighted their approach to teaching national education in their latest pitches to parents, with educators saying the subject is no longer regarded as taboo following the imposition of the national security law. The schools included their strategy in addressing the topic in the profiles they made available to parents on Monday to help them decide where to send their children in the coming academic year. The profiles of 446 schools were gathered into... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3158681/70-secondary-schools-include-national-education-plans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3158681/70-secondary-schools-include-national-education-plans?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Dec 2021 13:53:26 +0000 A top adviser to Hong Kong’s leader warned on Sunday that retaining talent in the education sector was an “imminent issue” amid a wave of emigration and the coronavirus pandemic, with travel restrictions forcing some teachers, including expatriates, to quit to reunite with their families. The remarks by Bernard Chan, convenor of the Executive Council, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s de facto cabinet, echoed the concerns of a principals’ group over a brain drain, after its poll of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3158553/brain-drain-hong-kong-education-sector-imminent-issue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3158553/brain-drain-hong-kong-education-sector-imminent-issue?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Dec 2021 13:50:30 +0000 The number of Hong Kong children enrolling in British schools has hit at least an 11-year high, with some being turned away for the first time, according to education consultants. Elite schools in Hong Kong, meanwhile, are feeling the loss of several thousand students who left to study mainly in Britain. Education Bureau data showed that the number of vacancies in primary and secondary schools rose to nearly 5,200 between July and October, meaning more students withdrew after the summer. Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3158539/hong-kong-children-turned-away-some-popular-british?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3158539/hong-kong-children-turned-away-some-popular-british?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Dec 2021 13:30:24 +0000 Hong Kong’s leader has urged schools to promote sport as a way of bolstering young people’s sense of national identity, one of the civic values that must be instilled into pupils under a recently revised curriculum. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Thursday said that such feelings could be found in all elite athletes as she officiated the naming of a Lam Tai Fai College classroom after Tokyo Olympics hero Edgar Cheung Ka-long, who left the school in 2014. The Education Bureau this... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3158210/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-tells-schools-promote-sport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3158210/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-tells-schools-promote-sport?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Dec 2021 12:42:28 +0000 [Sponsored article] Many schools in Hong Kong prize academic success most of all, followed by sporting excellence, says Richard Vanderpyl, head of school at the Christian Alliance International School (CAIS) – the latest teaching expert to discuss pertinent issues surrounding education in the South China Morning Post’s recurring EdTalk video series of interviews. However, while these fields are important at CAIS – which caters to children aged from five to 17 at its preparatory, lower and upper... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/hong-kong/education/topics/edtalk-cais/article/3045206/why-students-caring-community?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/hong-kong/education/topics/edtalk-cais/article/3045206/why-students-caring-community?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jan 2020 03:56:17 +0000 [Sponsored Article] In the first of South China Morning Post’s new EdTalk video series, in which education specialists discuss pertinent issues surrounding education, we chat to American David Lovelin, high school principal at Hong Kong International School (HKIS). The international Christian private school in Hong Kong has lower and upper primary schools, for children aged four to 10, at its Repulse Bay campus and middle and high schools, for children aged 11 to 18, at its Tai Tam... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/hong-kong/education/topics/edtalk-hkis/article/3038234/why-boarding-school-may-not?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/hong-kong/education/topics/edtalk-hkis/article/3038234/why-boarding-school-may-not?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Nov 2019 09:58:53 +0000