EdTalk | What is Hong Kong’s Education Bureau doing about the various ‘other’ fees that some private and international schools force on parents?
- From debentures and capital levy fees to application fees and deposits, the EDB is finally being forced to confront the issue and do something about it
For decades the Education Bureau (EDB) has been turning a blind eye to the way that private schools – including international ones – routinely charge multiple “other” fees. The long list of additional payments forced on parents can include debentures, capital levy fees, entry fees, application fees, deposits, learning support fees and more.
The EDB is finally being forced to confront this issue and do something about it – something, but not a lot.
Shameful and embarrassing
In a letter to schools on 18 June, the EDB stated: “We understand that these charges have become a source of funding for various activities of private schools and it is not possible to stop their collection pending the establishment of a comprehensive approval mechanism.”
This is disappointing, to say the least, given this was communicated before private schools even attempted to justify charging such fees. It is shameful and embarrassing that the EDB are being forced into action after decades of not bothering to take notice, despite hundreds of complaints. Slow on the uptake here yet quick to take action regarding other perceived areas of illegality in schools.
Rushed and rubber stamped?
