Hong Kong schools with falling pupil numbers urged to look at mergers in face of ‘gradual and orderly’ closures
- Education Bureau predicts a 15 per cent drop in pupil numbers over the next six years and says schools will close
- Paper prepared for Legco highlights number of children ready to start primary school would fall from 57,300 this year to 50,000 by 2029
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, some schools may accomplish their historic mission,” the bureau said in a paper on falling school rolls prepared for the Legislative Council’s education panel meeting on Friday.
The paper said the number of children aged 12 and expected to start Form One was predicted to fall from 71,600 this year to 60,100 in 2029.
