Hong Kong pupils set to benefit from new measure sparing schools hit with falling enrolment from subsidy cuts
- Education Bureau to offer Primary Six classes same resources in September as Primary Five ones received in current term
- Teachers welcome move, with one saying protection from cuts will boost learning with better ratio of teachers to pupils
Educators have welcomed a move to spare Hong Kong schools hit with falling enrolment from subsidy cuts, saying children may benefit from the better ratio of teachers to pupils due to smaller class sizes.
The measure announced by the Education Bureau on Tuesday should lead to more resources to help students, especially those in Primary Six who faced key exams that determined which secondary schools they would join, they said.
The bureau also revealed it would axe one place in every Primary One class at schools that parents could approach themselves, confirming the Post’s report earlier the move would be taken to minimise the risk of closure for less popular schools.
In a letter sent to principals and supervisors of aided schools, the bureau said it would offer Primary Six classes the same resources in September as Primary Five ones in the current term.
“To ensure continuity and stability and to facilitate schools in arranging manpower and resources for Primary Six in the next school year, the Education Bureau has decided to implement the new arrangement on a trial basis from the 2023-24 school year,” it said.
