Study Buddy (Challenger): Turnover rate of Hong Kong’s native English-speaking teachers at decade low as Covid curbs end
- Attrition has fallen significantly after the city scrapped all pandemic-related travel restrictions
- This page is for students who want to take their reading comprehension to the next level with difficult vocabulary and questions to test their inference skills
The attrition rate for native English-speaking teachers fell to 9 per cent in primary schools and 7 per cent in secondary institutions, the lowest since data became available in 2013-14. Photo: Sam TsangContent provided by British Council
Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below:
[1] The turnover rate of native English-speaking teachers (NETs) in Hong Kong schools fell to the lowest in a decade last year after the city scrapped all pandemic-related travel restrictions. The rate in primary schools fell from 18 per cent in 2021-22 to 9 per cent in the last academic year, while the figure for secondary institutions dropped from 16 per cent to 7 per cent, according to data submitted by the Education Bureau to the Legislative Council last month.
[2] “The attrition rate has decreased significantly in the 2022-23 school year. Overall, there is no shortage of NETs at this stage,” the bureau said in a reply to the legislature. The primary school rate was the same as in 2015-16. The figure for secondary schools was the lowest since 2013-14.
[3] The turnover rate refers to the percentage of teachers who opted to leave the NET scheme for reasons other than retirement out of the total number of such educators who completed their contracts during the school year. Currently, about 800 NETs are employed under the official scheme, which has been in place since 1998 and provides one position in every school.
[4] The turnover rate spiked to a record high in 2021-22, which was largely attributed to the impact of the city’s strict travel restrictions and quarantine requirements during the Covid-19 pandemic. Under the scheme, in addition to the basic salary, NETs are entitled to various fringe benefits, including a special allowance of HK$20,989 (US$2,678) per month, a medical allowance, gratuities and retention incentives.
[5] “The remuneration package is able to attract NETs to join and encourage them to remain in the profession, which is considered very attractive,” the bureau added. NETs have a starting pay of HK$34,040, rising to a maximum of HK$79,135 for those teaching in secondary schools and HK$65,875 for those in primary institutions. The starting and maximum points are reviewed annually.
[6] The number of non-local students in international schools also increased in the last academic year following the lifting of all travel restrictions early in 2023. According to bureau statistics, 27,390 non-local pupils are currently studying at 53 international schools, up from 26,768 in 2022-23, which was the lowest on record. The figures show the international school sector has been admitting more local pupils in the past five academic years, from about 10,600 to 14,700, an increase of nearly 40 per cent.
[7] So Ping-fai, head of Tin Shui Wai Methodist Primary School and chairman of the Subsidised Primary Schools Council, said most NETs had quit because of the strict travel restrictions and were eager to return to their hometowns two years ago. His school hired seven NETs, including one under the official scheme, and all had left within two years during Covid-19. He said the situation had improved last year and more candidates could be picked during recruitment after all travel restrictions were lifted.
Source: South China Morning Post, April 12
Questions
1. In paragraph 1, what is the likely reason mentioned for the drop in NETs leaving Hong Kong?
2. What does the “figure” in paragraph 1 refer to?
3. Which group of people are not accounted for in the turnover rate mentioned in paragraph 3?
A. those who have to stop working because they have reached a particular age
B. those who take a break from work to travel
C. those who need to take long-term medical leaves
D. those who are still studying to become a qualified NET
4. Find a phrase in paragraph 4 that refers to “rewards offered by companies to encourage employees to stay for a longer period”.
5. Paragraph 5 describes …
A. non-monetary benefits NETs get.
B. the salary structure offered to NETs.
C. how one can become a NET in Hong Kong.
D. why the bureau is employing NETs in schools.
6. Based on paragraph 5, are the salaries for NETs fixed throughout their entire in
Hong Kong, and why?
7. What is the trend in the number of international students from Europe enrolled in international schools over the past five years according to paragraph 6?
A. decrease
B. increase
C. stagnant
D. information not given
8. What evidence is provided in paragraph 7 to show the impact of Covid-19 on NETs?
9. What is the overall tone of this passage?
A. informative
B. reflective
C. analytical
D. persuasive
Answers
1. lifting of all pandemic-related travel restrictions in Hong Kong
2. the turnover rate of native English-speaking teachers
3. A
4. retention incentives
5. B
6. No, because they have a starting pay of HK$34,040 that can rise to HK$79,135 or HK$65,875 depending on the level they teach.
7. D
8. So Ping-fai’s school hired seven NETs and all had left within two years during Covid-19.
9. A