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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

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Education chiefs say a balance has to be struck between falling class rolls and the number of  schools. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

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 Education Bureau tells Legco that falling student numbers will force school closures. Photo: Dickson Lee
The Education Bureau tells Legco that falling student numbers will force school closures. Photo: Dickson Lee

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.

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