appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

William Yiu

Hong Kong’s largest international school group plans to raise tuition fees by about 4.8 per cent on average – or as much as HK$750 (US$96.40) per month – for most of its primary and secondary sections in the next academic year, pending authorities’ approval.
The proposed increase by the English Schools Foundation (ESF) is higher than what some other major international schools are seeking, but they also generally charge more than it does.
ESF members met on Monday to approve its budget for the new academic year starting in September and backed an average 4.8 per cent rise in fees for primary and secondary sections. The increase is in line with last year’s hike in fees.
If the request is approved, parents will have to pay HK$650 to HK$750 extra each month, depending on which grade their children are in.

But for Discovery College, a private independent school under the ESF charging higher fees, a rise of 5.9 per cent was proposed. Parents would have to pay HK$900 to HK$1,190 more per month if the request is approved.
Renaissance College, another private independent school operated by the group, proposed to raise its tuition fees by 4.8 per cent per month. Its annual fees range from HK$148,100 to HK$193,600.
Private independent schools primarily cater to local families seeking alternatives to public sector institutions and must ensure that at least 70 per cent of their student populations are permanent residents. Most international schools operate under an agreement stipulating that no less than 70 per cent of its student body consist of non-locals
For its five kindergartens, the ESF proposed an increase of 6.26 per cent to 9.9 per cent, with Abacus International Kindergarten in Sai Kung seeking the largest planned rise of nearly 10 per cent.
ESF said it maintained a fee level that remained “among the lowest” of international schools in Hong Kong.
At least three other major international schools also announced proposed fee adjustments of between 2.7 and 4.6 per cent.
Christian Alliance International School of Hong Kong in Lai Chi Kok is seeking a 2.7 per cent increase.
Parents whose children are in Year One to Three may have to pay HK$151,800 a year from September.
Hong Kong International School in Southern district has proposed a fee increase of 3.1 per cent for pupils studying from reception to grade five, and a hike of 3.8 per cent for grade six to 12. Its annual fee for students in grade five or below would then be HK$224,800.
American International School in Kowloon Tong aims to increase fees by about 4.6 per cent. Parents with children studying in junior grades in primary school would pay HK$152,800 per year if the proposed hike is approved.
The Education Bureau last year approved a 4.53 per cent rise in international school fees on average for the current school year.
The number of students in international schools reached an 11-year high in the 2023-24 academic year. The schools recorded an 18 per cent increase in the number of students compared with 2013, with government and aided ones seeing a 12 per cent decline over the same period, according to census data.


What Hong Kong educators can learn from Yidan Prize winners

Hong Kong school told to review arrangements after alleged Cantonese video ban

University calls for government funds for shared sites in Northern Metropolis

CUHK instructor triggers backlash over WeChat attendance registration policy

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s ESF school group plans to increase fees by 4.8%

The English Schools Foundation office in Quarry Bay. Photo: May Tse

If approved, parents will have to pay HK$650 to HK$750 more monthly, depending on which grade their children are in. Photo: May Tse

Former worker at Hong Kong’s ESF school group pleads guilty to taking bribes for K1 spots

The English Schools Foundation is the biggest international school group in the city. Photo: Handout

Former English Schools Foundation administrator Fatima Rumjahn at an earlier court appearance. Photo: Brian Wong

Hong Kong’s ESF school group to open kindergarten under mega project in Sai Kung

The English Schools Foundation will open a new kindergarten as part of a developer’s mega project in the Sai Kung area. Photo: May Tse

Kindergartens and their school sponsoring bodies have been promoting their institutions to parents to recruit students after the city recorded low birth rates of 32,500 in 2022 and 33,200 in 2023. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong’s ESF international school group plans to raise tuition fees by about 5%

Last year, the ESF received approval to raise fees by an average of 5.8 per cent. Photo May Tse

Preschools face a larger fee increase than the ones proposed for primary and secondary schools. Photo: May Tse

News

Hong Kong

Education

Parents of children in secondary schools may have to pay up to HK$750 more per month starting next academic year, pending approval


Parents of children in secondary schools may have to pay up to HK$750 more per month starting next academic year, pending approval.


ESF - English Schools Foundation

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s ESF school group plans to increase fees by 4.8%

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Parents of children in secondary schools may have to pay up to HK$750 more per month starting next academic year, pending approval

Parents of children in secondary schools may have to pay up to HK$750 more per month starting next academic year, pending approval