EditorialLocal schools’ outreach to overseas students a boost for education hub goal

For the first time, the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) Schools Council will stage a four-day promotion tour to Bangkok, Thailand and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The trip enables representatives to engage parents and students in the two places directly and explain the advantages of enrolling in the city’s semi-private school systems. The body plans to reach out to more countries after reviewing the experience of the trip.

The promotions followed the government’s approval of 48 DSS schools to add classes or places for non-local students on a self-financing basis. This is an initiative from Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s policy address to expand DSS schools’ intake of non-local pupils with student visas, thereby extending the development of Hong Kong into a global education hub to cover basic education. The goal was again highlighted in the 15th national five-year development plan approved by the state legislature this month.

Locally, DSS schools are sought after by families who can afford higher tuition fees for what is considered quality, elite-based education. By empowering more DSS schools to enrol additional fee-paying non-local students, the government is leveraging a part of the system that already enjoys greater flexibility in curriculum, admissions and medium of instruction, which appeals to overseas students aspiring for quality education.

Whether local schools can compete with their British, American and Australian counterparts in developing an overseas education market remains to be seen. As overseas students cannot receive any government subsidies, the total expenditure, including tuition fees, hostel and other living expenses, can be up to HK$350,000 (US$44,700) a year. Parents who can afford that might weigh whether Hong Kong is a better option. It is good that schools will consider providing scholarships to enhance competitiveness.