FEWER STUDENTS MAKE FOR ‘SOFT LANDING’?
So, what does the future hold for Hong Kong’s education sector? There are reasons for hope or at least some breathing space, say some stakeholders.
Along with the increased departure of teachers, there has been a decrease in student enrolment owing to the emigration wave and Hong Kong’s declining fertility rate, which stood at 0.772 births per woman in 2021.
“The relatively large-scale departure of students from the local schools has helped the government to solve the so-called teacher shortage problem, because fewer teachers … are wanted these days,” said Cheung. The teacher-student ratio has also improved, he added.
Ip said the Education Bureau is “promoting school mergers and the closures of some schools” that fail to attract students. “An industry shake-out is no bad thing in my opinion,” she said.
“Hong Kong is a free-market economy. … We believe in survival of the fittest. I don’t think we should (be) maintaining schools just for the sake of providing jobs to teachers and headmasters.”
At Tsuen Wan Trade Association Primary School, principal Chow Kim-ho has taken the changes in his stride. Although leading a team of less experienced teachers “can be challenging”, they are “ideal” when it comes to energy levels.
Source: CNA
