Over 600 kindergartens propose fees hike: Education Bureau

Around 620 kindergartens have applied to raise the school fees for the next academic year, 340 schools would freeze the tuition and only one planned to lower the fees.

The Education Bureau said on Wednesday that as of mid-May, some 740 out of 750 schools under the Kindergarten Education Scheme had submitted proposals for fee revision. Nearly 480 schools applied to increase the fees, while 250 said their tuition would be unchanged.

For kindergartens that didn't join the Scheme, around 140 applied for fee increases. One said it would reduce tuition, while the other 90 had no plans to adjust the fees.

The bureau also received 49 direct subsidy scheme schools' applications for a fee adjustment, while 31 said they would freeze their fees.

A bureau spokesman said authorities have always maintained close communication with kindergartens to understand their situation and needs, provide appropriate support and ease their financial difficulties.