Little Frog Learning Centre potentially leaves about 1,000 in the lurch

Several branches of Little Frog Learning Centre - an English tutoring school - abruptly announced that they have temporarily closed, leaving more than 900 concerned parents with potential losses.

The Education Bureau said on Thursday that it is closely following up the incident. A spokesman said the Bureau will provide appropriate assistance and support to the affected students and parents.

It added that the involved educational institutions have seven private schools registered under the Education Ordinance, offering non-formal English curriculums at Yuen Long and Tseung Kwan O.

All the Little Frog centers were expected to reopen on May 2 after the Labour Day public holiday, but one center in Yuen Long informed parents that it would be temporarily closed for two more days due to renovation. However, the center still has its doors shut as of Thursday.

Another center in Yuen Long posted a notice recently saying it will be closed for two weeks.

Over 900 parents have joined a social media group regarding the incident noting the centers owe them the tuition fees.

Yuen Long District councilor Calvin Szeto Chun-hin said one parent claimed the fee amounting up to HK$8,000 as the children joined different courses.

Tuen Mun District Council Area Committees member Mark Chong Ho-fung said some parents have reported the incident to the police. He also urged parents to suspend any tutorial fee autopay payments if they have authorized it.

The learning center on Thursday informed the affected parents that it would refund May's tuition fee by online transfer according to the student number and try to resume the classes by the summer vacation.

(Updated at 8.20 pm)