Primary One discretionary places success rate sees 0.5pc decrease

The results for the discretionary places in Primary One for the coming school year have been announced today, indicating that 49.4 percent of applicants were granted admission. 

The figure reflects a decrease of 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous year.

The government and aided primary schools received 41,781 applications, representing a decrease of 496 students compared to last year and marking the lowest level of participation since 2011.

A total of 20,644 students were granted discretionary spots, a decrease from last year's 49.9 percent success rate.

Among the successful applicants, 10,644 have siblings studying at the schools they've applied to or parents working there, while the remaining 10,000 were selected based on the Points System.

Outside La Salle Primary School in Kowloon City, a number of parents who are alumni of the school shared their excitement upon finding that their children had been accepted through the school notice board.

A father surnamed Chan was glad to see his son admitted, attributing the decrease in birth rate to the lower competition this year.

Another parent, Wong, shared that he took proactive steps to prepare his son by enrolling him in various extracurricular activities. He believes that the recent surge in emigration has also contributed to the lower competition for school placements.

Those who failed to secure a primary one place at the discretionary places stage can join the Central Allocation from January 13 to 19 in 2025 via ePOA or at a designated Central Allocation Centre on January 18 or 19.