All public, subsidized and private schools in Hong Kong have been required to truthfully submit student enrollment and attendance records, with some already deregistered for violations and multiple others placed on a “blacklist,” Acting Secretary for Education Jeff Sze Chun-fai revealed in a television program.
Speaking on a television programme Sunday, Acting Secretary for Education Jeff Sze Chun-fai expressed the bureau’s concerns over increasing reports of shell schools in the city.
Sze emphasized that any school found collaborating with third parties without approval would face strict penalties. He revealed that one school’s registration had been revoked and that several others had been placed on a watchlist pending further review.
Meanwhile, the bureau has issued a letter to all public, subsidized, and private schools prohibiting unauthorized partnerships and requiring accurate reporting of student attendance.
Schools are also required to seek approval for any fees charged. Sze cited the example of one school that faced backlash for improperly collecting HK$200,000 in construction fees.
Additionally, the bureau stressed the importance of truthful advertising and warned against misleading claims about university admissions.
Sze noted that annual checks will be conducted in public schools to verify student numbers, with surprise inspections at high-risk private schools.
In response to the newly established reporting mechanism, Sze emphasized that the focus is not on rewarding reports but on preventing the opportunistic exploitation of educational practices.
Regarding the impact of doubly non-permanent resident children, Sze mentioned that the bureau monitors enrollment statistics and has implemented measures such as the “One Student, One Place” policy in kindergartens.
While some non-local children may choose to attend mainland universities due to family ties, Sze encouraged early enrollment in local schools for foreign students, noting that these offer a more reliable educational experience and smoother integration into the system.
