Govt approves tuition fee hikes for 172 schools, averaging 4.6pc

The Education Bureau has approved tuition fee increases, averaging at least 4.6 percent, for a total of 172 Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools, Private Independent Schools (PISs), and international schools for the 2025/26 academic year.

The bureau had received applications for fee increases from 40 DSS schools, 71 PISs, and 63 international schools as of August 31 this year.

With the exception of one DSS school and one private school whose applications were rejected, the vast majority were approved. The average fee increase ranges from 4.6 percent to 4.64 percent.

All nine DSS primary schools that applied for fee increases were approved for rises of 5.8 percent or less. 

Among DSS secondary schools, 27 were approved for increases of 5.8 percent or less, while three schools received approvals for slightly higher increases, ranging from 5.81 percent to 10 percent.

Meanwhile, all approved fee increases for private and international schools were capped at no higher than 10 percent.

The bureau has also completed its review of tuition fee adjustment applications from 718 kindergartens as of September 17. 

About 14 kindergartens offering half-day programs and 494 offering whole-day (WD)/long whole-day (LWD) programs were approved, while 90 percent of the half-day programs will not charge tuition fees in the 2025/26 academic year.

For WD/LWD programs, the median fee per term will increase from HK$1,000 to HK$1,090. Despite this adjustment, overall kindergarten fees remain at a low level.