Legacy on the line: 15 under-enrolled schools face closure risk despite storied pasts

Fifteen Hong Kong primary schools are at risk of closing after being barred from operating Primary One classes next year for failing to enroll the minimum 16 students, with the list including institutions steeped in history and fame.

Among those on the chopping block is the 57-year-old Fresh Fish Traders’ School in Tai Kok Tsui, which has twice risen from the ashes of near-closure. "It was foreseeable," Principal Sze Chi-king lamented, reflecting on the challenges of a declining school-age population and changing demographics of the district. 

"We had received 12 applications, but two of those later decided to transfer to special schools," Sze revealed. He added that the school is exploring the various options, including mergers, stressing that any plan will prioritize students’ interests. 

However, he admitted there are practical hurdles to any mergers, suggesting potential mergers with government schools. "After all, other schools may not want to merge with you. Or the ones that are willing might be very far away,” he said. 

The news has left parents and students expressing regret, where a student surnamed Law recounted those difficult times when the teachers showed support. 

A mother, surnamed Poon, who has one child in Primary One and another waiting to enroll, was disappointed by the news. "The atmosphere here is wonderful, and the teaching quality is excellent," she said, clinging to a faint hope that the school might work its magic again.

Known for its support of children from low-income families, the school previously faced the axe in 2004 and 2007—and survived both times.

The tally of under-enrolled primary schools also includes Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s alma mater, the Five Districts Business Welfare Association School in Sham Shui Po. Established in 1957, Lee, a graduate of its 12th cohort,  attended the school's 65th-anniversary celebrations in 2024. 

Meanwhile, King Lam Catholic Primary School—which counts cinema legend “elder brother Fat” Chow Yun-fat and actress Irene Wan Bik-ha among its alumni before its relocation in 1990—has also fallen into the list with “zero Primary One class”.

However, Salvation Army Ann Wyllie Memorial School in the Eastern District, has been spared from closure risk due to a merger two years ago, allowing it to participate unconditionally in next year's Primary One Admission System under revised guidelines.

The list of the 15 affected schools:

• San Wui Commercial Society School
• Shau Kei Wan Government Primary School
• Chan’s Creative School (H.K.Island)
• ELCHK Faith Love Lutheran School
• Salvation Army Ann Wylie Memorial School 
• CCC Cheung Chau Church Kam Kong Primary School
• King Lam Catholic Primary School
• SKH Tseung Kwan O Kei Tak Primary School
• Five Districts Business Welfare Association School
• Shamshuipo Kaifong Welfare Association Primary School
• Fresh Fish Traders’ School
• Fong Shu Fook Tong Foundation Fong Shu Chuen Primary School
• Ng Clan's Association Tai Pak Memorial School
• SRBCEPSA Lu Kwong Fai Memorial School
• LKWFSL Lau Tak Yung Memorial Primary School