Gloom over gradual school closure

Parents expressed sadness over the gradual closure of a six-decade-old private primary school in Kowloon Tong.

Tak Nga Primary School, founded in 1960, announced Tuesday night that it will cease taking in primary one students next year to pave the way for its closure in 2029.

But it promised to continue offering students with the best learning resources and to only fold after all current students graduate from the school.

Sisters Announcers of the Lord, the sponsoring body of the school, said the institution "has been under-enrolled since 2018 due to the declining birth rate," adding that "the situation has worsened in recent years due to the emigration wave."

Some parents said they would arrange for their children to continue to attend the school until graduation.

The Education Bureau disclosed in September last year that the number of primary one classes in Hong Kong has been reduced by 14 in the 2022/23 school year.

Tak Nga said it would remain in contact with parents and assist those who want to transfer their children to other schools.

A primary five student's mother said she was saddened to learn of the school's impending closure but would let her son graduate there.

Education sector lawmaker Chu Kwok-keung said the closure was a "reluctant decision."

He suggested that authorities cut two to three "door-knocking" places for each school to prevent more school closures. "Door-knocking" allows parents dissatisfied with the schools allocated to their children during the central allocation stage to apply for their preferred institutions, which Chu said causes class reduction in disadvantaged campuses. Some 10 percent of current primary one students are enrolled through "door-knocking."

Chu reminded parents who would switch schools for their children to clearly explain the reason for the move so they can better adapt to the new environment.

The bureau said it reminded Tak Nga of the importance of communicating with stakeholders and upholding the education standard for current students. The school will cease operation in phases, the bureau added.

"The bureau will maintain contact with the school to provide appropriate support. Parents who wish to seek public school places for their children may contact the bureau's Regional Education Offices."