Crunch for Yan Chai as school numbers fall short

Yan Chai Hospital's board has to submit a development plan for a primary school it sponsors in Tsing Yi to the Education Bureau by Monday.

The school is currently facing a challenge recruiting enough primary one pupils to start a class in the upcoming academic year.

According to Y C H Chiu Tsang Hok Wan Primary School's website, only 10 pupils have been recruited so far, six short of the minimum requirement for a class.

In a recent parents-teachers' meeting held on Monday, the school, it was disclosed, did not receive funding for a primary one class.

Tam, a parent, said the principal, Chen Yi-hsin, left his position months ago, and parents were informed during the meeting that a new principal would be appointed.

She said the school is not lacking in quality as, for example, parents could communicate with teachers and the principal regarding their children's well-being at any time.

The playground and library have been renovated, and the smaller class size translates, for her, into more care for the pupils.

"Regardless of whether a teacher is responsible for 40, 30, 25, or just 10 students, they can provide a higher level of care and attention," she said.

The board must choose one from four proposals provided by the bureau by Monday: a merger with another school; apply for a special review; operate a privately-funded class; or closing a certain grade level within the entire school.

The hospital said "it is currently studying the four proposals in collaboration with the incorporated management committee."

It is also in open communication with staff, teachers and parents.

Gao, a parent who resides in Shenzhen, received a call from her daughter's teacher after missing the meeting, that the school is considering going private for a year.