Parent-teacher groups in Hong Kong support primary school admissions interview training provided by kindergartens, despite calls from education authorities to discontinue the practice. The Education Bureau released inspection reports criticizing mock interviews for putting undue pressure on children. However, representative groups argue that eliminating such training will only lead parents to seek similar programs at private tutorial centers. Over 70 inspection reports were published on September 6, following thorough evaluations by the bureau’s Kindergarten Inspection Section lasting one to four days. The bureau singled out two preschools, Kowloon Cannan Anglo-Chinese Kindergarten and Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association On Ting…

Hong Kong’s liquor tax rate of 100 per cent should be reduced to 20 per cent to stimulate the city’s economy, according to three industry groups. The proposal, directed at Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu for inclusion in his upcoming policy address, follows similar calls from major political parties in July. Currently, alcohol with over 30 per cent strength incurs the 100 per cent tax, whereas wine has been duty-free since 2008. The joint appeal was made by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Wine and Spirits, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Provisions, Wine and Spirit Dealers’ Association, and the…

Hongkongers traveling to the UK will soon need to apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA) starting next year. This new requirement is part of the UK’s efforts to enhance border controls. Although this might seem like a significant change, a Hong Kong travel representative believes it won’t have much impact on visitors from the city. The ETA will be mandatory for travelers from 83 different jurisdictions, with each application costing £10 (US$13.1). The UK government stated that this digital authorization system aims to streamline border processes and enhance the immigration system. Seema Malhotra, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship,…

The University of Hong Kong’s oldest institution is gearing up for some changes as it looks to fill senior management positions. The university’s president will be providing an update at the end of the month on the progress of this search. The governing council recently approved the selection of two new senior members, one being Professor Norman Tien Chihnan who will oversee administrative and financial operations as interim executive vice-president. The other appointee is Dr. Wallace Lau Chak-sing, the medical dean, who will take on the roles of interim vice-president and pro-vice-chancellor. These changes come amidst a rift between HKU…

The recent conflict between the president and the governing council chairwoman of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has been the subject of neutral investigation, with sources indicating a desire from Beijing and the local government to swiftly resolve the issue amicably. The reputation of the esteemed university, known for attracting top scholarly talent, was cited as being at risk if the internal discord continued. The investigation also revealed that university president Xiang Zhang’s position is secure, with the rift not affecting his tenure. Maintaining institutional stability is key to upholding the university’s esteemed status, insiders shared. Zhang’s term extends…

The new academic year in Hong Kong has led to the closure of 70 Primary One classes in 66 schools due to a declining student population. Despite efforts to attract students through talent policies, the shortfall in enrollment remains a pressing issue according to industry experts. Some schools have resorted to opening only a single Primary One class or none at all, putting them at risk of potential closure in the future. This worrying trend has been highlighted in profiles of 453 government and aided primary schools released by the Committee on Home-School Co-operation. These reports are crucial for parents…

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced in October that Hong Kong’s publicly funded universities would increase their non-local student intake quotas from 20% to 40% of all available places starting in the 2024-25 academic year. This decision will double the number of undergraduate spaces open to non-local students, with the government also planning to increase student accommodation by 13,500 by 2027. Several universities, like HKUST and PolyU, already have a significant proportion of non-local students. A Baptist University spokesman reported a three-fold increase in non-local student intake for the upcoming academic year. Universities are working towards reaching their new quotas,…

Amidst the recent controversy surrounding the conviction of two editors in Hong Kong, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the UK emphasized that Hong Kong upholds the rule of law and protects freedom of press and speech while punishing criminals. The statements came in response to defense of the editors by UK officials, with one minister stressing that journalism is not a crime and urging Hong Kong to uphold press freedoms. The US State Department and the European Union also voiced concerns over the convictions, calling it an attack on media freedom and a threat to Hong…

This year has brought unprecedented challenges for schools in Hong Kong, with a surge in new student admissions from both local and mainland China. Some school principals have expressed concerns about the increased pressure to accommodate a larger number of students than in previous years, especially those referred by regional education offices. Chan King-tat, principal of Pok Oi Hospital Tang Pui King Memorial College, revealed that his school was instructed by education authorities to admit students from across the border, a move he described as “unprecedented”. The increase in student admissions is partly attributed to the Top Talent Pass Scheme,…

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) increased admission checks following the discovery of mainland students using fraudulent academic qualifications. Education consultants on Xiaohongshu noted similar issues across other overseas universities. The University of New South Wales (UNSW) now requires mainland-based candidates to provide a verification report from the mainland’s Centre for Student Services and Development (CSSD) for authentication of qualifications. UNSW conducts document authenticity checks for applicants globally, aiming to prevent the use of fake documents in applications. The trend of fraudulent qualifications extends beyond HKU, indicating the need for heightened scrutiny in the admissions process. To address this issue,…