The head of Hong Kong's Education University has urged school governing bodies to find a 'way out' amid dwindling student numbers. His comments follow an announcement two weeks ago by education authorities that 15 primary schools—a recent record high—cannot operate subsidised Primary One classes due to low enrolment. Lee stressed the need for collective wisdom to explore various solutions.
The head of Hong Kong’s largest teacher training institution, the Education University of Hong Kong, has urged all school governing bodies in the city to find a “way out” to handle dwindling student numbers.
“Every school has an incorporated management committee. It has to discuss with the school head and teachers a way out at a suitable juncture. It needs everyone’s wisdom as there are numerous ways out,” Lee said.
His remarks follow an announcement by education authorities two weeks ago that 15 primary schools—a record high in recent years—would not be allowed to operate subsidised Primary One classes in the coming school year because of insufficient student enrolment.
Under current policies, those primary schools will have to close down if their survival plans are not approved after three years, while authorities have been encouraging institutions to consider mergers with others. Lee noted that all schools had to face the effects of the student population’s structural decline and consider how to tackle the issue, adding that universities should also address the matter for their mid- and long-term development.