Latest news with #PrimaryOne
RTHK
a day ago
- General
- RTHK
15,500 pupils allocated their preferred schools
15,500 pupils allocated their preferred schools Some parents queue outside a school to try and get their children in through the 'door-knocking' process. Photo: RTHK Almost 80 percent of pupils have received places in one of their top three choices of primary schools, Primary One Central Allocation results released on Wednesday showed. The Education Bureau said nearly 19,500 children took part in the allocation and that more than 15,500 were allocated spots in schools among their first three choices. Combined with discretionary places, the overall satisfaction rate reached 90 percent. Still, some parents lined up outside their preferred schools to compete for the remaining places. A mother, Leung, waited outside a primary school in Yau Ma Tei for 'door-knocking' as early as 7.30 am as her son was only allocated his second-choice school. She said their targeted school has a better environment and new facilities. Another man also tried his luck for his grandson, saying their preferred school has more extracurricular activities Parents can check the school allocation results via the government's Primary One Application e-Platform, SMS messages, or Primary One Registration Forms delivered by Hongkong Post. The authorities have appealed to parents to register their children with the schools allocated to them by June 10 or June 11.
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Young Stirling joker secures ticket to Holyrood after quip earns spot in final
His top gag earned him a spot in the national competition where a pupil from each of the 32 council areas will compete for the crown. A Stirling primary school pupil has turned a good gag into a golden ticket for Holyrood after being named a finalist in a national joke-telling competition. Ru McCallum, a Primary One pupil at Allan's Primary School, has been crowned the winner of Stirling's regional heat in the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' (RCSLT) VoiceBox competition – a national joke-telling contest celebrating the power of communication. With a joke that had judges in stitches, Ru now heads to the Grand Final at the Scottish Parliament on June 5, where 32 of Scotland's funniest primary school pupils – one from each local authority – will compete for the title of VoiceBox Champion 2025. Ru's joke which earned a place in the final, was: 'Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because he wasn't peeling very well!' The event will be hosted by Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, with Zara Janjua, BBC journalist and stand-up comedian, taking the mic as compère. Now in its second year, VoiceBox launched on Blue Monday – the so-called 'saddest day of the year' – with a very different energy, thanks to last year's winners from Cockenzie Primary in East Lothian. Since then, schools across Scotland have been submitting their funniest entries in a joyful celebration of confidence, creativity and communication. Ru has already secured £100 worth of Collins Big Cat books for their school, and is also now in the running for the top prizes: £500 of books for the winning school; £200 of books for second and third place; plus, a £100 toy gift card for the top three finalists. Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, said the competition is about more than making people laugh, explaining: 'We're incredibly proud of all the regional winners who've earned a place in the national final. 'VoiceBox is about much more than making people laugh. 'It's about highlighting the vital role that communication plays in every part of a child's life. 'Speech, language and communication, skills are the foundation for learning, social connection, mental wellbeing and future employment. 'Yet too many children still struggle without the support they need, often going unnoticed. 'Competitions like VoiceBox show just how powerful a child's voice can be when given a platform and why it's so important that we continue to invest in speech and language therapy to support children's communication. ' 'These children aren't just telling jokes. 'They're showing us how the ability to communicate can positively impact confidence, creativity and connection.'
South China Morning Post
06-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Deep Dive: Hong Kong's Education Bureau cuts subsidised Primary One classes for two schools
Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-read articles provide context to grasp what's happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page. News: Two Hong Kong schools won't run subsidised Primary One classes in 2025-26 Education Bureau will not allocate classes to schools with low student enrolment Two Hong Kong schools in areas with declining school-age populations will not run any subsidised Primary One classes in the upcoming academic year. Last month, the Education Bureau sent letters to all subsidised and government primary schools. The letters informed them about class structures and staffing arrangements for Primary One to Six over the next academic year. Two schools, Aplichau Kaifong Primary School in Southern district and Price Memorial Catholic Primary School in Wong Tai Sin, were not allocated any subsidised Primary One classes for the 2025-26 academic year after failing to secure enough pupils. Aplichau Kaifong Primary School was founded in 1954. It ran eight classes during the 2024-25 academic year, with one class each for Primary One to Four and another two each for Primary Five and Six. Price Memorial Catholic Primary School, established in 1963, is currently operating 11 classes, including one each for Primary One to Three. Under the current system, schools that fail to enrol enough Primary One students have three options. Hong Kong's latest budget plans include reduced spending on education, public servant pay freeze The first is to privately fund a class, the second involves applying to the government for a special review, and the third is to merge operations with another institution. However, the bureau recently announced new rules restricting survival options for under-enrolled, government-funded schools. Starting next year, any subsidised school that fails to meet its 16-child enrolment target will not be allowed to privately run a Primary One class if it has already done so in the past six years. In addition, schools can no longer apply for a special review to run a Primary One class. The bureau will also require schools that privately fund a batch of pupils to continue doing so until the children finish Primary Six. Currently, students who were initially privately funded can receive subsidies once they reach more senior grades. However, this was under the condition that the school met its enrolment target for Primary One the subsequent year. The school sector had estimated it would cost around HK$12 million (US$1.5 million) to operate one class per grade for six years. Hong Kong's low birth rate has put many schools at risk of closing. Education authorities have reported that the number of Primary One pupils in the city was expected to drop from 48,600 this year to 37,500 in 2031. Staff writers Question prompts 1. According to News, which of the following are true? (1) The number of Primary One students in Hong Kong is expected to drop. (2) Schools with low enrolment can apply for a special review under the new rules. (3) It costs a lot of money for schools to run private Primary One classes. (4) Many schools have seen an increase in student enrolment. A. (1), (2) only B. (1), (3) only C. (2), (3) only D. (3), (4) only 2. Using News, list TWO key changes the government has announced for self-financed Primary One classes. 3. Do you agree with the education authorities' move to cut subsidised Primary One classes for schools with low enrolment? Explain using News, Glossary and your own knowledge. Photo Aplichau Kaifong Primary School in Southern district. Photo: Handout Question prompts 1. Why is this school in the news? What challenge is it currently facing? 2. What measures could the school take to address these challenges? Explain using News and your own knowledge. Issue: Schools with low Primary One enrolment consider survival options Two public schools explore merging, operating privately to deal with low student numbers Education authorities have welcomed the merger option, saying they would offer funding to cover expenses Two Hong Kong public schools with insufficient enrolment numbers are exploring their options, hoping to continue running Primary One classes by operating on a private basis or merging with another institution amid the city's shrinking student population. Aplichau Kaifong Primary School in Southern district announced last month that its incorporated management committee, the institution's governing body, had decided to apply to the Education Bureau to operate Primary One classes in the coming academic year on a self-financed basis. 'Different stakeholders unanimously support the school to continue operating,' it announced on its website and social media platforms, without mentioning specific financial plans. Meanwhile, in Wong Tai Sin, Price Memorial Catholic Primary School, sponsored by the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong, is planning to merge with another school in the same district under the diocese. The diocese said that pupils in Price Memorial Catholic Primary School would attend the same school in the coming academic year. A merger would be arranged with the other institution for the following school year. 'Later, the school will have to submit a merger plan to the Education Bureau, and the merger of the schools can only be confirmed after the plan has been approved,' the diocese said. Rising costs in Hong Kong means more people are buying second-hand, shopping abroad The bureau has promoted the merger option, saying it would offer up to HK$1 million (US$128,509) to schools that choose to do so to cover additional expenses. Chim Hon-ming, chairman of the Hong Kong Island School Heads Association, said underperforming institutions should not delay shutting down by running private classes. Chim, who is also a primary school principal, explained that it was better to close down since there wouldn't be enough students to justify the number of local primary schools. Education sector lawmaker and fellow principal Chu Kwok-keung said new rules from the Education Bureau meant that schools that had successfully applied to operate private classes were more likely to shut down if they failed to secure enough pupils again. Beginning next year, schools that privately fund a batch of Primary One pupils must continue doing so until the children finish Primary Six. The extra financial burden of operating private classes would encourage schools to rethink their options, as they must bear the cost of running a class for six years instead of just one, Chu said. Wong Tai Sin and Southern districts have some of the city's most rapidly ageing populations. The number of six-year-olds in Southern district fell from 1,500 last year to 1,400 this year. The population is expected to shrink further to only 900 in 2029. Staff writers Question prompts 1. List ONE way the Education Bureau will support schools that choose to merge. 2. Using Issue, explain how the demographic trends in Wong Tai Sin and Southern districts could impact schools in these areas. 3. To what extent do you agree with Chim that it would be better for schools struggling with student enrolment to close down? Explain using News, Issue, Glossary and your own knowledge. Graphic Illustration: SCMP Graphics Question prompts 1. What is being shown in the graphic, and how does it relate to the information in News and Issue? 2. According to Issue, what measures can be taken to support primary schools in Hong Kong facing enrolment challenges? Glossary subsidised: partly paid for by the government or another organisation merge: to combine or join together birth rate: the number of individuals born in a population in a given amount of time. Hong Kong's birth rate has been declining for some time. Although the number of babies born in Hong Kong reached 36,700 in 2024 – an 11 per cent jump from 2023 – the figure is still the third-lowest since data was first made available in 1961. unanimously: agreed upon or supported by everyone involved diocese: the area under the control of a bishop, a high-ranking priest in the Christian church Some areas of the city are seeing more dramatic demographic shifts than others. Photo: Shutterstock Sample answers News 1. B 2. Under the new rules, schools must fully fund these classes until the cohort graduates from Primary Six, even if they later meet the enrolment requirements. Additionally, schools that fail to enrol enough students for a subsidised Primary One class can no longer apply for a special review. 3. I partially agree with the new rules, as they reflect the reality of the declining school-age population and help allocate resources efficiently. However, removing the option for a special review and requiring schools to fully fund self-financed classes increases financial pressure, leading to more closures and fewer choices for parents. While the policy may be necessary, greater flexibility and support for affected schools would help minimise disruptions for students and families. (accept all reasonable answers) Photo 1. The school has not been allocated any subsidised Primary One classes for the 2025-26 academic year due to low student enrolment. New rules from the Education Bureau say it cannot apply for a special review or switch to subsidised funding later, making it difficult to continue operating. 2. The school could consider merging with another institution. Additionally, policymakers could provide more flexibility in funding rules to support schools struggling with low enrolment. Issue 1. The Education Bureau is offering up to HK$1 million to schools that opt for a merger, helping to cover additional expenses associated with the transition. 2. Demographic trends show a declining number of six-year-olds in these districts, further reducing potential enrolment. In Wong Tai Sin, the number of Primary One-age children dropped from 2,200 in 2024 to 1,900 in 2025, while Southern district's figures are expected to fall to just 900 by 2029. These factors make it increasingly difficult for small schools to remain open without financial support. 3. I partially agree with Chim's view that schools struggling with student intake may need to close down. The declining student population, especially in areas like Wong Tai Sin and Southern district, makes it difficult for schools to remain sustainable. However, schools like Aplichau Kaifong and Price Memorial Catholic Primary School are exploring alternatives like merging or running self-financed classes, which shows that closure isn't the only option. While continuing private classes can be financially burdensome, more support and flexibility could help struggling schools avoid closure and better adapt to demographic changes. (accept all reasonable answers) Graphic 1. The single student in a dusty classroom represents the city's shrinking student population. It illustrates the information in the news and how Hong Kong is coping with a significant decline in the number of six-year-olds expected to enrol in Primary One in the coming years. 2. Measures could include offering financial support, such as the HK$1 million subsidy for schools opting to merge, providing more flexible funding options, and encouraging schools to collaborate or merge with other institutions to ensure their survival. Additionally, promoting community outreach to increase enrolment could also help.
South China Morning Post
06-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Spark Deep Dive: Hong Kong education authorities cut Primary One classes
Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-read articles provide context to grasp what's happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page. News: Two Hong Kong schools won't run subsidised Primary One classes in 2025-26 Two Hong Kong schools will not run any subsidised Primary One classes in the upcoming academic year. They are both located in areas with a declining school-age population. Last month, the Education Bureau sent letters to all subsidised and government primary schools. The letters informed them about class structures and staffing arrangements for Primary One to Six over the next academic year. Two schools, Aplichau Kaifong Primary School in Southern district and Price Memorial Catholic Primary School in Wong Tai Sin, were not given any subsidised Primary One classes for the 2025-26 academic year. They had failed to secure enough pupils. Aplichau Kaifong Primary School was founded in 1954. It ran eight classes during the 2024-25 academic year. It had one class each for Primary One to Four and another two each for Primary Five and Six. Price Memorial Catholic Primary School was established in 1963. It is operating 11 classes this academic year, including one each for Primary One to Three. Currently, schools that fail to enrol enough Primary One students have three options. The first is to privately fund a class. The second involves applying to the government for a special review, and the third is to merge with another school. However, the bureau recently announced new rules restricting survival options for under-enrolled, government-funded schools. Starting next year, any subsidised school that fails to meet its 16-child enrolment target will not be allowed to privately run a Primary One class if it has already done so in the past six years. In addition, schools can no longer apply for a special review to run a Primary One class. The bureau will also require schools that privately fund a class of pupils to continue doing so until the children finish Primary Six. Currently, students who were privately funded at the start can receive subsidies once they reach more senior grades. However, this was only if the school met its enrolment target for Primary One the following year. The school sector had estimated it would cost around HK$12 million (US$1.5 million) to run one class per grade for six years. Hong Kong's low birth rate has put many schools at risk of closing. Education authorities have reported that the number of Primary One pupils in the city was expected to drop from 48,600 this year to 37,500 in 2031. Staff writers Question prompts 1. According to the news, which of the following are true? (1) The number of Primary One students in Hong Kong is expected to drop. (2) Schools with low student enrolment can apply for a special review under the new rules. (3) It costs a lot of money for schools to run private Primary One classes. (4) Many schools have seen an increase in student enrolment. A. (1), (2) only B. (1), (3) only C. (2), (3) only D. (3), (4) only 2. Using the news, list TWO key changes the government has announced for self-financed Primary One classes. 3. Do you agree with the education authorities' move to cut subsidised Primary One classes for schools with low enrolment? Explain using the news, glossary and your own knowledge. Illustration Illustration: SCMP Question prompts 1. What is being shown in the illustration? How does it relate to the news? 2. Why are authorities cutting the number of subsidised Primary One classes in Hong Kong schools? Explain using the news, glossary and your own knowledge. Glossary subsidised: partly paid for by the government or another organisation merge: to combine or join together birth rate: the number of individuals born in a population in a given amount of time. Hong Kong's birth rate has been declining for some time. Although the number of babies born in Hong Kong reached 36,700 in 2024 – an 11 per cent jump from 2023 – the figure is still the third-lowest since data was first made available in 1961. Sample answers News 1. B 2. Under the new rules, schools must fully fund these classes until the cohort graduates from Primary Six, even if they later meet the enrolment requirements. Additionally, schools that fail to enrol enough students for a subsidised Primary One class can no longer apply for a special review. 3. I partially agree with the new rules, as they reflect the reality of the declining school-age population and help allocate resources efficiently. However, removing the option for a special review and requiring schools to fully fund self-financed classes increases financial pressure, leading to more closures and fewer choices for parents. While the policy may be necessary, greater flexibility and support for affected schools would help minimise disruptions for students and families. (accept all reasonable answers) Illustration 1. The single student in a dusty classroom represents the city's shrinking student population. It illustrates the information in the news and how Hong Kong is coping with a significant decline in the number of six-year-olds expected to enrol in Primary One in the coming years. 2. Authorities are cutting the number of subsidised Primary One classes because fewer school-age children are enrolling in certain schools, and some cannot meet the minimum requirement of 16 children per class. The Education Bureau does not want to fund many classes with few students; limiting or cutting the number of classes encourages schools to merge with other institutions or find ways to enrol more students. (accept all reasonable answers)
South China Morning Post
01-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong must think small when it comes to class sizes
With a projected 23 per cent decline in Primary One students over the next six years, Hong Kong is grappling with how to manage the structural shift in its education sector. Recently, the Education Bureau announced that two schools would not offer subsidised Primary One classes for the coming academic year, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Advertisement In contrast to local schools, international schools in Hong Kong are known for their small class sizes, personalised support and superior facilities. These institutions often follow globally recognised curriculums like the International Baccalaureate, emphasising critical thinking, creativity and global citizenship. While local schools focus on traditional qualities like discipline and competitiveness, international schools provide a more diverse and inclusive environment. However, the higher costs associated with international schools limit accessibility for many families. Hong Kong's education system remains heavily exam-oriented. This has led to a culture where students are often reduced to rote learning, with little room for creativity or critical thinking. Despite reforms like the new senior secondary curriculum , teachers often prioritise exam preparation over innovative pedagogy. This not only burdens students with excessive stress but also fails to prepare them adequately for the demands of a rapidly changing world. We need a comprehensive overhaul of the curriculum to shift away from an exam-focused culture towards a more balanced approach which emphasises creativity, critical thinking and lifelong learning. Advertisement The government's hesitation with regard to adopting smaller classes in public schools is understandable, given concerns about resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, smaller classes can lead to better learning outcomes and improved mental health as students receive more individualised attention and support.
