Secondary School Principals Propose Cutting F1 Class Size to 25, Halting Expansions
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Secondary School Principals Association has called on the government to launch a 5-year "Secondary School Transition Pilot Programme" that would flexibly reduce Form 1 class sizes from the current 33-34 students to 25, depending on local supply and demand conditions . The association warns that as Hong Kong's birth rate continues to decline, many schools face a structural crisis that could lead to closures. The recommendations also extend to digital education, where the group urges maintaining stable funding for technology integration in schools.
Key Points
- The Hong Kong Secondary School Principals Association proposes a 5-year "Secondary School Transition Pilot Programme" lowering F1 class size from 33-34 to 25 students
- The association calls for establishing a school-age population prediction and early warning mechanism to forecast student numbers
- Recommendations include stopping class expansions, lowering school opening thresholds, and halting new school openings
- For schools facing resource challenges, the group advises effective redeployment of school premises and support for under-resourced institutions
- On digital education, the association proposes reviewing IT Integration Grant cuts and establishing a long-term Digital Education Development Fund
Why It Matters
With Hong Kong's birth rate persistently declining, schools across the territory are bracing for reduced enrolments and potential consolidation. The principals' proposals aim to prevent school closures, protect educational quality, and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently across districts facing different levels of demographic pressure. The digital education funding recommendations come at a time when schools need stable financial support to sustain technology-enhanced learning initiatives.
With Hong Kong's birth rate persistently declining, schools across the territory are bracing for reduced enrolments and potential consolidation. The principals' proposals aim to prevent school closures, protect educational quality, and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently across districts facing different levels of demographic pressure. The digital education funding recommendations come at a time when schools need stable financial support to sustain technology-enhanced learning initiatives.