K Kindergartens in Hong Kong face big drop in enrollment

In this January 11, 2022 photo, children are escorted from school in Hong Kong. PHOTO AFP HONG KONG Enrollment at kindergartens in Hong Kong is predicted to drop significantly in the 2023 - 2024 school year, according to the results of a survey released on Monday.

The survey, conducted from May 2 onwards, found that nearly 84 percent of the schools surveyed indicated that the number of K-1 students in the 2023 - 2024 school year would be much lower.

In addition, 40 percent of schools in the survey said that the number of students who gave up their places has increased this year.

The reasons cited for the decrease in enrollment were a decrease in the birthrate, which was reported by more than 84 percent of the schools surveyed and immigration, which was cited by more than 75 percent of the schools.

The problem of decreasing student numbers has created a lot of pressure on the school's management. Nearly 90 percent of the schools surveyed said they were in financial difficulties, and more than 75.6 percent of those schools had laid off staff as a result.

Some schools surveyed said that pay cuts and pay freezes were necessary, with some even facing bankruptcy, and they said the situation was pessimistic.

The thriving HK needs to draw in and retain top university students from outside the region.

The survey was conducted by the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers. The federation has asked the government to introduce measures to keep Kindergartens afloat, such as by raising subsidies and altering the teacher-student ratio, to alleviate operating pressure on the sector and ensure that kindergartens can continue to provide high-quality education to children.