Educators Warn Of More Student Withdrawals

Educators warned on Saturday that Hong Kong schools would see more students withdrawing for political reasons.

The honorary chairman of the Aided Primary School Heads Association, Cheung Yung-pong, told an RTHK programme that some parents are worried about the polarisation in Hong Kong society, and choose to let their children further their studies overseas or on the mainland.

He said the withdrawal rate at his school has risen to three per cent this year from the usual two per cent.

Speaking on the same programme, the head of the Wan Chai District Headmasters' Conference, Tai Tak-ching, said more than ten students had withdrawn from his school since August, with most saying they would further their studies overseas or at international schools.

He urged the Education Bureau to closely monitor the trend.

The lawmaker representing the education sector, Ip Kin-yuen, said the problem has its roots in political and societal factors.

He said some parents sent their children to study overseas this year despite the pandemic.

He predicted that the number of students withdrawing from Hong Kong schools would be even higher when the Covid-19 outbreak is over.