Education and Schools in Hong Kong
Schools in Hong Kong are well-regarded academically. Though public schools uphold a high standard of learning, the curriculum is centred on learning by repetition and frequent examinations.
As a result, expat families customarily enrol their children in the private international schools. Fortunately, the melting pot nature of Hong Kong ensures that there are many international teachers and school options for expat children.
There are a large number of international schools in Hong Kong that teach British, American or Australian curriculum, and are attended by both foreigners and locals wishing for a foreign education.
There is also some choice, although more limited, for families from many other countries who wish that their little ones to continue with their national curriculum. These include, but are not limited to, Canadian, Norwegian, French, German and Swiss schools.
There are also a few local schools that have English as a medium of instruction stream. These should be carefully researched, as many local schools advertise English as the medium of instruction, but conduct the majority of their business in Cantonese. Such schools would provide an added challenge for non-Chinese speaking children and parents.
The competitive nature of schools in Hong Kong means that private tutoring is very common. Children often spend several hours before and after school attending tutoring sessions and music lessons to make themselves more attractive to the international schools. Many expat families adopt this local practice in order to allow their children to keep up with their peers.
School years are typically from September to July. When living in Kowloon or the New Territories, most expat families choose an international school based on proximity to their home in order to cut commute time.
The limited number of places at international schools has become a primary concern of expats families as of late. This form of education has become so popular among well-to-do local families that the spaces are often filled by non-expat families.
Those who require English as a medium of instruction are finding it increasingly difficult to compete for school slots, which are often assigned well before primary school begins Enrolling students in the best regarded schools is often nearly impossible; although, international companies sometimes reserve spots for an employee's kids.
Entrance exams, waiting lists and rejections are common.
Families considering a move to Hong Kong should apply for school places immediately.
International schools need to be applied for individually and places are held with a reservation fee; tuition varies widely.
The English School Foundation runs 20 Hong Kong schools, partly subsidised by the government, and tuition is upwards of 12,500 USD per annum for secondary school. Strictly private international schools can be considerably more expensive, up to 18,500 USD per annum. These fees will sometimes be covered by corporate expat packages, though, that is becoming less common.
Families whose expat package does not include a school subsidy are finding the cost of education in Hong Kong to be prohibitively expensive. A growing number of expats are choosing to return to their home countries because they can no longer afford to educate their children abroad. The increasing school fees are currently a source of concern and ongoing debate within the international community, and should be carefully considered before moving to Hong Kong with a family.
Homeschooling is illegal for locals, but expat families are generally allowed to pursue this option. There is a homeschooling support network located primarily in Discovery Bay, a popular location for expat families.
Adults interested in continuing their own education will find a number of reputable graduate programs in subjects from education to creative writing to business. Hong Kong universities offer many classes and degrees in English. Tuition is competitive, and many of the degree programs are designed for working professionals who can only attend classes on the weekends.
There are a number of language schools for expats of any age wishing to learn Cantonese or Mandarin. Some of the top are Amerispan, the Hong Kong Language Learning Centre and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Language exchanges and private tutoring are also common.
Education is taken very seriously in Hong Kong culture. Teachers are treated with a great deal of respect, and students tend to be disciplined and well-behaved. Despite the challenges, Hong Kong can be a great place to learn.
As a result, expat families customarily enrol their children in the private international schools. Fortunately, the melting pot nature of Hong Kong ensures that there are many international teachers and school options for expat children.
International schools in Hong Kong
There are a large number of international schools in Hong Kong that teach British, American or Australian curriculum, and are attended by both foreigners and locals wishing for a foreign education.
There is also some choice, although more limited, for families from many other countries who wish that their little ones to continue with their national curriculum. These include, but are not limited to, Canadian, Norwegian, French, German and Swiss schools.
There are also a few local schools that have English as a medium of instruction stream. These should be carefully researched, as many local schools advertise English as the medium of instruction, but conduct the majority of their business in Cantonese. Such schools would provide an added challenge for non-Chinese speaking children and parents.The competitive nature of schools in Hong Kong means that private tutoring is very common. Children often spend several hours before and after school attending tutoring sessions and music lessons to make themselves more attractive to the international schools. Many expat families adopt this local practice in order to allow their children to keep up with their peers.
School years are typically from September to July. When living in Kowloon or the New Territories, most expat families choose an international school based on proximity to their home in order to cut commute time.
Enrolment challenges in Hong Kong
The limited number of places at international schools has become a primary concern of expats families as of late. This form of education has become so popular among well-to-do local families that the spaces are often filled by non-expat families.
Those who require English as a medium of instruction are finding it increasingly difficult to compete for school slots, which are often assigned well before primary school begins Enrolling students in the best regarded schools is often nearly impossible; although, international companies sometimes reserve spots for an employee's kids.
Entrance exams, waiting lists and rejections are common.
Families considering a move to Hong Kong should apply for school places immediately.
International schools need to be applied for individually and places are held with a reservation fee; tuition varies widely.
Tuition and costs
The English School Foundation runs 20 Hong Kong schools, partly subsidised by the government, and tuition is upwards of 12,500 USD per annum for secondary school. Strictly private international schools can be considerably more expensive, up to 18,500 USD per annum. These fees will sometimes be covered by corporate expat packages, though, that is becoming less common.
Families whose expat package does not include a school subsidy are finding the cost of education in Hong Kong to be prohibitively expensive. A growing number of expats are choosing to return to their home countries because they can no longer afford to educate their children abroad. The increasing school fees are currently a source of concern and ongoing debate within the international community, and should be carefully considered before moving to Hong Kong with a family.
Homeschooling is illegal for locals, but expat families are generally allowed to pursue this option. There is a homeschooling support network located primarily in Discovery Bay, a popular location for expat families.
Other schooling in Hong Kong
Adults interested in continuing their own education will find a number of reputable graduate programs in subjects from education to creative writing to business. Hong Kong universities offer many classes and degrees in English. Tuition is competitive, and many of the degree programs are designed for working professionals who can only attend classes on the weekends.
There are a number of language schools for expats of any age wishing to learn Cantonese or Mandarin. Some of the top are Amerispan, the Hong Kong Language Learning Centre and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Language exchanges and private tutoring are also common.
Education is taken very seriously in Hong Kong culture. Teachers are treated with a great deal of respect, and students tend to be disciplined and well-behaved. Despite the challenges, Hong Kong can be a great place to learn.
