The public school in Hong Kong are well-known for the pressure they place on students. Not all expat parents are happy with this strict method of teaching. Private international schools however, have adapted to a more Western schooling culture with more relaxed curriculum. It is a good thing that regardless of which choice expat parents choose, they can expect high-quality education, and also the opportunity to select from a range of top schools and higher education institutions.
This section will touch upon the system of daycare as well as kindergarten, education costs, and schools that allow you to improve your Cantonese understanding.
What is the current Education System at present in Hong Kong?
The education system of Hong Kong is publicly funded. All 12 years of education starting from primary through senior secondary school (ages 6-18), is free for pupils attending public schools.
The public schools comprise all schools of Hong Kong. They are either run by the government , or are a religious or charitable organisation. Therefore it is possible to find the right Catholic or Protestant college in Hong Kong should not be an issue.
Types of schools In Hong Kong Description Government Public schools; run and funded by the government; no cost. Aided public schools, run by religious or charitable groups, funded by government (most typical type); free. Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) Private schools subsidized through the government. Not cost-free. Caput Schools Public schools partly subsidized by the state; not free. Private Schools Privately operated schools aimed at Chinese students. Admission is contingent on the quality of education and not completely free. International Schools Private International Schools Privately run schools targeted at international students. expensive admissions fees. English Schools Foundation Private schools partially subsidized by the government; aimed at students with English proficiency; not for completely free.
The primary differences between private and public schools is their fees and curricula. Schools that are public located in Hong Kong are free, but admission to private schools will require a fee. As the government does not have the power to regulate the curriculum of private schools, it usually differs from the traditional education approach. However, some institutions (e.g. : DSS) still have to prepare their students for the same final exam.
What is the Education System Similar to What is the education system like in Hong Kong?
In discussing how the Hong Kong school system, it is vital to know that it has gone through major changes in the last years. The school is known for its competitiveness, it was reformed to reduce the stress on students. The compulsory primary and junior secondary school examinations aren’t part of the curriculum anymore. But the high-stakes culture continues to drive some students to the brink of mental collapse.
Information About Hong Kong Education System
Education is available in Hong Kong is free, and schools are compulsory the age of 6 to 15 (primary and junior secondary schools). Children who attend the public school system in Hong Kong attend primary schools for six years. They are then they attend 3 years of secondary junior education, and three more years of secondary education.
Education Length Ages Type School Year Three years of Kindergarten Voluntary September – June Six years of primary school Mandatory Sept – July Junior Secondary 3 years 13-15. Mandatory Sept-July Senior Secondary 3 years 16-18 Selective September July (year 2 & 3) Aug – Feb (year 3)
After completing the 12-year program and passing the final exam the students receive the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE).
Grading system for HKDSE Grade Western Equivalent Meaning 5*A* Best of the Class 5 Excellent 5 A Good 4 B/C adequate 3 D/E Pass 2-1 F Fail
The system used to grade students in Hong Kong universities is based on a 4-point system
GRADE (NUMBER) GRADE (LETTER) MEANING 4.3-3.7 A Excellent 3.6-2.7 B Good 2.6-1.7 C Adequate 1.7-1.0 D Pass <1.0 F Fail
School in Hong Kong starts around 7:30 to 8:00 and last until approximately 14:30 or 15:00.
In public schools, classes typically are taught in Chinese with the possibility for English as a learning language becoming a part of the curriculum (secondary school). Many private schools also operate in Chinese However, private international schools typically teach classes in English.
Kindergarten and Daycare
In general, great kindergartens and childcare options as well as excellent kindergartens and pre-schools can easily come by in Hong Kong. Children usually start kindergarten at the age of 3 to 6. But it’s not required. Based on your preferences, it is generally possible to decide if your child will attend kindergarten on a full as well as a half-day.
If your child is younger than of 3, you can apply for a seat in a nursery classor a childcare center or even hire someone to care for children at your home.
The kindergarten curriculum varies from one school to the next, although the government recognizes the concept of a child-centered approach to education. The goal of this type in education is teach children how to become socially aware and cultivate healthy habits and be interested in their surroundings. The subjects that are most commonly taught include the language, mathematics in the early years physical health, science and technology, self and society, as well as art. They are taught through active participation, play, and the encouragement of others.
All kindergartens in Hong Kong are run privately. Some are non-profit some are independent institutions. Kindergarten fees vary depending on the option you select.
Non-profit kindergartens now fall under the Free Quality Kindergarten Education scheme which allows children of all ages to attend preschool for no cost. This scheme is only a half-day option for children 3 to 6.
International kindergarten Hong Kong costs vary according to the class, whether you opt for full or half-days, and the area of the kindergarten. The typical costs for kindergarten are difficult to calculate as it is a range of seven to 75,000 HKD (900 to 9,000 USD) per year or even higher than that.
Secondary and Primary Schools
Primary Schools
In Hong Kong, primary schools operate on afternoon, morning or full-day schedules. The afternoon and morning plans were developed in order to accommodate the large number of students attending primary schools as well as to ensure that there isn’t overcrowding.
Admissions to public primary (also referred to as primary) school in Hong Kong is divided into two phases: Discretionary Places Admission as well as Central Allocation.
Primary One Admission System Distinctionary Places Central Allocation Priority Points System comprises 30% of students accepted. It comprises 20 percent in accepted students. The 50% group comprises all accepted students. Priority is given to students of employees at the school or students who already have siblings in the school. Selection of students is based on a set point system. Parents make an “unrestricted choice” and may choose three elementary schools that are public (comprises 10percent of accepted applications to Central Allocation). Parents select from a particular school network in the region they reside within (comprises 95% of the accepted applications to Central Allocation).
If you’re not sure what school to pick from, the Hong Kong government provides you with a complete listing of all (public as well as private) primary schools with all the necessary information. It provides information on the length and number of classes offered, the educational philosophy of the school, the qualifications and experience of teachers, school costs and many other pertinent details.
If your child attends a public primary school within Hong Kong, you may be required to pay certain fees. These costs for school could comprise a charge for Tong Fai, the Parent-Teacher Association, Tong Fai as well as other fees that have been approved. Tong Fai is a form of payment that was introduced in public schools after schooling was made free in Hong Kong became free. In most cases, overall fees for public schools should never exceed 525 HKD (65 USD) each year.
Parents who wish to send their children to attend private schools will be faced with an application process that is different and will be charged higher fees. One year in the private primary school of Hong Kong costs around 40,000 HKD (5,100 USD).
If your child attends an elementary school that is public, they will be allocated to a specific secondary school once they graduate. Parents of children that attend privately or DSS primary schools have to apply for secondary school themselves.
Secondary Schools
Secondary school (in some countries , it is known by the name of high school) education is in Hong Kong is split into two sections of junior secondary and secondary schooling. Both of them lasts three years and while junior secondary education is mandatory and senior secondary schooling is not, the decision of the need to go to a senior secondary school is up to the student and their capacity.
Secondary school allocation is similar to the method by which applicants are admitted to primary schools in Hong Kong and the process is divided into two stages that are Discretionary Places and Central Allocation. The proportion of accepted students varies.
Secondary School Places Allocation System , Discretionary Places Central Allocation consists of 30% of students accepted. Includes 70% of students accepted under this program, it is possible to apply to two secondary schools. Under this plan, you can apply for 3 secondary schools within the school’s network (comprises 10% of accepted applicants in the case of Central Allocation). In this plan it is also possible to submit applications for the 30 schools of secondary through your local school network(comprises 95% of accepted applications to Central Allocation).
In certain secondary schools, specific subjects are taught in English as a language of instruction. To find out whether it is an option in a school near your home, check out our list of Hong Kong’s secondary schools. In addition, you will learn more about what the dimensions of each school are. the teachers, the curricula, the techniques of teaching, and other vital information.
If it comes to school costs the public secondary schools within Hong Kong are mostly free however there are some charges. The charges that could be incurred are Parent-Teacher Association fees, Student Association Membership fee along with Tong Fai for senior secondary school attendees. The total amount of the fees cannot over 500 HKD (65 USD) per year.
For children who are transitioning from primary to secondary education, many schools will organize activities that help students make friends with their new world.
Senior Secondary Schools
Transitioning from junior to senior secondary should not be complicated. Numerous schools that offer junior programs ensure that the students who graduate have a sufficient amount of seats in their senior programs as well.
Students that do not wish to continue with their mainstream education at this stage may opt to pursue an occupational training program instead.
Students who opt for the secondary school are required to study four subjects that are essential to their education: Chinese and English languages along with mathematics, and liberal studies. In addition to that, they can select three additional subjects from the school’s curriculum (history, biology, physics, etc.) and study an additional application-based learning subject and language (applied sciences and business management, as well as services, etc. ).
At the end of three-year-long high school, students are required to take the final exam that usually comprises the subjects mentioned above along with other topics that students choose to study. The exams are offered in phases and include both oral and written exams. Students also write papers that are evaluated on their skills in the language and receive an assessment for their application of subject knowledge before receiving their certificate.
If the tests are passed and the students are awarded after passing the exams, they receive a Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) that permits students to go on into higher education levels.
Assistance for Students who are Newly Arrived
Hong Kong pays specific attention to new arrivals who need to be welcomed into the local schooling system. Parents who wish to send their children to go to one of the main schools have a few choices to assist their children to integrate. They include:
Initiation Program is a 6-month (September-March) all-time programme that incorporates academic and non-academic aspects in order for English students to master Chinese (or in reverse). It is free and is available at a couple of schools in Hong Kong.
Induction Programme – a 60-hour-long part-time program that runs in the morning, after school or on weekends, based on the child’s needs. The curriculum comprises of lessons that are taught in Chinese and English as well as an introduction to the traditions of the local community , Hong Kong’s education system, and communication and teaching skills. The program is offered free of charge and is run at a variety of schools around Hong Kong.
School-based supplementary classes for language is a program offered by both public and Direct Subsidy Scheme schools and supported by the School Based Support Scheme . Typically, the curriculum of these classes is determined by specific schools.
International Schools
In addition to private schools in town, a well-known private school system comprising many international schools has been in operation. Many expats opt to send their children to the schools due to the generally more westernized curriculum. They are now becoming more and more popular with local Chinese pupils too.
The school year in international schools typically begins in August. To ensure your child will be able to get a place at the school you prefer, you must start the application a year ahead.
Each international school has their own admissions criteria, so be sure you contact your preferred education institution directly. Be aware that some schools might prefer students from a particular nation (e.g. : French schools might prefer French students), siblings of already existing students, or children of staff members.
One advantage of sending your child to an international school is that the classes tend to be smaller than the public schools in your area, and are generally not as competitive. On the downside, the most significant drawback to international schools is their costs. Although public schools are generally completely free to students of all ages, tuition fees range between 100,000 and 200 000 HKD (12,800 up to 25600 dollars) or more for annual tuition costs, based on the school you attend and the grade your child attends.
If your child is familiar in the Chinese language and you would like to learn to fluently write in hanzi (Chinese letters) If you are a parent, you might find that the standard in Mandarin and Cantonese taught in international schools is not adequate. There are a few international schools are truly bilingual So a local, public school could be the best choice in such a situation.
Higher Education
The universities in Hong Kong have recently developed impressive reputations, both within Hong Kong’s boundaries and beyond. They are the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong in particular were named top in the international rankings of universities. In addition, the administration is currently focusing a lot of attention and resources to making the region more of an educational hub. So, the universities in Hong Kong might be a greater than a sensible option when your kids would like to pursue a college education and live at home in Hong Kong.
Each of the universities and other institutions of higher education in Hong Kong offer internationally recognized degrees for their students. This includes postgraduate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as research-based programs and post-grad courses. Undergraduate degrees in Hong Kong usually last four years. But, you can get courses that last just two or three years as well.
Most university courses are taught in English There is no need to worry about your Chinese proficiency in Chinese. Be sure, however, to look up the specifics about the course of your choice.
What’s the Cost to Study at the University of Hong Kong? Hong Kong?
The cost of higher education differs from one school to another depending on the course and if you are a local or not. Locals can expect to pay about 40,000-45,000 HKD (5,100 up to 5,750 USD) to complete an undergraduate course. The tuition cost for international students could be double or triple or more than quadruple the amount of anywhere from 80,000 to 165,000 HKD (10,200 to 21,100 USD) per academic year.
Post-graduation studies for students from abroad at government-funded universities cost about the equivalent of 40,000 HKD (5,100 USD) per year, while local students can not pay tuition fees all over the world.
Universities can charge you an application fee that is around 350 HKD (45 USD). Some universities require students to pay a non-refundable deposit upon acceptance that will vary from 10,000 to 80,000 HKD (1,300 up to 10250 dollars). However, a lot of universities also offer scholarships to international students could be qualified to.
Different degrees and courses
There are numerous accredited universities and institutions that are local to Hong Kong offering sub-degree courses like associate degrees and higher diplomas.
