Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-read articles provide context to grasp what’s happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page.
News: Cracking down on private schools
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Hong Kong private schools have come under more scrutiny after some were alleged to have run unauthorised courses
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A proposed code of ‘best practice’ for these schools can be expected by end of year
In his yearly policy address, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu vowed to improve the city’s private schools.
Hong Kong’s leader said he would crack down on schools that offered courses for the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) without permission.
The government will establish a way to report illegal operations. They will also inspect schools unannounced.
Lee promised to create a code of conduct for private schools. He also said the government would compile a list of schools. These steps hope to improve the way private schools run.
Some private schools were found to have operated inappropriately recently. A government source confirmed that the new rules were announced after the discovery.
The Education Bureau shut down Tsung Tsin Middle School this month. The privately run school had been accused of poor management.
There were also claims that it had worked with a mainland Chinese tutorial centre to provide DSE courses without permission.
Another private school was also shut down for poor management this month. Inno Secondary School had allegedly worked with a third party to help students outside Hong Kong qualify for subsidised university programmes.
At least four other schools have been accused of crossing the line. The government has formed a task force in response. The task force will visit schools unannounced from this month.
Christine Choi Yuk-lin is the city’s education secretary. She said the government would make a list of private schools that promised to run lawfully.
An insider said a code of practice for private schools will be released by the end of this year.
The code will cover management, fees and promotion. The source said a school that failed to follow the code would not necessarily be considered illegal. It would just imply that the school was not following best practice.
The insider added that the private school list would be available after the government had checked if schools were following the rules. It can be expected within the current academic year.
Tang Fei is currently a lawmaker. He is a former secondary school principal.
Tang said the new steps may address some concerns about private schools. However, he urged the government to make the code of practice easy for the public to understand. He also said it should be readily available.
Staff writers
Question prompts
1. Which of the following statements is true, based on the information in the news?
(1) If a school fails to follow the code of conduct, it is running illegally.
(2) At least six schools have been accused of breaking rules recently.
(3) Hong Kong should release the code of conduct by the middle of next year.
(4) The list of private schools will be available once the government has confirmed that schools are following standards.
A. (1), (2) only
B. (2), (3) only
C. (1), (3) only
D. (2), (4) only
2. Based on the information in the news, list TWO incidents that caused this crackdown.
3. What does lawmaker Tang Fei think about the proposed code of conduct?
Photo
Question prompts
1. Describe what you see in this photo and how it relates to the news.
2. Using the news and your own knowledge, explain ONE benefit and ONE drawback of the proposed crackdown.
Glossary
policy address: a speech by Hong Kong’s leader that outlines new policies, schemes and the agenda for the next year
Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE): Hong Kong’s university entrance examination; a standardised, citywide public exam that is the final step of a student’s secondary school education and qualifies them for higher education
Education Bureau: the city’s official government department that handles education in Hong Kong, from pre-primary through tertiary. The bureau draws up and enforces new education policies.
subsidised: having part of the cost for something paid for by an outside source, such as the government or an organisation
Sample answers
News
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D
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The Education Bureau shut down Tsung Tsin Middle School this month. The privately run school had been accused of poor management. There were also claims that it had worked with a mainland Chinese tutorial centre to provide DSE courses without permission. Another private school was also shut down for poor management this month. Inno Secondary School allegedly worked with a third party to help students outside Hong Kong qualify for subsidised university programmes.
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Lawmaker Tang Fei said the new steps may address some concerns about private schools. However, he urged the government to make the code of practice easy for the public to understand and readily available.
Photo
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This photo shows Tsung Tsin Middle School. In the news, the privately run school was shut down after being accused of poor management. There were also claims that it had worked with a mainland Chinese tutorial centre in Shenzhen to provide Hong Kong’s university entrance exam courses at the school without permission.
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This crackdown will encourage schools to follow rules and regulations. It will also highlight any other inappropriate behaviour among Hong Kong schools. These issues can then be handled more effectively. However, the codes may be complicated, making them difficult for the general public to understand. They might be difficult to find. Additionally, the new policies may cost the government money, time and resources. (accept all reasonable answers)
