HK Schools: Govt Urges Mergers as 15 Face Closure Over Low Enrollment

Hong Kong’s government is moving to facilitate mergers of primary schools facing dwindling enrolment, a response to a decade-long decline in the city’s school-age population. The move comes as fifteen schools across ten districts have been urged to consider merging after failing to attract the minimum of sixteen pupils needed to form a Primary One class for the upcoming academic year.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi revealed the plan on a TVB program Sunday, stating that Hong Kong has experienced a drop of 60,000 to 70,000 school-age children over the past ten years, while the number of schools has remained largely unchanged. “Over the same period, we saw only two primary schools closing,” Choi said, highlighting the urgency of addressing the imbalance.

The government’s approach focuses on encouraging established schools to merge with those lacking sufficient student numbers, particularly those without a sponsoring body. According to Choi, the goal is to improve the overall quality of education, rather than simply preserving institutions. Authorities will assess whether schools operating with only one Primary One class in recent years are viable candidates for consolidation. “It will depend on whether the merger can provide a stable and sustainable learning environment to students,” she stated.

The Eastern District is disproportionately affected by the declining enrolment, with four schools facing potential merger discussions. This situation is unfolding under a policy introduced last year allowing aided schools to apply for mergers. Schools approved for merger receive a three-year exemption from the minimum Primary One student number requirement, but face closure or privatization if they fail to reach sixteen pupils after the transitional period.

The push for consolidation occurs against a backdrop of demographic shifts in Hong Kong. A report in January indicated a record low of 31,714 newborn babies registered in 2025, further exacerbating the decline in the school-age population. This trend, coupled with an ageing population, presents a significant challenge to the sustainability of the city’s education system.

Choi affirmed that the administration has no immediate plans to adjust the minimum student intake requirement or relax limits on non-local student admissions, citing a lack of expectation for a substantial influx of foreign students. The government is currently formulating a “five-year plan” to address the long-term implications of the declining population on school enrolment, leaving the future of numerous primary schools uncertain.