[shri]

Folks,

Over the last couple of days, I have contacted the ESF, the Education department and the Hong Kong Universities. They have all appointed representatives who will help us answer questions.

Can you please start asking your questions -- related to education in Hong Kong, here?

Post all your questions and I'll consolidate and broker then to the various reps.

Regards,
Shri

[aohman]

Hi Shri,

Thanks for the taking the initiative. I've got a few basic questions:

Are there certain play groups a child has to take part into be admitted into the different pre-schools (ESF, Peak, HKIS, German Swiss, etc.,) and then are there certain pre-schools that are tracked for middle/upper schools.

I am not in a rush to send my kid to school and would be willing to wait until he's 4 to matriculate, but are there any disadvantages/penalties to doing this?

What are the costs involved.

How early do you have to sign up on a waiting list.

I did call Woodland Montessori and found them rather unhelpful. Have you any info/feedback about them?

Thanks much!

[kevin]

For costs, there is an excellent list of all the international schools and their fees at http://www.classmateasia.com/sch_fee.php3

[shri]

<offtopic>Kevin, you had to go and depress me ... didn't you?</offtopic>

[kevin]

I know. local schools are looking very attractive at the moment :D

[aohman]

Depressing. I wonder if they are even delivering quality education. Anyway, thanks for the great website.

[kevin]

Some interesting discussions on this issue at Mr Tall and Mr Balding site - http://www.batgung.com/articles/hkschools.htm and http://www.batgung.com/articles/goodschools.htm

So, would you send your kids to a free local school or send them to an international school costing 40k+ per year?

Kids in local schools are made to work a lot harder in a very old fashioned rote system and will have at least 2 hours of homework every night from P1 onwards. But they will be fluent in Cantonese and maybe mandarine.

International schools are more modern and free thinking but cost a fortune. the education level may not be any higher than local schools but the kids are taught to think for them selves and be more independant.

I am still debating this issue. Some friends of mine recommend sending your kids to a local school for P1-P6 so they can learn Chinese (and allow you more time to save up for secondary school) and then get them into an International school. Not sure how easy this will be.

[kevin]

Lets get this thread back on track and pose a few questions:

If I want to send my child to an International school for F1-onwards, do I need them to go to an International school for P1-6?

What are the criteria for entering International secondary schools?

Are International schools grouped into areas the same as local schools? ie if you go to a local school in a cetain area you cannot qualify for an International school in a differetn area?