In theory, all children in Hong Kong have the right to government-funded basic education.
In practice, children who do not speak Chinese face challenges that drive those who can afford it to fee-paying alternatives.
The Education and Manpower Bureau says all children are entitled to nine years of basic education, with the same chances of being allocated schools of their choice under the central allocation system.
But many children find it hard to cope in the Chinese-language environment, even in English-medium schools. And schools offering discretionary places are often reluctant to give them to children without a high level of Chinese.
However, several new Direct Subsidy Scheme schools are broadening the options for parents who want their children educated in the local system, whether out of economic necessity, difficulty getting a place elsewhere or the belief that better integration will promote broader opportunities.
DSS schools receive government funding but can also levy fees, which are modest compared with international schools. They can be more flexible and the extra resources mean they should be able to do more to meet the needs of particular groups of children.
