Hong Kong Canadian International School faces exodus of pupils after sacking nine teachers
After sackings and accusations of interference at Canadian International School, parents say many families are rethinking their education plans
Hong Kong's troubled Canadian International School is facing a potential exodus of pupils as parents vote with their feet after months of turmoil, which continued with the sacking of nine teachers on Thursday.
The school has confirmed that this school year 15 pupils in Grade 5 had left or were leaving - a turnover rate of 12 per cent. The school said the average turnover rate at Grade 5 in previous years was about 10 per cent. Overall, the turnover rate was similar to last year's, the school said.
But parents said more families were planning to leave. One parent of a departing child knew of at least 43 primary children whose families had said they would not return for the new term year in August, many due to unhappiness with management.
The talked to some of the departing parents who spoke anonymously because they wanted to protect their own or their friends' children.
"After the unjust firing of the primary school vice-principal and principal, we realised how bad the situation had become," said one of the parents, who transferred her children to another international school last month. "The school has been on a downward spiral."
The parent said there was now "an atmosphere of fear among staff and parents" who worried they would be targeted in retaliatory action by the management if they spoke out.
School spokeswoman Melanie Hnetka said around 8.3 per cent of pupils had withdrawn this school year, similar to the 8.4 per cent last year. Some 52 per cent of leavers were moving overseas. Specific to Grade 5, more than one-third of the 15 pupils leaving would relocate overseas, she said.
