Home-schooling in Hong Kong: number of families opting out of system higher than thought, but do they risk running afoul of education authorities?
- Survey reveals number educating their children at home is six times the official record
- The law requires children to attend school but exemptions exist and most parents decide not to tell authorities
More than 60 Hong Kong children are being home-schooled, according to an unprecedented survey which found the number shunning the formal system was six times the government record.
The survey by the city’s home-schooling community, which was seen by the Post and sent to the Education Bureau, showed most parents did not tell the government of their decision to leave the system.
Barring a reasonable excuse, families are required by law to send their children aged between six and 15 to school, or face a fine of up to HK$10,000 (US$1,275) and three months’ imprisonment.
The bureau has recently hardened its tone on home-schooling. In a reply to the Post it said officials “would not approve” the practice. In 2014 the response was that the government “would not disallow” it.
The education authority said it was currently monitoring about 10 home-schooling cases, down from 25 in 2014. It has issued two attendance orders in the last five years to parents who failed to send their children to schools.