Principals and education officials will meet today in a final attempt to determine primary school places and class numbers in Northern District.
Schools in the district, which is close to Shenzhen, are much sought after by children born in Hong Kong of mainland parents but now living over the border.
As a result, local children unable to secure places in schools close to home are being bussed to those in other areas. It is crucial that those at the meeting come to an agreement on school places because allocation results will be announced on June 1.
Undersecretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung will be present.
A source said in order to keep most students in the district, an increase in the number of classes or students in each class will be required.
“We will suggest the worst-case scenario that all students allocated to other districts cannot be found places in Northern District. Principals will give us the maximum number of classes to be added,” the source said.
Secretary for Education Eddie Ng Hak-kim said the district is short of about 1,400 primary school places, which means allocating many students to other areas such as Tai Po.
“We are getting nervous because the Education Bureau has not given us the exact figures on how many class places and number of classes the schools can add,” one principal said.
The bureau is even considering setting up a new school for cross-border students.
A parent, surnamed Wang, said her daughter has to travel three hours each day from her home in Futian, Shenzhen, to a school in Tin Shui Wai.
SKH Tin Shui Wai Ling Oi Primary School principal Hung Wai-shing said there are vacant classrooms in the area that could accept cross-border students.