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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Start time in push for primary school place
Parents flocked to prestige schools including La Salle Primary School and Maryknoll Convent School's primary section yesterday on the first day of applications for discretionary places admission.
Queues of parents formed outside the Kowloon Tong schools from 7am.
And despite the emigration wave none dared predict they stand better chances to enroll their kids in a top-notch school.
Standing first in line outside La Salle was an alumnus, Chu, hoping his son would follow in his early footsteps.
"I hope my son can gain more knowledge and establish networks at school so he can enjoy a wider range of choices in the future," he said.
Chiu expected his son could score 25 points - a relatively high level - at the discretionary admission stage, but he was not forecasting a sure win.
Also outside La Salle, a mother named Yau said she wanted to show her sincerity to the prestigious boy's school by arriving early.
She did not think the emigration factor would count for much when it comes to competition for good schools. "Previously it was like competing for a place among 10 pupils," she said. "Now it's become one among eight."
Her comments were echoed by a father named Kwan, who was first in the queue at Maryknoll.
"We never know exactly how many people have emigrated," he said. "It's very important for us to bring out the best of ourselves."
The discretionary places admission stage offers parents a chance to aim for a school outside their residential area.
Parents who wish to apply for a discretionary place in a government or aided primary school must submit by Friday an application form and supporting documents directly to where they would like to see their children.
Those who are unable to submit a form in person can authorize in writing a representative to take the required documents to a school or they can mail documents on or before Friday. Only one application can be made for a child.
Schools will admit half of its primary one intake at the discretionary places stage, with results on November 21.
Parents who do not receive a discretionary place offer or rejected one go into a central allocation, with lots drawn to decide the primary school for a child.
Parents who want to enroll a child in a Direct Subsidy Scheme primary school, a private primary school or an international school need to apply directly to an institution.
And despite the emigration wave none dared predict they stand better chances to enroll their kids in a top-notch school.
Standing first in line outside La Salle was an alumnus, Chu, hoping his son would follow in his early footsteps.
"I hope my son can gain more knowledge and establish networks at school so he can enjoy a wider range of choices in the future," he said.
Chiu expected his son could score 25 points - a relatively high level - at the discretionary admission stage, but he was not forecasting a sure win.
Also outside La Salle, a mother named Yau said she wanted to show her sincerity to the prestigious boy's school by arriving early.
She did not think the emigration factor would count for much when it comes to competition for good schools. "Previously it was like competing for a place among 10 pupils," she said. "Now it's become one among eight."
Her comments were echoed by a father named Kwan, who was first in the queue at Maryknoll.
"We never know exactly how many people have emigrated," he said. "It's very important for us to bring out the best of ourselves."
The discretionary places admission stage offers parents a chance to aim for a school outside their residential area.
Parents who wish to apply for a discretionary place in a government or aided primary school must submit by Friday an application form and supporting documents directly to where they would like to see their children.
Those who are unable to submit a form in person can authorize in writing a representative to take the required documents to a school or they can mail documents on or before Friday. Only one application can be made for a child.
Schools will admit half of its primary one intake at the discretionary places stage, with results on November 21.
Parents who do not receive a discretionary place offer or rejected one go into a central allocation, with lots drawn to decide the primary school for a child.
Parents who want to enroll a child in a Direct Subsidy Scheme primary school, a private primary school or an international school need to apply directly to an institution.
