Secretary for Education Michael Suen says he will continue to encourage all Government secondary schools to join the enhanced voluntary class reduction scheme.
Schools refusing to join must submit proposals which can solve the issues arising from the declining student population without reducing intake.
Speaking to the media today, Mr Suen reiterated class reduction is the best solution as it can stabilise the overall situation in schools, maintaining a good mix of different types of schools in each district to cater for students with different learning needs, and minimising the mismatch between schools and students. It can also stabilise the teaching force and maintain education quality.
He said the scheme caters to all secondary schools and is not targeted at specific ones. The more schools joining the scheme, the more effective it will be to stabilise overall education development.
He urged all schools to share responsibility in improving education development in Hong Kong. The Government will continue to talk to different stakeholders and address any doubts they have on the scheme.
He emphasised cutting the number of classes will not affect students' chance to get admitted to their favourite schools as the number of students has dropped.
