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Following is a question by the Hon Audrey Eu and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, in the Legislative Council today (October 27):

Question:

It is learnt that the number of applicants for Primary One ("P1") admission is declining year by year and the situation is particularly serious for schools in Sha Tin and Tai Po. Even schools with Year 2000 design premises providing better facilities are also affected. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of the total number of P1 classes reduced as compared with that in the preceding year for Year 2000 design schools in each of the past three years, as well as the names and locations of the schools concerned?

Reply:

Madam President:

There are a total of 71 Year 2000 design primary school premises in Hong Kong at present, providing a total of 2032 classrooms. A total of four Primary 1 classes have been reduced in only three of these schools as a result of the decline of population in the past three years. The details are as follows:

1)Name of School: CCC Kei Chun Primary School

District: Kwai Chung

No. of P1 classes reduced:

2002/03 0

2003/04 0

2004/05 2

2)Name of School: Buddhist Chi King Primary School

District: Kwun Tong

No. of P1 classes reduced:

2002/03 0

2003/04 0

2004/05 1

3)Name of School: CCC Hoh Fuk Tong Primary School

District: Tuen Mun

No. of P1 classes reduced:

2002/03 0

2003/04 1

2004/05 0

Total number of P1 class reduced:

2002/03 0

2003/04 1

2004/05 3

Ends/Wednesday, October 27, 2004

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