Hong Kong Schooling, is your child primary 1 Sep 2012?
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School is free in many other countries.
There may be pay options, but the general
Population gets a free education up to University.
99% of those entering Harvard, Queens or other
Ivy league schools went to free public education.
Simply another example of the stupidity that
Hong Kong is. Eveyone just buys in..
There may be pay options, but the general
Population gets a free education up to University.
99% of those entering Harvard, Queens or other
Ivy league schools went to free public education.
Simply another example of the stupidity that
Hong Kong is. Eveyone just buys in..
Join Date: Dec 2005
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schools
Bottom line here in HKG for private schooling, whether it be Hong Lok Yuen, ESF, the various International schools et al...is this; places are incredibly limited even if you have popped your child on the from birth waiting list. It is also corrupt in two ways. Firstly, fat debentures will produce results and secondly, nepotism from Head Teachers is rife. Selective and vigorous entrance assessments from P1 up is the norm and proximity to those who are key in that system will generally produce dividend. Even if the result is positive, there is little assurance that the child will "fit". In other systems, flexible schooling will normally allow movement between schools to allow a better "fit". Sadly, in HKG, because of the acute shortage of places below year 5, little school transition occurs. I am told there are now over 1700 families, not kids..families..home educating in HKG right now. That is nothing short of disgraceful and may be the reason Coke decided to move their Asia HQ to SIN...who else will follow?
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schools
Local schools, eg Saikung Primary, where they teach in both Cantonese and English medium are a good bet at present. They are looking to develop a multinational stream to complement the NETs. However, they will also interview and assess but with less constraint than the private sector. For P1 to P4, this can be a good start for a child to integrate into the HKG system with Cantonese fluency resulting fairly fast. That said, the ESF tend to put kids who go into the public system back to the end of the Q, (they will refute this though if formally consulted).
Various private schools are currently offering scholarships but these are highly competitive and do not cover years 1 to 4. HKG is very debenture biased and will react well to the larger debenture offering. Don't neglect the established local high end schools, St Pauls Boys Catholic School and St Margerets as an example.
Various private schools are currently offering scholarships but these are highly competitive and do not cover years 1 to 4. HKG is very debenture biased and will react well to the larger debenture offering. Don't neglect the established local high end schools, St Pauls Boys Catholic School and St Margerets as an example.
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Western Schooling in HKG
It IS very, very competitive and not clear-cut, wait-list based. You may not get a place at all. fullstop.
Nor does there seem to be particular, (or any) loyalty to same nationalities, although I understand the French side of FIS is compelled to offer French nationals a place, not so in the International stream. Nor at other branded schools, Canadian, Australian etc.. they don't care, it's a business, show them the really big money or lump it.
This is a major, major bugbear for newcomers to HK. Do not underestimate the stress it can cause. Been there, we did not enjoy it at all !
The suggested number of people home-schooling is quite realistic, quantifiable and a disgrace for such a financially successful country. But it IS reality.
Shame about the basings scenario heh....
several fixes are needed.
good luck kiwi etal
Nor does there seem to be particular, (or any) loyalty to same nationalities, although I understand the French side of FIS is compelled to offer French nationals a place, not so in the International stream. Nor at other branded schools, Canadian, Australian etc.. they don't care, it's a business, show them the really big money or lump it.
This is a major, major bugbear for newcomers to HK. Do not underestimate the stress it can cause. Been there, we did not enjoy it at all !
The suggested number of people home-schooling is quite realistic, quantifiable and a disgrace for such a financially successful country. But it IS reality.
Shame about the basings scenario heh....
several fixes are needed.
good luck kiwi etal
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CATHAY BOARDING SCHOOL ALLOWANCE
CATHAY BOARDING SCHOOL ALLOWANCE
Does anyone know the current policy in relation to overseas boarding (I'm HK resident ) and the education allowance for Cathay? I've been told that in order to obtain the boarding allowance the child must board 7 days per week - with no leave for the child outside school grounds REALLY?
Does anyone know the current policy in relation to overseas boarding (I'm HK resident ) and the education allowance for Cathay? I've been told that in order to obtain the boarding allowance the child must board 7 days per week - with no leave for the child outside school grounds REALLY?
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Cost of raising children
Whilst I sympathize with those parents trying to find places for their children at schools in HK. As iron skillet stated, having children is a personal choice, placing the burden of educating those children on the taxpayers is a misnomer fostered by western governments . which is why HK schools are so expensive, the HK government feels no special need to make provision for the expat kids above local schools and this is a sensitive issue right now.So I do not expect a resolution to this problem any time soon
If you want to have children that is your right as it should be, but it is also then your responsibility to pay for their education medical etc. and should not be the burden on the general taxpayer who may not have or want children.
It is time to move away from the theory that it takes a village to raise a child and move to personal responsibility based system
If enough pilots leave CX because they cannot get their kids in school Cathay will soon enough address the problem but until that happens I'm afraid that it looks like you are all on your own .
Please don't bother flaming me I'm not looking for a fight and I do sympathize with your plight it's very frustrating but I also see iron skillets point of view
If you want to have children that is your right as it should be, but it is also then your responsibility to pay for their education medical etc. and should not be the burden on the general taxpayer who may not have or want children.
It is time to move away from the theory that it takes a village to raise a child and move to personal responsibility based system
If enough pilots leave CX because they cannot get their kids in school Cathay will soon enough address the problem but until that happens I'm afraid that it looks like you are all on your own .
Please don't bother flaming me I'm not looking for a fight and I do sympathize with your plight it's very frustrating but I also see iron skillets point of view
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If you want to have children that is your right as it should be, but it is also then your responsibility to pay for their education medical etc. and should not be the burden on the general taxpayer who may not have or want children
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This problem is a world wide one that's just getting worse as the current world population reaches 7 Billion.
certain Ethnic groups need to slow down reproduction .
Iron Skillet , whats your solution ?
certain Ethnic groups need to slow down reproduction .
Iron Skillet , whats your solution ?
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Paying your own way?
joblow, quote:- "If you want to have children that is your right as it should be, but it is also then your responsibility to pay for their education medical etc. and should not be the burden on the general taxpayer who may not have or want children."
What if the parents of said children are taxpayers?
Doesn't that mean they are paying their way and not part of any burden on their fellow taxpayers?
As you say, "if you want to have children that is your right", just as it is if you do not want children.
I believe that a tax payer has a reasonable right to expect something for his money.
The question really is, what responsibility should the employer have over one's children. None, but nice if you can get something!
What if the parents of said children are taxpayers?
Doesn't that mean they are paying their way and not part of any burden on their fellow taxpayers?
As you say, "if you want to have children that is your right", just as it is if you do not want children.
I believe that a tax payer has a reasonable right to expect something for his money.
The question really is, what responsibility should the employer have over one's children. None, but nice if you can get something!
Last edited by FERetd; 25th Nov 2012 at 19:26.
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Smoking is a choice. Thousands of people every year receive medical treatment for smoking-related diseases. I'm a tax payer and I don't smoke; should have to pay for the treatment that smokers receive?
Going back to ravenjewel's question, I agree with iceman.
STP
Going back to ravenjewel's question, I agree with iceman.
STP
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Taxes
To answer the query from FERetd, parents with children get a break on taxes because they have kids, so no they aren't paying their way enrirely, there is going to be a subsidy to some extent from the general tax pool .If you want a fairer system then those who choose to have children should pay a higher tax 
rate than those with no children, after all they use more of the worlds resources
In Canada and the USA a large proportion of the property taxes are used for education, how does that benefit a single person or childless couple who have no need of the schooling system ?
If the employer pays for education great I'm all for it but then a pilot with 3 or 4 children will earn substantially more than a single person by the time education allowance is added to the package for doing the same job
Again I'm not trying to start an argument or hijack the thread. Education is not a choice it's an essential so good luck to all of you struggling to find school places for your children I hope it works out
rate than those with no children, after all they use more of the worlds resources In Canada and the USA a large proportion of the property taxes are used for education, how does that benefit a single person or childless couple who have no need of the schooling system ?
If the employer pays for education great I'm all for it but then a pilot with 3 or 4 children will earn substantially more than a single person by the time education allowance is added to the package for doing the same job
Again I'm not trying to start an argument or hijack the thread. Education is not a choice it's an essential so good luck to all of you struggling to find school places for your children I hope it works out
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Simplistic
Joblow, your argument about taxes is rather simplistic. Steve the Pirate has a valid argument. And what about about State pensions? Some people live for years after retirement whilst others die shortly thereafter. Yet they might both have contributed equally to the scheme. Should the estate be awarded a refund if the full pension benefit is not enjoyed?
Life is not always fair, but generally you win some and you lose some.
You appear to think that those who have children benefit unfairly. Children, believe it or not, are necessary to promulgate our species and are also our future tax payers.
Personally, I'm rather happy that my parents chose to have children, I've had rather a good life - so far!
Life is not always fair, but generally you win some and you lose some.
You appear to think that those who have children benefit unfairly. Children, believe it or not, are necessary to promulgate our species and are also our future tax payers.
Personally, I'm rather happy that my parents chose to have children, I've had rather a good life - so far!
Last edited by FERetd; 26th Nov 2012 at 21:29. Reason: editorial