Emigration, low admissions force HK Catholic school closure

Mar 31, 2023

KOWLOON: A Catholic school in Hong Kong announced it will wind up operations gradually by 2028 due to a decline in student admissions caused by a falling birth rate and a staff shortage resulting from an ongoing emigration wave, says a report.

The 63-year-old Tak Nga Primary School in the Kowloon area issued two separate notices to parents and alumni on March 21 to inform them about the decision, South China Morning Post reported on March 23.

This is the first school in the former British colony that is likely to close since the authorities enacted the Beijing-imposed national security law in 2020 to suppress dissent and a strong pro-democracy movement, media reports say.

The school, run by the Sisters Announcers of the Lord, said that the decision was made as the school has been grappling with low student admissions and recruiting qualified staff to manage it.

“Since 2018, the school has failed to admit sufficient pupils because of the falling birth rate in Hong Kong, and the problem is further aggravated by an emigration wave in recent years,” reads a notice.

“We have no choice, and are reluctant, to finally bid farewell to fellow residents after more than 60 years,” the notice said.

Established in 1960 by Salesian Priest Fr Joseph Cucchiara the school is run by nuns who belong to the Salesian congregation and were engaged in missionary activities in Hong Kong since 1954. --ucanews.com