What's happened
As the new academic year begins, Hong Kong faces a significant reduction in Primary One classes due to a shrinking student population. Despite efforts to attract new students through talent admission policies, the impact remains limited. Meanwhile, schools in England grapple with the fallout from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) closures, affecting enrolment and finances.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, the reduction of Primary One classes in Hong Kong is a direct response to a declining student population, with 70 classes cut this year. William Yiu highlights that despite the arrival of new students under talent schemes, the impact on enrolment has been minimal. In England, the Guardian reports that headteachers are calling for financial protection for schools affected by Raac, emphasizing the long-term disruption to students' learning. The BBC adds that schools are facing significant financial challenges due to reduced pupil numbers, which will affect budgets for years to come. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, the Independent notes that many school districts are resisting a state mandate to include the Bible in classrooms, indicating a pushback against educational directives.
How we got here
Hong Kong's education system is experiencing a decline in student numbers, leading to the closure of numerous Primary One classes. This trend is compounded by the challenges posed by Raac in England, which has forced schools to close buildings, disrupting learning and impacting enrolment.
Common question
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More on these topics
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Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is a metropolitan area and special administrative region of the People's Republic of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta of the South China Sea.
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Oklahoma is a state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by the state of Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the north, Missouri on the northeast, Arkansas on the east, New Mexico on the west, and Colorado on the northwest.
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The Bible is a collection of religious texts or scriptures sacred to Christians, Jews, Samaritans, Rastafari and others. They generally consider the Bible to be a product of divine inspiration and a record of the relationship between God and humans.
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Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is a lightweight, precast, cellular concrete, eco-friendly building material, suitable for producing concrete masonry unit like blocks. It is composed of quartz sand, calcined gypsum, lime, portland cement, water and...