DSS Expansion Admits 170 Non-Local Students, Up 13% Year-on-Year; EDB: A Good Start

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This academic year, 48 Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools have been approved for "DSS expansion" to admit non-local students holding student visas. The Education Bureau confirmed yesterday that 14 DSS schools admitted a total of 170 non-local students this academic year, a 13% increase year-on-year, describing it as "a good start." A DSS principal revealed that this academic year, students from Singapore and South Korea were admitted, something previously unheard of, and disclosed that the Code of Practice for the Operation of Student Accommodation Facilities will be announced shortly.

📊 7 Schools Newly Admitted Overseas Students from Thailand, South Korea, Singapore and More
Li Bik-sin, Deputy Secretary for Education, wrote online yesterday that a total of 170 non-local students holding student visas are studying at DSS schools on a self-financed basis, a 13% increase year-on-year, estimated at about 20 more students. Apart from 7 schools that have admitted non-local students for two consecutive years, another 7 schools have newly admitted overseas students from Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, and European and American countries. She described the "small-step" approach to advancing the scheme as "a good start," and in response to the additional places, DSS schools have received many admission enquiries from overseas parents. To help non-local students integrate into Hong Kong culture and campus life as soon as possible, DSS schools will arrange peer support, pastoral care and adaptation programmes so that they are supported in academic, daily life and physical and mental adjustment.

🏫 United Christian College (Kowloon East) Admits Singaporean and South Korean Students; Principal: Not Pursuing an Increase
United Christian College (Kowloon East) has two non-local students enrolled this academic year, from Singapore and South Korea respectively, studying at junior and senior secondary levels. Principal Cheng Kin-tak said that in the past, students studying with student visas were "very few and far between," "one more would already be very noticeable, and now there are two more." He said several non-local students reached the interview stage this year but were not admitted due to reasons such as English and learning ability, stressing that the school does not pursue an increase in admissions.

🏠 Code of Practice for the Operation of Student Accommodation Facilities to Be Announced Shortly
This year's Policy Address mentioned that the authorities are working with the DSS Council to formulate the Code of Practice for the Operation of Student Accommodation Facilities. Li Bik-sin said the authorities will actively assist the Council in setting standards for accommodation facilities, safety and wardens, and help establish a "Student Accommodation Facilities Committee." Cheng Kin-tak, who is also External Secretary of the DSS Council, said the working group has drafted an initial version and is collecting views from the authorities and DSS schools, and believes it will be announced shortly.