China-based tutoring center remains unfazed by warning regarding Hong Kong educational programs
Mainland Tutorial Centre's Intensive Training Programme Stirs Controversy in Hong Kong
A mainland Chinese tutorial centre, New Oriental, has been promoting a programme called the "Bauhinia ThriveCamp Programme". This programme claims to help pupils attend a Hong Kong subsidised secondary school with accommodation and intensive training. However, the programme's offerings are raising concerns and prompting strong responses from Hong Kong authorities.
The secondary school in Tsing Yi that is associated with the "Bauhinia ThriveCamp Programme" is Caritas St Joseph Secondary School. The tutorial centre's brochure for the programme includes a large section introducing this school. Despite this association, it is not explicitly stated that the "Bauhinia ThriveCamp Programme" provides free accommodation for all schools in Hong Kong or offers free tuition for the subsidised school.
The mainland Chinese tutorial centre offers a programme costing approximately HK$200,000 per year. The agent from New Oriental centre promised "targeted training" for students who sign up for the "Bauhinia ThriveCamp Programme", but did not specify the nature or content of this training. The agent also suggested that students have a higher chance of being admitted to Caritas St Joseph Secondary School.
The Education Bureau has taken a firm stance against unauthorized collaborations between local schools and mainland tutorial centres. On Tuesday, the Bureau demanded a report from Caritas St Joseph Secondary School over joint promotion efforts with the New Oriental centre. The school provides free tuition from Form One to Six, according to the Education Bureau. However, it does offer student accommodation, which could raise questions about the nature of its collaboration with the tutorial centre.
The Education Bureau has actively investigated and temporarily suspended schools suspected of these violations. The tutorial centre's promotion of the "Bauhinia ThriveCamp Programme" despite these warnings further fuels concerns about unauthorized admissions.
In response to these concerns, the Education Bureau has set up a specialized inspection task force to crack down on illegal cooperation between schools and tutorial centres. Officials have urged parents not to register children in multiple schools or seek shortcuts via intermediaries, warning of possible mental and physical stress for students and the risk of losing out in admissions due to regulatory tightening.
It is not uncommon for mainland Chinese tutorial centres to offer intensive training and accommodation programmes aimed at helping students gain admission to subsidized Hong Kong secondary schools. However, these practices have raised significant concerns and prompted strong responses from Hong Kong authorities and schools. The "Bauhinia ThriveCamp Programme" is not mentioned to guarantee admission to any specific school.
In summary, though such tutorial centres offering intensive training and accommodation for Hong Kong school admissions do exist and actively promote these services, they face increasing scrutiny and regulatory action by Hong Kong education authorities to prevent unauthorized admissions, protect local student interests, and uphold admission fairness and compliance with residency requirements.
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