‘Worst is yet to come’: Hong Kong’s early childhood sector hit hard by funding cuts

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by William YiuFebruary 26, 2026 at 06:51 AM

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Hong Kong's early childhood education sector faces significant funding cuts, receiving HK$4.5 billion in the 2026-27 financial year, a 6.6% decrease from the current year. This reduction, the largest within the Education Bureau's purview, is attributed to declining student enrollment, estimated at a record low of 105,800 toddlers. The government is cancelling two grants for kindergartens, contributing to the lowest subsidy level in over a decade and a 13-year low in the number of preschools. In contrast, primary and secondary education sectors will see smaller reductions, while tertiary and vocational education sectors will experience funding increases. The cuts raise concerns about the future of early childhood education in Hong Kong.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Education Bureau 60% Hong Kong Government ×380% Hong Kong ×290%

Keywords

early childhood education 100% funding cuts 90% kindergartens 80% subsidy 70% student enrollment 60% budget 60% financial year 50% education bureau 40%