Hong Kong’s ESF schools group plans to increase fees by 4.1% on average next year

Hong Kong’s largest international school group plans to raise tuition fees by an average of 4.1 per cent for most of its primary and secondary divisions next academic year – or roughly HK$600 and HK$720 (US$77 and US$92) more per month, respectively – pending approval by authorities.The English Schools Foundation (ESF) also said on Tuesday that its kindergartens would raise fees by 5.8 per cent under the proposal.At Discovery College in Discovery Bay on Lantau Island, one of the foundation’s private independent schools, secondary students would be charged HK$1,030 more per month, the largest absolute increase across ESF schools at 4.8 per cent, bringing fees to HK$22,390 for Years 7 to 11 and as high as HK$22,560 for Years 12 to 13.ESF parents pay school fees in 10 monthly instalments.Foundation chief executive Belinda Greer said in a letter to parents that the average 4.1 per cent increase would allow the ESF to maintain teaching quality.“To continue investing in our schools, our growing technology needs, and – most importantly – the exceptional teachers who inspire your children every day, the board has approved an average fee increase of 4.1 per cent,” she said.