Hong Kong expands after-school care but some families say they still lack access

Hong Kong’s after-school care scheme has expanded rapidly since the government removed its quota cap this school year, with some operators saying they have sufficient capacity to meet demand, while others are already recruiting more staff to keep pace.While some mothers said the programme had freed them up to return to work after years of full-time caregiving, manpower constraints at some centres meant not all eligible families were able to access the scheme.The School-based After School Care Service Scheme was launched in 59 schools in September 2023 and expanded to more than 200 by June, offering 10,500 places for low-income families, after the government lifted the quota cap in the 2025 policy address.In the 2023-24 academic year, 2,915 places were offered across participating schools, with each institution setting its own place quota.Under the scheme, the government provides funding through the Community Care Fund, primary schools provide the premises, and approved non-governmental organisations (NGOs) handle daily operations.St James’ Settlement is one such operator. It partnered with six primary schools in the pilot year and has since grown to 10.