Dear Parents,
Welcome to the November edition of the SCMP Learn Parents Newsletter!
Ahead, we’re taking you through the most important education and parenting news from the past month so you can stay informed without the hassle, including the rise in English competency among Hong Kong’s Primary Three pupils, updates on government school admissions and the latest on Australia’s upcoming social media ban for teens.
Plus, we have a very special opportunity for you to meet the principals of The ISF Academy and Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School in our upcoming SCMP Parents’ Talk: Principal’s Vision & Action Series. Keep scrolling to find out how to secure your spot!
More than half of Hong Kong pupils have secured a Primary One spot at their preferred institutions, the highest success rate in about 20 years. The Education Bureau revealed on Friday that 37,581 children had applied for discretionary places in government or aided primary schools this year for admission next September. Among them, 19,656, or 52.3%, will receive a place in these schools — the highest percentage since 2005.
Read the full report below.
Read more
The English competency level of Hong Kong’s Primary Three pupils has reached a record high in this year’s Territory-wide System Assessment, marking a recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, 83.2% have attained basic competency in the language, which is the highest passing rate since the test began in 2004, and up from 78.7% last year.
Unpack the results with SCMP.
Read more
This welcome news comes amid reports that Hong Kong’s global ranking in the EF English Proficiency Index has fallen for the fourth consecutive year, placing the city 39th worldwide and third in Asia, behind Malaysia and the Philippines. According to the Index, while Hong Kong scores very high to moderate in reading, listening and writing, overall speaking proficiency remains low.
Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University in Australia have agreed to admit Hong Kong students based on predicted grades. This unprecedented agreement applies to those from direct subsidy scheme schools and will benefit students sitting the public exams next year. The Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council said it hoped the new initiative would ease students’ uncertainties by helping them secure universities’ offers before the exams and giving them a chance to pursue higher education abroad.
Learn more about the arrangement below, including the grades needed to get into each university.
Read more
Hong Kong authorities have approved five secondary schools to open an additional Form One class from September. According to the Education Bureau, this includes top boys’ schools Queen’s College and Wah Yan College Hong Kong, along with Christian Alliance S W Chan Memorial College, TWGHs Kap Yan Directors’ College and TWGHs Li Ka Shing College.
Take a closer look at what this means for incoming students, as well as how these schools were chosen.
Read more
An unprecedented decision by Shatin Government Primary School to allow pupils to use simplified Chinese characters in tests and examinations has sparked backlash amongst parents. A petition against the government-run Hong Kong primary school to oppose what critics described as an “unfair” arrangement has drawn over 200 signatures so far. Meanwhile, the Education Bureau said it had reminded the institution that it must fully consult stakeholders before revising its assessment policy.
For a comprehensive look into this controversy, click below.
Read more
Snapchat has begun asking teenage Australians to verify their ages, just weeks before the country’s sweeping social media laws come into place. The new restrictions will force social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, to remove users under the age of 16 or face hefty fines, and are set to take effect on December 10.
See what Snapchat had to say about being included in one of the strictest social media bans in the world for teens.
Read more
Don’t miss this special opportunity to meet the principals behind two of Hong Kong’s leading schools in this exclusive Parents’ Talk, presented by HSBC Premier Principals Connect. They’ll open up about the long-term visions shaping their schools’ direction, and share the real steps they’re taking to turn these ideas into meaningful action across the classroom and wider school community. For parents, it’s a rare window into the thinking that shapes top-tier learning environments — and a chance to gather practical, thought-provoking insights to help you make more informed decisions about your child’s educational journey.
Limited seats are available. Register before December 1 (next Monday) to secure your spot!
Register now
Got a budding young author or illustrator at home? The Kids4Kids My Story Creation competition offers the perfect stage for their imagination to take flight. Open to all Hong Kong primary school students, this creative writing and illustration contest encourages emerging storytellers to bring their original tales to life, and comes with the chance to be published in the annual Kids4Kids Treasury publication. The competition opens on December 1, and submissions close on March 6, 2026. It’s time to get writing!
The Cathay Kids Academy is back! Get ready for an immersive experience that invites children aged five to nine years old to step into the shoes of a Cathay crew member. Here, they’ll explore the essentials of professional image and grooming, and practice the art of delivering exceptional service — all while having fun and building confidence. Participants will even get to wear their very own mini Cathay uniforms and enjoy a special in-flight-style lunch, making the day an unforgettable journey into the world of aviation.
Annual design festival deTour returns to PMQ this weekend with 17 thought-provoking installations inspired by the theme “The Shape of Yearning” — and its dedicated children’s tours are perfect for bringing the experience alive for aspiring design enthusiasts aged five to 12. Here, young visitors are invited to engage all their senses, intuition and imagination to explore the full range of creative works on display. These guided walks aim to redefine how children engage with design works, helping them to discover the many ways designers perceive the world.
That’s it for this month! Stay curious, stay informed and we’ll see you next month with more handpicked stories, opportunities and insights for you and your child.
In the meantime, make sure you're following us on Instagram, Facebook and Xiaohongshu for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.
Warm regards,
SCMP Learn Team
