Think twice about letting more non-locals into Hong Kong universities

Last week, my son asked me why “problems” were bad. I disagreed with the question because not everything can or should be looked at through the good-vs-bad binary spectacles. Problems, like puzzles and mysteries, are opportunities for growth and insight. We learn from them and are better for it. If the problem arose from ignorance or negligence, we know not to do it again.

I wonder how Hong Kong’s Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin sees problems.

Choi had to solve a big problem over the summer. At the end of July, the Education Bureau announced a change in policy on student benefits at publicly funded tertiary education institutions. Children of non-local talent are now required to stay in Hong Kong for at least two years to be eligible for resident student benefits, which include the local annual tuition fee of HK$44,500 (US$5,705). Those not eligible pay three times that amount.

The authorities had to tighten the rules to prevent the abuse of talent recruitment schemes by those with no intention of settling in or contributing to Hong Kong. Local parents have raised the issue of “examination immigrants” – the children of those who game the system so their offspring can study in Hong Kong’s esteemed universities as “local” students.

The policy change came after months of criticism by former chief executive Leung Chun-ying, who questioned whether Hong Kong’s aggressive talent schemes were being properly assessed and monitored, and whether the city had the capacity to handle the impact of the increased housing, medical and educational needs. It won’t be the first time Leung is exhorting the government to put Hongkongers first.

In announcing its tighter rules, the Education Bureau said it was to address concerns that opportunities for local students to gain admission to universities were being affected by those who had not lived in Hong Kong. Evidently, it is aware of the problem and has taken steps to address it.

  

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