Nearly 19,000 children arrived in Hong Kong with parents recruited under talent scheme, but not all schools are benefiting

Hong Kong has been experiencing a significant influx of children due to a talent recruitment scheme known as the Top Talent Pass Scheme. According to the Immigration Department, nearly 19,000 children have arrived in the city with their parents who were recruited under this scheme. This has been a boon for the education sector, which has been grappling with a decline in the local student population. The department has approved over 34,000 applications and granted more than 32,000 dependent visas since the scheme's inception. These visas have been distributed among the spouses, dependent minors, and same-sex partners of the recruited professionals. However, the distribution of these new students across the city has been uneven. Some schools have seen a surge in applications, while others, particularly those in the New Territories West, have not received any. This discrepancy is likely due to the fact that most of these families can afford to live closer to the city center. The majority of these children are enrolling in secondary schools and senior forms in primary schools, with only a few studying at the lower level. This trend could potentially disadvantage schools with low enrollment numbers, as their survival is tied to the number of Primary One classes they can operate. Despite these challenges, the influx of students has been largely beneficial. It has helped to offset the drop in the city’s student population in recent years due to emigration and a falling birth rate. Moreover, it has increased the number of youngsters in society, contributing to a more vibrant and dynamic community. The new students have also demonstrated a readiness to adapt to the Hong Kong educational environment, showing politeness and a willingness to learn Cantonese, traditional Chinese characters, and advanced English. To qualify for the Top Talent Pass Scheme, applicants must have earned at least HK$2. 5 million over the past 12 months or graduated from one of the world’s top 100 universities and worked for three of the past five years. There is a cap on the number of applicants, ensuring a controlled influx of talent into the city.