Shenzhen–Hong Kong cross-boundary students

Shenzhen–Hong Kong cross-boundary students (Chinese: 深港跨境學童) are students who are born and study in Hong Kong but live in mainland China. In a daily student migration, every school day they arrive in and exit from Hong Kong mainly through 5 land boundary control points: Lo Wu, Sha Tau Kok, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, and Shenzhen Bay. Mainly they study in Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Tai Po and most in North district.

Since the 2001 Chong Fung Yuen “Right of abode” case, babies born in Hong Kong to mainland women are entitled the right of abode in Hong Kong. Favored with the 2003 Individual Visit Scheme, a large number of mainland pregnant women came to Hong Kong to give birth for their children's right of residence. Accordingly, the number of cross-boundary students, who are also the doubly non-permanent resident children, surged since 2006.

Meanwhile, with the low-birth rate in Hong Kong, a portion of primary and secondary schools were forced to close down, especially those in rural areas. To maintain their operation, some schools welcome these children to study in their school to increase the admission rate. This further increases the number of cross-boundary students.

Recent years ago, schools in mainland do not accept application of children who do not have Hukou in mainland but only Hong Kong citizenship. Children born in Hong Kong and live in mainland can either study in international school in mainland or schools in Hong Kong. Despite the new policy rejecting “Double-not” pregnant women, the number of cross-boundary students will keep increasing until 2017/18.

Number of cross-boundary students

[1][2][3][4][5]

Academic Year Kindergarteners Primary Students Secondary Students Total number of CB students
2004/05 733 2589 481 3803
2005/06 962 2998 538 4498
2006/07 797 2878 799 4474
2007/08 1456 3466 937 5859
2008/09 1780 3910 1078 6768
2009/10 2681 4090 1267 8038
2010/11 3786 4575 1538 9899
2011/12 5700 5400 1700 12800
2012/13 7454 6749 2197 16400

Impact

According to the “Report on Primary One Admission 2012”[6] around 20% of the Northern District students were sent to the 11th or onwards primary school places.[7] The growth of the cross-border students who are "neither-is" and "either-is" children. Thus, there are insufficient places of primary one in Northern district.

Impact on Schools

Hong Kong government suggested small group education to provide better education standard few years ago. The growth of CBS in Northern District would lead to the increase of classes and the class size of primary one from 27 to around 39 to 42 in 2013.[8] Heavier workload and more pressure are given to the teachers.[9] The difference between "neither-is" or "either-is" children and local children in culture and abilities stressed the teachers as it is impossible for the schools to separate those "neither-is" and "either-is" students and local students. More resources are also needed for the school to provide support to students who have special needs. This is because there is no special education in China and parents in mainland prefer main line schools in Hong Kong rather than special school for their children with special needs. Thus, pressure is given to teachers in Northern district to provide extra care for those children.

Impact on Local Parents

Local children are unable to secure places in Northern district primary schools. It is inconvenient for them to study in other district. The increase of class size may affect the quality of education.The unnecessary transportation of CBS worsened the problems of transportation system in the North District.[7]

Impact on Shenzhen Parents

In 2012, the Shenzhen government did not allow those "neither-is" or "either-is" children who are classified as Hong Kong resident to study in Shenzhen government schools.[10] Thus, Shenzhen parents let their children to study in Hong Kong where also provides better education quality.They allow their children live in Hong Kong due to long travelling time to Hong Kong.Unhealthy grow in both mental and physic of CBS because of the long time separation with parents.[11]

Impact on Cross-boundary Students

Safety Issue

Cross-boundary students (CBS) have to attend school and return home every day, usually without the company of their parents. Ways for CBS to come to Hong Kong include Cross Boundary School Coaches (CBSC), nanny buses and public transport.[12] Since the pick-up/drop-off points at the current boundary control points are limited,[13] students may need to get on or off the coaches and nanny buses in crowded areas and are exposed to dangers of traffic accidents or kidnap.

Growing concerns are also raised regarding the insufficient issues of Closed Road Permits which is necessary for CBCS and Closed Area Permits for students who take the nanny bus service. Though the government figure reveals a rise of issues per year,[14] parents and schools are demanding for more quotas due to the increasing number of cross-boundary students.

Ethnic Identity Crisis

The difference between Hong Kong and Mainland China’s culture has led to difficulties for CBS to adjust their identity. With a lack of understanding in Hong Kong’s culture, systems and values, failure to naturalize in Hong Kong is common among CBS.

Language differences result in communication difficulty since many of the CBS are more fluent in Mandarin than Cantonese. Thus, it is harder for them to connect with local students. Little participation of after-school extra–curriculum activities due to their shuffling across boundaries are another reason for the lack of connection.[15]

Proposed solutions

Pilot scheme and travel support

The government starts the pilot scheme, allocates Closed Area Permits (CAP) for cross-boundary students in higher priority,[16] issues special quotas for their coaches and provides travel subsidy for students.

Increase school place (return system)

On 23 March 2013, Undersecretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said that school places would be increased and students lived in the Northern District can study through the Return System if they are allocated to study in Tai Po District.[17][18]

New school net

On 6 February 2013, Secretary for Education Eddie Ng Hak-kim said a new school net should be set up for the cross-boundary students.[19][20][21]

Pay for school places in Shen Zhen

On 6 February 2013, honorary chairman of Liberal Party James Tien Pei-chun suggested the Education Bureau to pay for the school places in Shenzhen and provide free education for the cross-boundary students.[22][23]

References

  1. ↑ about-edb/press/legco/replies-written/2012/20040129117951.html) "Students who cross the border for schooling in Hong Kong every day." Check |url= value (help). Education Bureau, the government of HKSAR. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  2. ↑ "Regarding the children who cross the border to attend schools in Hong Kong.". Education Bureau, the government of HKSAR. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  3. ↑ gia/general/201106/15/P201106150120.htm "LCQ10: Cross-boundary students." Check |url= value (help). News.gov.hk. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "LCQ8: Cross-boundary students.". New.gov.hk. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  5. ↑ Li, kwan ying (25 January 2013). "The number of cross-boundary students will peak next year. The HK government: Fair treatment". Chinese News Service. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  6. ↑ "REPORT ON PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION 2012" (PDF). SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION EDUCATION BUREAU. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  7. 1 2 "上水小一校網派位全港最差 兩成學生獲第11志願以下". ming pao. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  8. ↑ "北區小一學額加班加派". Sing Tao. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  9. ↑ "教師壓力增". Sing Tao. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  10. ↑ 梁家裕. "跨境學童問題是誰的錯？政府還能裝睡嗎？". Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  11. ↑ "私宅辦雙非童寄宿 同時劏房租遊客 託管安全成疑". Ming Pao. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  12. ↑ "Cross-Boundary School Coaches". Education Bureau. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  13. ↑ "LCQ10: Cross-boundary students". News.gov.hk. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  14. ↑ "Annex 3: The number of CAPs issued in the past three school years" (PDF). News.gov.hk. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  15. ↑ "跨境學童文化差異大". Hong Kong Daily News. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  16. ↑ "LCQ10: Cross-boundary students". News.gov.hk. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  17. ↑ "400 students will study in cross-boundary school in Tai Po and the Education Bureau carries out Return System". Ming Pao. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  18. ↑ Du Ki. "Eddie Ng Hak-kim said, either original district or cross-boundary". Sing Pao Daily News. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  19. ↑ "Net move mooted in primary pupils chaos". The Standard. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  20. ↑ Ko-yuk, Fung Zhen-yin. "Proposing a new school net for the cross-boundary students". Wen Wei Po. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  21. ↑ "30percents of students in Sheng Shui were not allocated to their top ten preferences of schools". The Sing Tao Daily. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  22. ↑ "Proposing to allocate cross-boundary students to remaining schools places in different districts". The Sing Tao Daily. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  23. ↑ Fung Zhen-yin. "Worrying about the label effect of schools". Wen Wei Po. Retrieved 6 February 2013.

External links

Human migration

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