ESF raises application fee to $2000

Mom2One

Just read that ESF has raised its primary application fees from $150 to $2000!  Part of it relates to the costs of introducing a new parent interview into the process (which apparently applies to all applicants including ESF teachers' kids and ESF siblings) although some believe it's also to deter parents from applying as a back-up since the previous fee was so low.  In any case, that is a pretty serious price hike!
From the ESF website:
"Effective from 1 September 2013, the ESF application fee is HK$2,000. This is a non-refundable, non-transferable administration fee which covers the cost of the system, commissions paid to our ePayment service provider and admissions administration costs. The collection of this fee does not constitute any assurance that a school place will be offered. Method of payment is by credit card through PayDollar, our online payment service provider."

pppwong

原帖由 Mom2One 於 13-08-31 發表
Just read that ESF has raised its primary application fees from $150 to $2000!  Part of it relates t ...

Yes I saw it too. My jaw drops! It really makes me deter on applying to its kindie, since after all the comments are not so good and there's no priority in entering their primary schools anymore!!!

FattyDaddy

CapricornO 發表於 13-8-31 10:30
回復 pppwong 的帖子

agree!! they just want to become a normal profitable international school now.  ...

Should anyone be surprised by this?

ESF was reasonably cheap because they were receiving subvention from the Hongkong government, and when that is removed it is only natural that they do what other international schools do to raise money.

Has ESF ever considered low income people (ex-pats and locals alike)? Sure, they were fighting for the subvention to be sustained. For those people who said nothing or even agreed that the subvention be removed, they have no right to complain about fee hikes now.

Radiomama

Would it be too strong to say these words?
'What a shame' is HK gov't whom has no policy/ view about the expat's education.

sschiu

I don't understand why people think increasing fees means the school wants to earn profits? Do you know how costly it is to run a school? Who pay the teachers' salary, school administration, furniture, equipment, facilities and campus repairs & maintenance? Govt schools and DSS can charge lower fees because they receive subsidies from govt, doesn't mean it is because they are non-profitable. If parents want quality education, they must understand there is a cost.

Radiomama

Agree no more!

tay

interestingly RC's application fee is only $800, so I am thinking it **could** be a typo with the extra zero at the end by mistake...?

shadeslayer

CapricornO 發表於 13-8-31 10:30
回復 pppwong 的帖子

agree!! they just want to become a normal profitable international school now.  ...

What is the shame of ESF being a normal IS now that the subvention is being taken away?

alpham0m

I would say the shame goes to...The Education Bureau of HKSAR. Period. Full stop.

shadeslayer

alpham0m 發表於 13-8-31 22:04
I would say the shame goes to...The Education Bureau of HKSAR. Period. Full stop.

Why does the shame goes to EB?

alpham0m

You can interpret that anyway you want.

shadeslayer

alpham0m 發表於 13-8-31 22:11
You can interpret that anyway you want.

I have my own opinion.  You openly criticized EB but are unwilling to explain?  Useful comments.  Nice.

shadeslayer

CapricornO 發表於 13-8-31 22:23
Actually, ESF education is not famous for "quality".... it 's just becos some children cannot speak  ...

You can say that if they remain supported by the government for a specific purpose.  Now that the subvention is taken away, they are responsible for their own P&L.  They are just like every other IS in HK and they can change their school policies as they please.  Nothing wrong, right?

shadeslayer

CapricornO 發表於 13-8-31 22:23
Actually, ESF education is not famous for "quality".... it 's just becos some children cannot speak  ...

Who are these people and why do the HK government have obligations to serve their education needs?  If some of them are HK residents, there are a number of aided schools and DSS who can look after these children.  Why does it have to be ESF?  If it is not about quality of ESF, there are some IS whose fees are similar to ESF, eg KCIS.

There is nothing wrong with not being able to afford something, right?  Not able to afford normal IS, not able to afford DSS, not able to afford a car, not able to afford private medical services, not able to afford a luxurious apartment.

eryca

""Actually, ESF education is not famous for "quality"..""

Are you referring to a specific ESF school or do you mean all ESF schools are "not famous for quality"?  Why do you think so? Please share..

sschiu

CapricornO 發表於 13-8-31 22:23
Actually, ESF education is not famous for "quality".... it 's just becos some children cannot speak  ...

What I said about quality education comes with a cost is a general point of view rather than talking about just ESF.

Moreover, I think what you said about parents who are "finding a way-out" DO want quality for their children's education, including those that go to ESF. Correct me if I have the wrong perception...I can't believe any parents who can tolerate dangerous campus, broken classrooms and unprofessional teachers...even if the fees are low...

If there should be cheaper education which is affordable for lower- income expats in order to keep them in HK, my view is that it is the responsibility of the government rather than ESF's. It was the government who gave ESF subsidies from the beginning and now decided to take it away. Perhaps they have got another solution for the expats?

I have watched the Pearl Report! Very insightful!

alpham0m

回復 shadeslayer 的帖子

Okay, okay, if you insist. The shame goes to EB for messing up the local school system and taking the subvention away from ESF so it is no longer an affordable option for many parents who cannot afford expensive international school.
I am not into debate, so this is it. I just want to chill out in the weekend. Chill, mate.