‘Worst yet to come’ as Hong Kong schools cut record 126 Primary One classes

Hong Kong public schools have slashed a record 126 Primary One classes for the 2026-27 academic year amid a shrinking student population, prompting a sector leader to warn that the “worst is yet to come”.

According to the latest Primary School Profiles, the total number of Primary One classes across public schools dropped from 1,558 in 2025-26 to 1,432 in 2026-27, representing a net decrease of 8 per cent.

The guide covers more than 500 local primary institutions and is compiled by the Committee on Home-School Co-operation to help parents select schools for their children.

The contraction hit Kwai Tsing the hardest, where nearly half the district’s 31 primary schools – 14 campuses – were forced to trim their Primary One intake. Tuen Mun and Eastern districts followed, each losing 13 classes.

The latest profiles of more than 500 primary institutions serve as reference materials for parents selecting schools for their children.

The sharp drop in enrolment tracks a collapse in local births dating back to 2020, when Covid-19 pandemic curbs and the aftermath of the 2019 social unrest saw births plunge by nearly 20 per cent year on year to 43,000.