Establishing the Private School List: Setting a Benchmark for Quality Education

     The Education Bureau (EDB) today announced the list of private schools offering formal primary and secondary curricula (including international schools; hereafter referred to as "Private Schools") to be included in the Private School List (the List). The purpose of establishing the List is to enable listed schools to further demonstrate their commitment to continuously enhancing governance while complying with relevant laws and regulations. This promotes professional self-discipline within the sector, instils greater confidence in parents, and serves as a reference tool to enhance information transparency, thereby effectively safeguarding parental rights and students' well-being.

Establishing a benchmark

     To implement the enhancement measures as introduced in the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address, the EDB issued the "Code of Practice for Private Schools" (the "Code") in this January to provide clear operation and management standards for the private school sector. Subsequently, the EDB issued a circular memorandum in April, inviting schools to join the List. Listed Schools, in addition to strictly abiding by relevant laws and regulations, have achieved a specified standard in such areas as school governance, establishing a sound financial operational framework, safeguarding the interests of major stakeholders, and enhancing transparency of school operations.

     We hope that the List to confer recognition on a broader range of compliant private schools, thereby enhancing their reputational standing in a competitive environment. Through a clear regulatory framework and consistent standards, it will help the sector elevate quality of education, laying a solid foundation for the long-term, healthy development of private education in Hong Kong. Schools joining the List will motivate the sector to strive for excellence, fostering a virtuous cycle of positive competition and continuous improvement.

Voluntary participation with active support

     We understand private schools are market-driven. Therefore, the Code integrates the existing Education Ordinance, Education Regulations, and other relevant guidelines applicable to private schools. It provides clear and practical management and operational guidelines across such areas as school management, finances, and personnel management, earning the welcome and support of the sector. Based on the same principle, the EDB launched the List to reflect government regulation while respecting the sector's autonomy and unique operational ecosystem. Although the List is implemented on a voluntary basis, we are pleased to note that the sector has responded enthusiastically. We are also glad to provide further explanations and clarify facts for schools throughout the process. The announcement of 91 private schools included in the List today is an important step for the sector to demonstrate its pursuit of excellence to the public. We hope that more schools will participate in the future to uphold the quality of private school sector.

Continuous updates and monitoring

     The List serves as both a benchmark and a continuously updated registry. To incorporate diverse perspectives and enhance transparency in the vetting of school applications, all schools included in the List are thoroughly considered and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Private Schools established by the EDB, which are then accepted by the EDB. The EDB will continuously monitor and review these applications. Listed schools must submit a written declaration to the EDB if any significant changes to critical operational information (such as financial matters, campus relocation or structural reorganisation plans) to ensure that the information in the List remains timely and accurate.  Furthermore, if a listed school is found to have breached the Code or other applicable guidelines, the EDB will decide whether the school should be removed from the List based on the severity of the violation.

Compliance and common regulatory standards

     The List announced today is the first list of private schools that have participated voluntarily and met the eligibility criteria. The circumstances of schools not included in the List vary. For instance, the management of some schools may require more time to ensure their schools meet the requirements of the List. However, all private schools, regardless of whether they are on the List, must operate in compliance with the Education Ordinance and Education Regulations. The EDB's day-to-day supervision of schools not included in the registry remains unchanged.

     The List operates on an ongoing basis. Schools interested in joining the List can visit the EDB's dedicated webpage for application details. We will continue to maintain communication with the sector, encouraging schools to continuously enhance their governance standards and actively consider joining the List, so as to jointly promote the diversified development of quality education in Hong Kong.

Comprehensive assessment for informed choice

     Private schools operate on a self-financing and market-driven basis, and their operations are influenced by market supply and demand as well as the external environment. The EDB reminds parents that the List serves as a reference basis. When selecting a school, parents still need to conduct a comprehensive and objective assessment, proactively look into their preferred schools' operational status, financial stability, enrolment performance, and long-term development plans, and communicate directly with the schools to make informed and prudent decisions.

Shared vision to enhance quality

     Starting today, parents can visit the EDB's dedicated webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/en/private-sch-formal-curriculum) to review the List and relevant school information. From the formulation of the Code to the launch of the List, both milestones reflect the shared vision of the government, the sector, and the community to enhance the quality of private schools. We hope that through the joint efforts of all stakeholders, the strengths of Hong Kong's quality education can be further elevated. While building greater confidence among parents and society, this initiative will also attract more talent to study in Hong Kong, further consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international education hub.

29 July 2026