Public vs private schools in Hong Kong
To compare public and private schools in Hong Kong, separate two questions: how is the school funded and managed, and what curriculum does it offer? Government, aided, Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) and private schools are the four main funding and management categories. International education spans several arrangements, including private schools and DSS schools offering non-local curricula.
This guide covers primary and secondary education. Kindergarten funding and admissions follow separate arrangements.
Hong Kong schools by funding and management
| School type | Funding and management | Tuition and curriculum |
|---|---|---|
| Government | Funded and operated by the Government. | Tuition-free for eligible children; local curriculum. |
| Aided | Government-funded and operated by sponsoring bodies, including religious and charitable organisations. | Tuition-free for eligible children; local curriculum. |
| DSS | Independently managed with government subsidies and greater flexibility in admissions and curriculum. | May charge tuition; principally local curriculum, with non-local options at some schools. |
| Private | Privately operated, generally relying on fees for running costs. Some receive specific government support. | Tuition fees apply; local or non-local curriculum. |
Government and aided schools form the vast majority of Hong Kong's public-sector schools. See the Education Bureau (EDB) overview of Hong Kong education (PDF).
Caput schools are a legacy category of privately operated secondary schools that receive government subsidies based on student enrolment. Although classified as public-sector schools by the EDB, they have a distinct funding arrangement. Most former Caput schools have converted to aided or DSS schools, leaving just two remaining.
DSS schools receive government subsidies but have greater flexibility than government and aided schools in admissions, curriculum design and resource allocation. This government funding distinguishes them from generally self-financing private schools. The EDB's DSS guidance explains these arrangements.
Where international schools fit
Parents often use “international school” broadly for a school offering a non-local curriculum or mainly serving non-local families. This describes its educational provision or intake, rather than a single funding category. The EDB's formal listings distinguish international schools, Private Independent Schools and DSS schools offering non-local curricula.
Families exploring international education will therefore encounter the following groups. The EDB school-types page, checked in September 2026, lists 8 PIS and 21 DSS schools offering non-local curricula:
- Private Independent Schools (PIS): a specific private-school scheme primarily serving local families. Most offer non-local curricula, but the EDB's PIS list also includes a local-curriculum school. At least 70% of pupils must be Hong Kong permanent residents.
- DSS schools offering non-local curricula: these remain DSS schools even when they offer an international qualification. Check which year groups and programmes are available.
- English Schools Foundation (ESF) schools: ESF is an organisation providing English-medium international education. Its schools have their own admissions and funding arrangements.
- Other private schools offering non-local curricula: options include British, American and other national curricula, and the International Baccalaureate (IB).
These groups are not mutually exclusive. ESF's Discovery College and Renaissance College operate under the PIS scheme, so they belong to both the ESF and PIS groups. A non-local curriculum also does not necessarily mean a mainly non-local student body.
Private status does not mean no government support
Government support can take different forms. Under the PIS scheme, schools have been offered land at nominal premiums and capital grants for construction (PDF). This differs from a regular subsidy for day-to-day teaching costs.
ESF has historically received recurrent government funding. This is being phased out for its mainstream primary and secondary schools through the 2028/29 school year, while support for rates, government rent and students with special educational needs continues under the arrangements described in the EDB's 2026–27 expenditure replies (PDF).
Private schools remain subject to EDB regulation, including requirements governing fees and charges. Regulation and government support are separate issues: neither, by itself, makes a school a government or aided school.
School fees and other costs
Hong Kong provides 12 years of free primary and secondary education through public-sector schools for eligible children. Tuition-free schooling still involves expenses such as uniforms, books, transport, meals and some activities. Certain senior secondary schools may also collect an approved charge called Tong Fai. The EDB explains free education and these charges.
For fee-charging schools, including DSS and international options, compare the fee schedule for the intended year of entry. Ask whether the total includes application and assessment fees, deposits, transport, activities, and any capital levy or debenture. Where a debenture is required, check its payment and refund terms separately from tuition.
DSS schools must provide fee-remission and scholarship schemes and set aside at least 10% of school-fee income for them. Check eligibility and application deadlines directly with the school; published tuition alone may not represent a qualifying family's final cost.
Curriculum and teaching language
The local senior secondary curriculum leads to the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE). Private education does not automatically mean an international curriculum: confirm the actual programme, subject choices and school-leaving qualification.
Most government and aided primary schools use the mother tongue for subjects other than English. At secondary level, teaching-language arrangements can vary by subject and class. An English-medium label therefore needs closer examination.
Ask which subjects use English, Cantonese or Putonghua, how Chinese is taught, and what language support is available. For a child unfamiliar with Chinese, check the school's support in practice, including communication with parents. Teaching language and the language pupils use socially are separate questions.
How school admissions differ
Primary One
The Primary One Admission (POA) System has discretionary-place and central-allocation stages. Parents may apply to one government or aided school in any district at the discretionary stage. Admission follows prescribed priority and points rules; schools must not interview or test applicant children at this stage. School nets matter for central allocation, but not every choice is restricted to the home net.
DSS and private primary schools handle their own applications. Accepting a DSS Primary One place means the child will not receive a place through POA; an allocated POA place will be withdrawn. See the EDB's POA frequently asked questions (PDF).
Secondary One
The Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) System also has discretionary-place and central-allocation stages, with different rules from POA. Some DSS secondary schools participate; others recruit separately. Before accepting an offer from a non-participating DSS school, check how the undertaking and registration requirements affect continued participation in SSPA.
Private schools, including international schools, set their own application procedures, assessments and deadlines. Check the current admission-year guidance rather than assuming one timetable applies to every school.
What parents should check before applying
Funding category alone does not establish teaching quality, class size, facilities or the range of activities. Compare individual schools using their published information and direct enquiries:
- Learning: curriculum, subject options, assessment, homework and support for additional learning needs.
- Language: teaching language by subject, Chinese-learning provision and support for new arrivals.
- Cost: total annual expenses, one-off payments and available fee assistance.
- Access: admission eligibility, vacancies, deadlines, journey time and school-bus routes.
Families moving from overseas can approach schools directly or ask an EDB Regional Education Office for placement assistance. Public-sector schools also admit eligible non-Chinese-speaking children; international schooling is not the only route. The EDB's placement guidance covers eligibility, language and applications after term has begun.