ESF Concerned Parents - Survey and new websites

[LMW]

New website and Facebook pages :-

<snip>

Please take time to look at them and contribute.

From past experience it is known that the management of the ESF pay only scant attention (if at all) to ESF parents and it is only when we stick together that real progress can be accomplished.

 

[testuser]

Hi there, In principle I don't have a problem with what you guys are trying to do ( have received similar emails / calls to join groups etc).

However, given that everything is anonymous ( web site is hidden behind a proxy registration ) etc. I have to ask. Why is it all secret?

I know a group of parents stepped up and voiced their opinions in a number of pieces done by Simon Parry in the SCMP... so who is this group of concerned parents? What are the motivations and what is the desired outcome?

Do you guys want to get someone elected to the board of governors? Do you want to fight the ESF through the education department?

Curious what effect me sending a form letter to an anonymous gmail address would result in.

 

[testuser]

(Note: The website posted was - ESF Concerned Parents )

Sounds very good. But what is the desired outcome?

From my understanding, the structure of the board of governors is not easy to break - it is stacked with ESF nominees from what I can see from the outside.

 

[howardcoombs]

Looked at the website and it got my blood boiling...

Why do so many ESF parents feel entitled to a combination of low fees with high standards when a perfectly good and functioning free school system exists in Hong Kong? It really gets my back up when I read so many comments with such lofty expectations.

If you cannot afford it, go find something more affordable. They do exist out there starting from nearlyFree to private schools that cost a lot less than ESF.

HC

 

[testuser]

Why do so many ESF parents feel entitled to a combination of low fees with high standards when a perfectly good and functioning free school system exists in Hong Kong?

HC - I think there is a very legitimate case for both sides.

- Why should the ESF not get the same amount from the Govt as the local schools can get ( I know why.. but just asking.. )
- Is the ESF a truely local educational body that the Govt "owes" them an equitable amount of money? Payscales are different, ESF teachers are not localized (looking at the photos of the staff, there are few if any asian faces in the faculty / school management).

Would the parents accept that majority of the teachers would be local hires if the government were to provide an equitable subsidy?

All too complicated...

 

[howardcoombs]

Shri, I've heard the sides as well and can appreciate both sides; the point I was trying to focus on was the sense of entitlement by the parents of ESF students.

Why dont these parents who are so dissatisfied vote with their feet and their money? ESF is not the only choice in town. Its not the best choice in town. It offers a decent education but there are many others out there.

HC

 

[mumofone]

ESF concerned parents

Looked at the website and it got my blood boiling...

Why do so many ESF parents feel entitled to a combination of low fees with high standards when a perfectly good and functioning free school system exists in Hong Kong? It really gets my back up when I read so many comments with such lofty expectations.

If you cannot afford it, go find something more affordable. They do exist out there starting from nearlyFree to private schools that cost a lot less than ESF.

HC

So what other choices are out there if English is your only spoken language? I'd love to know about them. I am on a local salary with no expat package at all and we are struggling with school fees and rising rents.

 

[testuser]

A couple of more discussion points based on a conversation over the weekend.

The Basic law ensures that every resident is treated equally.

All Hong Kong residents shall be equal before the law.

From EDB - Placement Assistance

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is committed to providing nine-year free universal basic education to all eligible local children, including non-Chinese speaking ethnic minority children.

Would it not be better for ESF parents, instead of fighting the ESF and demonizing them, to fight for the right of ALL children, instead of just ESF kids, to get subsidies, perhaps in the form of a voucher system?

 

[howardcoombs]

So what other choices are out there if English is your only spoken language? I'd love to know about them. I am on a local salary with no expat package at all and we are struggling with school fees and rising rents.

You should become familiar with this website:
The Government of the Hong Kong SAR
And more importantly with this document:
http://www.edb.gov.hk/FileManager/E...otes_ncs (sep 2010 version for uploading).pdf

There are *MANY* other choices in Hong Kong besides ESF.
Lets also not forget that there is also the choice (and opportunity) of learning Cantonese.

HC

 

[testuser]

HC, But does being educated in a CMI school, severely restrict the choices for a student who may have to integrate back into the system in their home country?

I know most schools in India would not want a CMI educated student being admitted into their schools.