Kiangsu & Chekiang Primary School & Kindergarten

[littleho]

If you are interested in KCS primary, one thing you have to bear in mind is that there are 11 KCS K1 classes and only four KCS Primary P1 classes. That's mean there is competition for entry in its primary section even for its own kindergarten students. The competition becomes intensified this year. Many of my son's classmates were not accepted. While some of them are given a second chance of interview, there is no waiting list.

Is it true that a lot of KCS students are local Cantonese speaking, and therefore the playground language is Cantonese? Just wondering how my kid would do there in terms of making friends since she speaks English and only some Mandarin. Also curious about the quality of the Mandarin instruction in terms of accents - I have a friend from Beijing who told me most people in HK speak Mandarin with a strong Cantonese accent; of course I can't tell (and honestly not sure if I care), but would that be an issue for KCS?

Lastly, does anyone know how much the fees are for KCS and KCIS? I find their websites hard to navigate. Thanks in advance!

 

[ssheng]

Wow, it's hard to believe they would intentionally set up a system whereby they had to drop 2/3rds of their students! I am guessing some of those kids would naturally leave anyway, but that sounds like a major disincentive to attend the school and then lose a priority you would have had from being in a different school during the reception year.

 

[howardcoombs]

Its not a question of they wanting to drop - its something they have to deal with.

The reality is that many parents want their kids to have a Mandarin education but have no idea of the amount of effort it takes to do so. They quickly realize it and pull their kids out.

As for the disincentive : KCS is fairly unique in Hong Kong being only one of 2 or 3 affordable Mandarin schools. There are no shortage of parents and kids wanting to go there.

 

[littleho]

Most of my son's classmates will not go to KCS primary school, simply because their parents would only consider other government/subsidised schools which almost do not charge them tuition fee (The tuition fee for KCS primary is HK$3,XXX). Parents of KCS kindergarten students came from all walks of life. Some are rich and some are less affluent.

Like ESF Kindergarten, KCS Kindergarten does not guarantee their students can go to its primary section. But, the affordable tuition fee (HK$1,860 per month or HK$460 with educational coupoun), good Mandarin/English language environment and the growing China economy (the world's second largest) continue to gain appeal to more and more parents to put their kids in the school. Please take a look on the following link which shows you the application period (only two days in this year).

http://www.kcs.edu.hk/kg201110-activity.html

 

[ssheng]

Howard - I can see a lot of non-locals pulling their kids out as the effort to learn Mandarin might be more than what they expected, but I thought you said the school was mostly locals; surely they aren't surprised to see the effort it takes to learn Chinese. That being said, littleho's reason on the cost makes sense to account for the other portion of students leaving the school. I also come from a country that has 'free' public schools, so even the lower price of KCS primary as compared to the international schools is significant.

I didn't realize there were 2 or 3 affordable Mandarin schools. I thought there was only KCS, since the other ones (SIS, ISF CIS, Yew Chung) are all extremely expensive international schools.

 

[howardcoombs]

Whether local or expat or mixed, the effort is the same. You are learning a new language. Some find its too hard, some parents think its too much pressure for their precious ones, some dont want to pay the fees. The end result is the same : smaller primary student body.

As for fees, I guess it depends on what you define as affordable.
KCS is around 30-40K
YewChung is around 70-80K
Victoria is around 70-80K
I call those "affordable"
SIS, ISF, CIS are all near 150-160K -- I call those very expensive.

 

[littleho]

China, being a developing country albeit the second largest in terms of economic size, is increasingly important. Today, the premier recruiters may require the graduates to speak Mandarin. If China economy keeps growing, graduates who are literate will have definitive advantages in the employment market. Remember Chinese language is far more difficult than English.

KCS Kindergarten is a very good choice and it took me two hours to queue for application for my younger son this year.

Howard - I can see a lot of non-locals pulling their kids out as the effort to learn Mandarin might be more than what they expected, but I thought you said the school was mostly locals; surely they aren't surprised to see the effort it takes to learn Chinese. That being said, littleho's reason on the cost makes sense to account for the other portion of students leaving the school. I also come from a country that has 'free' public schools, so even the lower price of KCS primary as compared to the international schools is significant.

I didn't realize there were 2 or 3 affordable Mandarin schools. I thought there was only KCS, since the other ones (SIS, ISF CIS, Yew Chung) are all extremely expensive international schools.

 

[Beijingmum]

I'm a madarin teacher, and I have 4 students in ISF, who is in 1 and 3 and 5 grade, I don't think it's a good choice for none Chinese speaking family .

First is because your kids can hardly reach the standard level both in Chinese and math, cause they learn through the second language.

Second is because they learn traditional Chinese, that's very difficult so your kids need a lot of time to practice it everyday,and it will be no use. I've heard that most of the students are from hk or Taiwan, so, they think traditional Chinese is better for their kids.

Finally, besides 15k per year, u should prepare another at least 5k per year, because your kids can not do everyday home work without a tutor.

So for some parents, it's really a nightmare.

 

[Obiwan]

First is because your kids can hardly reach the standard level both in Chinese and math, cause they learn through the second language.

Hi Beijingmum, can you kindly clarify what you meant by "they learn through the second language"? What language is Math taught in in ISF?

 

[howardcoombs]

I'm a madarin teacher, and I have 4 students in ISF, who is in 1 and 3 and 5 grade, I don't think it's a good choice for none Chinese speaking family........So for some parents, it's really a nightmare.

Let me make this statement : Chinese parents should not send their kids to English schools, especially if they dont speak English. Its too hard on kids, English is a very complicated and funny language plus you will need to spend a lot of money on tutors. Your kids will hardly reach the standard in English and Math because they learn through the second language. For some parents, its really a nightmare.

I hope its patently obvious to all that both of those statements are absolutely ridiculous.

Ofcourse its hard; but for those of us willing to take on the challenge with our kids, it is immensely rewarding.