International schools may benefit from expected leaving of Hong Kong expatriates

February 19, 2020 | 14:32

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International schools in Vietnam may welcome a rising number of foreign students as expatriates in Hong Kong wish to leave for the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

international schools may benefit from expected leaving of hong kong expatriates

Expatriates living in Hong Kong may depart for other Southeast Asian countries to avoid the epidemic

With six out of 17 coronavirus cases having been cured in Vietnam – a positive sign for local investment – expatriates in Hong Kong may shift to the Southeast Asian country to avoid the epidemic season.

Vietnam currently has 24 international schools, including 11 in Hanoi and 13 in Ho Chi Minh City. At least half of the students of non-nationals, in line with Decree No.86/2018/ND-CP outlining the ratio of overseas students at foreign-invested education institutes.

Bloomberg has quoted the French, and British chambers of commerce in the country as saying that foreign families are considering to leave Hong Kongif the coronavirus epidemic is prolonged in the area.

“If the specific needs of international schools cannot be rapidly addressed, this will very likely trigger decisions of families (not just expatriates) to leave Hong Kong in the coming weeks,” wrote Rebeca Silli and Peter Burnett, chairmen of the French and British chambers. “This would also have dramatic consequences on the international schools’ financial position, even to the point of putting at risk the continued operation of some.”

Hong Kong students have not returned to school since the scheduled Lunar New Year break in late January. The city has 56 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and is on the front lines of the global battle to contain the illness, which has claimed more than 1,300 lives in mainland China since emerging in December.

By Van Anh

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