Parents concerned about future of troubled nursery
Parents have expressed concerns about a kindergarten in Sheung Shui after the Education Bureau said its operations and financial management failed to meet standards. Bilok Anglo-Chinese Kindergarten was earlier told by the bureau that from the 2023/24 school year, it no longer qualifies for the Kindergarten Education Scheme under which subsidies are granted to kindergartens and pupils. But officials also said pupils already attending the nursery or were accepted before August 15 won't be affected. Meanwhile, it's understood that a director of the kindergarten was arrested by the police this week on suspicion of forgery. The suspect, a 66-year-old woman, is accused of tampering with official correspondence addressed to parents. Some parents on Thursday told RTHK they were taken aback by the developments. "The kindergarten said it's experiencing financial problems, but it didn't tell us that anyone had been arrested," said a mother surnamed Tsang. "Now I'm really worried and scared because my children are in senior classes. It could be difficult trying to find another kindergarten." Another parent said she's not taking any chances. "I have already applied to another school... I'm concerned that this kindergarten might suddenly close. If that happens, it will cause a lot of trouble." The Education Bureau said it would not comment on the arrest, citing the ongoing police investigation.