Members pose for photos during the unveiling of the Foshan Zhongshan Whampoa Star-Rise School for Hong Kong and Macao Students, in the Shunde district of Foshan, Guangdong province, on March 20, 2024. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Shunde district in Foshan, Guangdong province, unveiled its first dedicated school for Hong Kong and Macao students on Wednesday, which when operational will feature diversified Hong Kong and international education systems.

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The Foshan Zhongshan Whampoa Star-Rise School for Hong Kong and Macao Students, established by Zhongshan Whampoa International Education Co Ltd, offers a 12-year curriculum and has the capacity for 995 students. It is set to commence formal classes in September this year, with an initial intake of 200 students.

In recent years, several schools for students from the two special administrative regions have been founded in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Dongguan, following an overall development plan for the Greater Bay Area, which highlights educational exchanges and cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao

“The school is committed to fully implementing the Hong Kong curriculum framework and the IB program to prepare students for global educational opportunities. In addition, the school also embraces Foshan's unique cultural heritage by developing courses in martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine,” said Huang Haifeng, chairman of the education group.

Last year, the company also established a school for Hong Kong and Macao students in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province.

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In recent years, several schools for students from the two special administrative regions have been founded in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Dongguan, following an overall development plan for the Greater Bay Area, which highlights educational exchanges and cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

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Eddie Ng Hak-kim, former secretary for education for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said at the opening ceremony for the new school in Foshan that the integration of education in the Greater Bay Area is an emerging trend.

“The continuous emergence of these international schools which have inserted Hong Kong and Macao education systems will bring a fresh atmosphere to the education sector, but each school should strive to showcase and leverage the unique cultural characteristics of its local community,” he said.

Contact the writer at grace@chinadailyhk.com