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Students advised to check school registration
The Education Department and the Consumer Council advise students to be cautious in seeking admission to an educational institution.
"The department will exercise prudential control over private educational institutions, both in regard to their operation and the way they advertise their courses," Senior Education Officer, Mr Tse Tak-on, said.
"Students should check in the advertisement the registration number of the institution. Any person who fails to do so or falsely claims to be registered with the department in the advertisement will commit an offence and may be liable on conviction to a fine of $10,000."
Students should note that some institutions may operate a chain of centres in various districts under the same name but with only some of the centres properly registered.
"An institution that operates without registration may jeopardise the studies of its students in that there is no control as to the safety of the premises, sanitary conditions or teacher qualifications," Mr Tse said.
Schools are required to display in a conspicuous place in each of the registered premises the registration certificate showing the name of school in English and Chinese, address and registration number and a fees certificate in respect of the class, tuition fee per instalment and number of instalments.
"By looking at the registration and fees certificates, students who wish to enrol at an institution or on a course should know whether or not requirements set out in the Education Ordinance are complied with," Mr Tse said.
Meanwhile, Chief Complaint and Advice Officer from the Consumer Council, Mr Chan Wing-kai, advised students to check their fee receipt against the assurances offered by the institution they intended to enrol at.
"Students may ask the institution to list in black and white on the receipt their assurances such as free gifts, claims of guaranteed good results at public exam or qualified tutors to teach the course.
"If students feel they have been deceived by the institution, they may seek assistance from the Consumer Council," he said.