Private schools statute amended to allow establishment of schools in Hengqin

The Legislative Assembly passed a bill revising the framework governing the teaching personnel of non-tertiary education private schools and the general rules for such schools during its final reading yesterday.

The amendments are all related to the inclusion of subsidiary schools operated by local institutions within the local system in the Cooperation Zone of Hengqin.

The bill also aimed to adjust the regulation so that the rules imposed by the Macau side on aspects such as staff hiring, fund transfers, and other elements do not contravene the existing laws of the mainland.

Lawmakers were primarily concerned about the topic of hiring staff, calling for priority to be given to local teachers to work at those schools rather than hiring mainland staff members, as well as ensuring that local labor rights also apply to these institutions.

In response, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, O Lam, stated that after obtaining authorization to establish a school, the institution must sign agreements and initiate a series of procedures, including the signing of contracts for local teaching staff in accordance with the labor law.

She also added that staff have the right to choose which labor law they prefer to follow – the mainland’s or Macau’s.

She added that, according to the existing agreements, most matters will be regulated by local laws. However, it has been established that in cases of major disputes or actions involving crimes, issues will be handled in accordance with mainland laws.

O Lam also reaffirmed that the local government has made it clear to school operators that they should prioritize the hiring of Macau residents and has also requested that wages and other benefits, such as the provident fund for teaching staff, should not be inferior to the standards applied in local schools.

Currently, there is only one local institution that will operate a school in Hengqin – a branch of Hou Kong Middle School.