Almost 80 percent of pupils have received places in one of their top three choices of primary schools, Primary One Central Allocation results released on Wednesday showed.

The Education Bureau said nearly 19,500 children took part in the allocation and that more than 15,500 were allocated spots in schools among their first three choices.

Combined with discretionary places, the overall satisfaction rate reached 90 percent.

Still, some parents lined up outside their preferred schools to compete for the remaining places.

A mother, Leung, waited outside a primary school in Yau Ma Tei for “door-knocking” as early as 7.30 am as her son was only allocated his second-choice school.

"This school has a good learning environment, as well as a new and large campus with all kinds of facilities, so I really want my son to be admitted to the school," she said.

"The competition in this school is fierce, so I came here early."

Another man also tried his luck for his grandson, saying their preferred school has more extracurricular activities.

The head of the Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road), Polly Chan Shuk-yee, said it would be more difficult for parents to secure a place for their children by applying to schools directly with fewer “door-knocking” places.

“All government and aided primary schools have lost a ‘door-knocking’ place [per class], making it more difficult than before,” Chan said.

“I think it is not necessary for parents to come 'door-knocking’ if their children have been allocated to schools among their top three choices.”

Chan also said an increase in the number of pupils participating in this year’s primary school allocation was likely to be caused by the influx of mainland talent with their children and the return of some Hongkongers who had emigrated.

Parents can check the school allocation results via the government’s Primary One Application e-Platform, SMS messages, or Primary One Registration Forms delivered by Hongkong Post.

The authorities have appealed to parents to register their children with the schools allocated to them by June 10 or June 11.
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Last updated: 2025-06-04 HKT 13:11