The setting up of Independent Schools is one step towards the excellence of education. An independent school enjoys the privilege of setting up their own scale of fees, the types of students to accept, the appointment of teachers and principals as well as in curriculum matters. However they also conform to national education policies such as the bilingual policy, the teaching of Civics and Moral Education and the preparation of students for national examinations.

Autonomous Schools

Autonomous schools can be government or government aided schools. They are given additional funds and more leeway to execute their mission of providing quality education. These schools also conform to national education policies.

SAP Schools

The Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools are established to maintain high standards in both English and Chinese while preserving the traditional ethos existing in the schools. The secondary SAP schools offer the Special course where pupils learn Chinese at a higher level and English.

Cluster School

The School Cluster Scheme was mooted as a management model to enhance the management of schools by reducing centralized control and decision making. Under the scheme, a group of schools form a cluster coordinated by a Superintendent with the responsibility of facilitating networking and collaboration among the Principals of the cluster schools. The Superintendents are also in charged of developing and supervising the Principals.

Single Session Schools

Some schools used to have double-session, i.e. two group of students, one group studies in the morning from 7.30 AM to 1.00 PM and the other group from 1.00 PM to 6.30PM. However by year 2000, all schools will be single-session. The reason for this change is so that the school can make use of available facilities for extra-curricular activities and enrichment programs in the afternoons.

Special Schools