Hong Kong’s education authorities will relax rules for under-enrolled public secondary schools that merge with others in a bid to encourage consolidation amid declining student numbers.

In a circular sent to all public secondary schools on Wednesday, the Education Bureau said merged schools would be exempt from submitting survival plans in the first three years after merging, even if they fail to admit 30 students or form two Form One classes.

The bureau said the move aimed to “further support the development of merged schools”.

For schools that fail to recruit enough students for the first time after merging, the bureau said it would provide additional annual resources for that cohort when they reach Forms Four to Six.

However, schools can only enjoy the exemption once. They will be required to submit plans on how to remain in operation if they again fail to admit enough students.

In March, the bureau relaxed the same rules for merged public primary schools to encourage more mergers.

The bureau counts student numbers at each public secondary school every September. Under the rules, schools that fail to secure two Form One classes or at least 30 students in the coming September must submit survival plans or face closure.