Nearly 600 students and their teachers from Tai Po Baptist Public School have reunited at a newly renovated campus in Tai Po after months of attending classes at temporary locations following a devastating fire last year. The school officially reopened its new premises at Fu Shin Estate on Monday, bringing an end to a period spent split between two host schools.
The original Tai Po Baptist Public School was situated near Wang Fuk Court, which was severely damaged by a deadly blaze in November that killed 168 people and displaced some 5,000 residents. The school was closed and sealed off to assist with emergency response efforts. School officials later decided to move to a new site due to concerns that the sight of the burnt estate could cause distress for pupils and parents.
From December through August, students attended makeshift classrooms at Tai Po Government Primary School and NTWJWA Christian Remembrance of Grace Primary School. The new campus, previously occupied by CCC Kei Ching Primary School, underwent extensive renovations funded by the Education Bureau at a cost of HK$43.6 million. Improvements included refurbished classrooms, upgraded electrical and air-conditioning systems, revamped toilets, a remodeled assembly hall, and a new basketball court. Additional features include an artificial intelligence sports corridor and six multifunctional rooms designed for counseling, speech therapy, and play.
At the reopening ceremony, Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin remarked on the resilience of the school community, stating the relocation marked “a significant moment for all teachers and students to reunite and embark on a new page together” after the difficulties caused by the fire.
Students and staff expressed relief and excitement about returning to a dedicated campus. Twelve-year-old Primary Six student Chloe Yang said she was happy to see her classmates again and looked forward to engaging in classroom activities as well as enjoying the new sports facilities. Teacher Alice Lai, who had taught at the former site for eight years, described the transition as bittersweet, recalling the vitality of the old campus before the fire and the destruction she witnessed afterward.
Parents also welcomed the reopening. A resident of Wang Shing House whose son is entering Primary Two expressed gratitude for the emotional support provided by teachers over the summer and hoped that the new environment would aid her child’s adjustment following the traumatic event.
School principal Siu Ting noted that enrolment had been affected by the move, with three Primary One classes this year compared to four last year. She emphasized the importance of building trust within the new community and said the school planned to collaborate with various organizations to enhance learning opportunities for students moving forward.