An association representing native English-speaking teachers (NETs) in Hong Kong has raised concerns that a newly introduced hiring and pay model could undermine the quality of English education by offering lower salaries and discouraging experienced educators. The Native English Speaking Teachers’ Association cautioned that the shift toward a more flexible, cost-saving scheme risks diminishing the expertise of NETs working in local public schools.

The new scheme, implemented at the start of this academic year, provides primary and secondary schools with government grants of HK$900,000 and HK$1 million respectively. Schools may use these funds to employ NETs, teaching assistants, and subscribe to English-learning resources. However, unlike the traditional model, the pay under the new system is not linked to years of service and is generally lower.

Under the previous arrangement, each school could hire one NET on a fixed salary scale akin to that of civil servants, which included contract gratuities, retention bonuses, and overseas recruitment allowances covering relocation, housing, and medical expenses. Salaries under the traditional scheme ranged from HK$35,080 to HK$67,850 monthly for primary school teachers and up to HK$81,510 for secondary educators, together with a HK$20,989 monthly special allowance. In contrast, the new grants must cover the entire compensation package, including benefits, encouraging schools to manage within fixed budgets.

Andrew Monks, chairman of the NET association, warned that moving away from an experience-based pay structure could gradually reduce the depth of expertise among NETs and compromise educational standards. He noted reports from experienced teachers who had not had their contracts renewed following their schools' adoption of the new scheme. A survey of job postings on major platforms showed that almost all schools hiring NETs for the upcoming academic year had adopted the new model, with fewer than five maintaining the traditional system.

Some of the schools switching to the new scheme have publicly advertised offers with average monthly salaries of HK$37,500 for primary and HK$46,600 for secondary positions, which represent a noticeable decrease compared to the traditional pay levels. The new model also requires applicants to pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum overall band score of 7.5, including at least 7.5 in speaking, even for teachers with years of prior service.

One veteran NET, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration over the changes, describing the shift as a major upheaval that forced him to seek alternative employment under the old scheme to maintain his family’s stability in Hong Kong. He criticized the new requirement to retake English proficiency tests after over a decade of local teaching experience.

While the government’s approach offers schools greater flexibility in recruitment and resource allocation, critics argue it may hamper efforts to attract and retain highly qualified native English-speaking teachers, potentially affecting the quality of English language instruction in public schools.