Parents whose children begin studying at the four kindergartens, five secondary and nine primary schools run by the ESF after 2016 will find the fees much higher than they are now as the government begins phasing out its subsidy to ESF schools.

With international school places in short supply, the loss of subsidy has raised questions about the future of English-medium education and concern that a lack of school places could hit the city's competitiveness by deterring talented international professionals from moving to the city.

Writes Linda Yeung for South China Morning Post.