Sir Ellis Kadoorie Secondary School (West Kowloon)


Should parents let their children go to school under inclement weather conditions?

When inclement weather may affect the safety of students, the Education Bureau (EDB) will keep in close contact with the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). In the event of tropical cyclones and heavy persistent rain, with reference to the latest information provided by the HKO, the EDB will announce the school suspension arrangements for the corresponding periods via the following channels:

  • mass media;
  • the EDB website (http://www.edb.gov.hk/en);
  • the EDB hotline (Tel: 2891 0088);
  • the webpage “Press Releases” on the Government website (http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/today.htm); and
  • the GovHK website or the “GovHK Notifications” mobile application (http://www.gov.hk/en/theme/govhknotifications/?category=OGCMN052*&lang=en).

    Parents should pay close attention to the EDB’s announcements to stay informed about the latest arrangements. Even when no weather warning is in force, parent can also stay updated on the latest weather conditions and “Special Weather Tips” through the HKO webpage on “Weather Information for Schools” (https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/school/school.htm) or the “MyObservatory” mobile application (https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/myobservatory.htm) to assess whether activities or journeys will be affected by relevant weather conditions.

    Regarding inclement weather conditions, including the issuance of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or above, Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, and other special weather conditions, the EDB has established a communication mechanism with the HKO and issued the Circular to inform schools of the measures to be taken for tropical cyclones or heavy persistent rain. Parents can make reference to the relevant materials including the TV Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs), Rainstorm Warning Posters, Leaflets, Bookmarks and Labels.

    The EDB reiterates, when a RED or BLACK Rainstorm Warning Signal has been issued, students should continue the lessons until the end of normal school hours; schools should ensure that conditions are safe before allowing students to return home. Parents do not need to pick up their children from school immediately.

    In addition, as the situations in localised area(s) may differ from the territory as a whole, emergencies may also arise unexpectedly. Such situations should be handled in accordance with the individual circumstances in a flexible manner to ensure the safety of students. In this regard, the EDB Circular stipulated that parents can exercise their discretion in deciding whether or not to send their children to school having regard to the weather conditions. They should keep their children at home for the sake of safety if the local weather, roads, slopes or traffic are in adverse conditions. Schools will exercise discretion in handling the students for lateness for school or absence from school at parents’ discretion on the respective day with inclement weather or flooding, and such students will not be penalised for that reason.

    Reference: https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/student-parents/parents-related/ebulletin-for-parents/2024-2025/20250411.html


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