ESF non-refundable deposit

To all parents of kids starting ESF this year...


Does anyone else agree with me that asking parents to pay a non-refundable deposit is a bit ridiculous??? Who knows where anyone will be in 7 months in this economy?


I want to take the issue to ESF and plan to ring them tomorrow but am wondering if I am off base thinking that is unacceptable or if there are other parents who want to take up this issue.


I am happy to pay a deposit to secure my child's place but if for any reason we cannot enroll her I want to know I will get that deposit back!!

I don't see the problem. CDNIS and FIS do the same. I don't know the ESF number but at CDNIS and FIS it is about HK$ 500 so it's not a huge amount.


Also, put yourself in the school's position. This way they are paid for the processing (which is definitely not free) whatever happens. If everything was refundable they would stand to lose a big chunk on pupils on the waiting list that then don't start at the school.

I really don't see the issue here. A non refundable deposit is a requirement of the ESF and if it is something that you do not agree with you have every right to choose another school. I think you will find that this is the least deposit (by far) of all the International Schools out there. Although it is non refundable it does pay for the first couple of months school fees which many other deposits at other schools do not. The deposit paid at my childs previous international school would make your eyes water the ESF amount is so reasonable in comparison. The reason behind the deposit is that there are far too many children on the wait list and by paying the deposit you are making a committment to sending your child to the school. In Hong Kong it is very normal to place ones child on several wait lists so if you have to pay a deposit you would be serious hopefully of taking up the place. Please do take the issue up with ESF and I am sure it will get you absolutely no where, it is fair and makes the system fair for all. Be very sure though before paying the deposit that you will be enrolling your child as if for any reason you do not take up the place you will not get back the deposit.

The deposit came into being a few years ago for exactly the reasons others have mentioned- people signing up for more than one school then cancelling at the last minute, while others on the waiting list spent months worrying. This way means that only people who are serious about going there will sign up. As with many things, the selfish few have ruined it for the majority.

And it's true that at other schools that the deposit doesn't often go towards the fees - at least this way you won't have anything to cough up in September.