shenzhen:Safer transfer for students at checkpoint

Published on October 27, 2008 by brooks | This story has been viewed 170 times

CHILDREN who live in Shenzhen but attend Hong Kong schools may be able to take school buses into the restricted area of the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint when crossing the border in the future.

A plan to open the area for school bus uses is being studied by the government and schools in Hong Kong, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.

Officials and principals of primary schools in Tuen Mun, Yueng Long and Tai Po in the New Territories bordering Shenzhen, inspected the Shenzhen Bay and Huanggang-Lok Ma Chau checkpoints Monday to see if it was possible to open the restricted area for school buses.

After an inspection, it was decided that the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint was preferred as it had more space and less traffi c than the Huanggang Checkpoint, said Chow Kum-cheung, president of association of Tuen Mun principals.

More than 50 children aged between 3 and 7 cross the border through the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint each day. A special lane has been opened for students who cross the border every day. The children’s safety has been a concern for many parents as school buses are prohibited into the large restricted area outside the checkpoint.

An unnamed spokesman for the Hong Kong government said it was also closely monitoring vehicular traffic and the operation process at the transit area at the checkpoint, where Shenzhen Customs and Hong Kong’s immigration department work together.

The spokesman said the Hong Kong government had to make sure the safety of cross-border children was guaranteed before making any decision to allow school buses into the restricted area.

Suen Ming-yeung, head of Hong Kong’s Department of Education, said last Wednesday the department had been working with school bus operators and other related government agencies on detailed proposals for easier transfers for all students at checkpoints.

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