Reported closure of Little Frog tutorial centre prompts complaints, investigation
Hong Kong Free Press
Authorities in Hong Kong are looking into complaints over the reported closure of Little Frog Learning Centre, after parents and staff accused the English tutorial school of shutting down “without prior notice” and delaying salary payments.
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department confirmed with HKFP on Thursday that it received reports of a suspected violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance by the learning centre.
Week-long closure
Complaints against the language school came to light on Tuesday, when Tuen Mun Area Committee member Mark Chong said he received enquires about the school’s status as its Yuen Long branch had remained closed since last Wednesday.
According to Chong, Little Frog was closed on the May 1 Labour Day public holiday and was supposed to reopen the next day. But the centre informed parents that it would remain closed for two more days due to “internal maintenance work.”
“But the Yuen Long branch has still not reopened… Parents suspect that they have been scammed,” Chong wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.
HKFP has reached out to Little Frog for comment.
The Trade Descriptions Ordinance stipulates that it is illegal for any trader to accept payment with the intention of not providing the related services, or with the intention of providing services significantly different from the ones advertised.
It is also considered a violation of the law if a trader accepts payment without reasonable grounds to believe that they can provide the related services within a specified or reasonable timeframe. Those convicted can face a fine of up to HK$500,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.
The department told HKFP on Thursday that it had to consider the “specific circumstances and relevant evidence” of each individual case in order to determine whether it had breached the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
“However, each case has its own unique characteristics, and generalisations cannot be made,” the department said.
Overdue salary
On Wednesday, Chong said some parents had reported the case to the police and the Education Bureau after they failed to reach the proprietor. The parents were worried that the centre would close down “without prior notice,” Chong said.
Some staff members of Little Frog also sought assistance from Chong and claimed that the company had not paid their salary in March and April. Some contacted the Labour Department, the area committee member said.
In response to HKFP’s enquiries, the Education Bureau said on Thursday that it was aware of the language centre’s closure and had contacted the school immediately to learn about the situation. The bureau was “solemnly following up” on the case in accordance with established mechanism, it said.
The bureau also confirmed that it received requests for assistance from individual parents.
“[The bureau] will continue to maintain close communication with the school and strongly urge them to provide appropriate assistance and support to the affected students and parents,” a Chinese email reply from the bureau read.
According to the Education Bureau, Little Frog Learning Centre has seven private schools registered under the Education Ordinance, offering informal courses. The branches were located in Yuen Long and Tseung Kwan O.
Little Frog states on its Facebook page that it has four campuses – one in Yuen Long, one in Tseung Kwan O and two in Tin Shui Wai. HKFP called all four branches on Thursday afternoon and no one picked up.
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