Taiwan is looking at a new admission route for Hong Kong students to secondary schools on the self-ruled island over concerns about Beijing’s national security law in the former British colony, according to a news report.

The island’s education ministry unveiled plans to amend its law to allow students aged below 18 from Hong Kong and Macao to study in Taiwan’s secondary schools and technical institutes, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported.

Under current laws, people who have no residency rights can only apply to study at universities and their preparatory classes through an admission program for overseas students.

The proposals would ask school principals and school sponsoring organizations in Taiwan to act as the guardians of Hong Kong students whose parents could not accompany them to the island, the report said.

Hong Kong students who complete schooling in Taiwan would also be given one year of extended stay to seek jobs there.

Earlier this week, Taiwan’s National Development Council announced plans to relax restrictions on hirings of Hong Kong professionals. Authorities have pledged to offer aid to Hongkongers after Beijing imposed a draconian national security law in Hong Kong in June.

Hong Kong students might find it difficult to adapt to Taiwan’s syllabus, particularly in arts subjects, Ng Po-shing, a studies consultant at Hok Yau Club, told Apple Daily.

It would make more sense for Hong Kong students to complete their six years of secondary schooling locally before considering further studies in Taiwan, Ng said.

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