Welcome to Hong Kong

Invitational Education Sharing of Hong Kong Experience By Dr. Peter K. H. Wong Senior School Development Officer Hong Kong SAR Government

Hong Kong School System

Hong Kong Education System

Hong Kong Context Concerns / IssuesConcerns / Issues –Baby Boom in 1990’s Sharp decline of student population in 2000’sSharp decline of student population in 2000’s Closing down of under-enrolled schoolsClosing down of under-enrolled schools Job security issues on teachersJob security issues on teachers –Information / Technology Boom and Globalization in 2000’s Impact on educational needs of students, e.g. Language Education, Moral Education, IT Education, Enhancement of Generic Skills, etcImpact on educational needs of students, e.g. Language Education, Moral Education, IT Education, Enhancement of Generic Skills, etc

Education Reform The need for Education ReformThe need for Education Reform –To meet the arising training needs –To develop pupils’ untapped potential Impact on schoolsImpact on schools –Increased workload on teachers –New demands on teachers’ duty (e.g. planning, writing up evaluation report, being middle managers, etc.)

The Core Businesses  The school education service should develop the potential of every individual child:  independent-minded  socially-aware adults  equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to live a full life as individuals  play a positive role in the life of the community

Education Reform Support from Education and Manpower BureauSupport from Education and Manpower Bureau –Establishment of Regional Education Office –Provision of funding for specific purposes (e.g. Capacity Enhancement Grant, etc.) –Provision of various school development schemes (e.g. Action Learning Projects – Invitational Education)

Key IE Concepts PoliciesPolicies ProcessesProcesses PlacesPlaces ProgramsPrograms PeoplePeople Student Trust Intentionality Respect Optimism

Invitational Education in HK Action Learning Project started in 2002Action Learning Project started in 2002 –9 schools in 2002/03 –18 schools in 2003/04 –36 schools in 2004/05 –32 schools in 2005/06 3 Project Schools were granted IE award3 Project Schools were granted IE award

Invitational Education in HK Reflections on Education Reform:Reflections on Education Reform: –Some criticism against Education Reform in HK: “Education Reform stops at the door steps of the classrooms” – some teachers do not follow the reform strategies recommended by EMB“Education Reform stops at the door steps of the classrooms” – some teachers do not follow the reform strategies recommended by EMB “Whatever you do can be called Education Reform” – schools need systematic way for school development“Whatever you do can be called Education Reform” – schools need systematic way for school development –The conclusion: difficult to impose changes in schools

Bringing Changes to Schools AwarenessAwareness –A time consuming process –Staff development workshops –Developing new paradigm

Bringing Changes to Schools UnderstandingUnderstanding –To understand the needs for new learning and teaching strategies –Learning new ideas –Changing teachers’ perception –Teachers’ become more ready to change

Bringing Changes to Schools ApplicationApplication –Theories into practices –Formulate positive and proactive policies and actions –Trying in small steps –Provide authentic experience for teachers –Demonstration purposes for all staff –Teachers become more skilled, ideas become clearer, shared commitment get stronger

Bringing Changes to Schools AdoptionAdoption –School involved in a systematic way (5Ps) –Attract attention of the whole staff –Everyone contributed to the scheme –Innovative ideas become concrete measures –People working collaboratively

Source of Change Top Down School Leaders Teachers and School Staff Compliance

Source of Change Bottom Up School Leaders Teachers and School Staff Commitment

Source of Change Bottom Up Successful Transformation Top Down

Contribution to Schools Move beyond impossibilitiesMove beyond impossibilities –Right strategies

Contribution to Schools From “Good” to “Great”From “Good” to “Great” –Unintentional  Intentional

Contribution to Schools Education of the HeartEducation of the Heart –From “Hardware” to “Heartware”

Contribution to Schools People make the differencePeople make the difference –Inviting environment –Growth

One hundred years from now it will not matter how much money you made, what kind of car you drove, what sort of house you lived in, but one hundred years from now the world will be a better place because you made a difference in the life of a child.

Should you need any further information, please feel free to contact: Dr. Peter K. H. Wong Senior School Development Officer Hong Kong SAR Government Fax: (852) Invitational Education in HK