Hong Kong had adopted creativity and vital thinking in education. The latest reforms espoused in the syllabus of Hong Kong, has made its education system to be on par with global standards, thereby producing brilliant and proficient students. From the year of 2000 to 2006, a big revamp in curriculum, language instruction, and assessment procedure was carried out in the schools of Hong Kong. There was a paradigm shift from exam centric study to that of development of a completer individual, i.e., for instance Civil and Moral education, Community service, development of Intellectuality, aesthetic and physical improvement, service for the community and experience that are career relevant..

Types of Schools

Four kinds of schools follow the syllabus of Hong Kong. A few schools are administered by the Government, while a majority of the schools are subsidized institutions, which are administered by the religious or charitable associations. Christian schools are well-known for their meticulous educational standards. Even though most of them do not get funds from the Government, however they come under the scheme of direct subsidy. Financial assistance is given for the private schools showing good performance. Apart from other schools, there are several international schools which cater to the needs of the students, who opt for education under another optional scheme. Most of these schools adopt the SAT, GCEAL, AP or the IB (International Baccalaureate) programs.

Education structure

Since, the education structure for Hong Kong was formed, during the colonial period; it has the reflections of the British Education pattern. Kids participate in three non-compulsory years of Kinder garden (normally this education begins at the age of 3 years), then a primary school of six year duration (gradesP1 to p6), followed by junior and senior secondary school (form one, two, three, and form four and five). The education for primary to secondary level is mandatory.

Students who wish to have a degree in a University are enrolled for an extra two years in Matriculation or secondary schools (Form six and seven).To get a bachelor’s degree, a three year program are provided by most of the Universities. In 2012, changes are to be implemented. The system is to be Globalized, which comprises of junior secondary (three years duration), senior secondary (three years duration), and normative undergraduate degree (four year duration).

Primary education

Primary education in Hong Kong encompasses a wide syllabus. English, Chinese, and General Studies and Mathematics are the main subjects covered. Importance are also are given to Physical Education, Music and Arts. Subsequent to the transfer of Hongkong’s sovereignty in the year 1997, only a few primary and secondary schools, under the policy of the new government are able to maintain English as the medium of instruction. These schools are called as EMI (English as Medium of Instruction) schools.

Secondary education

The Secondary education of Hong Kong depends on the system of English schools. Ten percent of these schools are single sex schools. Based on the policy of the schools, the majority grammar school students in form 4 should select any of the streams such as “Commerce”, “Science “and “Arts”. After the completion of form 5, the students should take the HKCEE (Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination). This exam is equal to the GCSE of UK or the exam at the O-level.

International education

International schools like the Hong Kong International School, Li Po Chun United World College, Canadian International School, German Swiss International School, Chinese International School, Yew Chung International School and French International School imparts education with English being the main language. Some of these schools apart from English are also bilingual, teaching in other languages like French, German and Chinese. Most of these International schools adopt the International Baccalaureate (IBDP) program and they enter the Universities by means of non-JUPAS direct entry.

Higher Education

In Hong Kong, any education, which is advanced than the secondary education, is regarded as Higher Education. Under the law of Hong Kong, the Higher education is highest regulated education.

Statutory universities

Except the Open University of Hong Kong, which is a self finance institution at present, the UGC (University Grants Committee) funds the statutory universities.

The eight statutory universities

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong Baptist University

City University of Hong Kong

Lingnan University

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Open University of Hong Kong