The Hong Kong Chief Executive delivers a policy address in January of each year, covering a full range of government policies. The policy areas covered are typically reflective of the concerns of the Hong Kong general public, and education is usually among one of the most keenly followed.
Primary
Subsidies for Kindergarten education was one of the key education topics this year. While not answered directly, a key issue in the media for this sector is places required to cater for children born in Hong Kong with Mainland Chinese parents, who come across the border from Shenzhen by the thousands to partake in Hong Kong’s education system.
Secondary
At secondary level, the funding was announced for public sector secondary schools to increase resource for career counseling. This is intended to help students better understand their interests, deepen their understanding of careers options and awareness of the pathways to future studies.
Tertiary
At tertiary level, places for entry to senior year undergraduate places are being increased from 4,000 to 5,000. This is to cater for sub-degree graduates, however falls well short of demand, considering that 30,000 or so students in Hong Kong are studying sub-degree courses. The effect on demand for UK top-up degrees delivered via TNE arrangements should therefore be minimal.
Despite calls from the public and other stakeholders to increase the number of publicly funded undergraduate places, the policy address stated the reason of demographics (decline in secondary school aged population) for planning cautiously on this issue. This is good news for student mobility to the UK, as a shortfall in publicly funded provision of undergraduate places is one of the key drivers of mobility to the UK.
A new scholarship scheme was announced for study outside of Hong Kong, an indication that the Hong Kong government recognises studying abroad as a continuing part of the Hong Kong education landscape. The new scheme is set to be established starting from the 2015/16 academic year, and to support up to “100 outstanding students per cohort to study in renowned universities” outside Hong Kong.
The policy address also covered studying in Mainland China as an emerging higher education option, stating that 2,200 Hong Kong students entered university in the Mainland last year.
Regarding student exchange, the policy address quoted that 4,600 Hong Kong students went abroad on exchange programmes in 2012/13, with a similar number of incoming students. The address proposed a means tested subsidy for students going on exchanges.
Finally, the previously proposed site of a new university campus at Queens Hill, in which some UK institutions expressed an interest, has been allocated for residential property purposes instead.
Vocational
The policy address covered the need to boost Vocational Education, and acknowledged the perception problem that it has in Hong Kong:
“Currently, some members of the society consider university education as the goal for young people to have a successful pathway in the future. In fact, vocational education plays a pivotal role in equipping students of different aspirations and capabilities with a solid foundation in professional education.”
While noting this need, the address was also short on specifics, other than stating a need to step up promotion of vocational options and setting up a Task Force to map a strategy.
Source: Hong Kong Education Bureau release
Should you have any queries about the Hong Kong market, and prospects for student recruitment or institution partnerships please contact Steve Corry, Regional Business Development Manager at (852) 2913 5156 or e-mail to Steven.corry@britishcouncil.org.hk.