An Overview of Basic Education in Hong Kong and Career Guidance for Non-local Students
An introduction to Hong Kong’s education system was the focus of a well-attended Graduate School seminar on October 14. Guest speaker, Dr Wong Ching Yung, Principal of Scientia Secondary School, delivered the talk, “An Overview of Basic Education in Hong Kong and Career Guidance for Non-local Students.” Most of the 120 students attending the talk have set teaching as their career goal. This seminar provided them with a valuable opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the current situation of education in Hong Kong at the beginning of their postgraduate studies.
Principal Wong’s seminar focused on three main themes: the overall landscape of Hong Kong’s education system and policy support, the structure and progression mechanisms of primary and secondary schools, and the requirements and preparation for entering the teaching profession. Dr Wong first pointed out, that from a macro perspective, The Hong Kong SAR Government attaches great importance to education. Dr Wong explained that the education system is backed by substantial resource allocation and is dedicated to establishing Hong Kong as a hub for top-tier international talent. When outlining the specifics of primary and secondary education in Hong Kong, Principal Wong elaborated on the distinctive features of its educational structure and curriculum. He highlighted that a key difference from mainland China is the integrated junior and senior secondary school system. Furthermore, while Hong Kong’s Education Bureau oversees the curriculum framework, its implementation primarily follows a school-based model characterised by “one framework, multiple textbooks.”
Subsequently, during the comprehensive overview of Hong Kong’s primary and secondary education system and teaching career trajectories, numerous students posed inquiries regarding the suitability of their academic and professional backgrounds for pursuing teaching careers in Hong Kong. Principal Wong emphasised that Hong Kong schools attach great importance to subject-speciality alignment during recruitment, with undergraduate academic background being especially significant. Students are advised to conduct a Qualifications Assessment whenever possible so that potential employers in Hong Kong can better understand their undergraduate qualifications during the job application process. Additionally, it is recommended that those without a teacher training background pursue the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) to meet the necessary qualifications for teaching in Hong Kong.
At the end of the seminar, Principal Wong offered special advice to the students: those applying for teaching positions should be well-prepared and maintain a humble and pragmatic attitude. He advised students to proactively demonstrate how they are preparing to adapt to Hong Kong’s educational environment during interviews. Rather than focusing solely on compensation packages, they should place greater emphasis on articulating their educational philosophy and teaching dedication.
