Department of Early Childhood Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education
Abstract
In the midst of educational reforms that are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in a globalized economy, early childhood education in Hong Kong retains unique ties to the colonial past and maintains particular cultural traditions and practices that are influenced by the ideas of Confucius. Renewed interest and significant investment in early childhood education are western responses to the idea that “getting it right” in the early years has considerable long-term benefits and cost-saving outcomes. In contrast, when compared with other countries such as England, early childhood education in Hong Kong receives little financial support from the government (due to change soon with the introduction of education vouchers) and requirements for qualified staff are relatively low. This article offers an "outsider" perspective of some of the challenges facing early childhood education in Hong Kong using perspectives that draw on recent examples of globalization. It is put forward in the spirit of encouraging further discussion and analysis about early childhood education in the SAR and considers some aspects of early childhood education that have been the focus of attention since the reunification with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1997
