The current education structure in Hong Kong was established while under British rule.  As such, the Hong Kong system mirrors what is found in the United Kingdom, where students may choose to attend three years of kindergarten before participating in nine compulsory years of education, after which further education is optional.

Students usually start the kindergarten program at the age of three; this includes grades Kindergarten 1 – 3.  At six years old children are required to begin primary school, which consists of levels Primary 1 – 6.  This completes the first six years of compulsory education.

Kindergarten

The majority of children attend three years of kindergarten before entering primary school, though there is a limited amount of public funding for this pre-school education in Hong Kong.  Since 1997 when Hong Kong was returned to the People’s Republic of China, a number changes have been made in this stage of education.

One adjustment is that kindergarten schools are raising the bar for staff qualifications, thus creating a more professional atmosphere.  Also, in addition to being a place for children to have fun interacting with each other, kindergarten curriculum is focusing more on providing a solid foundation for students before enrolling in primary school.

Primary Education

Primary education in Hong Kong lasts for six years.  Cantonese is the main language of instruction in most schools, and subjects include Science, Social Studies, Chinese, English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Music, and Art.  Hong Kong classrooms tend to have more students than that of Western countries, with an average enrollment of 35 students per class.  Recent years have seen a push for smaller class sizes, but so far no adjustments have been made.

Three examinations are issued in the final two years of primary education and a student’s overall performance helps to determine which secondary school they can attend.  Hong Kong schools are extremely competitive, so high scores are essential for admission into a top-ranked program.

In Hong Kong, there is considerable pressure on children to perform academically from a very young age and school experience is generally a much more challenging and stressful time than in Western countries.

You can find more information on the secondary and tertiary education system in Hong Kong by visiting our website at www.expatguru.com.