Quality matters: Early childhood education policy in Hong Kong

Quality matters: Early childhood education policy in Hong Kong

• Rao, Nirmala University of Hong Kong
• Li, Hui University of Hong Kong

Early Child Development and Care, 179(3), 233-245, 2009

Routledge

2009

• Q Philosophy of Education, Educational System & School At Different Levels
  • QB Pre-school Education, Child Caring Facilities, Maternal & Infantile Health Facilities
• P Social Context of Education
  • PE Law & Education ; Politics & Education
• R Educational Policy & Administration
  • RA Government Department
• M Teachers & Education for Teachers
  • MA Professional Education for Teachers
• R Educational Policy & Administration
  • RD Educational Finance & Resource Allocation
• R Educational Policy & Administration
  • RF School Supervision, Accountability & Inspection: Education Indicators, Privatization of School

Education -- Standards Early Childhood Education Government Policy Kindergarten Teachers Education -- Finance Child Development Early Childhood Policy Hong Kong Preschool Quality

• Hong Kong

• 1997.7 onwards

• Pre-Primary Education

This paper critically analyses how the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region has tackled the issue of preschool quality over the past 30 years. Although early childhood education is not part of the publicly funded education system, there is almost universal preschool attendance among three to six year olds. The government regulates, monitors and evaluates early childhood services, and has taken numerous steps to improve the quality of early childhood provision. However, a paradox lurks within government policy. On one hand, the facility-focused and provider-focused regulatory standards for the operation of preschools have been faulted for being too lax; but, on the other hand, policies and incentives have clearly improved the quality of preschool education. These include measures to support the upgrading of serving kindergarten teachers and an emphasis on quality assurance. The implementation of enabling policies is essential to ensure that all children have access to high-quality early education and care.
[Copyright of Early Child Development and Care is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03004430601078644]

• English

Journal Articles

• 03004430

• 10.1080/03004430601078644

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/bibs/bbcf11d3

2010-11-24