One Hong Kong, two histories: 'History' and 'Chinese history' in the Hong Kong school curriculum

One Hong Kong, two histories: 'History' and 'Chinese history' in the Hong Kong school curriculum

• Kan, Flora Dept. of Curriculum Studies, University of Hong Kong
• Vickers, Edward

Comparative Education, 38(1), 73-89, 2002

Routledge

2002

• G Curriculum, Teaching & Learning: Specific Disciplines
  • GF Humanities & Arts

Colonialism Educational Practices Foreign Countries Government School Relationship Historiography History Instruction Local History Politics of Education Secondary Education Secondary School Curriculum China Hong Kong

• Hong Kong

• 1950s
• 1960s
• 1970s
• 1980s
• 1990-1997.6
• 1997.7 onwards

• Secondary Education

Hong Kong's school history curriculum is unique worldwide in that it consists of two entirely separate subjects--'History' and 'Chinese History'--which differ not only in content, but also in terms of their pedagogy and their assumptions concerning the nature of history as a discipline. The distinct subject of 'Chinese History' was first created in the 1950s, largely in response to the colonial government's desire to limit the politicisation of local schools. However, there was subsequently little interference by the government in the development of curricula for the 'two histories'. The pattern of curriculum development for history in Hong Kong over the past few decades does not support conventional theories concerning the impact of colonialism on education. On the contrary, it suggests that the relationship of colonialism to curriculum development may in Hong Kong's case be better understood in terms of a mutually convenient collaboration between the government and local educational elites.
[Copyright of Comparative Education is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03050060120103865]

• English

Journal Articles

• 03050068

• 10.1080/03050060120103865

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/en/bibs/4b26c418

2010-09-24