Most Prominent International Schools in Hong Kong, 2021

1. 2021 | VOL-02 | ISSUE-02 MOST PROMINENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, IN HONG KONG, 2021 English Schools Foundation Creating the best conditions for students to thrive, nurturing them to be the best they can be

4. EDITOR’S NOTE BREATHE EASY EXPATS IN HONG KONG R The foremost dilemma that expatriates face is finding a school that imparts quality education meeting the global standards, and at the same time practising inclusivity among different races and local students. But if Hong Kong is the country, you can rest assured with respect to the quality of education and overall development of your child. elocating to a new country can be overwhelming considering the transition in general and education for children in particular. Hong Kong has always given high importance to education and has always encouraged a competitive environment in schools. Overall, the education system in Hong Kong – public or private schools, is of high standards. But if you are an expat in Hong Kong or are relocating, international schools are the best bargain if you do not speak Cantonese. The private

5. international schools are known to provide relaxed curricula in contrast to the strict ones in public schools. Children will enjoy learning in sprawling campuses with state-of-the-art facilities, extracurricular activities and will form friendships across the globe to last a lifetime. Hong Kong International School that encourages progressive thinking and prepares your child to be a global citizen. As you flip through the pages of this interesting edition, please do read the CXO point of view by an expert and articles curated by our in-house editorial team. Many international schools have been established in Hong Kong for the children of expats and also for the local people since long. The curriculums include US, UK, French, German, Australian, Canadian, Japanese, Korean, Singaporean and International Baccalaureate. Education for expats in Hong Kong is definitely one of the best. So, relax, read and help your child get the best from international schools and forge lifelong friendships across cultures and races. Owing to the competition it is always advisable that expats make a list of international schools that they would like their children to be admitted to and apply in a number of them well in advance. In addition, relocat- ing to another country or moving back to one’s own will not hamper the higher education of the child. On the contrary, they can get admitted to topmost universities or colleges anywhere in the world. Happy reading! T R One of the oldest international schools is the English Schools Foundation, established by the British during their rule in Hong Kong. Today, it is one of the most preferred schools for expats. We have featured this school on the cover page of our latest edition of The Knowledge Review – Most Prominent International Schools in Hong Kong, 2021. We have also featured Sumita Sarkar sumita@theknowledgereview.com

6. 08 English Schools Foundation Creating the best conditions for students to thrive, nurturing them to be the best they can be Reinventing Teaching Education in the post pandemic World: How teachers have upskilled to conform to the new normal 28 CXO

7. Articles 18 32 Expat Education Education in Hong Kong for the Expatriate Families Focus on Quality What Makes Education in Hong Kong Outstanding? CONTENTS 22 Hong Kong International School A Playground for Progressive Thinking

8. sales@insightssuccess.com FEBRUARY, 2021 People behind this edition Follow us on: www.facebook.com/theknowledgereview/ Editor-in-Chief Sumita Sarkar twitter.com/theknowledgerv Senior Editor Anish Miller Managing Editor Abhishaj Sajeev Quality Assurance Team Aditya, Sharad We are also available on: Darshan Parmar Contributing Editor Visualiser David King Art & Design Head Asha Bange CORPORATE OFFICE Co-designer Paul Belin Art & Picture Editor Deepanjali Jena The Knowledge Review Insights Success Media Tech LLC 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-602-1754 Email: info@theknowledgereview.com For Subscription: theknowledgereview.com Business Development Manager Phill Miller Marketing Manager Mary D'souza Business Development Executive Mark Taylor, John Mathew, Olivia Wood The Knowledge Review Off. No. 22 & 510, Rainbow Plaza, Shivar Chowk, Pimple Saudagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411017 Phone - India: +91 7410079881/ 82/ 83/ 84/ 85 Email: info@theknowledgereview.com For Subscription: theknowledgereview.com Technical Head Jacob Smile Pratiksha Patil Assistant Technical Head Technical Consultants Amar, David, Robert Digital Marketing Manager Alina Sege Assistant Digital Marketing Manager Amol Wadekar Copyright © 2021 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights success. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. The Knowledge Review is powered by Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. SME-SMO Executives Atul, Gemson Research Analyst Eric Smith Circulation Manager Tanaji

9. MOST PROMINENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, 2021 T R URL Name of the Institution Brief CDNIS of Hong Kong is an international school providing quality education for over 1800 students from more than 40 nationalities. Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) https://cdnis.edu.hk/ Carmel School is an IB continuum school offering the IB primary years, middle years and diploma programmes. https://www.carmel.edu.hk/ Carmel School Association CIS is a private international school in Hong Kong serving primary and secondary school bilingual education. Chinese International School (CIS) https://www.cis.edu.hk/ ESF runs 22 international educational institutions, making it the largest English- medium international school in Hong Kong. English Schools Foundation (ESF) https://www.esf.edu.hk/ GSIS is an international school established in 1969 by German and Swiss families looking for a bilingual German-English education in an international setting. German Swiss International School (GSIS) https://www.gsis.edu.hk/ HKCA Po Leung Kuk School is an IB World School, authorised by the IB organisation for the primary years programme (PYP). HKCA Po Leung Kuk School Hong Kong https://www.plkis.edu.hk/ HKIS is an international private school founded in 1966, with campuses in Tai Tam and Repulse Bay. Hong Kong International School (HKIS) https://www.hkis.edu.hk/ Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong (NAIS Hong Kong) https://www.nordanglia education.com/our-schools /hong-kong NAIS Hong Kong serves students from ages 3 to 16 years of age, on its three campuses located in Hong Kong. SIS - Hong Kong is a kindergarten, elementary and secondary school situated in two different campuses on Nam Long Shan Road, Hong Kong Island. Singapore International School - Hong Kong (SIS-HK) https://www.singapore.edu.hk/ THS is a primary and secondary international school which was founded in 2007 and is regarded as a centre of educational excellence. The Harbour School (THS) https://www.ths.edu.hk/

10. Cover Story English Schools Foundation

11. Cover Story MOST PROMINENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, 2021 T R English Schools Foundation Creating the ideal conditions for students to thrive, nurturing them to be the best they can be

12. W the International Commerce Centre or ICC. Crowning the building is the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong hotel. The location of the bar and swimming pool on the building’s th 118 floor, make them the highest in the world. ith over 8,000 glittering skyscrapers, Hong Kong’s skyline is one to marvel at. Its tallest building, reaching almost half a kilometre, is These mega-structures are the glory of Hong Kong, but they are not the only source of this beautiful city’s eminence and why it attracts a high calibre of human capital. Located around this bustling city is one of the biggest premier international school organisations in all of Asia – The English Schools Foundation or ESF. ESF is the largest provider of English-medium international education in Hong Kong, encompassing 22 schools and enriching the lives of over 18,500 students every school day. Its 2,500 teachers are recruited from around the world for their skills, qualifications and international outlook. “ Vision and Mission Our mission is to nurture happy, kind, and engaged young people to be confident, articulate global citizens. We do this by creating the IDEAL conditions for students to thrive “ ESF’s vision is for every student to be the best that they can be. Their mission is to inspire creativity and nurture global citizens and the leaders of the future. ESF believes that this is achieved by recruiting the best teachers - and giving them the freedom to create learning experiences, which enable every single student to be a confident and successful learner. ESF creates the ideal conditions for students to be kind and happy, learning and engaged. Students are encouraged to care about themselves and others – their family, friends and communities – both locally and globally and to think critically about the world around them and their contribution and place in it. An ESF education is an education worth having, focused on academic excellence and encompassing real-life skills, such as critical thinking and problem- solving. Curriculum ESF offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum in all of its schools, developing internationally-minded citizens who help to create a

13. Pia Wong ““ To enrich learning beyond the classroom, we provide a full programme of extra-curricular activities for students Grace

14. “ Every child learns differently. An ESF education is focused on encompassing real-life skills, such as creativity, critical thinking and problem solving with academic excellence “

15. better world. ESF offers continuity of learning from the earliest years of kindergarten through to university entrance. ESF shapes the IB programme to provide every child with a personalised educational experience. This personalised learning pathway embraces the interests and passions of the students and guides them to get the very best experience and outcome from their education. ESF also offers the IB Career-Related Programme (IBCP), which provides accelerated pathways to students with specific talents and interests. ESF works in partnership with a range of external organisations, which include the Savannah College of Art Design, the HK Academy of Performing Arts, the International Culinary Institute and the Federation University, World Academy of Sport. Students often receive fast-track acceptance to specific universities or courses because of their participation in the IBCP. Students are at the Centre “At ESF, everything we do and every decision we make is about the students. We continuously ask what we can do to enhance their learning experiences and to meet their needs,” said Belinda Greer, CEO of ESF. “Our strong sense of community is one of our biggest assets. We work in partnership with our parents to ensure the very best educational experience for their children”. Supported by a Board of Governors, Belinda Greer has the overall responsibility for ESF’s 22 schools and its thousands of students. “We provide every child with personalised learning experiences, planned to help them grow and develop.” Accessible to all Students Class teachers work in collaboration with specialist teachers and educational assistants to provide individual and small group support to students with additional needs. Tara

16. Teachers and therapists at Jockey Club Sarah Roe School (JCSRS) provide a highly individualised curriculum for students with complex needs. Students and Alumni Testimonials ESF Sports, Language, Arts and Camps Pia Wong To enrich learning beyond the classroom, ESF Sports and Language offer a range of extra-curricular activities and camps. ESF Sports provides world-class coaching to students of all ages and abilities in football, “ South Island School class of 1994 South Island School Council Member: Parent Representative “The ESF community feels like a big family. Not only did I have amazing friends at school who I still meet every week, but I also meet fellow alumni when I travel overseas, which is really quite special.” At ESF, everything we do and every decision we make is about the students. We continuously ask what we can do to enhance their learning experiences and meet their needs “I always felt that the teaching was really good. My teachers brought out the best in me. I know they pushed me hard, and I always felt nurtured, protected, and safe. Ultimately, that’s why I chose ESF for my own child; I know they have the same experience.” Grace Year 11, Island School “I think we have a really welcoming attitude. In class, I feel comfortable to ask any questions, and I know that even outside the classroom, my teachers will offer me support. Having that comfortable relationship with them really encourages me to speak up and not be afraid to take risks and embrace challenges. I know that my teachers will always have my back.” “ gymnastics, swimming, tennis, basketball, fencing, sailing and more. Tara Whether a student just wants to learn a sport to have fun and stay healthy or to compete, the specialist coaches know how to support them to achieve their personal best. Year 11, Discovery College “At ESF, they bring you out of the classroom and put you in real-world situations where you don’t learn just about science. You don’t learn just about Maths or English. You learn about cooking, sewing, and the importance of art, drama, and music in your life. That’s something that I value so much - the support of staff, teachers and my family.” ESF Language and Learning provides a range of fun and interactive English, Spanish and French classes, and playgroups for its youngest learners. T R

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20. What Makes EDUCATION in HONG KONG February | 2021 18

21. Focus on Quality EDUCATION HONG KONG Outstanding? 19 February | 2021

22. ince the year 1997, after Hong Kong was S its entire education system from the ground up. Soon after, the year 2000 witnessed the emergence of the metropolis as a world education leader on their first PISA assessment, making their comeback in the global education game all the more impressive. The years that followed have only seen this city better its standing. Hong Kong aspires to further out-do itself by further developing into a regional educational hub with world- class universities and quality institutions through diversification and internationalisation. Public Schooling Although public schooling in Hong Kong is free and fully funded by the government, most of the curriculum is taught in Cantonese. For the non-Chinese speaking students, the government has also made available language and cultural support programmes. returned to China after a century and a half old British rule, the metropolis has essentially rebuilt International Schooling The multitudes of international schools all crowded at this sprawling metropolis, either prefer to teach the pedagogy and the curriculum of the parent country or adopt international standards of schooling such as the International Baccalaureate. World Class Institutions Hong Kong’s universities can do more than just hold their water globally, outstanding performance amidst the population and GDP compared to those of other developed countries and regions. Just taking the territorial area into account, the metropolis has more densely located world-class universities than any other places in the world. The fees for international schools are quite high. The families with an expat package that does not include a school subsidy may find the cost of international schools to be prohibitively expensive. Home Schooling Home schooling alternatives are also observed amongst the populace Hong Kong. Although the laws around home schooling are a bit ambiguous, one rule of thumb is that the families opting for education at home should inform the HK Education Bureau of their intention to do so. According to the latest Financial Times surveys, Hong Kong universities host some of the world’s best business administration and executive business management programmes, whilst also adopting international standards of curriculum design and quality assurance to deliver equally great results in other fields congruently. Tutoring Tutoring is a big business in Hong Kong. And unlike the case of Middle East, where tribulations presented by the tutoring which, in some cases, led to widely diffused and negatively affected learning outcomes in the classrooms, the tutoring industry has managed to keep in tune with the curriculum and teaching practices of the schools. Research Opportunities The institutions of Hong Kong strive fervently to inculcate the highest standards of research work, regularly emphasising on inter-disciplinary and international collaboration. This practice not only maximizes available resources. Although schools will always recommend a tutor, it is always best practice to do your research before deciding on any tutor. The HK government established the ‘Research Endowment Fund’ in 2009, which amassed an endowment value of HK $46 billion, providing a stable source of funding for research conducted by the tertiary education sector. Moreover, to attract both local and expat students interested in pursuing PhD studies in Hong Kong, the government launched the ‘Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme’ in 2009. This scheme facilitates each awardee with an annual stipend along with a separate conference and research-related travel allowance, per year for a period of three years. For awardees who need more than three years to complete their PhD studies, additional support may be provided by chosen institutions. Tour De Force With the traditional British education system and the Chinese approach to hard work, the education system of Hong Kong represents the best of both worlds. The city of Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading financial and trade centres. The government also invests heavily in an attempt to strengthen its position as the education centre of Asia. Studying in this metropolis of the future is a guarantee for providing great opportunities for students, researchers and job enthusiasts, alike. T R -Aditya Umale 20 February | 2021

24. H food, watch sports competitions, and visit movie settings in the city. Hong Kong’s culture is unique, sporting a sophisticated fusion of east and west, whilst simultaneously representing a mix of different backgrounds. ong Kong is a shoppers’ paradise, known for the view visitors can enjoy from high altitude, celebrate festivals, sample local And when it comes to the matters of education, the city’s educational system does not fall far behind the best ones in the world. A frontrunner in providing top-tier education in Hong Kong, which excels in keeping students’ minds engaged, excited and enthralled, is the Hong Kong International School (HKIS). With two illustrious campuses – the lower and upper primary schools located in Repulse Bay, and the middle and high schools located in Tai Tam – HKIS is a leading place of learning that inspires a socially engaged community of collaborative, creative and resilient learners dedicated to realizing their full potential. A Playground for Progressive Thinking 22 February | 2021

25. A Playground for Higher Thinking HKIS is a leading private co-educational college preparatory school for students from reception one (pre-kindergarten) to grade 12. Since 1966, HKIS has provided an American-style education grounded in the Christian faith. Here, they encourage student achievements in an inspiring environment, and their programs reflect the rich multi- cultural and international character of the student body. HKIS offers a warm and inclusive learning environment for over 2,850 students of 40 nationalities and diverse religious backgrounds. The school is committed to delivering exceptional teaching, and continually evolve their programs and facilities to enhance and optimise the student experience. “ The school is committed to delivering exceptional teaching, and continually evolve their programs and facilities to enhance and optimise the student experience “ HKIS has four divisions across two campuses located on the south side of Hong Kong island: lower primary (pre-Kg to grade 2), upper primary (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). HKIS 23 February | 2021

26. is a member of the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The high school at HKIS offers 27 advanced placement (AP) courses. Education outside the classroom allows students to deepen their educational experience through cultural immersion and service learning. HKIS offers a multitude of co-curricular activities, dozens of clubs, and has a competitive athletics program with teams competing in local and international conferences. How to get in? The school seeks students who will not only benefit from the educational experiences the school provides but will also actively contribute to their school community. Applicants are assessed for their potential to meet HKIS's high academic standards and expectations of self-motivated and collaborative learning. Leadership that Inspires Dr. Ronald (Ron) Roukema is the Interim Headof School of HKIS. Ron received his BA in history education from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, on a full scholarship through the North Carolina Teaching Fellows program. He earned his MA in School Administration from East Carolina University and was awarded an Ed.D (Doctor of Education) in educational leadership with a concentration in ‘curriculum and instruction’. Applications are accepted year-round, with priority deadlines on October 31 for reception 1 - grade 5, and February 1 for grades 6-12. Tuition fees: R1 - grade 5: $196,200, grade 6-8: $201,900, grade 9-11: $225,000, grade 12: $225,950. Annual capital levy: $20,000. Applicants can apply up to two years in advance. Since joining HKIS in 2014, Dr. Ron Roukema has served as Upper Primary Principal, Provost, and, since 2017, Interim Head of School. Academia The academic programs at HKIS reflect the rich multicultural and international character of their student body with an emphasis on Chinese language and culture. Providing educational excellence with an emphasis on inquiry, compassion and community service across all grades. They offer courses that challenge and inspire students and their graduates attend all manner of the top universities around the world. Fascinating Infrastructure HKIS completed redevelopment of its elementary schools in Repulse Bay in 2018, creating a purpose- built facility to support early childhood learning through play. Middle and high schools in Tai Tam boast world-class facilities including robotics labs and makerspaces, classrooms equipped with modern learning technology, science labs, music and art studios, 24 February | 2021

27. MOST PROMINENT INTERNATIONAL Mission: Dedicating our minds to inquiry, our hearts to compassion, and our lives to service and global understanding. SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, 2021 T R performance spaces, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a large track and sports field. An American-style education grounded in the Christian faith and respecting the spiritual lives of all. Additionally, HKIS has a long-term plan to upgrade and build the best facilities to support student learning at every stage of education to ensure that students have the spaces they need to reach their full potential. Vision: HKIS will be a leading place of learning that inspires a socially engaged community of collaborative, creative, and resilient learners dedicated to realizing their full potential. To sum it up, HKIS is an exciting place to be at.It is the place to be! T R 25 February | 2021

30. Damayanti Bhattacharya Principal Jasudben ML School 26 February | 2021

31. Reinventing Teaching EDUCATION POST PANDEMIC WORLD HOW TEACHERS HAVE UPSKILLED TO CONFORM TO THE NEW NORMAL IN THE IN THE A institutions and educators were quick in adapting to the new norms of online learning. In more ways than one, teachers upskilled themselves and transformed their teaching techniques and methodology to make it easier for students to conform to a whole new learning system. ABOUT THE AUTHOR s a seemingly endless lockdown phase gradually began to unlock, step by step, educational Damayanti Bhattacharya is a veteran educator with an experience of over 30 years in the field. A qualified Master of English Literature from Calcutta University, Damayanti Bhattacharya also holds a B. Ed degree, is an AP certified teacher as well as an IGCSE certified teacher for Global Perspectives. She taught briefly in two schools in Gujarat where she lived for a few years, and after that she came to Mumbai to further pursue her goal of imparting holistic education in 1994. At first, she joined JML as a teacher for three years then went to Cathedral and John Connon and now has come back to Jasudben ML School as principal. She was also the first in India to introduce an innovation hub to promote practical learning experiences. She strongly believes that children are like clay and teachers are potters. The duty of the potter is to fashion the clay with love and care, to create a strong and most exquisite piece of art. She keeps herself abreast of the ‘National Education Policy’ and the ever-evolving sphere of education via workshops and leadership courses. Her vision is to ignite and nurture the spirit of inquiry in young leaders and she passionately follows the motto that knowledge is adorned by character. Damayanti Bhattacharya has been bestowed with the Iconic Leadership Award by the Governor for imparting the most advanced knowledge and education to the children without departing from the core Indian values. At the outset, the pandemic situation demanded a great deal of adjustment and assimilation from the teaching and learning fraternity as the entire education system experienced a wave of change serving as strongest currents with technology and digital media. For students, their parents and educators, online classes became the new normal. Turning to the digital model of operations end-to-end was not an easy task for anyone, but it is worth appreciating that teachers went the extra mile to ensure they impart knowledge in the most effective and engaging manner. They are constantly endeavouring to be creative to keep students motivated to learn. 27 February | 2021

32. 1. Technology is now a teacher’s best friend parents to allow the child to learn independently and only offer assistance when required. Being tech savvy was never really a prerequisite for most teaching jobs but with the revolutionary online learning system in place, it has become extremely important. Those who were not well-versed with computers or digital media got into the learning mode to be able to teach effectively. Today teachers are absorbing technology in every way and it is important for them to treat technology as a partner in teaching rather than hindrance. 5. Understanding and effectively dealing with students’ emotional disarray Humans are social creatures by nature and the lack of social interaction has caused a lot of stress and anxiety among students. Not being able to meet friends, talk or play with them has caused havoc with every child’s emotional quotient and teachers have enabled themselves to effectively counsel students while also creating a fun virtual learning atmosphere. They have learnt various techniques to reconstruct the school and classroom environment students have always been accustomed to, in order to help them build the bonds and facilitate interaction with fellow students. 2. Younger the students, greater the effort To seek more attention of the kindergarten students, teachers have to be more innovative as kids of the age group. Kindergarten has always been a playschool with games, toys, etc. to help the kids learn the basics in a creative and engaging way. With remote learning coming into the picture, teachers had to create fun yet learning videos while taking sessions with the parents present. Virtual learning has also helped build a strong connection between the kids and the teacher as they play games, narrate stories, and engage with the teacher. It is a fun experience for both teachers and the children even though they are meeting virtually which was earlier limited only during school hours. 6. Training, learning and development Teachers are constantly required to learn new ways to teach so a successful teacher will be the one who invests in training and development for themselves. An incessant effort hasbeen put into and must be continued to, for this transitional phase, because it is fruitful not just now but even later on for a post-pandemic scenario, to expand the teaching modality. 3. Recycling content and redesigning lessons Substituting the age-old system of classroom learning with a tech reliant framework will be of greater advantage when teachers are well-equipped to use this framework to the maximum advantage of the learning fraternity. Though many teachers have become digital literates during the past year, they must be able to use their digital literacy creatively. Upskilling is an ongoing process. With online classes, it is certainly difficult for teachers to gauge what and how much the students are learning. To make this less complicated, teachers are recycling content to suit the online model of teaching, designing exercises to ensure students are grasping the material well and defining tasks that reflect the level of the students’ comprehension. They develop interactive exercises to make the process interesting while also ascertaining that these exercises and programs are well aligned with the curriculum and learning objectives. The educational sphere is redefining itself and educators ought to upskill to allow a seamless transformation. The traditional teaching system is now being complemented by technology more than ever and classes over video calls are the new normal. It is but practical to move swiftly towards a digital education structure and consistently learn newer ways to teach. An effective and successful teacher, in the 21st century, is one who is holds the capacity to unlearn and relearn. 4. Managing students and their parents Students now attend classes from the confines of their homes and not having a cut off from the family atmosphere is not always the best bet for them. Helicopter parenting rose to new heights. For instance, parents pass comments or prompt answers when the teacher asks questions to their child. Teachers have had to manage students as well as parents who were not used to the entire online learning concept. More often than not, educators have to help T R 28 February | 2021

34. EDUCATION in HONG KONG 32 February | 2021

35. Expat Education EDUCATION HONG KONG for the EXPATRIATE FAMILIES 33 February | 2021

36. T when exploring the bustling city streets. Kid-friendly attractions can be found just about everywhere in Hong Kong: from the bustling theme parks such as Disneyland, to the serene outdoor shin digs like picnicking in one of the city’s many green spaces. The expat community in Hong Kong is incredibly friendly. Home to thousands of expat families, Hong Kong is exceptionally welcoming as most people know what it’s like to be new and are happy to help and befriend newly arrived expats. Parents with plans to send their child to one of the many international schools in Hong Kong will be spoilt for choice. here’s always something to be built in Hong Kong! That means being treated to the melodious rhythm of jackhammers and drills practicing the curricula and pedagogy of their parent countries, and others relying on the internationally recognised curriculum such as the International Baccalaureate. The American and British Curriculum are also represented, such as of Canada, France, and Germany. However, fees for international schools are quite high, so much so that the families with an expat package that does not include a school subsidy may find the cost of international schools to be redundantly expensive. English Schools Foundation The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is an organisation that runs more than 20 international schools across the city-state, all of which teach the International Baccalaureate. ESF schools are subsidised by the government, causing the fees to be cheaper when compared to non-ESF international schools. In addition, ESF schools are not academically selective, making it easier to gain entry, although waiting lists can be long. In recent times, the education system in Hong Kong has emerged as being one of the best in the world. While government funded public schools maintain a high standard of learning, most of the curriculum is taught in Cantonese, which may serve as a dealbreaker for most of the expatriate families residing in the region. This also poses challenge for the families who don’t plan to stick around for long, or those whose children aren’t young enough to pick up the language quickly. Home Schooling in Hong Kong Owing to the ambiguous laws around home-schooling, expatriate families can avail any of the many local home-schooling organisations in Hong Kong. Though it is widely known that any family opting to go for this path of education must inform the Hong Kong education Bureau of their plans to do the same. The country’s curriculum being centred around ‘rote learning’, especially in the public schooling of Hong Kong, is another concern for expat parents. However, recent years have seen the curriculum making significant strides, morphing into a more modern and well-rounded revamped curriculum. Owing to the diversity and inclusive nature of Hong Kong, there are many international teaching and schooling alternatives available for expat students. Tutoring in Hong Kong Tutoring in Hong Kong is a big business, so expats will have plenty of choices. Although schools will often be able to recommend a tutor, it is always best to thoroughly research al options before deciding on any tutor. Some renowned tutoring groups include i-Seven education centre and British tutors. Public Schooling The public schools in Hong Kong are fully funded by the government, the problem of curriculum being taught in Cantonese, sometimes exclusively, is not an easy obstacle to side-step by just the offer of free education. Although, government introduced language and cultural support programmes can be of great help to children young enough to pick up the language quickly, but for older children, this can pose quite a challenge. T R - Aditya Umale International Schooling in Hong Kong Multitudes of International schools have made their refuge in Hong Kong, with most of them sticking to 34 February | 2021