Nobody said integration was easy

The government of Hong Kong has traditionally championed the idea that non-Chinese speaking children should go to international schools. But since 2004, these children have been encouraged to enroll in local primary schools.

Since this sudden change in policy, the influx of non-Chinese kids has been massive. This year, Bui O Public School's foreign students for the first time outnumber local students (89 out of 141). At Mui Wo school, only about one quarter of students (40 out of 158) are of foreign origin, but their numbers are rising fast, says principal Yuen.

This situation poses a real challenge to schools. All school letters, for example, have to be translated into English so that all parents can understand them. On top of that, most foreign parents cannot help their children with their studies and have to visit extra classes after school. 

Bui O School principal Yu in her office

Event though integration is now an official government goal, the two principals agree that there is not enough support. The services which the Hong Kong Education Bureau currently provides still leave the schools with their hands full:

A recent study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong suggests that despite differences in learning attitudes and infrequent use of Cantonese away from school, most foreign children master the spoken language within a year and manage to catch up in other subjects as well.

It may require parents and their offspring to conquer their initial skepticism and go the extra mile. But the effort is likely to improve the children's career perspective, and enrich their everyday life in a city dominated by Cantonese speakers. 

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