What is the difference between local schools and international schools?
By Benedict Lam
Many RCHK students have never experienced the local school system. There is a distinct divide between local and international schools in Hong Kong, with them often being perceived as two entirely different worlds within one. This article will discuss the differences, similarities, pros and cons of local and international schools in Hong Kong.
A local school is an elementary or secondary school supported by taxes and operated by the government. Local schools are typically free of charge—they usually do not require tuition fees—but textbooks and other materials may still incur costs.
Beyond free education, however, there are many other advantages of local schools. Students can gain increased fluency in Cantonese speaking as it is the language of instruction in subjects apart from English. Students can also familiarise themselves with Chinese reading and writing as more emphasis is placed on it than English. Another advantage is self-discipline. According to a local school student, the students' handbooks were the most striking differences between local and international schools. It would document everything a student does, including lateness and missing homework. This high level of accountability leads to many students practising greater discipline, especially in these areas.
On the flip side, attending local schools can also be disadvantageous. According to the Hong Kong Free Press, each student in local schools gets at least seven pieces of homework daily, and each assignment usually takes half an hour to finish. So each student must spend three and a half hours at home to complete the work. Alongside day to day duties, students have little recreational time. This can cause a lot of stress and mental issues among students. Medical News Today reported that staying home for a long period of time can increase loneliness which can ultimately lead to physical and mental illnesses. In Hong Kong culture, an individual’s future is perceived to be highly dependent on their grades. Final exams in local schools are extremely important, as they often determine pupils’ report cards. Primary school results will determine the student’s secondary school. Hence, if a student did not do well in primary school, he will go to a low-ranked secondary school. This can directly affect their chances of getting into quality universities and high paying jobs.
These disadvantages of local schools cause many parents to look elsewhere for options for their children or consider changing schools to improve their wellbeing. Other than local schools, parents can opt to send their child to international schools. In English Schools Foundation international schools, there are a number of advantages. One of them is that students learn in a bilingual environment. According to the ESF website, all ESF schools use the International Baccalaureate program. The IB program requires students to learn two languages, hence all the students will learn in a bilingual environment. Although local schools also have both English and Chinese lessons, teachers are more focused on Chinese, not English. If students want to be fluent in both languages, ESF international schools are a better choice. Another advantage is that international schools also encourage students to learn in a diverse way. In the IB program, students are required to complete their Service and Action or Creativity, Action and Service in order to graduate from the Middle Years or Diploma program. This shows that students have more opportunities to learn outside the classroom. Whereas local schools mainly focus on academics.
However, international schools are not free from disadvantages either. In these schools, most students need to use their computers to submit their work or even assessments. This means students may lack opportunities to practise their handwriting skills, which are often correlated to learning speed and quality and assist in ingraining long-term memory. To remedy this, international school students usually need to spend their free time practising handwriting. Another disadvantage is the more expensive school fees. Since international schools are not government-affiliated, the HK government won’t give any financial support to the schools. This creates a financial barrier for many families, resulting in them not being given the choice to send their children to an international school.
In conclusion, local schools can let students become more aware about themselves, their actions and behavior. However, it could also negatively affect some students’ future. On the other hand, international schools teach students to be more open-minded. These schools allow students to use their spare time to practise essential skills. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between local schools and international schools before applying.