Before 2004, among 1,200 government-funded schools, only 7 primary schools and 3 secondary schools were willing to admit ethnic minority children, and ethnic minority students often had to wait 6 months to 3 years before they were placed in a school. Students were often placed in schools far from home. With the united efforts of Unison, parents and students over the years, the government subsequently revised the School Places Allocation Policy for Primary 1 and Secondary 1, allowing ethnic minority children to study in mainstream schools and thus have a chance to learn Chinese more comprehensively.
Impact
Since 2004, ethnic minority children have been able to enjoy equal opportunities in the school places allocation system. They were finally able to enjoy the same rights as local Chinese students and be placed in schools of their choice in their own district. In the 2011/12 school year, over 14,000 ethnic minority students are studying in government-funded schools.
The Way Forward
We will continue to advocate for quality education for ethnic minority students, and promote harmonious, inclusive and diversified learning environments. We also propose to add more racial and cultural elements to the general studies textbooks in primary education and Liberal Studies subject in secondary education.