Abstract:
Change is endemic to Hong Kong, particularly in the new era when the Chinese government overtakes the sovereignty from Britain after a century of colonial rule (1948-1997). According to the Sino British joint agreement signed in 1984, Hong Kong people can live under "one-country, two-systems' for a period of fifty years. Both of the capitalist and socialist systems will exert influence in the formation of the new government for a period of fifty years. As education policy will change significantly under the purview of the Basic Law, the traditional curricula are no longer adequate for the rapid changing political scenario. Politicians and educators are seeking new directions in shaping our education agenda. Civic education has never been important in the curriculum in the past and its gaining importance when people are finding ways of harmonizing nationalism, capitalism, socialism and patriotism in the new era. The use of Chinese instead of English as the first language of instruction also causes significant change in the education system. With the influx of Chinese migrants from China, there are calls for adjustment programs for new migrants and the deprived. Affective education, such as guidance programs, moral education and sex education is gaining its importance particularly when Hong Kong is undergoing these dramatic changes. It is timely for us to take a new look in researching education in the new era.