The Sister School Scheme (the Scheme), launched in 2004 by the education authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, has emerged as a pivotal initiative for promoting exchange and collaboration between schools in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. Mr Wong Kam Leung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (HKFEW) and Principal of HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School, has been dedicated to promoting school exchanges and cooperation across regions. He shared insights into the development of the programme and his school's active participation in these endeavours.
(The rapid progress of Guizhou enriches the student’s learning experience.)
Established Nearly 3,000 Pairs of Sister Schools
The Education Bureau (EDB) has provided local schools with an annual one-off grant and professional support since the 2018/19 academic year, with the aim of promoting exchanges between sister schools. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Scheme has become more vibrant, driven by the increased integration between the regions and the recognition of its benefits. Principal Wong explained that the number of participating schools has continued to grow. ‘Initially, the Scheme focused on Guangdong Province, and the EDB later commissioned the HKFEW to take the lead in expanding the programme. With the HKFEW's effort, the Scheme has since been extended to first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, as well as coastal provinces and cities like Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu. More recently, the scope has been further expanded to include inland provinces such as Sichuan, Guizhou, and Shandong. As a result, the Scheme has established nearly 3,000 pairs of sister schools across Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.’
He highlighted that the Scheme has been in place for almost 20 years and has successfully promoted collaboration between primary and secondary schools across regions. Through the Scheme, teachers and students from Guangdong Province have had the opportunity to learn from each other's strengths in various aspects, such as teaching, management, and professionalism. ‘Nearly 900 local schools, ranging from kindergartens to universities, have participated in the initiative, forming almost 3,000 pairs of sister schools with the Chinese mainland schools. Notably, almost 50% of the schools are located within the Greater Bay Area, including cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen.’
Diversified Online and Offline Activities across Four Levels of Engagement
The Scheme has fostered a wide range of activities catering to students, teachers, school management, and parents across regions. At the student level, the initiatives encompass athletic meets, exchange programmes, cultural exchanges, online literary recitation, thematic online studies, and STEAM-focused competitions. For teachers, the Scheme offers opportunities for classroom observations and co-teaching. At the management and parental levels, the Scheme organises study tours and visits to Chinese mainland families. Principal Wong highlighted that the types of activities have become increasingly diversified, with collaborative exchanges between Hong Kong schools and their counterparts on the Chinese mainland. Teachers have been
actively visiting their counterparts to observe lessons and conduct joint studies.
Furthermore, the Scheme has enabled numerous local Hong Kong schools to establish sister school partnerships across various Chinese provinces and municipalities. For example, the HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School has formed nearly ten such partnerships with counterparts in Changchun, Shandong, Guizhou, Sichuan, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. These linkages have helped to regularise a sustained series of exchange activities. Principal Wong noted that the partnership with Guizhou Province, in particular, has been exceptional, providing students
with invaluable learning experiences. This has included exposure to Guizhou's rich natural heritage sites, as well as its advancements in environmental protection, big data, and high technology. Moreover, the province's multi-ethnic cultural landscape has further enriched the participating students' horizons and life experiences.
Sister Schools Visit Fosters Teachers’ and Students’ Growth
Principal Wong emphasised that establishing sister school partnerships across different provinces and cities has been instrumental in meeting students' diverse learning needs and
facilitating a wide range of exchange programmes. For instance, the HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School organised several sister school exchange tours just last year, providing both students and teachers with in-depth learning experiences in places like Guiyang, Suzhou, and Guangzhou. These visits involved exploring historical and cultural sites, touring advanced equipment or enterprises, and immersing in the Chinese cultural and ecological landscapes. Furthermore, the school arranged for all of its teachers to visit their sister school in Beijing during the Easter holidays this year.
Principal Wong explained that the HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School has made sister school exchanges a regular part of their programme. This isn't a one-way learning experience - hosting schools from other provinces and cities also enriches the lives of the local teachers and students. For example, staff and students from the HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School have interacted with their counterparts from sister schools and used community resources such as Ocean Park and history museums. Through the Scheme, students can broaden their horizons, deepen their knowledge of different places, and forge lasting friendships. Teachers and school leaders also learn from one another's best practices in teaching, administration, and management. The
school plans to organise more delegations to visit places like Beijing and Changchun to gain an in-depth understanding of those areas. The ultimate goal is for every student to participate in at least one exchange trip during junior secondary school, helping them develop an early appreciation for the diversity of their country.
The Greater Bay Area Takes Centre Stage in the Scheme
In recent years, Hong Kong's universities have expanded into the Greater Bay Area, setting up branch campuses in cities like Zhuhai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Dongguan. This integration of resources has fostered diverse and innovative connections between the Hong Kong-based and regional campuses. Principal Wong felt this influx had made the Greater Bay Area's talent-nurturing capabilities increasingly apparent. Moreover, with the similar lifestyles and cultures shared by Hong Kong and the Greater Bay and the ease of travel, he anticipated more local schools pursuing sister school partnerships in the region. However, there are many factors to think about when choosing a sister school, Principal Wong said. He suggested that the school should consider whether the school-based characteristics, history, and philosophy align with their future needs for school development and provide the necessary resources. He also recommended conducting site visits to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current and future trajectories of the prospective province, in order to fully prepare for potential learning and growth opportunities from the sister school relationship.
(Source: Learning & Teaching Expo 2024 Newsletter)
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