The trend and impacts of parents sending children abroad
Many parents in Hong Kong are sending their children to other countries to complete their schooling. For this phenomenon, I think it is mainly because families view studying abroad as a way to broaden their children’s minds and shelter their children from the pressure of local education.
While families view studying abroad as a way to broaden their children’s minds, their children will need to force themselves to adapt to the new living environment and new cultures. Although the children start to meet new friends or learn new things, it takes time for them to adapt to everything. Children need to leave their parents at their early age, so this may develop their independence and probably broaden their minds. However, for the children, they will not be much happier than living with their parents in Hong Kong. But the competition for local university places is indeed keen, it will not be easy for everyone to get a university place. This is because the required academic qualifications expected of students are indeed quite higher.
As for the impact of this phenomenon of “student outflow” on local schools, there are a lot of disadvantages. The keen competition for top marks builds up a highly competitive environment in Hong Kong. As a result, as said, many students decided to study overseas due to the study pressure in Hong Kong. Local schools may lose some of the most talented students. However, if we reassess this impact in a different way, this could be an opportunity for the Hong Kong government to make an improvement in the education system. Although Hong Kong may lose some talented students, the government can review the local education system and make improvements. The key is that the government should understand the needs of local learners better.
To conclude, parents’ sending their children to other countries to complete their schooling will have an impact on both Hong Kong and the students. However, it is not all drawbacks. It is a good chance for the Hong Kong government to improve the education system. In the longer run, this earlier exposure to international cultures would widen the international connections of Hong Kong. That will be a longer term benefit to Hong Kong.