President's Speech

Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien

Homeschool educators in Hong Kong and mainland China, Homeschooling has existed in Hong Kong for years, but many homeschool families operate in what I call "Stealth Homeschooling." This covert approach to homeschooling is unhealthy and impacts the reputation of our city in the following ways:

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1. Reputation of Hong Kong: Homeschooling is a common choice for expat families who frequently move between countries for work. For these families, homeschooling often represents the best educational option. Hong Kong is renowned as an international city with high educational standards and a diverse expat community. However, the practice of stealth homeschooling undermines this reputation. When expat families discover the covert nature of homeschooling in Hong Kong, they may perceive the city as lacking transparency and support for alternative education methods. This negative perception can spread through word of mouth, discouraging potential expat families from relocating to Hong Kong. Consequently, the city may experience a decline in its appeal as an international hub for education and family-friendly living. 

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2. Impact on Homeschool Students and Families: Society often perceives homeschool students as truants and lacks an understanding of homeschooling. As a result, homeschool students often feel compelled to lie or avoid discussing their homeschooling status with friends and relatives. This secrecy can have detrimental effects on their mental and psychological health, leading to feelings of isolation, shame, and confusion about their identity. The lack of societal support and understanding can exacerbate these negative emotions, making it difficult for homeschool students to develop a strong sense of self and emotional well-being. Furthermore, some extreme relatives of homeschool students even go as far as to threaten homeschool educators, warning them that the police will apprehend them for conducting homeschooling in Hong Kong. These threats can create a hostile and intimidating environment for both homeschool educators and families, increasing stress and anxiety levels. The fear of social repercussions and misunderstandings can further discourage homeschool families from openly discussing their homeschooling choices, perpetuating the cycle of secrecy and stigma.

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By addressing these issues and promoting transparency in homeschooling, we can improve the educational landscape and uphold the reputation of Hong Kong as a progressive and inclusive city.

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The Hong Kong Homeschool Association consists of a dedicated team of experts from various fields, all of whom share a deep love for Hong Kong and a strong desire to give back to our beloved city. Our mission is to empower Hong Kong to become a happier, more inclusive, and adaptive educational hub that embraces the growth of homeschool education. Our team is committed to building a sustainable homeschooling system that benefits families in both Hong Kong and mainland China, thereby contributing to a happier society that benefits everyone in our city.

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Our NGO Homeschool Association Team Commitments: 

1. Formalize the Hong Kong Homeschool Association: By officially registering the Association as an NGO, our founding members’ team can provide a legitimate platform for advocacy, resources, and support for homeschooling families. This can help clarify the legal gray area and provide tangible and professional support to homeschool families in Hong Kong and mainland China. 

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2. Develop Support Programs: Establishing comprehensive support programs for homeschooling parents and students is crucial. These can include workshops, webinars, and counseling services designed to tackle common academic and psychological challenges. By offering such programs, our association can empower homeschool educators with enhanced knowledge and effective teaching methodologies. Support programs may range from curriculum development to mental health support, ensuring a well-rounded approach to homeschooling.

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3. Collaborate with Companies in the Greater Bay Area: Dr. Lai aims to collaborate with companies in the Greater Bay Area to provide study tours, job training and internship opportunities for homeschool students. These experiences will enable students to learn from real-world job operations, preparing them to create innovative job opportunities in the future. This collaboration will play a pivotal role in nurturing a new generation of innovative and creative leaders and workforce in our country. Additionally, collaborating with the Greater Bay Area will link resources between Hong Kong and the region, helping our homeschool students understand their country better and develop a greater sense of national pride and love for their country. By gaining firsthand experience in diverse industries and connecting with professionals, students will not only enhance their practical skills but also foster a deeper appreciation for their nation's growth and development.

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4. Create a Resource Hub (has.hk and Dr. Lai Homeschool Groups): Establish an online resource hub that offers access to curriculum materials, key members' profiles, educational tools, teaching videos, instant chat opportunities, homeschooling stories, and community forums to provide valuable support to homeschooling families.

5. Offer Parenting Workshops: Conduct workshops for parents that cover essential topics such as parenting techniques, effective homeschooling strategies, life education, positive psychology, academic knowledge, and family education skills. These workshops will also provide guidance on how to prepare homeschool students for their future, including mapping out pathways to university or planning their career trajectories.

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6. Promote Research and Data Collection: Conducting extensive research on homeschooling outcomes and benefits can provide invaluable evidence-based insights for advocacy efforts. Dr. Lai is dedicated to publishing her research findings to fill the homeschooling research gaps in Hong Kong and Mainland China and inform policy decisions. Currently, Dr. Lai is pursuing her third doctorate degree at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, focusing on homeschool leadership. Her ongoing commitment to publishing research findings aims to further inform policy decisions and bolster public perception. 

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Furthermore, Dr. Lai's research efforts contribute to enhanced educational practices by:

• Exploring effective homeschooling methods.

• Supporting homeschooling communities with valuable resources.

• Advocating for better policies through data-driven insights.

• Increasing awareness and acceptance of homeschooling within society.

• Conducting potential longitudinal studies to track the progress and outcomes of homeschooled students over time.
   

7. Foster a Sense of Community & Offer Regular Academic Lessons: Organizing regular events, social gatherings, and extracurricular activities for homeschooling families can help build a strong sense of community and reduce feelings of isolation. Dr. Lai and Annie will arrange regular homeschooling meetings and lessons on various subjects for both homeschool educators and students at Annie’s community center. This initiative aims to empower the social and educational aspects of the homeschool community. Annie’s community center, located at 香港仔華貴邨華廉樓地下, will serve as the meeting place for these gatherings and the homeschool learning center.

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8. Homeschool Mentorship Networks: Establishing homeschool mentorship networks for homeschool educators and students can be incredibly beneficial. For homeschool educators, experienced homeschooling parents can guide new homeschooling families, offering personalized support and sharing valuable insights from their own experiences. This can help new homeschool educators navigate challenges, develop effective teaching strategies, and build confidence in their homeschooling journey. Additionally, creating a homeschool mentorship networks for homeschool students, where experienced homeschool students take on the role of coaching younger homeschoolers, can provide several benefits. It can foster a sense of community and belonging, as older students share their knowledge and experiences. Younger students can gain valuable advice, encouragement, and support from their mentors, helping them to feel more confident and motivated in their learning. This peer-to-peer mentorship can also promote leadership skills and a sense of responsibility among the older students.

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9. Educate and Update Parenting Knowledge: Dr. Lai organizes monthly Homeschool Education Talks (HET), inviting professors, educators, industry experts, and homeschool leaders from around the world. These talks cover a broad spectrum of topics, such as educational pedagogies, industry knowledge, AI integration in education, effective parenting, homeschooling stories, university admission tips and more. The aim of HET is to empower parents with valuable knowledge and skills, thereby fostering a more effective and enriching homeschooling experience for their children.

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10. Homeschooler Reporter Project: The Homeschooler Reporter Project aims to provide homeschool students with unique opportunities to interview renowned educators and professionals in our city, and then write articles based on these interviews to be published on our website, hsa.hk. This project offers several benefits: students gain firsthand experience in journalism, including researching, conducting interviews, and writing articles; it helps develop valuable skills such as critical thinking, communication, and writing; it provides networking opportunities by interacting with influential figures, benefiting their future educational and career endeavors; it boosts students' confidence and self-esteem as they see their work published and recognized; and it enriches their education by learning from experts in various fields, broadening their knowledge and understanding of different professions and industries. By participating in the Homeschooler Reporter Project, students not only enhance their educational experience but also contribute to a vibrant and informative resource for the homeschooling community.

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11. Mentorship Project For Bridging Education And Industry: Our founding members’ team will leverage our connections to create mentorship opportunities by linking homeschool students with industry experts and elite educators in both Hong Kong and mainland China. These mentors will inspire and guide homeschool students through their career development and share life experiences. At the end of the project, homeschool students will write reports on what they have learned from their mentors, which will be published on hsa.hk. This project offers numerous benefits, including providing real-world inspiration and guidance, building professional networks, developing important skills, boosting confidence, and encouraging reflective learning. By participating in the mentorship project, homeschool students will gain valuable knowledge, skills, and connections that will aid their career development and personal growth.

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In conclusion, by addressing these issues and implementing these initiatives, we can create a more supportive and transparent homeschooling environment in Hong Kong. Let us work together to empower our homeschooling community, enhance the educational landscape, and uphold Hong Kong's reputation as a progressive and inclusive city.

Thank you.

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Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien

(Doctor of Education & Doctor of Business Administration)