Title: From Mainstream School to Homeschooling: The Experience of Dr. Lai (Mother) and Paris (Daughter)

Subtitle:  This guide outlines the step-by-step process for Hong Kong parents to legally and safely transition their children from the traditional school system to homeschooling, including how to handle administrative procedures and Education Bureau (EDB) home visits.

1️⃣ Motivation for Transition

1. Paris, the student, wrote a letter to Dr. Lai expressing her desire to receive homeschooling. 

2. Paris disliked the rigid and heavy workload of the local school system and longed for a more personalized and flexible learning environment.

2️⃣ Administrative Challenges and Coping Strategies

1. Dr. Lai first communicated with Paris’s school to initiate the withdrawal process. 

2. Parents of students in local schools often face pressure from teachers and social workers when transitioning to homeschooling. 

3. Despite these challenges, Paris insisted on withdrawing. Dr. Lai completed the “School Withdrawal Application Form,” and the school reported the case to the Education Bureau (EDB).

3️⃣ EDB Home Visit and Evaluation Process

About one month later, the student receives a letter from the EDB notifying them of an upcoming home visit.

Home Visit Arrangement 

During the visit, parents must clearly explain their reasons for choosing homeschooling, such as:

1. The child learns more efficiently and is emotionally more stable at home. 

2. The child has experienced bullying at school and is afraid to attend. 

3. The reasons must be reasonable and fact-based.

Home Visit & Homeschool Evaluation 

The EDB will conduct home visits every six months, each lasting about one hour, to assess the student’s academic progress and social engagement.

During the home visit, parents are expected to present:

1. The child’s learning materials (e.g., daily assignments) 

2. Evidence of social activities (e.g., photos of interactions with friends)

Moreover, the EDB officer will observe whether the child’s behavior aligns with typical learning and social development of school children. 

Note: EDB officers often express skepticism toward homeschooling and emphasize that school is the best learning environment. Parents should not panic—officers are required to communicate the government’s policy stance and discouragement.

Final Arrangement

EDB home visits related to homeschooling will continue until the student turns 15, marking the end of Hong Kong’s compulsory education period.

Homeschooling Oversight in Hong Kong: Key Considerations for Families

1. Compulsory education in Hong Kong spans from ages 6 to 15, covering nine years of free and universal basic education.

2. If your child is transitioning from an international school, the Education Bureau (EDB) typically does not assign a non-attendance officer to follow up on your homeschooling case. 

3. If your child has never attended a mainstream local school, the EDB generally does not initiate follow-up procedures through non-attendance officers.

For families in either situation (points 2 and 3), reporting your homeschooling case to the EDB is optional, not mandatory. However, it’s important to understand the role of EDB non-attendance officers. Their primary responsibilities are:

1.      To promote school attendance as the preferred educational pathway in Hong Kong 

2.      To monitor the homeschool studeent’s educational progress and social development to ensure it aligns with standards set by the EDB

EDB officers do not provide homeschooling support or resources, and their stance is generally not supportive of homeschooling as an alternative to formal schooling. As a result, many homeschooling families in Hong Kong—particularly those whose children are from international schools or have never enrolled in mainstream schools—choose not to report their homeschooling arrangements to the EDB.

Writer: Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien 

School Withdrawal Application Form