Presidential Welcome Speech 
 

​The Truth About Homeschooling in Hong Kong: Temporary, Flexible, and Aligned With Long‑Term Education Goals

 

Many Hong Kongers mistakenly assume that homeschooling is a fixed or permanent educational status in Hong Kong. In reality, it is simply a flexible choice in which families temporarily educate their children at home rather than sending them to school. Western families in Hong Kong may do so for cultural or lifestyle reasons, while local families often turn to homeschooling to support a child’s well-being or to address emotional, learning, or relationship challenges in their current school environment. Homeschooling is not a lifelong label—it is a responsive, time‑limited arrangement that naturally shifts as a family’s needs, circumstances, and future plans evolve.

 

Choosing to homeschool does not mean choosing a lifelong alternative pathway. Children will eventually return to school or transition into university when the time is right. This is exactly what I told my daughter, Paris, when she asked to be homeschooled about ten years ago. I promised her that I would homeschool her, but she also needed to promise that she would work with me toward eventually re-entering the local education system and preparing for university admission. This mindset helped her understand that homeschooling is a phase of learning, not a departure from society’s expectations.

 

With this philosophy, I lead the Hong Kong homeschooling community—not to advocate for homeschooling as a superior or permanent alternative, but to guide families in effective homeschooling with a clear long-term goal: helping children transition smoothly back into local schools or universities when they are ready. My focus has always been on equipping homeschool educators and students with the skills, knowledge, structure, and mindset needed for successful reintegration.

 

I once shared this perspective with Dr. Dennis, one of HSA’s founding members and a former EDB officer. He affirmed this approach, saying, “The transition from homeschooling to the school system is desirable when children are ready. Please help them do so.”

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Homeschool Empowerment in Hong Kong: A Grassroots Volunteer Movement

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I am working to bring greater structure and support to homeschooling in Hong Kong. I see this volunteer, unpaid work as a way to give back to society and uplift educationally marginalized families and students. My goal is to empower both parents and students, strengthening their homeschooling journey and helping them achieve meaningful, confident learning outcomes.

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Although much of this work happens quietly and often goes unseen, I am deeply grateful to God for bringing so many kind‑hearted educators into this mission — including my beloved daughter, Paris, and many wonderful educators from Hong Kong and overseas. Their generosity and dedication form the heart of this effort.

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With genuine intention and volunteerism as our foundation, I believe these small acts will one day ripple outward, creating a broader impact in our society and inspiring even more people to support the homeschooling community in Hong Kong.

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Traditional School or Homeschooling in Hong Kong? 

 

As parents, we all want the same thing: for our children to grow up feeling safe, happy, and emotionally healthy. That is the foundation of any meaningful education. So rather than asking which system is better, the real question is: which environment helps your child thrive.

 

Every child is unique. They learn differently, grow at their own pace, and respond to environments in their own way. Some children feel energized and confident in a traditional school setting. Others may feel overwhelmed, stressed, or emotionally unsettled in that environment. When a child becomes consistently unhappy or shows signs of emotional strain, it’s often a gentle signal that the current setting may not be the best fit for them. In those moments, exploring a different approach—such as homeschooling—can give them the space and support they need to regain balance and well‑being.

 

I want to share something personal about my role in the homeschooling community. I invest my time, energy, resources, and connections to support homeschooling families—not because I believe homeschooling is the “best” or only educational system, but because many parents come to me when their children are struggling in traditional settings. I meet families whose children experience intense stress, emotional exhaustion, or physical discomfort at the thought of going to school. These parents are not seeking an alternative out of preference; they are seeking relief, stability, and a healthier path for their child.

 

My work is driven by compassion, not ideology. I support homeschooling because, for some families, it becomes a lifeline—a way to restore a child’s confidence, rebuild emotional safety, and create an environment where learning can happen without fear or pressure. When a system no longer supports a child’s well‑being, it is not a failure of the child or the parents. It simply means a different approach may be needed.

 

A simple metaphor helps explain this:

“You cannot judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree.”

 

A fish isn’t flawed because it can’t climb. 

A tree isn’t wrong for being tall. 

They just don’t match.

 

Put a fish in water, and it moves with ease, confidence, and joy. 

Ask it to climb a tree, and it will struggle—not because it’s incapable, but because the environment doesn’t suit its nature.

 

Children are the same.

 

Some flourish in the structure and social rhythm of traditional schools. 

Others feel calmer, safer, and more confident in a homeschooling environment. 

If a child struggles in one system, it doesn’t mean the child is behind, nor that the system is bad. It simply means the match isn’t right.

 

The goal of education is not to make every child climb the same tree. 

The goal is to find the environment where your child can breathe, grow, and become their best self.

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