Comparative Education Bulletin - Faculty of Education - The ...

The Development and Challenges of School-Based
Management in Hong Kong
Chau Chun Kwok, Anson
Introduction
School-based Management (SBM) is a worldwide trend of school
governance reform. But when introduced in Hong Kong, it faced
strong resistance. This paper investigates the development of
SBM in Hong Kong within the framework of Hong Kong’s unique
governance structure of aided schools. It also highlights why SBM is a
controversial reform measure and assesses its future challenges to the
school governance structure in Hong Kong. The study was conducted
using the qualitative methodology of collecting data by document
and policy analysis, and examining the responses to questions
presented by the government, as well as the views presented by the
School Sponsoring Bodies and other interested parties during the Bill
debates in the Legislative Council (2003a, 2003b). Information was
also gathered from newspapers reports and commentaries on SBM, as
well as by examining local and overseas literature on SBM principles
and implementation. In addition, interviews were conducted with
teachers, parents (including those who have participated in the School
Management Committee) and Principals to obtain their views on SBM.
School-based Management
The concept of School-based Management lies in the belief that each
individual school is in the best position to manage its teaching and
learning process and thus is more responsive to the needs of its
students and parents. It calls for delegation or decentralization of
power from a central body to allow for individual schools to make
decisions whenever possible whilst leaving only some education
policies to be directed by the centre.
Ziebarth (1999) defines SBM as:
…initiatives to substantially shift decision making responsibilities
away from school boards, superintendents and central administrative
offices to schools are generally referred to as site- or
school-based management. The intent of these efforts is to move
governance to a level where teaching, learning and meaningful
change can happen – at the local school site…
SBM provides principals, teachers, students, parents and community
members greater control in the education processes by
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