For years, there have been much talks and combats about the disadvantageous of “duck fed” education system in Hong Kong. This leads to the education system is too fixated on academic and on a few academic “geniuses”.

For the last ten years, the Hong Kong government has put efforts on improving the vocational education by increasing the courses and resources provided by some subsidized colleges and institutes. This has provided other choices and better chances for those who are not good at academic to pursue their own talented sides or dreams, and finally climb up to the upper ladder of managerial level. Progress has been made and the situation has improved.

Despite that, the vocational education curriculum offered from various colleges and institutes is essentially university-oriented, deeming that academic exam on students as the only way to evaluate talent. As a result, for those who are good at practical but not at academic can not climb up easily in their own talented industry.

I personally recommend the vocational education should put more focus on the practical skills development, rather than pushing them to the academic side. They can study, but most importantly, need to have apprentice training in the industry for most of the time. This does not only guarantee a sufficient and stable supply of talents for different industries, but also helps young people accumulate practical work experience and facilitates their transition to the workplace.