Current Situation
9.3.1 The Quality Assurance (QA) Framework was introduced to the KG sector in 2000. Similar to the QA Framework adopted for primary and secondary schools, the QA Framework for KGs was built upon two interactive and transparent mechanisms, namely school self-evaluation (SSE) and external review. With the roll-out of PEVS in 2007, the external review was then formalised as Quality Review (QR). All KGs under PEVS are required to conduct ongoing SSE and undergo QR for sustainable school development and accountability purposes.
9.3.2 Two reviews have been conducted and published during the first 5-year phase of PEVS with a view to evaluating its effectiveness, namely Review of the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme and Impact Study on the Effectiveness of Quality Review in Pre-primary Education in Hong Kong. Both reviews found that the QA Framework as a whole was effective in promoting the sustainable development of KGs and enhancing the quality of KG education in Hong Kong. The QA Framework has also gained wide support from the KG sector, and the majority of KGs have established the SSE mechanism. At the end of the first cycle of QR, EDB fine-tuned the QA Framework on the basis of the recommendations of the two aforementioned reviews as well as the feedback from KGs, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness
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of SSE and QR41. The enhanced QA Framework was implemented in the 2012/13 school year to tie in with the second cycle of QR.
9.3.3 To enable a thorough assessment on the performance of KGs, a set of comprehensive “Performance Indicators (Pre-primary institutions)” (PInds) has been formulated by EDB. The Impact Study on the Effectiveness of Quality Review in Pre-primary Education in Hong Kong suggested that a review of the PInds could be carried out with a view to responding to the changes in the KG sector during the past decade and keeping pace with the latest development of SSE and QR. As such, an Advisory Group on the Review of the PInds was set up in July 2014 to review the PInds and make recommendations on their refinement.
School Self-evaluation
9.3.4 SSE is a process of collective reflection that provides insights into the current circumstances of schools, so that school staff can review the strengths and weaknesses of their schools. With reference to the findings, they can then identify areas for improvement for sustainable development. KGs should conduct a holistic review on their current state of performance with reference to the PInds. Schools should then compile and analyse their SSE findings to strategically devise a development plan for the next school year. They can record the findings and the development plan on the School Report template that is available on EDB website.
KGs are strongly encouraged to upload their School Reports onto their school website and/or make the document available to their major stakeholders including parents and teachers.
Quality Review
9.3.5 In the QR process, review teams from EDB will take KG’s areas of concern as the starting point and make reference to the PInds to make professional judgment on the overall school performance. During the on-site QR visit, the review teams will conduct lesson observations, read children’s work, interview principals, teachers,
41 The School Report template has been modified for better guiding KGs to devise a development plan. The duration of on-site inspection of QR has been revised to 2.5 to 3.5 days.
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parents and children, and review school documents so as to examine how KGs achieve sustainable development through the self-evaluation process. The review teams will give oral feedback to the principals and teachers of the KGs at the end of the on-site visit.
9.3.6 The QR reports of KGs under PEVS will be uploaded onto EDB website and linked to the Profile of Kindergartens and Kindergarten-cum-Child Care Centres to facilitate parents in making informed choices of KG for their children.
9.3.7 During the first 5-year phase of PEVS (2007/08 to 2011/12 school year), all KGs under PEVS (a total of 703) have undergone QR. The second cycle of QR started in the 2012/13 school year.
9.3.8 The Impact Study on the Effectiveness of Quality Review in Pre-primary Education in Hong Kong recommended that EDB could co-operate with KG professionals to enhance the effectiveness of QR. EDB are currently exploring ways to enhance the transparency of the QR mechanism and professionalism of the teaching force in the KG sector. A pilot scheme involving an external observer during QR visits is being conducted in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 school years. Subject to the evaluation on its effectiveness, the practice of involving an external observer in QR will be introduced in the 2015/16 school year.
The Stakeholders’ Views and Committee’s Deliberations
9.3.9 There were views that releasing the QR reports of individual KGs should continue to facilitate school development and enhancement of quality of education.
It is considered that the QR report would provide parents with more information on the operation of the KGs. Some expressed that KGs found it very stressful to have their QR reports uploaded on the website as it would have impact on the admission of students. Some others considered that with the substantial increase in government funding under the new policy, the governance and transparency of KGs would need to be strengthened.
9.3.10 On the QR review team, there were views that the inclusion of an external observer would facilitate the professional development and exchange among the
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principals and teachers in the KG sector. There were also views that EDB should ensure the external observers would understand the QR mechanism and should be experienced in early childhood education. Some held opposite views and were concerned about the possible conflict of interests between the external observer and the KGs.
The Committee’s Recommendations
9.3.11 The Committee considers that it would be more appropriate to continue making the QR reports available on the website for public information. Noting KGs’
concerns that the QR reports might not be able to reflect their latest developments, the Committee considers that KGs should be given opportunity to publicise their response to the QR reports and the follow-up actions taken in those areas requiring improvement.
9.3.12 The Committee agrees that having an external independent member in the QR review team as external observer will facilitate professional development in the KG sector. EDB should take necessary step to avoid any possible conflict of interests between the external observer and KG concerned in the QR process. The Committee is also of the view that EDB could consider inviting ex-KG personnel who has rich experience in KG education to serve as external observer. To ensure that QR would be conducted in an effective and fair manner, the external observers should have a correct understanding of QR and their role to play.
9.3.13 The Committee agrees that the PInds should be reviewed to keep pace with the development in the field. EDB should continue to provide support for KGs in the use of the PInds to conduct school self-evaluation, including training workshops and sharing sessions, as well as providing school-based support for KGs.
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