C. Dimmock et A. Walker, HONG-KONG CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY - SCHOOL LEADER PERCEPTIONS OF THE EFFECTS ON EDUCATIONAL-POLICY AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION, Comparative education, 33(2), 1997, pp. 277-302
This study captures the thoughts and perceptions of a group of Hong Ko
ng principals on the transfer of sovereignty and its effects on educat
ion. The investigation addressed the following guiding research questi
on. What, according to their perceptions, have been and will be the ef
fects on education policy and on school-level management and curriculu
m, of the transfer of sovereignty? A qualitative approach was adopted,
using naturalistic methods of inquiry. Nine principals of aided secon
dary schools were selected for interview according to procedures of pu
rposive sampling. The findings indicate that, faced with uncertainty a
rising from the change of sovereignty, principals feel confident of ma
naging and coping with situations at the school level in connection wi
th the curriculum and management. However, they express concern and gr
eater uncertainty about their ability to manage changes emanating in t
he broader sociopolitical educational environment, particularly with r
egard to values and norms and access and opportunity, all of which are
likely to impact on their schools.