Policy for diversity in Hong Kong schools: Policymakers talk about ethnic minority students

Ethnic minority students are a small and, until recently, a largely unrecognized group within Hong Kong's education system. Their participation is most noticeable in primary and junior secondary school but almost negligible in senior secondary and higher education. The disadvantage suffered by these students has been highlighted recently by political processes that have put in place legislation prohibiting race discrimination. This has led to government actions designed to support ethnic minority students at all levels of education. Such actions are embedded in a particular policy context that both directs such actions but also helps to understand them. This paper will report the results of a study based on interviews with selected policy makers who have particular responsibilities for ethnic minority student policy. The results indicate that current policy is deeply embedded within a theoretical framework that maybe at odds with creating equitable curriculum and assessment for ethnic minority students