Towards inclusion of cross-boundary students from Mainland China in educational policies and practices in Hong Kong

Every society has an obligation to provide quality education to children regardless of their socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. The number of cross-boundary students (CBS) from Mainland China in Hong Kong schools is increasing. This article reviews educational policy and provision for educating CBS, presenting data from an empirical study. Data from three school-based case studies (pre-primary, primary and secondary) reveal an absence of systematic school-based policy or provision for newcomers. This article draws on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to review educational practices with regard to CBS populations. Despite the rapid growth in numbers of CBS, the case studies suggest that Hong Kong regional government’s policies fail to meet students’ transitional needs or guarantee their rights. There remains a serious policy gap that is left to schools and teachers to address as best they can. The article concludes by discussing implications for policy making and teacher professional development. Copyright © 2011 The Author(s).