The value(s) in shadow education: re-visiting pedagogy and learning

Abstract

This session comprises studies on shadow education in Hong Kong and Guangzhou under the education reform climate which places pedagogical focus on student-centred learning, learner autonomy and all-round development of students. However, the studies reveal that shadow education tends to promote contradictory values for profit-making assurance. Private tutors in tutorial centres usually adopt a one-way lecturing style with exclusive focus on examination preparation which appeals to learners' superficial needs. This may discourage learner autonomy and, more seriously, devalue the ethos of teaching and learning intended for the reforms in mainstream education. Issues for critical discussion: 1. What kinds of values are promoted under the education reform in mainstream schooling? How are they similar or different from those promoted under shadow education? 2. What do students, parents, teachers, tutors, school principals, and government officials think about the different directions the two systems are going? 3. What should the government do if the two systems are going in different directions? 4. How can learners' autonomy develop amidst the trend of efficiency in exam preparation?