Guidance as a whole school approach in Hong Kong: From remediation to student development

Abstract

This paper presents the key guidance policy and practice in Hong Kong schools. Initially, guidance services were reactive and remedial, aimed mainly at problem students. Appraisal of the negative effects of the individual casework model led to a change to 'a whole school approach' to guidance. The focus of guidance at the school level changed concomitantly from remediation to prevention. This paper also discusses the future development of the school guidance system in Hong Kong, specifically in the area of developmental guidance. On the conceptual level, a clear distinction between remedial, preventive and developmental guidance is needed. On the level of practice, the need is for the development of a whole school policy, a developmental guidance curriculum, and a clarification of the connection between guidance and discipline. © 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers.