Social challenge:
How to help ethnic minority (EM) children better integrate into the local
community?
How to provide more educational/ vocational opportunities for EM teens who may
not speak/ read Chinese fluently?
Why is this important?
There are currently 10413 EM children (aged < 15) and 5200 EM teens (aged 15-24) in Hong Kong. Most of them come from India, Pakistan and Nepal. [HK Population By-census, 2006]
Background
Due to differences in language, religion, cultural and familial values, EM children often encounter challenges when adjusting to the local community. Education seems to be the biggest problem of all since they have a limited school choice and places, with many schools lack funding in providing special curriculum for EMs. A majority of EM children and parents also have a limited knowledge in Chinese. This result in a low school enrollment rate and frequent difficulties when EM youth wish to further their studies or to look for jobs.
Status Quo
The Education and Manpower Bureau allowed EM children to choose mainstream schools in the "Primary One Admission System" starting from 2004. 22 designated schools also receive special grants from the government to run special policies to accomodate the needs of EM children. Some NGOs set up community centers in areas where live the most EM population to provide additional support. However, the scope of their work is limited because it requires EM families cooperation as well as locals' understanding of EMs' needs.
Solution 3: Skills Exchange and Internship Program
Initial idea:
- gather local and EM teens and coordinate a skills exchange between them (e.g. language for language, cooking, dancing)
- run festivals to celebrate culture
- run an internship program; provide subsidies to businesses that hire EM youth
Pilot program:
- set up a community centre that offers many services
- engage in positive self-image building by inviting role models and through the media
- organize company visits to teach youth about business
- run a carnival showcasing local and EM culture
- have EM youth teach locals their
cooking/dancing skills
- provide career training
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