Opinion | How AI can help solve Hong Kong’s education inequality problem

An adaptive, AI-powered tutoring system can assess a student’s current understanding of a subject and generate customised content to address knowledge gaps, helping students better understand complex concepts and increase their interest in learning

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Children read and do their homework at a tutorial centre in Aberdeen, Hong Kong, on July 13, 2020. Incorporating generative AI into the classroom could help improve the outcomes of students who have no access to private tutoring. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 8:15am, 19 Apr 2023

In Hong Kong, a city renowned for its prosperity, the persistent issue of education inequality remains largely unaddressed. Disparities in access to resources, the quality of schools and socioeconomic factors contribute to a widening gap in educational opportunities.

A key aspect of addressing this inequality is the involvement of parents in their children’s learning. Research has shown children perform better in their studies when parents are actively involved.

Unfortunately, many parents are unable to dedicate time to engage with their children’s education because of work commitments or other reasons.

Recognising the importance of interactive learning, some parents turn to private tutoring to support their children’s education. This option provides personalised instruction and guidance, giving an advantage to those who can afford it.

The percentage of students receiving private tuition almost doubled from 34 per cent in 1996 to to more than 63 per cent in 2012, according to research by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. However, the reliance on private tutoring also highlights the existing gap in education inequality as less-privileged students struggle to keep pace.

My recent visit to a primary school in Ngau Tau Kok with a diverse student population – including children from different countries, cultures and religions – revealed the need for a solution to bridge the gap created by limited parental involvement and the high cost of private tutoring after school hours.