No school like home: Hong Kong parents choosing home-schooling for children’s well-being

Sam said she felt the difference from the school she used to attend.

“Because the teacher had so many students to manage, I often felt like I lost the spirit to learn in school,” Sam shared. “It was hard to keep up, so I’d stop trying and just ended up doodling.”

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George and Connie*, Sam’s 44-year-old mother, are part of a small group of Hong Kong parents turning to home-schooling as they rethink their children’s education. For the Li family, it is no longer just about preparing their children for top universities. Instead, they are prioritising family bonding and mental health.

About a year ago, Connie noticed the toll that traditional education was taking on her daughter – whether it was the stress of keeping up in Chinese class or navigating relationships with peers. The pressure was not just affecting Sam, but it was also seeping into the family’s overall happiness.

Now, Connie and her husband are helping Sam and her younger brother explore their interests and nurture their motivation – qualities that their mother believes are more valuable than exam scores.

“In traditional schooling, children are often forced to memorise and rote-learn, leaving little room for creativity,” Connie said. “You can clearly see the drawbacks in their writing. They struggle to come up with ideas, and when you ask them about their thoughts or preferences, they don’t even know what they like or dislike.”

While home-schooling is allowed in Hong Kong, it remains an unconventional choice, and the Education Bureau has no requirements for what is taught.

The city has about 120 home-schooling families, according to Vivien Lai Mei-kei, a researcher who specialises in home-schooling in Hong Kong and mainland China. Lai also home-schooled her daughter, who started university early and, at the age of 17, is in her third year at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

“The main reason we chose home-schooling was our children’s happiness,” Lai said. “We saw how stressed they were in traditional schooling – overloaded with homework, short on free time, and creativity stifled ... and that unhappiness affected the whole family.”

Still, Lai acknowledged home-schooling had its challenges. Not attending school could cause children to miss out on social interactions and face biases due to home-schooling’s limited recognition.

However, she hoped society would view home-schooling as a viable option for families seeking a different approach.

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The Li family was first inspired to teach their children at home during the pandemic when in-person classes were suspended. They spent three months home-schooling Sam’s younger brother.

Another turning point came when Sam was in Primary Five as academic stress and social dynamics left her miserable.

“She was overwhelmed. That’s when I knew we had to make a change,” Connie recalled.

From Monday to Thursday, the family, based in Mui Wo, travels to Shenzhen, where they have rented a studio for a more focused environment for learning and activities.

Fridays are their family days. One time, they explored the Kowloon Walled City display at the airport together.

After about four months of home-schooling, Connie noticed how her children have found peace in learning: “Their happiness became so much simpler without academic pressure. I can see their inner strength growing.”

Sam’s father, George – who quit his school job during the pandemic and now works as a private tutor – takes the time to make each lesson an immersive experience.

“It’s not just about crafting lesson plans; it’s an opportunity for self-reflection and growth in our relationship,” the father said.

Yet, home-schooling comes with sacrifices.

“It doesn’t mean home-schooling is perfect – we’re still looking for different solutions,” Connie said, highlighting the financial and emotional strain on the family, as the parents devote most of their time to their children.

“The biggest challenge isn’t academics – it’s getting them to cooperate,” Connie said. “When you’re with them all the time, it can be exhausting.”

She added: “They’re at that preteen stage where parenting can get tricky. You can’t just nag them constantly – they’ll tune you out.”

With personalised instruction, Sam shared that she gained confidence in her weaker subjects and felt more motivated to pursue her interests. Her dream is to be a fashion designer in the future.

When Sam’s gap year is finished, she hopes to apply to a Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) secondary school. But her acceptance is uncertain, as most schools require exam scores to evaluate applicants.

Still, Sam’s parents are optimistic about her potential. “The inner peace we’ve cultivated is far more valuable than chasing after a top university,” her father said.

Their emphasis on emotional well-being comes at a time when family happiness in Hong Kong is low.

According to a survey by HK.WeCARE, the average family happiness rating dropped to 6.43 out of 10 in 2023, the lowest score since in 2019.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong ranked 86th in the World Happiness Report, slipping nine places in three years.

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Reflecting on the home-schooling journey, Connie saw how the experience has strengthened the family’s bond.

“Our relationship was strained before – everything was out of balance because we were always rushing,” she said. “Now, I can focus on connecting with them. Once you have that emotional connection, academics become secondary.”

For the father, this time has paved the way to a deeper parent-child connection built on trust and shared purpose.

“It goes beyond educational goals. We explore aspirations, independence and broader life topics, which nurture mutual understanding and respect,” he said.

*Full name withheld at interviewee’s request.

Stop and think: Name three reasons Sam’s parents wanted to homeschool their children.

Why this story matters: Amid a stressful, competitive education system, many Hong Kong pupils struggle to maintain their emotional well-being. Some parents are responding by turning to homeschooling.