There is confusion over whether or not refugee children can sit Hong Kong exams, such as the HKCEE. The government first told us that it was extremely difficult, but later said that there was no difficulty and that there had been a misunderstanding. Certainly teachers to whom we spoke thought that the children could not take Hong Kong exams. We were told that at Jubilee there are 18 children who could pass HKCEE if given the chance.
Some teachers suggested to us that the educational programmes were neglecting basic living and cultural skills. Many of the refugees face traumatic adjustments when they arrive in a country of resettlement, and there does not seem to be enough preparation for this. It is ironic that when refugees are accepted for settlement in the USA they go first to Bataan in the Philippines for a three month preparatory course, including language training.
Various outings are arranged for refugee children in closed camps. Voluntary organisations take the children to such places as Ocean Park. These outings are obviously enjoyable treats for the children, and we wonder whether other trips could be organised to teach the children about basic living skills going to a bank or a market, catching a bus, crossing a road, shopping. There are now a good number of children who have spent their entire lives in closed camps, apart from the odd trip to Ocean Park; they must be developing a strangely distorted view of life.
Vocational Training
Countries of resettlement and the various agencies working in the camps think that learning a language (usually English) is much more important for a refugee than learning how to do a specific job. They also think that general work experience and understanding Western attitudes to work (e.g. time-keeping) are more valuable than specific skills.
Unfortunately, the depressing atmosphere and slow pace of life in the camps do not encourage refugees to study. lack motivation.
They
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