A political economy of adult vocational education in Hong Kong

This thesis has studied the vocational education and training of adults in Hong Kong. Informed by the political economy perspective, it argues that social inequality in the city state affects the nature of adult vocational education at different levels, including the formation and implementation of policies. and that it also has an effect on the outcomes of adult vocational education activities. A substantial part of the research was an investigation into the history of vocational education and training of adults in Hong Kong. The primary sources covered the publications of official training bodies and government departments and the records of legislative proceedings. Meanwhile. published survey reports were critically reviewed to provide a comprehensive track record of policies and programmes on adult vocational education. A qualitative case study design was also employed which provided a rich and bottom-up account of the learning experiences of disadvantaged adults in retraining programmes. Data consisted of official curriculum materials. in-depth interviews with the director, teachers and adult learners ora publicly-funded training centre for displaced workers, and field notes from classroom observations. Since 1997 the market has re-emerged as the chief mechanism in the delivery of adult vocational education. but the power of the state relative to civil society actually has increased. Through its policies on adult vocational education and publicly funded retraining programmes, the state has simultaneously served the needs of capital and reinforced the existing class divisions and gender inequality. It has also attempted to control adult vocational education activities carried out by organisations in civil society, and as a result, I ittle space has been allowed for the development of critical perspectives regarding social issues, and the influence of' the dominant groups has been strengthened. Above all, this thesis questions whose interests in Hong Kong the state's involvement in adult vocational education serves. 2EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo