Evaluating educational problems, behavioural problems and intervention strategies in secondary schools in Hong Kong : Views from students, parents and teachers

This paper examines the prevalence of common educational and behavioural problems among secondary school students in Hong Kong and the effectiveness of common intervention strategies for dealing with them. Approximately 3000 students, 2300 parents and 600 teachers were sampled to complete a specifically-designed questionnaire. The results showed that all three parties acknowledged that student lack of motivation and problems with curriculum were the most serious educational problems and that making noise/disturbance in class was the most serious behavioural problem in schools. They also agreed that establishing a fair discipline system and asking non-motivated students to transfer to vocational schools were effective solutions for dealing with student destructive behaviours. Students' perspectives overlapped much with those of their parents, but seldom with those of their teachers. Creation of greater and more flexible vocational and remedial classes is recommended and more communication between teachers, students and parents is needed.