Ask most local people for their views on Hong Kong's education system and many will reply that it is elitist, inadequate and does little to equip the majority of students with the skill sets required to succeed in the increasingly competitive, technology driven global arena in which we live. For those talented or lucky enough to be in the elite band one schools, which are the local academic powerhouses for the territory, the case is very different.

Applying, adjusting and developing an education system to meet the needs of Hong Kong in a rapidly changing, interdependent environment is not necessarily a simple matter. To develop an education system capable of competing with the very best with the depth to provide a solid foundation to underpin economic and social growth within our society is not necessarily an easy matter. But it is perhaps the most important thing that the Hong Kong government can do if they wish to establish an internationally competitive, culturally cosmopolitan, inclusive environment. Doing so will enable Hong Kong residents to raise their living standards and quality of life while gaining an edge in an increasingly competitive regional and global environment.

So, where does the introduction of moral and national education classes fit in, and is it necessary or relevant? The answers to these questions are probably nowhere and no. It is clearly evident that the vast majority of Chinese people in Hong Kong are nationalistic, patriotic and as proud of their culture, heritage and the motherland as any of their counterparts in the motherland, and rightly so.

If the government's aim was to enhance students' understanding of the motherland and foster national identity by introducing the national education program, it is having pretty much the opposite effect. Instead it has highlighted the growing number of locals who are feeling disenfranchised. This is something that many observers voice concern about as it spreads into middle class Hong Kong.

One example of the negative effect of the proposed addition to the curriculum has been the massive increase in local families choosing overseas education for their sons or daughters. Many hard working Hong Kong parents feel that in order to provide their children with the necessary skill sets and adequate academic results to enter a reasonable university, they need to sidestep the local education system and send their children overseas to study. Their hard earned incomes are providing essential funding for education systems in Australia, North America, Western Europe and many other areas.

So, what about everyone else? Well "so what" really appears to be the posture the government is taking on education. A large proportion of local schools simply do not have adequate recourses, and therefore cannot provide an adequate level of support for their particular student bodies and nothing sensible or relevant is being done to change the situation.

What are the chances of a reasonable standard of education being delivered through a local school for a non-Cantonese speaking family who have no other options available? Though no fault of the schools, sadly these students will simply fail and eventually fall by the wayside. This of course primarily affects low income families.

Why are so many foreign families forced to turn to the international school systems that are being overrun by local families who do not want their children in the local system and have the ability to pay the constantly escalating fees? Most foreign families recognize that their children will not receive an adequate education in the local system unless they are fluent Cantonese speakers, so they have no choice but to take the international option if they wish to see their children achieve their academic potential and make a genuine contribution to society.

Against this backdrop the government is sitting on massive financial reserves, probably the highest in the territory's history. At a time when key issues face Hong Kong, the government is choosing to let this money lie idle when it could be put to good use for the benefit of the people of Hong Kong. And education is perhaps the single most important area where financial support and progressive planning would benefit everyone and guarantee the territory's long-term stability and success.

The author is chairman of the Multitude Foundation & director of the Irish Chamber of Commerce.

(HK Edition 09/15/2012 page3)