TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION OF IN-SERVICE TRAINING IN HONG KONG CHINA, AND CAREER COMMITMENT TO THE FIELD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, CHINA

Abstract

The study investigated teacher’s perception of in-service training in Hong Kong China. Career commitment to the field of Early Childhood Education was also examined. A questionnaire was administered to 85 kindergarten teachers and administrators in both Cantonese and English to teachers who were in the last year of in-service training. The study found that typically, most in-service practitioners were satisfied with the governmental training programme (69.9%). Although 77.4% found it useful, participants did not all feel privileged to attain it (59.1%). Sixty nine percent were happy to spend the rest of their career as an early childhood practitioner. Conversely, practitioners thought they had few options besides working as a kindergarten teacher or administrator, this career was the best option at that moment. Additionally, the study found when practitioners in Hong Kong stayed longer in the teaching profession, they are more willing to continuously commit to their profession.