As children, the time we spent outside the classroom was unforgettable, giving us countless stories to tell and experiences to reminisce about. Today, our youth seems to belong to the distant past. Yet we may feel a sense of familiarity, intimacy and sweetness when such moments cross our minds, as if they had happened just yesterday. What is your most cherished memory of those times? Is it a high-spirited basketball match? Or a fascinating trip to the countryside with your classmates and teachers? Perhaps what you treasure most are the genuine friendships formed during your school days.

Over the years, after-school activities have evolved as society has developed. At each point in history, extra-curricular opportunities have had their own unique features. Every generation of students has experienced different things and formed distinctive memories, which bear witness to history. In Hong Kong, many of the tranquil scenic spots for school trips or graduation camps in the old days have been replaced with skyscrapers amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Only a few people today remember long-ago childhood games such as rope skipping, portrait picture cards, marbles and ‘watermelon’ ball.

Extra-curricular activities, an integral part of the school curriculum, play an important role in students’ education and personal growth. Perhaps we should think about the objective of these activities from the curriculum perspective: whether they are designed merely as an extension of classroom learning or to cater to students’ interests by providing opportunities for learning through leisure. In the past century, extra-curricular activities have flourished in Hong Kong. Once considered simply a form of recreation, extra-curricular activities now offer a diverse blend of formal and informal learning experiences in support of holistic education. In response to social changes and education reform, new educational principles and objectives have been developed for extra-curricular activities, creating opportunities for students to nurture their interests, explore their potential and develop their talents.

Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of Education and the Hong Kong Extra-curricular Activities Masters’ Association, this exhibition, Beyond the Classroom: Extra-curricular Activities, delves into the development and evolution of extra-curricular activities in Hong Kong over the last century. Presenting a rich variety of learning activities outside the classroom, it explores the experiences shared by students of all ages. This collection of memories, spanning the generations, has one thing in common: our youthful days are brightened by dreams and delight. Sharing these moments and achievements from our school days, the exhibition offers a glimpse into students’ lives at different points in history. It seeks to foster intergenerational understanding and inspire viewers to reflect on the importance of extra-curricular activities to education, then, now and in the future.