As the vehicle of social development, education has always driven the economy, training people for participation in ever-evolving industries. The history of the development of education highlights the social emergence of different periods. This book chronicles the history of Wan Chai, the Eastern District and the Southern District on Hong Kong Island from three viewpoints – population growth, urban planning and industrial development – giving readers a glimpse of Hong Kong’s development from a small fishing port to a modern metropolis.

After World War II, the government began to focus on urban planning to meet the social development and livelihood needs of Hong Kong’s people. This included starting another land reclamation in Wan Chai and the construction of public housing in the Eastern District and the Southern District to improve the living environment, which also promoted the development of private housing estates. Schools are also necessary community facilities and so were built near public and private housing estates. In addition, to meet urban development needs and improve the teaching environment, many schools originally located in the Central and Western District of Hong Kong Island had to be relocated, and some were moved to Wan Chai, the Eastern District and the Southern District. Urban development and population growth had undoubtedly created a need for additional educational resources in all of the districts of Hong Kong, encouraging the government to build more schools. Furthermore, economic development and social transformation had led to a strong demand for new vocational and technical training.

The writing team for this book visited historic schools in the three districts. Some schools were founded by social leaders or the government, while others were founded or run by various sponsoring bodies, such as enterprises, religious groups and neighbourhood organisations. Each school has its own strengths and characteristics. The stories told by teachers and alumni, and the valuable old photos and cultural relics they provided, recapture the campus and community life of the past and reflect their deep connection with their schools.