"Under the Trees: The History of Hong Kong Village Schools" Exhibition The new exhibition is presented by The Hong Kong Institute of Education in collaboration with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and organised by the Hong Kong Museum of Education and the Hong Kong Museum of History. The exhibition is divided into four zones:

Zone A: The Development of Village Schools and Rural Education
Village schools have a long history, and their origins can be traced back to old-style private study halls, which were established during the Qing dynasties, in what is now called the northern New Territories. The purpose of these study halls was to prepare promising young students for the Imperial Civil Service Examinations, bringing honour to their clans and villages if successful. In 1898, the New Territories came under British administration, at which time the Government adopted a non-interference policy with traditional village life and customs. Education in the New Territories was often supported by big clans. The first zone in our exhibition traces the development of village schools and rural education from these early beginnings through to pre- and post-Second World War reforms in the education system, and the closure of many village schools in the twenty-first century.

Zone B: The Origins of Village Schools
The second zone in the exhibition features the origins of village schools: Ancestral Halls, Sishu and Study Halls, Temples, Free Schools, and Privately Funded Schools. Panels in this section offer some brief background information on each type of village schools, as well as details of their school locations and the character at each village school. The text is illustrated by a number of images and artifacts, many drawn from the village schools in Hong Kong.

Zone C: Campuses and Teaching in Village Schools
Village schools place a great emphasis on their environmental design and landscape architecture. Many of their campuses have wide open spaces and are surrounded by trees. Students can stay close with nature. The third section of the exhibition explores the campuses, curriculums and activities pursued at each of the village schools, to offer some sense of campus life at the time, and this is illustrated through the display of a diverse range of artifacts including school facilities and teaching materials.

Zone D: Village Schools of Today and Their Contributions
The exhibition concludes with a showcase of the contributions of village schools: provision of basic education, auxiliary to the mainstream schools, and close connection with the community. Besides, this section explores the current features of village schools. In the past, village schools provided education only for children living in the same village. Nowadays, village schools serve students coming from other villages, and the background of students has become diversified.

Presented by:
The Hong Kong Institute of Education

In Collaboration with:
Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Organised by:
Hong Kong Museum of Education
Hong Kong Museum of History


-> Download Exhibition Poster
-> Download Exhibition Leaflet