Social Policy

Question 4:

According to R.Timuss(1974), the objective of social policy is to meet social needs and promote social integration and discourage alienation. Comment on the positive function and dysfunction of social policy in Hong Kong. Give examples to illustrate your answer.

Introduction

From the point of view of R. Titmuss (1976), social policy is aimed to meet social needs, resolve social conflicts, promote social mobility, promote social cohesion and discourage social isolation. Does social policy in Hong Kong effectively achieve this goal? Are there any pros and cons of the social policy? Education, housing and health care system are main components of social policy in Hong Kong. In the following, I will focus on these three areas and discuss their functions with some examples.

1. Secondary education

In 1974, primary students were selected by Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE) for studying in secondary schools. This mechanism was meritocratic and based on students' academic performance. At the same time, there was Feeder and Nominated School System (FNSS) as a parallel mechanism. The feeder and nominated school had right to choose students from their designated primary schools. The SSEE admitted students based on merits but the FNSS based on wealth.

The FNSS opposes the idea of socially equity as everyone should obtain the same treatment, no matter what their family backgrounds and social status are. Students from rich families can be admitted into a school due to their families' backgrounds. But students from poor families have to rely on their own efforts for admissions. It is unfair. Also, the FNSS hinders poor students to promote social mobility as they have more difficulties and competitions for having secondary school places.

In 1978, government implemented 9-year compulsory free education. It was good news as more children could receive education. It promoted the idea of everyone having an equal chance to access. Also, Secondary School Places Allocation System (SSPA) replaced the SSEE. This allocation system was based on students' internal academic performance in school and Academic Aptitude Test results. Thus every student must have junior secondary education. The degree of randomization in allocation system increases.

In 1991, Direct Subsidy Scheme was carried out. Aided schools have high autonomy to control their administration and teaching. They have freedom to select students and mostly adopt small-class teaching. So students can have better education and learning environment. However, this opposes equity of education system. As the aided schools charge for a high tuition fee, disadvantaged students cannot afford. It is inequitable to them since everyone has the same chance to be admitted to schools. Wealth should not be one of the criteria of