Losers making factory

Hong Kong, as a knowledge-based economy, is very competitive. Also influenced by the traditional Chinese thinking that only education could bring along success and fortune, parents has great expectations on their children to have good academic results. The make-or-break examination system even adds on the burden of students. All these factors have led to the mushrooming of cram schools in Hong Kong.

The video illustrates the life of two very different teenagers, JJ and Annie. JJ grew up in a relatively poor family and only had limited resources. Understanding that without the guarantee of a university place, he would probably end up in a difficult situation in his future career. JJ was desperate for help and could only turn to cram schools, with the hope that the examination-oriented teaching style could guarantee him an entrance ticket to universities.

Annie, on the other hand, grew up in a rich family which allows her to not only receive the best education, but also to take up interests such as piano playing. Instead of sitting for the local examination, she would be sitting for the International Baccalaureate. In contrast to JJ who was worried sick about entering university, she aims high in entering prestigious universities to study her favourite subject, literature.

JJ and Annie represents two sides of the society and illustrates the wealth gap between them. Poorer families which lack resources for education for their children are very likely to continue their poverty in the next generation, ending up in the cycle of poverty. Only very few could escape the vicious circle through education or starting their own business. Whereas the success and fortune of the rich would continue grow. This would lead to the intensifying of the wealth gap issue.

In the video, Hong Kong is described as a loser making factory. Those who could enter university are regarded as winners while those who couldn’t are losers. There is no denying that with a university