Impacts of the pre-primary education voucher scheme: Experiences of eight kindergartens

The Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme (PEVS) of Hong Kong has generated considerable controversy since its first announcement due to its unconventional nature. Though previous research showed that stakeholders generally expected the policy to promote the "3As" of early childhood education (ECE) - affordability, accessibility, and accountability, and benefit non-profit-making kindergartens (NPMKs) more than private independent kindergartens (PIKs), the present multiple-case study of 8 kindergartens, conducted after 2 years of the implementation of the PEVS, found that (1) the majority of respondents did perceive positive impacts on the 3As, but they also experienced some new problems; (2) respondents' views varied significantly across stakeholders, with the parents perceived more positive impacts than the principals and teachers; (3) the smaller kindergartens were impacted more by the policy; and (4) the respondents of those kindergartens which had been converted from PIKs perceived the effects of the PEVS slightly more favorably than their peers in traditional NPMKs. It is argued that the government should promptly and critically review the policy and thoroughly consult the sector in order to ensure the sustainability of the policy and the quality of ECE in Hong Kong.