Lessons for life: Hong Kong educator looks beyond exams and interviews
Por Jimmy Chow — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Hong Kong society Hong Kong Society Lessons for life: Hong Kong educator looks beyond exams and interviews
Spirit of Hong Kong Awards finalist Christine Ma-Lau helps children recognise their strengths, respect others and understand how they can contribute to society
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Jimmy Chow Published: 4:15pm, 13 Oct 2026
For Hong Kong educator Christine Ma-Lau, preparing children for exams or school interviews is only part of the job – helping them understand who they are, how to treat others and what they can contribute to society matters just as much.
Ma-Lau founded JEMS Character Academy in 2009 after concluding that many imported character education programmes did not fully meet Hong Kong’s needs. She developed her own curriculum around three areas: identity, relationships and community.
Her work has earned her a place among the finalists for the Spirit of Nurturing Award in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, co-organised by Sino Group and the South China Morning Post.
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