Abstract
The debate about the relative merits of centralization has a long history. Many industrialized countries are moving to a more decentralized model of administration, though some are becoming more centralized. Some countries have witnessed repeated swings of the pendulum. Hong Kong and Macau are similar in many respects. They are geographically close, and share a common cultural heritage. They both rely heavily on foreign trade, and in recent years have achieved strong economic growth. They are both colonies of European powers, and are both scheduled for reintegration with the People's Republic of China at the end of this century. However, while the education system of Hong Kong is in most respects highly centralized, that in Macau is highly decentralized. Focusing mainly on patterns of curriculum development for secondary schools, this paper identifies the reasons for the contrasts, and comments on the implications.
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