From Decentralised to Centralised Education: Consequences for Quality Physical Education in Macao SAR

Macao has had a history of practising ‘Laissez-faire’ (non-intervention) in school education development. However, the city’s return to China in 1999 initiated an era of change in consideration of the future needs of its society. Therefore, a more responsive approach was adopted to improve the quality of school education. This study discussed the strategies adopted for improving the provision of high-quality programmes, particularly for physical education (PE). A survey questionnaire was conducted for this study, with the participation of 84 professionals in the field of PE. The data reflected their perceptual understanding of recent developments in PE in Macao. A high perceptual index in specific dimensions indicated a strategic pattern of prioritising initiatives in legislative efforts: curriculum development and unification, academic learning time for PE, extracurricular activities, school building, and teachers’ training. Emphasis on professionals’ prevailing practices is an easy shortcut to success, but it leads to insufficient attention toward other important areas, such as students’ cognitive development in PE. This study provides evidence of strategic difficulties when priorities are partial to specific developmental issues. This situation becomes a concern as complacency may overlook other essential areas for progress in PE.