Historically, education in Macao was not prioritized due to the fishing-based population. However, after 1535, with the arrival of foreign missionaries, educational initiatives began to flourish. Today, Macao exists with a dual society, consisting of a Portuguese and a Chinese community, each with their own language-based education systems.
Official schools, taught in Portuguese for Portuguese children, are run by教会 and community groups. Private schools, which teach in Chinese or English, are predominantly organized by the华人社会. The government has recently started emphasizing teacher training, particularly after the signing of the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, recognizing the importance of education.
Until 1991, Macao's education system was 'liberal,' but a formal education framework was introduced in 1991 to cater to the evolving needs. As the economy grew, the demand for quality education increased, and teacher education became a pressing concern. The government now funds education initiatives, including师资培训 and the establishment of an education institute within universities.
Non-higher education in Macao includes幼儿教育, preparatory classes, and various schools for primary and secondary education, as well as vocational schools. Educational institutions are classified into public, sponsored, and private. Most schools are either sponsored or private, with a few public schools like Gomes Cabral, Technical, and two bilingual schools. There are 41 schools offering secondary education in languages, including 28 Chinese, 4 English, 1 Portuguese, and 2 bilingual schools.
Despite a lack of complete uniformity, schools choose from British, Portuguese, or Chinese educational systems based on their requirements. The government provides 15 years of free education for schools in the public network and supports non-network ones. Macao's higher education has seen significant growth, with the Macao University of Science and Technology, established in 2000, being the first private university after the handover. The University of Macau, established in 1981, stands out with programs in tourism, hospitality, gaming management, sports, traditional Chinese medicine, and translation, among others.
Below are the 12 higher education institutions in Macao:
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