Education | MAC principal David Brown | Region should follow Finland’s example, not that of Hong Kong or China

David Brown (center)

David Brown has been the principal of the Macau Anglican College (MAC) since its opening in 2002. Analyzing local education policies, he suggests that Macau should look to Finland or Sweden for inspiration, where teachers are normally paid “exceptionally well” in order to encourage graduates to enlist in the profession. “This sends a message to the people about the importance of education in society,” he argues, adding that it also ensures a stable supply of high-quality teachers.
“I’m not sure that Macau has gone down the best path in getting inspiration from Hong and China,” the principal told the Times during an interview to discuss his career in education, on the week of his 70th birthday.
A British citizen, David Brown has spent the last 45 years dedicated to education – serving in a number of teaching and principal posts in England, including as acting head in a number of “challenging schools”. He has been with the MAC since its inception and regards it as the most difficult job he has ever done, but also the “most rewarding.”
The principal of the MAC applauds some of Macau’s educational policy initiatives such as encouraging informality in teaching, promoting early child development, and making education a more enjoyable experience for children.
He was undecided what he thought about the government’s expectation that all students meet a minimum standard across all subjects, saying that the MAC prefers to cultivate the students’ specialties and interests. “The difficulty,” he explained, “is in balancing the specialization that the children want with the MSAR [government]’s expectations.”
Despite this apparent difficulty, David Brown praised the policy of allowing schools the prerogative to set their own curriculum, following approval. He acknowledged the teaching time constraints of managing a non-standard curriculum with the government’s minimum education requirements, but nevertheless believes that the policy provides much-needed diversity in educational options.
He also said that the MSAR “should obtain credit for improving the working life of teachers” by limiting the number of hours they work per week, thus giving them more time to plan and prepare for lessons, which in turn improves the education experience for students.
When asked what he plans to do next, Mr Brown’s answer was simple: “I have no ambition to do anything other than continue to grow the school, and putting in place a good leadership and management team [before I retire]. I have fulfilled everything that I want to do in my life in terms of education. My only ambition is to hand over the school.”
David Brown says that he will remain in Macau after he retires. After almost 15 years, “this is where my life is and where my friends are.”
The principal explained that he had visited China as a tourist years before the opportunity at the MAC arose, and that he had “felt a calling to come to China”. When the opportunity arose, he seized it despite the counsel of his peers. “I have no regrets,” he remarked, “it has been a very rewarding experience.” Staff Reporter

‘We were termed an experimental school, but I don’t mind’

David Brown is not fazed that MAC is being termed “experimental.”
“When we first opened, we were termed an experimental school, but I don’t mind. I like to think that we are still a bit experimental.” The institution was termed as such because of its unconventional approach to its ‘hybrid curriculum’. Pupils are also required to learn English and Mandarin.
The MAC is a private school based in Taipa, accepting students from kindergarten to senior high school, and offering University of Cambridge IGCSE examinations.
The MAC started as a primary school, but after parents wanted the school to offer a junior high school, they expanded.  This expansion was completed 8 years ago. They then proceeded to establish the senior high school. Today they have around 120 teachers and about 60 additional or support staff.
The building from an aerial observation resembles the ‘finger of God’ from Michelangelo’s famous painting, ‘The Creation of God’, on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. According to Mr Brown, the structure has been featured in architecture magazines.