Evaluating the Impact of Social Entrepreneurship Education on Secondary School Students in Hong Kong

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of Social Entrepreneurship Education (SEE) on the holistic development of secondary school students in Hong Kong, with particular attention to community-based learning and student engagement. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the research involved 78 Secondary 4 students participating in a school-based SEE program. Twenty students were classified as Active Participants who received mentoring and deeper involvement in project design, while 58 participated primarily in core workshops. Quantitative analysis examined six developmental domains: learning and cognitive development, personal growth and self-awareness, collaboration and communication, community awareness and civic engagement, entrepreneurial mindset, and future planning. Active participants reported consistently higher mean scores across all domains, although differences were not statistically significant. Pearson correlations revealed strong relationships among domains, suggesting an integrated construct of student competence. Qualitative findings indicated meaningful gains in resilience, empathy, collaboration, civic responsibility, and reflective thinking. The findings highlight the potential of community-engaged SEE to support holistic student development within academically intensive education systems.

Keywords: Social Entrepreneurship Education; Experiential Learning; Community Learning; Secondary Education; Civic Responsibility; Entrepreneurial Mindset; 21st Century Competencies

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/17-5-12

Publication date: May 30^th 2026