In response to the growing importance of values education in early childhood, Caritas – Hong Kong began developing a Religious, Moral, and Character Education (RMCE) framework in 2020. Grounded in the Kindergarten Education Curriculum Guide of Hong Kong, the framework integrates the vision of Caritas, its school motto, and the Catholic core values into the whole-person development of Schools.

The RMCE framework was piloted during the 2021–2022 academic year in 11 Caritas kindergartens and nursery schools. A core group was formed to develop the RMCE framework by adopting the ‘Circular Interaction Model’ that emphasizes the interplay between various school domains and areas in the first stage. With regard to the RMCE framework as core, key domains and areas such as school climate and traditions, learning and teaching, and teacher professional development are progressively developed.

Throughout the process, educators embraced the vision and mission of Caritas, engaging in collaborative planning and continuous communication. Early outcomes from the pilot stage suggest that the framework is both feasible and impactful, also enhancing teacher professional growth and team collaboration. It brings the virtues and traditions of Caritas into practice.

This presentation will share the experience of the early implementation of the RMCE framework development. It will also highlight key challenges and insights gained, with the aim of inspiring fellow educators to reflect and rethink on the role of values and character education in nurturing the next generation.