Abstract: “Hong Kong Government’s amendment of the Education Ordinance requiring all schools to establish an incorporated management committee (IMC) to oversee school management brought a new governance structure. This study attempts to understand the patterns of governance in Hong Kong and their link to governance effectiveness and sustainable development. The mediating effect of board functioning and trust on this relation is also examined. Findings and their implications to theorists and practitioners will be discussed”

Keywords: school governance, board functioning, trust, governance effectiveness, sustainable development