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The Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) today (January 24) progressed to seek views from the school sector and the general public on the further development of career-oriented studies (COS) and the academic structure for special schools in the new senior secondary education.
"The report 'The New Academic Structure for Senior Secondary Education and Higher Education – Action Plan for Investing in the Future of Hong Kong' published in May, 2005, has set out the road map for introducing the new academic structure in 2009," Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower Mr Chris Wardlaw said.
"Preparations for the implementation of the new senior secondary (NSS) structure, including the design of the curriculum and assessment frameworks for different subjects, are in full swing. Various stakeholders have taken an active part in the deliberating process and we look forward to their continuing participation.
"In parallel, we also had constructive exchanges with relevant bodies over the implementation of the COS pilot scheme and the secondary education for students with special educational needs (SEN). Now we have set out further details for continuation of our consultation particularly on the two issues."
Both the bureau and the education sector have a common belief that the academic structure should be designed to provide students with various opportunities to develop their potential to the fullest. COS as applied and practical learning is an integral part of NSS and will be offered as electives to suit individual students' abilities and interests.
"I am pleased that the school sector generally welcomes the proposal to provide a diversified pathway for senior secondary students through the introduction of COS. Just within a few months, some 55% of schools have already indicated their intention to offer COS courses and nearly 500 teachers wish to take part in the teaching of COS," Mr Wardlaw said.
In the third cohort of COC piloting some 3,000 students are enrolled, an indication of student interest and confidence to these courses.
"In recognition of COS and preparing students for multiple pathways in future study, training and work, we recommend that COS 'attainment' be referenced to Level 2 or 3 of the Qualifications Framework and the achievement of 'attainment with distinction' be deemed to be comparable to standards-referenced assessment Level 3 or above in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education."
On special education, Mr Wardlaw reiterated that the Government had pledged to provide six years of secondary education for all students, including those with SEN. These students would also be provided with the opportunities to pursue COS, where appropriate.
"I understand that there has been particular concern over the secondary education for intellectually disabled (ID) students as there are currently no formal senior secondary classes for them," he said.
"We recommend that ID students be able to enjoy a 3+3 secondary education to prepare them for transition to work and adult life. The emphasis will be to enhance their vocational awareness and preparation for independent living, with due regard for whole-person development and nurturing of life-long learning capabilities.
"The students will be studying under the same curriculum framework as other students but with adaptations to suit individual needs. Upcoming pilot and research projects on this curriculum for ID students and COS for students with SEN will give us a solid foundation on which the implementation in 2009 will be built."
In the meantime, EMB is carrying out a comprehensive review on the existing special education services which includes, among others, the implementation of integrated education in mainstream schools.
Also for deliberation in the consultation are the financial arrangements for putting the recommendations into practice. The Government has committed to invest heavily in NSS for the benefits of the younger generation, and would like to invite the school sector and parents to express views on funding models that support a more diversified curriculum to suit the abilities and aptitudes of all students.
To canvass views on various recommendations in the consultation document, there will be a number of briefings and opportunities for feedback on COS and NSS academic structure for special schools for schools, course providers and other stakeholders in the coming weeks. Follow-up surveys will also be conducted to further fine-tune the proposals.
The full text of the "Action for the Future – Further Consultation on Career-oriented Studies and the New Senior Secondary Academic Structure for Special Schools" document and other supporting papers have been uploaded onto the EMB 334 Web Bulletin (http://www.emb.gov.hk/334) for reference.
EMB welcomes feedback from the community on the relative issues. Comments and suggestions can be sent to the bureau on or before April 24, 2006.
E-mail: 334@emb.gov.hk
Fax: 2573 5299
2575 4318
Mail: New Senior Secondary Academic Structure Section
Curriculum Development Institute
Education and Manpower Bureau
13/F, Wu Chung House
213 Queen's Road East
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Ends/Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:19
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