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The following is issued on behalf of the Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence Steering Committee:
Teachers in Hong Kong who moved with the times to nurture talent for the community and who stood firm in the face of changes both in and outside the education sector were commended today (July 14) by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang.
Speaking at the Award Presentation Ceremony of the Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence (ATE), Mr Tsang said Hong Kong must enhance the quality of its human capital amid competition from other areas. "The enhancement is not restricted to training in academic subjects or languages. It is equally important to cultivate among our students a sense of social concern to achieve progress in society," he said.
Arts Education and Personal, Social and Humanities Education (PSHE) were the two key areas for this year's award. The Chief Executive presented the awards to 41 kindergarten, primary and secondary school teachers. Another 14 teachers were presented with a Certificate of Merit by the Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen.
Mr Tsang praised the Arts Education teachers for not only nurturing the students' quest for arts, but also for leading the students to serve the community through arts.
He noted that a music teacher who taught students with comparatively weaker academic results and family conditions had strived to make the lessons versatile and to produce various instruments through economical means. Her endeavours fully realised the arts potential and creativity of the students as well as enhanced their confidence and self-learning ability.
"Meanwhile, the PSHE teachers designed interesting lessons and conducted indepth discussions among students on topical issues. They also led the students on Mainland and overseas trips to learn about the cultural characteristics of different places," Mr Tsang said. "The activities enhanced the awareness and insight of the students about their surroundings. They have learned to care for society, to know the motherland and to acquire a global view, thereby promoting the development of a civic society indirectly."
The ATE this year received 170 nominations of which 25 (41 teachers) were selected for the award while 6 (14 teachers) were awarded the Certificate of Merit. The assessment criteria were "Profession Competence", "Student Development", "Professionalism and Commitment to the Community" and "School Development".
The Chairman of the Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence Steering Committee, Mr Pang Yiu-kai, said the award was not meant to be a competition among schools or teachers for their personal glory. "On the contrary, the steering committee hopes that the award will encourage teachers to reflect on what teaching excellence is and to foster a culture of collegial collaboration and excellence through sharing the awardees' experience and insight," Mr Pang said.
"All the awardees have solid subject knowledge. Their curriculum planning and arrangements to cater for their students' different educational needs are also inspirational."
Students of the awardees were invited at the ceremony to share how their teachers had aroused their interest in learning and enhanced their learning outcome.
The results of the ATE (2006-2007) are available on the ATE website (www.ate.gov.hk). "The Rainbow Classroom" – a special ATV programme comprising two 30-minute episodes on exemplary teaching practices will be broadcast on ATV-Home at 5.30pm on July 22 and 29.
Sharing activities on the excellent teaching practices will be rolled out in November. Details will be announced later.
Nominations for the ATE (2007-2008) will be accepted from Monday (July 16) to October 12. It will cover Special Educational Needs as well as Physical Education at Primary and Secondary levels and Physical Activities at Kindergarten level. For details, please check the ATE website.
Ends/Saturday, July 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:05
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