****************************************************
The Government announced today (June 28) that results in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination will be accepted for civil service appointment purposes from July 20, 2012, onwards as follows:
* A combination of results in five HKDSE subjects of Level 2 in New Senior Secondary (NSS) subjects, "Attained" in Applied Learning (ApL) subjects (subject to a maximum of two ApL subjects) and Grade E in Other Language subjects will be accepted as having met the existing requirement of "five passes in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE)"; and
* A combination of results in five HKDSE subjects of Level 3 in NSS subjects, "Attained with Distinction" in ApL subjects (subject to a maximum of two ApL subjects) and Grade C in Other Language subjects will be accepted as having met the existing requirement of "two passes at Advanced Level in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) plus three credits in the HKCEE" (commonly known as "2A3O").
In meeting the language proficiency requirements for civil service posts, Level 3 and Level 2 in Chinese/English Language subjects in the HKDSE will be accepted as having met the requirement of Level 3 and Level 2 respectively in the HKCEE in similar language subjects. A candidate attaining Level 3 in NSS subjects or "Attained with Distinction" in ApL subjects in the HKDSE will be regarded as having met the requirement of Grade E in the HKALE or Grade C in the HKCEE in similar subjects. A candidate attaining Level 2 in NSS subjects or "Attained" in ApL subjects in the HKDSE will be regarded as having met the requirement of a Grade E in similar subjects under the HKCEE. The acceptance arrangements are summarised in the Annex.
In addition, to meet the entry requirements of civil service posts set at secondary education, a candidate who has completed respective levels from Secondary 1 to Secondary 5 under the new academic structure will be accepted as meeting the requirement of completion of Form 1 to Form 5 correspondingly under the old structure.
With the implementation of the new academic structure and the NSS curriculum since the 2009-10 school year, the first HKDSE Examination will be held in 2012 and the standards-referenced reporting system with levels (5 to 1) instead of grades (A to F) will be used in reporting candidates' performance. For details about the NSS curriculum and the HKDSE Examination, please refer to the New Academic Structure Web Bulletin at 334.edb.hkedcity.net and the website of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority at www.hkeaa.edu.hk.
A spokesman for the Civil Service Bureau said, "The entry requirements for most non-degree civil service grades are generally benchmarked against specific secondary education levels, or the HKCEE and/or HKALE results (e.g. Secondary 4 level, five passes in the HKCEE, "2A3O", etc). While attainments under the old secondary academic structure and the results of the HKCEE and HKALE will continue to be accepted for civil service appointments, the Administration needs to devise an arrangement whereby attainments under the new academic structure and results in the HKDSE will be deemed as comparable to the attainments and results under the old structure and the HKCEE and HKALE for the purposes of civil service appointments. A Working Group, comprising representatives from the Civil Service Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority and the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, was formed and drew up comparability proposals.
"We have, earlier this year, consulted the relevant parties including all bureaux and departments, the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service, the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service, the Legislative Council Panel on Public Service, the Public Service Commission and the staff sides on the comparability proposals for civil service appointment purposes. They are generally supportive of the arrangements."
"We have also considered the acceptance of Higher Diploma and Associate Degree qualifications under the new academic structure for civil service appointments. On the recommendations of the Education Bureau, we have decided to accept holders of local accredited Higher Diplomas and Associate Degrees awarded under the new academic structure as having met the academic qualifications requirements at or below sub-degree level. Holders of such Higher Diplomas and Associate Degrees will also be accepted as having attained Level 3 in English Language and Level 2 in Chinese Language in the HKDSE for civil service appointments," the spokesman added.
The Education Bureau is giving consideration to the implementation of a new Project Yi Jin with the relevant stakeholders. The Vocational Training Council is also considering the implementation of a new Foundation Diploma. "We will continue to work with the Education Bureau and announce the acceptance arrangements for the new Project Yi Jin and the new Foundation Diploma for civil service appointments in due course," said the spokesman.
Since 2001, the Government has accepted the locally accredited Associate Degree qualification as broadly comparable to Higher Diploma qualification for civil service appointments. Higher Diploma and Associate Degree graduates may also apply for grades requiring academic qualifications at or below sub-degree level, including "2A3O" or School Certificate. In addition, since August 2009, holders of a local accredited Higher Diploma or Associate Degree have also been regarded as having attained Level 3 in English Language and Level 2 in Chinese Language in the HKCEE for civil service appointments.
Persons who wish to apply for civil service vacancies should apply to the recruiting grades or departments direct. Information on government vacancies is available at the Civil Service Bureau website at www.csb.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:06
NNNN
