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The Secretary for Education (SED), Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, has been invited to attend the formal opening and keynote debates of the Education World Forum (EWF) in London, the United Kingdom (UK), today (January 28).
The EWF is the largest gathering of education and skills ministers in the world, with delegations from over 70 countries sharing experiences, policies, strategies and successes in addressing the challenges ahead.
To promote Hong Kong's education reform and policies, Mr Ng earlier joined a reception hosted by the EWF and a dinner with local Chinese community leaders, including the London Chinatown Chinese Association, the Hong Kong Executives Club and the London Chinatown Lions Club.
Mr Ng updated the overseas education and business communities on Hong Kong's education reform introduced in 2000, which is successfully in place. "The first cohort of students have completed the New Senior Secondary curriculum and proceeded to multiple progression pathways for further studies and career pursuits," he said.
"We are pleased to learn that the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service of the UK has recently confirmed that the tariff points (145 points) awarded for the highest level (5**) of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination are even higher than those awarded for the highest grade in the General Certificate of Education A Level (140 points) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (130 points).
"The new development is a boost to the recognition of HKDSE worldwide. Currently, there are over 140 universities, including 54 renowned universities in the UK like Oxford and Cambridge, that have already acknowledged their recognition of the HKDSE qualification for admission purposes, and more are being added."
In addition, Hong Kong Primary Four students ranked first in reading literacy in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study 2011. In 2012, Hong Kong also ranked third in a global study by the Pearson Group on education systems. These findings showcased the achievements of the education system in Hong Kong.
Mr Ng also appealed to the local Chinese community leaders to provide more opportunities for Hong Kong students seeking internship in the UK.
Accompanying the SED to visit London are the Deputy Secretary for Education, Dr Catherine K K Chan, and the Administrative Assistant to the SED, Mr Kenneth Cheng.
Ends/Monday, January 28, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:14
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