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The Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) today (December 31) announced the results of the Essay Competition on National Education for Students of Hong Kong on the theme, "The Launching of Shenzhou V".

The top four prize winners of all of the four participating groups will be awarded with a visit to the spacecraft launching centre and related facilities in China. All winning entries will be published in a special complimentary publication together with the related articles and photos of the visit of China's first astronaut, Mr Yang Liwei.

The Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Moral and Civic Education), Mr Cheung Wing-hung said: "The essay competition was well received by schools with more than 1,200 entries from a total of over 400 primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutes. Students' participation was very enthusiastic and encouraging.

"The competition has enhanced students' understanding of the development of the aerospace technology and industry of our country. It also helps them to develop a sense of belonging to our country and to learn from the aerospace industry personnel the spirit of perseverance and commitment to contributing towards the betterment of our country."

The competition is divided into Senior Primary, Junior Secondary, Senior Secondary and Tertiary groups with one First Prize, one First Runner-up, one Second Runner-up, one Third Runner-up and four Merit Prizes. Winners will be awarded a trophy, a certificate of commendation and a book coupon valued at $500 to $3,000. In addition, the top four prize winners of each group will be invited to visit the spacecraft launching centre and related facilities in China.

The adjudicating panel was comprised of the Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mrs Fanny Law, the Chief Editor of Ta Kung Pao, Mr CK Young, the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of The Chinese History & Culture Educational Foundation for Youth, Ms Annie Wu, and Professor YC Wu of the Language Centre of the Hong Kong Baptist University.

"In general, the winning entries are of good standard. The students have expressed their sincere passion and imagination in their essays, while entries of the Junior Group were full of sincerity," Mr Cheung said.

Results have already been uploaded on the webpage of the Moral and Civic Education Section of the EMB for schools' reference (http://cd.emb.gov.hk/mce). The top four prize winners of each group are as follows:

Tertiary Group




First               The Hong Kong Polytechnic University


                     Wong Kin-sing, Allen


First Runner-up   The University of Hong Kong


                     Lau Wai-wah


Second Runner-up  Hong Kong University of Science & Technology


                     Li Si-yuen


Third Runner-up   New Asia Institute of Advanced Chinese Studies


                     Cheung Kam-wing




Senior Secondary Group




First               Ho Fuk Tong Evening College


                     Lau Pui-man


First Runner-up   Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School


                     Yeung Tat-sze


Second Runner-up  Queen Elizabeth School


                     Ng Yin-ting


Third Runner-up   St. Paul's Convent School


                     Cheung Ngan-kiu




Junior Secondary Group




First                Heep Yunn School


                      Chan Ka-wing


First Runner-up    St. Paul's Co-educational College


                      So Wai-pang


Second Runner-up   Tai Po Government Secondary School


                      Wong Choi-ngan


Third Runner-up    Lok Sin Tong Wong Chung Ming Secondary School


                      Wan Ka-pik




Senior Primary Group




First                 St. Paul's Primary Catholic School


                       Yung Wing


First Runner-up     St. Paul's Co-educational (Kennedy Road) Primary 


                       School


                       Tang Pui-kit, Stephen


Second Runner-up    PLK Leung Chow Shun Kam Primary School, AM


                       Chan Yu-yeung


Third Runner-up     Baptist Rainbow Primary School


                       Liu Shing-kung

The essay competition was organised by the EMB and Ta Kung Pao with sponsorship from the Chinese History and Culture Educational Foundation for Youth. The prize-giving ceremony will be held on February 28, 2004 at Kowloon Tong Government Primary School.

Ends/Wednesday, December 31, 2003

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