Task Force on Review of School Curriculum submits review report to EDB (with photo)
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Having thoroughly considered the views collected during the school briefing sessions and the three-month public consultation conducted between late June and mid-October 2019, as well as the impact of "suspending classes without suspending learning" during the outbreak of COVID-19, the Task Force has firmed up its directional recommendations, which include reinforcing the importance of whole-person development, according higher priority to values education, creating space and catering for learner diversity, further promoting Applied Learning, enhancing the flexibility in university admissions, and strengthening STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. A leaflet highlighting the six directions of the Task Force's recommendations and a full list of the recommendations are in Annexes 1 and 2 respectively.
The Chairperson of the Task Force, Dr Anissa Chan, said, "The Task Force is grateful for all the valuable input and suggestions received, and is pleased to present the directional recommendations to the Government today. Capitalising on the foundation of the education reform laid since 2000, the recommendations are made in the hope of bringing about further positive change in schools and our society. For the benefit of our students, the Task Force appeals to all members of the community to join forces and bring these recommendations to fruition so that our culture of education, pedagogy and students' learning experiences can be enriched."
She further highlighted that while the six directional recommendations were generally well received in the public consultation and warranted no significant changes, refinements were made in the final report to the details of some of them, including the differentiation arrangements of the curriculum and assessment of Liberal Studies, the strengthening of values education, and the promotion of e-learning and enhancement of student support in times of emergency such as the current pandemic. Among the recommendations, she highlighted the proposed School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme, which, in essence, serves to match students with special or diverse talents to programmes that can fulfil their potential.
Having received the review report, the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, said, "Since its inception in November 2017, the Task Force has extensively engaged different stakeholders and thoroughly reviewed the school curriculum. I would like to express my gratitude to the Chairperson, Dr Anissa Chan, and all the members of the Task Force for their full dedication to the review for more than two years and their contribution to the future development of the school curriculum. The theme of the report, 'Optimise the curriculum for the future, Foster whole-person development and diverse talents', rightly points out the aims of the review. The report presents a set of directional and interconnected recommendations that helps the EDB take forward the related work. We will study the report carefully and consider the views from different walks of life so as to undertake follow-up work prudently. Any changes related to the curriculum content and assessment will be carried out by the EDB in collaboration with the Curriculum Development Council, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, and other stakeholders under the existing mechanism."
The full review report can be viewed on the EDB's website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/curriculum-development/renewal/taskforce_cur.html).
Ends/Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Issued at HKT 14:35
Issued at HKT 14:35
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