LCQ1: Early childhood education
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Question:
The Government has all along been committed to enhancing the quality of early childhood education and supporting the professional development of teachers. However, there are views pointing out that the current training support provided by the Education Bureau (EDB) for teachers of private independent (PI) kindergartens (KGs) is inadequate. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) regarding the professional exchange activities (including professional development talks, workshops and seminars) provided by the EDB for the KG teachers, whether the EDB has opened the enrolment to teachers of the PI KGs; if so, how the EDB can enable the KG teachers, including those of the PI KGs, to learn about the information on such professional exchange activities; how the Government will review the effectiveness of such training activities and follow up on the outcome of the review;
(2) whether it has provided the PI KGs with learning and teaching resources and reference materials, as well as school-based support services; if so, of the details, including the channels through which the EDB has provided the resources and reference materials to such KGs; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether any PI KGs have participated in the Guangdong-Hong Kong Sister Kindergarten Exchange Programme which has been launched by the EDB since the 2023-2024 school year; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Childhood is the most precious stage in life and kindergarten (KG) education is a key foundation for student's healthy development. In this regard, the Education Bureau (EDB) has implemented the KG Education Scheme (Scheme-KGs) since the 2017/18 school year, providing subsidies to eligible local non-profit-making (NPM) KGs to offer opportunities to all children aged 3 to 6 to access quality KG education. Teachers are the foundation of education. To align with the master plan on building China into a leading country in education, which advocates for the establishment of a high-quality and professional teaching force, the EDB is committed to supporting KG teachers in enhancing their professional competencies. Through participation in training and exchanges, the formation of learning communities, experience sharing and cross-boundary exchange activities, etc., teachers can continuously update their professional knowledge, skills, values and attitudes and be responsive to the changing times, trends in curriculum development and the proper care of developmental needs of children, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the KG education.
At present, all KGs in Hong Kong are privately run by either voluntary agencies or private enterprises and can be divided into two categories, the NPM and private independent (PI) KGs. The KGs under both catergories have to be registered under the Education Ordinance. The NPM KGs refer to those being granted exemption from taxes by the Inland Revenue Department under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. In the 2024/25 school year, there are a total of 980 KGs in Hong Kong, of which 802 are NPM KGs. Among them, 734 have joined the Scheme-KGs.
The PI KGs operate on a self-financing basis. Parents may choose to enrol their children in the PI KGs based on their own circumstances. In the 2024/25 school year, there are 178 PI KGs in Hong Kong, with 91 offering local curriculum and 87 offering non-local curriculum.
Our reply to the question raised by the Hon Tommy Cheung is as follows:
(1) The professional exchange activities provided by the EDB for KG teachers, including workshops, seminars, experience sharing sessions, as well as Mainland and overseas study tours, are open to application and participation by all teachers in the NPM and the PI KGs. All KG principals and teachers can access the Training Calendar System on the EDB's website to view the brief introductions to the training activities and register for relevant programmes based on their individual professional development needs or school-based needs. Besides, for certain programmes or activities, the EDB also disseminates relevant information to all KGs by letter or via the Fast Information Transmission System, so that teachers can be informed and register for participation.
The EDB also organises thematic activities or programmes in a timely manner in response to the KG teachers' professional development needs, such as the experience sharing sessions on Catering for Learner Diversity in Kindergartens and Implementation of Work Related to Safeguarding National Security in Schools. Regarding the review and follow-up of the effectiveness of the teacher professional development activities and programmes, in general, we will collect feedback from participants through questionnaires before the end of the exchange activities or programmes and compile the evaluation results which will serve as a reference for improvement and continuous enhancement.
(2) To support the KGs in enhancing teaching effectiveness, the EDB develops a wide array of learning and teaching resources based on the curriculum and the learning needs of children. These include curriculum fact sheets and pamphlets, teaching exemplars, short videos, animations and audio storybooks. All resources are provided free of charge and are available for flexible use by schools in designing school-based learning and teaching activities to enrich children's learning experiences. The EDB uploads learning and teaching resources/ reference materials and the deliverables of its support services onto its website in a timely manner for all KG teachers' access and reference. Teachers may also obtain the latest information via the "EDB Educational MultiMedia" EDB EMM online platform. The EDB also issues circular memorandums on a regular basis to inform all KGs of matters related to learning and teaching materials.
All NPM and PI KGs can freely sign up for school-based support services provided by the EDB, based on their school circumstances and actual needs. The themes of school-based support services are aligned with curriculum development and the professional development needs of teachers, such as promoting traditional Chinese virtues and learning through play.
(3) To promote exchanges and co-operation in early childhood education between the Mainland and Hong Kong and foster professional development of teachers in both places, the EDB has launched the Guangdong-Hong Kong Sister Kindergarten Exchange Programme (Programme) since the 2023/24 school year allowing KGs in the two places to form learning circles and engage in a variety of professional exchange activities. The initial phase of the Programme starting from the 2023/24 school year, offers 50 places each year for all Scheme-KGs to participate and accumulate experience. Moving forward, the EDB will review the effectiveness of the initial phase of the Programme, explore the actual needs and feasibility of further promotion and expansion, and continue to make good use of this exchange platform between the two places to promote professional development and collaboration.
President, a dedicated and professional teaching force is key to the high-quality development of education in Hong Kong. The EDB will continue to optimise and promote the professional development of teachers through developing quality learning and teaching resources, organising teacher professional training programmes and activities, and promoting exchanges and collaboration between the KGs in the two places, etc., thereby continuously enhancing the professional capacity of the KG teachers and supporting the quality development of the KG education in Hong Kong.
Thank you, President.
Ends/Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:22
Issued at HKT 16:22
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