Consultation Documents Education Blueprint for the 21stCentury Review of Education System: Reform Proposals Consultation Leaflet The Education Commission (EC) is now conducting a comprehensive review of the education system, covering the academic structure, the curricula and the assessment mechanisms of various stages of education, and the interface between different stages. The EC has earlier conducted two rounds of public consultation to collect public views on the aims of education for the 21st century and the proposed framework for education reform. We have now embarked on the third stage of consultation to invite public comments on specific reform proposals. As society is undergoing fundamental change, the education system needs to adjust accordingly. The basic premise of the education reform is to help students pursue all-round development through lifelong learning. The priority is to enable them to enjoy learning, to enhance their effectiveness in communication and to foster their creativity and sense of commitment. We hope that our students will possess intelligence and virtue, as well as a global outlook. If the proposed education reform can be fully implemented, students will enjoy the following learning experiences at different stages of education: Early childhood education Children will acquire learning experiences which correspond to their needs at different developmental stages in an enjoyable and inspiring environment. The professional standards of principals and teachers will be enhanced and the quality assurance mechanism will be strengthened. Students will receive education of a higher quality. Based on the principle of 'vicinity', primary one places will be allocated according to school nets and parental choice. This will minimize pressure on students. Nine-year basic education With the abolition of the Academic Aptitude Test, coherence between primary and secondary education will be enhanced. Unnecessary drilling of students will be eliminated. They could thus devote their time and effort to different types of learning activities conducive to their all-round development. The number of allocation bands will be reduced and the labelling effect will then be diminished. Students will be able to learn with more confidence. The curriculum will become more flexible and diversified to provide students with all-round, balanced, inspiring and interesting learning experiences. Through curriculum reform, students can acquire basic knowledge and develop various basic abilities (including communication, numeracy, information technology, learning skills, critical analysis, problem solving skills, creativity, interpersonal skills and ability to cooperate with others), positive values and commitment to the nation and society. Internal school assessment mechanisms will be improved and become more diversified. Basic Competency Assessments in Chinese, English and Mathematics will be established to enable students to have a better understanding of their areas for improvement and to help teachers provide students with timely and appropriate assistance. Enhancement and remedial measures will be strengthened to help students develop their potential to the full. Senior secondary education School curriculum, public examination and the university admission mechanism will be reformed to allow students more room to choose subjects or learning modules across different disciplines according to their own interests and abilities and to participate in diversified learning activities (e.g. social services and art and sports activities). Students will be able to construct a broad knowledge base and nurture essential generic abilities. They will also be able to cultivate integrity and civic-mindedness, and a global vision. These will lay a solid foundation for lifelong learning. The proposed three-year academic structure for senior secondary education has its own merits. Students will be able to enjoy a more coherent and diversified school life. Higher education With the development of different types of higher education institutions (e.g. community colleges and private universities), students will have more opportunities and greater choice to pursue higher education. The university admission mechanism will be reformed to reduce excessive reliance on public examination results. Student performance in all relevant aspects will be taken into account to encourage all-round development. A flexible and transferable credit unit system will be adopted to allow students more flexibility to choose their learning modules and decide on their own pace of study. First degree courses will be reformed to provide students with a wide range of learning experiences. Students can better develop their adaptability, creativity, skills in the use of languages and in communication, and the ability to co-operate with others. Their personal qualities, global vision and commitment to the nation and society will also be enhanced. Continuing education In the long run, a comprehensive qualifications accreditation and recognition mechanism will be developed. Student qualifications obtained through various channels will be duly recognized. With the support of the Government and different sectors of the community, continuing education will further develop and students will have more channels and opportunities to pursue lifelong learning. Seminars During the consultation period, the EC will conduct seminars in different districts throughout the territory to exchange views with members of the community on the reform proposals. Details of the seminars are as follow: (Topic*: A: Early Childhood to Secondary Three Education B: Secondary to Continuing Education) District Date and Time Venue Topic* Kwai Chung & Tsing Yi 13 May 2000 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 12 :00 noon Lions College 90 Hing Shing Road, Kwai Fong, Kwai Chung, N.T. A Tsuen Wan 13 May 2000 (Saturday) 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tsuen Wan Government Primary School 600 Castle Peak Road Area 2, Tsuen Wan, N.T. B Wanchai 20 May 2000 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Tang Shiu Kin Victoria Government Secondary School, 5 Oi Kwan Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong A Eastern 20 May 2000 (Saturday) 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Lingnan Secondary School, 6 Shing Hong Lane, Heng Fa Chuen, Hong Kong A Sai Kung / Tseung Kwan O 21 May 2000 (Sunday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Yan Chai Hospital Lan Chi Pat Memorial Secondary School, 10 Yuk Nga Lane, Tseung Kwan O, N.T. A Tai Po 27 May 2000 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Carmel Holy Word Secondary School, 10 Tai Po Tai Wo Road, Tai Po, N.T. A North 27 May 2000 (Saturday) 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pentecostal Gin Mao Sheng Primary School, 4 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, N.T. A Kowloon City 3 June 2000 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. GCE Past Students' Association Whampoa Primary School, 30 Tak On Street, Whampoa GardenHunghom, Kowloon A Kwun Tong 3 June 2000 (Saturday) 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. SKH Kei Hau Secondary School, 5 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin,Kowloon B Southern 10 June 2000 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Yu Chun Keung Memorial College, No. 21 Chi Fu Close, Pokfulam Hong Kong B Yau Tsim & Mong Kok 17 June 2000 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Po Leung Kuk Camoes Tan Siu Lin Primary School, 6 Hoi Tin Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon B Wong Tai Sin 17 June 2000 (Saturday) 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Church of Christ in China Heep Woh College, 171 Po Kong Village Road, Tsz Wan Shan, Kowloon B Central & Islands 18 June 2000 (Sunday) 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall, Central B Shatin 24 June 2000 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Ng Yuk Secondary School, Sun Chui Estate, Shatin, N.T. B Sham Shui Po 24 June 2000 (Saturday) 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Kowloon Technical School, 332-334 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Shamshuipo, Kowloon A Yuen Long 8 July 2000 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Shung Tak Catholic English College, Area 74 Hung Shui Kiu, Yuen Long, N.T. A Tuen Mun 8 July 2000 (Saturday) 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. NLSI Peace Evangelical Secondary School, Area 16, Tuen Mun, N.T. B You are welcome to participate in the above seminars. For enquiries, please contact us at 2810 3874. Collection of views If you wish to obtain the full or the abridged versions of the consultation document on education reform, please visit the Education Commission web-site (http://www.e-c.edu.hk). Copies of the relevant documents are also available at the district education offices, district offices and public libraries. Teachers, parents and students may obtain the document through their schools. You are welcome to send your views to us by mail, by fax or by e-mail on or before 31 July 2000. Address : Education Commission Secretariat Room 714, Central Government Offices (Main Wing) Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong. Fax No. : 2537 4591 E-mail Address : educom@netvigator.com Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People's Republic of China Education Commission May 2000