Briefing on Hong Kong Education System Presented by KF YEUNG Education Bureau, HKSAR in

1. Briefing on Hong Kong Education System Presented by KF YEUNG Education Bureau, HKSAR in 2007 Canadian Education Fairon 12 October 2007

2. Demands on Education • Comprehensive rather than selective education • Generic skills and attitudes • Enriched learning experiences • Lifelong learning skills and motivation

3. Core Values and Beliefs • Every child has the capacity to learn – set high expectations • Accept responsibility for students’ learning – focus on learning outcome • Lifelong learning and continuing improvement – aim for excellence

4. New Academic System(3+3+4) • All students study at S6 • Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, Liberal Studies, generic skills & values • career-oriented studies, broader post-school pathways • core subjects, elective subjects & other learning experiences

5. New Academic System(3+3+4) / cont’d • one examination • wider school-based assessment • HK Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) & Senior Secondary Student Learning Profile

6. International Trends International Baccalaureate (IB) “3+3+4” • 6 subjects chosen from 6 learning areas • 6 or 7 subjects (core and elective subjects) • extended essay and theory of knowledge • Liberal Studies (including Independent Study) • creativity, action, service (prerequisites for award) • Other learning experiences Back to Content Page

7. New Structure (“3+3+4”) Current Structure (“3+2+2+3”) 3-Year Undergraduate Degree 4-Year Undergraduate Degree HKALE New public examination leading to HK Diploma of Secondary Education Secondary 7 Secondary 6 Senior Secondary 3 HKCEE Secondary 5 Senior Secondary 2 Secondary 4 Senior Secondary 1 Secondary 3 Secondary 3 Secondary 2 Secondary 2 Secondary 1 Secondary 1 A Comparison of the Current and the New Academic Structures Back to Content Page

8. Benefits of Change • meeting challenge of knowledge-based society of Hong Kong • All students study through to S6 • increasing learning time and space and enhancing learning effectiveness • One public examination • Breadth and depth of senior secondary education (diversification) • developing the full potential of students with different aptitudes and interests • providing opportunities for young people to engage in study and/or work, post-school • Smoother pathways for further study and work Back to Content Page

9. Continuing Education for Higher Degrees/Further Qualifications Employment 4-Year Undergraduate Degree Sub-degree Year 2 Senior Sec 3 Project Yi Jin Career-oriented Studies Awards Senior Sec 2 Senior Sec 1 Junior Secondary Smoother articulation of SS to different pathways for lifelong learning and success in life Back to Content Page

10. University and Post-secondary Interface • Broadened admission criteria • Agreement that admission criteria should not unnecessarily restrict student choice in senior secondary education • LS as requirement for entry • HUCOM Working Group established and will provide early advice (during 2005) Principles established: Back to Content Page

11. Guiding Principles for curriculum design Balance between breadth (overall design & LS) & depth (Xs) Balance between theoretical & applied learning (Xs & COC, Core & elective parts in each subjects) Flexible & diversified – time allocation, timetabling Learning how to learn & inquiry-based learning Smoother articulation to multiple pathways(varied combinations of elective subjects & COC) Greater coherence (LS to complement Xs subjects, KLAs in basic education) Back to Content Page

12. Seven learning goals for SS Curriculum • To be biliterate and trilingual • To acquire a broad knowledge base, and be able to understandcontemporary issues that may impact on their daily life at personal, community, national and global levels • To be an informed and responsible citizen • To be a critical, reflective and independent thinker • To acquire IT & other skills for being a lifelong learner • To understand one’s career/academic aspirations and develop positive attitudes towards work and learning • To lead a healthy life style with active participation in aesthetic and physical activities Back to Content Page

13. Student programme-Whole person development & Diversification Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics & Liberal Studies as core subjects for ALL students 2 or 3 elective subjects (chosen from a range of 20 elective subjects) Other learning experiences (moral & civic education, community service, aesthetic & physical activities, career-related experiences) Career-oriented studies such as COC courses (alternative(s) to elective subjects) 15 - 35% 45 - 55% 20 - 30% Back to Content Page

14. New Senior Secondary & Basic Education Curriculum Framework 4 Core Subjects: Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, Liberal Studies (45-55%) 2-3 Elective Subjects out of 20 subjects or out of courses in career-oriented studies (20-30%) Other Learning Experiencesincluding moral and civic education, community service, aesthetic and physical experiences and work-related experiences (e.g. job attachment) (15-35%) NSS Generic Skill Value & Attitude P1- S3 General Studies Physical & Aesthetic Development Moral and Civic Education Career-related Experiences Intellectual Development Community Service

15. Timeline First cohort of students to SS1 2009 First HKDSE Examination 2012 First cohort of students from 4-year degree programme 2016