kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SED meets with education sector on improving Hong Kong's electoral system (with photos/video)
1.4.2021

The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (April 1) hosted two briefing sessions to brief and exchange views with members of the education sector on the amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Its Voting Procedures passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for improving the electoral system of the HKSAR. Participants included representatives from school councils and principals' associations in relation to kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools as well as other education organisations. Also present were the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, and the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin. Mr Yeung said that improving the electoral system of the HKSAR could establish a political structure that upholds the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy as well as maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and its sustainable development. He expressed his belief that after improving the system, the executive authorities and the legislature would work smoothly together to expedite people-oriented policies and measures, including providing schools, teachers and students with a more stable learning and teaching environment and solving the problems faced by the education sector. Mr Yeung will continue to meet with other members of the education sector, including stakeholders from government advisory bodies on education, school sponsoring bodies and the post-secondary education sector, enabling them to have a better understanding of the matter and render their support to related work.
Appointments to Advisory Committee on Gifted Education
1.4.2021

The Education Bureau today (April 1) announced the re-appointment of the Chairman and seven members, as well as the appointment of three new members, to the Advisory Committee on Gifted Education (ACGE) for a term of two years with effect from April 1, 2021. The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, expressed his appreciation to the ACGE for its dedication to promoting gifted education in Hong Kong, particularly in providing valuable advice on the "Off-school Advanced Learning Programmes" launched in the 2019/20 school year and funded by the Gifted Education Fund. The related strategies and initiatives enable more gifted students to have access to high quality and challenging learning experiences, thereby developing their potential and expanding the talent pool of Hong Kong. He said, "I am pleased to have Dr Pang Yiu-kai and the incumbent members continuing to serve on the ACGE. I also welcome the participation of three new members. Given their rich experience in the education and professional sectors, I am confident that they will further enhance the development of gifted education in Hong Kong." Mr Yeung also expressed gratitude to the three outgoing members, Ms Sonia Cheng Chi-man, Professor Cheng Shuk-han and Dr Allen Fung Yuk-lun, for their valuable contributions to the ACGE. The membership list of the ACGE with effect from April 1, 2021, is set out below: Chairman ----------- Dr Pang Yiu-kai Non-official Members ----------------------- Mr Eric Chan Sze-yuen* Mr Brian Cheng Ho-wai Ms Joanne Chong Sze-pui* Professor Chui Yat-hung Sister Anita Kwok Ming-ying Ms Cecilia Lee Sau-wai Ms Carrie Leung Ka-lai Ms Ada Li Yuen-yung Dr John Tan Kang Professor Tse Chi-kong* Ex-officio Members --------------------- Permanent Secretary for Education Deputy Secretary for Education (5) Chairman, Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education Chairperson, Committee on Gifted Education of the Curriculum Development Council *new members The ACGE was set up in April 2017 to advise the Secretary for Education on the use and management of the Gifted Education Fund, the long-term development of gifted education in Hong Kong, and measures and initiatives for promoting gifted education.
SED on COVID-19 testing for teachers and new core subject
4.2.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session before attending the Chief Executive's Question and Answer Session in the Legislative Council today (February 4): Reporter: First, some educators said it is not only their teachers who need to be tested regularly. So why are students not required to do so? It seems like pushing responsibility towards the school. How do you respond to that? And secondly, why is the Liberal Studies subject having such massive changes in this certain period of time? Secretary for Education: On the first question, I must say that in the school set-up, the school management and the teachers must have a bigger responsibility than the students because they are there to provide the service, to provide the education, for the students. As I said, I think as a government we would like to ask every citizen to do the test as much as possible because this is one of the measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic. But for this particular measure or initiative that we are now proposing, it is just an option. We are just allowing those schools whose teachers are very willing to do the testing another option and an opportunity for them to have the whole school back to resume face-to-face lessons at the earliest opportunity. Of course, teachers, as the educators as well as the carers of students, have to look at the interests of the students. If they are willing, we would appreciate it very much that they are willing to do the test just to offer more protection to the students. On the second question about the new subject renamed from Liberal Studies, if you look at the curriculum framework carefully, you will notice that actually the curriculum framework and the previous one are very, sort of &ndash; I would not say similar, but most of the topics are extracted from the previous one. Because what we are doing now is not creating a new subject. We are trying to consolidate the current Liberal Studies subject with some reductions in content, because we want to give the teachers and also the students more space for development. For example, the students could make use of the time to study deeper in other subjects or to take another elective subject. So the whole idea, if you look at the consultation, the questionnaire that we sent out to the schools, we are talking about the four core subjects, we are talking about creating, through these reforms, more space for these students, to cater for their learning diversities. This is the objective of the whole exercise. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Appointments to Quality Education Fund Steering Committee
16.1.2021

The Education Bureau today (January 16) announced the appointment of members to the Quality Education Fund Steering Committee (QEFSC) for a term of two years, from January 16, 2021, to January 15, 2023. The following members have been appointed to the QEFSC: * Ms Rita Chan Yin-nei * Ms Daphne Ho Kin-yi * Ms Promail Leung Kin-yi * Mr Addy Wong Wai-hung The following members have been re-appointed to the QEFSC: * Ms Kelly Chan Yuen-sau * Ms Jane Leung Chui-chun * Ms Angela Leung Wai-tuen * Miss Bella Lo Sung-yi * Mr Pang Chor-fu * Mr Shum Yiu-kwong * Mr Yeung Sai-man "With the re-appointment and new appointment of members to the QEFSC, I am confident that the Quality Education Fund (QEF) will continue to achieve outstanding results in the promotion of quality school education in Hong Kong," said the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung. He also thanked the outgoing members, Dr Eugene Chan Kin-keung, Dr Ho Yuk-fan, Dr Brian Lo Kin-hang and Dr Mak Chi-keung, for their valuable contributions to the QEFSC in the past years. The QEF was established in early 1998 with $5 billion in capital to fund community initiatives which promote quality education in Hong Kong. The QEFSC advises on the policies and operation of the QEF and also makes recommendations to the Fund's Trustee on the awards of grants. Since its establishment, the Fund has supported over 11 600 projects with grants totalling around $5.5 billion. As at end-November 2020, the fund balance of the QEF (unaudited) was about $10.1 billion.
EDB staff member tests positive for COVID-19
19.12.2022

A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said today (December 19) that a staff member of the EDB has tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test. She is undergoing isolation in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health. The staff member is the Political Assistant to the Secretary for Education, Ms Siu Ka-yi. She wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work and conducted daily rapid antigen tests. She has no recent travel history. She last went to work on December 16. The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, have been taking COVID-19 rapid tests every day and the results are all negative. The EDB has conducted thorough cleaning and disinfection operations at the office concerned and will continue to implement disease prevention measures vigorously.
Secretary and Under Secretary for Education undergoing home quarantine
16.12.2022

A spokesman for the Education Bureau said today (December 16) that the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, have been identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. They are undergoing home quarantine in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health and will work from home during the quarantine period. â Dr Choi and Mr Sze have been taking COVID-19 nucleic acid tests regularly. They obtained negative results after conducting a rapid antigen test today.
Secretary for Education undergoing home quarantine
9.12.2022

A spokesman for the Education Bureau said today (December 9) that the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, is undergoing home quarantine in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, as a family member in her household has tested positive for COVID-19. Dr Choi will work from home during the quarantine period. Dr Choi has been taking COVID-19 nucleic acid tests regularly. She obtained negative results after conducting a nucleic acid test yesterday (December 8) and a rapid antigen test today.
Community Youth Club Annual Parade celebrates HKSAR's 25th anniversary (with photos)
26.10.2022

âThe Education Bureau (EDB) organised the Community Youth Club (CYC) Annual Parade cum Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (October 26) to honour the school principals and teachers who have been promoting the CYC, as well as students participating in social services. Officiating at the event, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that with the objective of cultivating values and invigorating the country through science and education, the EDB would, through continuous enhancement in education, nurture virtuous and able individuals with an affection for the country and the city. This would enable them to contribute to the modernisation of the country, development of Hong Kong and social progress. Dr Choi was pleased to see that in the past 40-some years, the CYC has gathered young people of different generations to participate in social services activities, which has provided them with opportunities to care and serve the community, and has fostered their sense of civic responsibility as well. The annual parade was held at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai and featured a variety of activities, including a video co-produced by more than 100 CYC member schools for celebrating in the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. CYC Ambassador Mr Ho Chu-ting led an action-packed rope skipping performance with students and concluded the event with a lively atmosphere. Other guests included the Deputy Division Chief, Department of Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Lo Chung-yeung, the District Governor of Lions Clubs International District 303 - Hong Kong & Macao, China, Mr Shin Kin-man, and the chairpersons of the 18 district executive committees of the CYC. More than 300 award-winning secondary and primary school principals, teachers and students, as well as their parents, attended the event. The event was also webcast live to reach those who could not join in person. With the theme of "Civic responsibilities we fulfil; A brighter tomorrow we build", the CYC has organised a series of activities this year, including a video-making contest, district social services, etc. For information about CYC activities, please visit the website ( www.edb.gov.hk/cyc ).
Education Bureau holds Values Education Prize Presentation Ceremony cum "My Pledge to Act" Launching Ceremony (with photos)
2.9.2022

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, spoke highly of the award-winning teachers and students in various competitions on values education held the previous school year, and kicked off the "My Pledge to Act" activity series for this school year in the Values Education Prize Presentation Ceremony 2021/22 cum "My Pledge to Act" 2022/23 Launching Ceremony today (September 2). Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Choi said that cultivating students' positive values and helping them practise good attitudes and behaviours is one of the important goals of the school curriculum. She was pleased to see that despite the epidemic, schools and students still participated actively in various competitions organised by the Education Bureau (EDB). In the award-winning lesson plans, teachers adopted a variety of teaching strategies to enhance students' understanding of positive values. Through different learning activities, students' affection and motivation for practising good behaviours were enhanced. It was impressive to see that students were able to show appreciation and recognition to people with good deeds they came across in their daily life in the award-winning comic strips and short videos. The positive energy embedded in "Be Grateful and Treasure What We Have, Stay Positive and Optimistic" was displayed in their work. Today's event was organised by the Curriculum Development Institute of the EDB. Since 2019, the EDB has set "Be Grateful and Treasure What We Have, Stay Positive and Optimistic" as the theme for "My Pledge to Act", and this has been widely recognised and supported by schools. To build on the success over the past three years and align with the EDB's newly added priority values and attitudes, i.e. "Law-abidingness", "Empathy" and "Diligence", starting from this school year, schools may flexibly select from the three sub-themes, i.e. "Be Diligent and Law-abiding, Perform Acts of Kindness", "Think from Others' Perspectives, Foster Harmony and Be Respectful" and "Inherit Traditional Culture, Be Patriotic and Love Hong Kong", to organise their school-based "My Pledge to Act" activities. The EDB will organise various related learning activities, such as a mascots design competition, a creative social media post design competition and a parent-child storytelling competition, to support the implementation of "My Pledge to Act" and cultivate students' positive values and good attitudes and behaviours. Please refer to EDB Circular Memorandum No. 114/2022 ( applications.edb.gov.hk/circular/upload/EDBCM/EDBCM22114E.pdf ) for details. âFor the list of the winners of the competitions and details of the "My Pledge to Act" 2022/23 activities, please visit the Values Education webpage of the EDB ( www.edb.gov.hk/en/ve ).
Seventy-six students awarded scholarship for excellence (with photos)
24.8.2022

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (August 24) officiated at the Award Presentation Ceremony 2022 of the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme (HKSES). Seventy-six students were selected as the eighth cohort of awardees. Speaking at the Ceremony, Dr Choi said that education holds the key to unlocking the potential of Hong Kong's young talents, and nurturing them into quality citizens with a sense of social responsibility and national identity, an affection for Hong Kong and an international perspective. The HKSES highlights the Government's commitment to and efforts in fostering the talent development of the next generation. She said she looked to the awardees to act as ambassadors in telling a good Hong Kong story while overseas and make the best use of their enriched knowledge and skills upon graduation in contributing to the city's long-term prosperity and stability. All awardees received their formal secondary school education in Hong Kong, studying either local or non-local curricula. Among them, 57 will be pursuing undergraduate studies and 19 postgraduate studies at world-renowned universities. These include not only top-notch comprehensive universities but also world-class institutions specialising in particular disciplines. The awardees will pursue a wide spectrum of disciplines, with almost half of them pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)-related programmes. Other disciplines include law, arts, culture and performing arts, medical and health sciences, and social sciences. The distribution of the awardees by different disciplines is shown in the Annex. A total of 650 applicants competed for this year's HKSES. Apart from outstanding academic achievements, the awardees also demonstrated excellence in their leadership qualities. As the selection process is ongoing, some more applicants may be offered the scholarship after today's ceremony. A list of the awardees as of today has been uploaded to the HKSES website ( hkses.edb.gov.hk ). First launched in November 2014, the HKSES has been regularised from the 2019/20 academic year onwards. It aims to support local students to pursue studies at world-renowned universities outside Hong Kong with a view to grooming a top cadre of talents with global vision, an international network and world-class education, thereby contributing to enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness as Asia's world city in a globalised knowledge economy. Since its introduction, the HKSES has benefited 746 students. The key features of the scholarship scheme are available at the HKSES website. The application details of the next cohort of the HKSES will be announced shortly.
Variety show of special school students held to celebrate HKSAR's 25th anniversary (with photos)
11.8.2022

The Education Bureau (EDB), together with the Hong Kong Special Schools Council (HKSSC) and the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), organised the "Variety Show of Special School Students - Let Your Love Shine 2022" today (August 11). Showcasing the diverse talents of special school students in Hong Kong, this large-scale joint school event was attended by 62 special schools to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It is also aimed at enhancing public understanding of special education in Hong Kong. Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to special education, and supports schools to cater for students with special educational needs (SEN) through a dual track of special education and integrated education. The EDB has been rendering considerable resources and professional support to schools, and providing professional training for teachers. Dr Choi pointed out that the EDB continuously reviews the development of special education, and supports schools to help students overcome limitations and difficulties so that they could develop their potential and gradually become independent persons with adaptability and self-learning abilities. She encouraged students to take a proactive and optimistic attitude to embrace challenges. She also hoped that professionals from different sectors in society could work in collaboration with the Government to care for and support students with SEN, so that every student could benefit, grow up in a caring environment and excel in society. The variety show was held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai, featuring a range of performances. About 100 students joined the performances, including a dragon dance, fitness exercises, martial arts, a wheelchair dance, piano trio, etc. Moreover, the music video of the theme song "Let Love Shine 2022", chorused by students from 62 special schools, was played. Other officiating guests included the Permanent Honourable President of the HKSSC, Professor Ma Si-hang, and the Vice President (Academic) and Provost of the EdUHK, Professor Lee Chi-kin. More than 400 guests, special school principals, teachers, students and parents enjoyed the wonderful performances of the students. The variety show was webcast live and barrier-free with sign language interpretation and audio descriptions so as to cater for persons with hearing and visual impairments. The EDB has specifically launched the "Let Love Shine" website ( shine2022.edb.gov.hk ) to introduce the features, facilities and learning and teaching resources of special schools, and to showcase the learning activities and creative works of special school students. The website contains a quiz game "Special Education Challenge&rdquo; to enhance the public's understanding of special education in Hong Kong.