kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SED on universities funding and limit of access to university campuses
30.11.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (November 30): Reporter: Secretary, by pulling some of these universities' funding request, does the Government have any timetable on when these funding requests will be re-tabled to LegCo (Legislative Council)? As after this LegCo term, it will mean a start over of the legislative process. Is the Government really being fair to universities and actually bringing politics into education? Second, after the clashes at the universities, is it really doable and is it really reasonable to limit access to university campus, because universities already have security teams. So is it really necessary to look into limiting access? Secretary for Education: On the temporary pulling out of these items from the FC (Finance Committee) agenda or the PWSC (Public Works Subcommittee) agenda, for example, for the item on the PWSC agenda, it is about a library extension and is an item led by the EDB (Education Bureau). We need more time to work with the management of PolyU (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) to firm up the timetable and also to reconfirm the design of the whole extension before we go to the PWSC again. And for the other items which are led by the FHB (Food and Health Bureau), I think it is also their intention to resubmit the item when they have a chance to further discuss with some LegCo members to further explain some of their projects to the members. So I think it is still our target to resubmit all these proposals to the LegCo within this legislative session. Regarding the limit of access to the campus, I think it all depends on individual campuses. Some of them are very big and it may not be feasible to have a very strict control over access. But I think, the management, also together with our support, will consider all possibilities. The idea is to maintain the safety of the campus for every one of the university, including students, as well as teaching staff. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SED on student protests at universities campuses
2.11.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (November 2): Reporter: Regarding the violent incidents in the Hong Kong Design Institute, what do you think the school should do to respond to the protesters as well as the students' demands to release the CCTV footage? Also, will the Education Bureau provide any assistance for the school to handle the matter? Secretary for Education: I think, for the school, it is up to the school to decide what the next step is. But I think the school has already tried its best to provide the information to the students. Whether the students think that it is sufficient or not, I think it is up to the individual students. But I think the school has to balance the demand of the students, as well as the privacy that it has always been saying that it is a very important consideration on whether it decides to release the video tape or not. Reporter: There have also been a lot of protests going on at the university campuses. Some students went up to the stage during the graduation ceremony to voice their demands and protest. What do you think about this on-going trend of protests at campuses, and how do you think the school should handle these matters? Secretary for Education: The university is a place for study. So I think as pointed out by the chairmen of the university councils in a joint statement, the prime objective of the university is for education. I think, at the end of the day, it will be a balance of what the students are doing, and whether what they are doing are affecting the normal operation of the universities. I believe the management of the universities are capable of handling these matters. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SED visits students with special educational needs (with photos)
29.10.2019

The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (October 29) visited TWGHs Kwan Fong Kai Chi School to see the learning arrangements for students with special educational needs (SEN). Located at Nam Shan Chuen Road, Tai Hang Tung, the school provides special education services for Primary One to Secondary Six students with moderate intellectual disability and strives to offer them a variety of learning opportunities and a suitable environment throughout their school life. On the school campus, Mr Yeung joined students for some learning activities, such as STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, physical education, visual arts and baking classes, followed by a meeting with teaching staff and parents for exchanges. He also visited the boarding section of the school at Chuk Yuen North Estate to learn more about the boarding service and related facilities. Mr Yeung said, "Students with SEN have different characteristics and development needs, and thus it is of paramount importance for schools to teach individual students based on their own ability and help them unleash their unique potential. We appreciate the efforts made by all teachers and, in recent years, the Government has taken the initiative to allocate more resources to support related work. "For special schools, this year's Policy Address suggested, starting from the 2020/21 school year, enhancing the staff establishment of the boarding sections of special schools so that boarding students could receive better services. The improvement will include providing an additional cash grant to each boarding section for employing personal care workers or hiring related services; upgrading the ranks of Warden and Assistant Warden of boarding sections with an approved capacity of 40 or above and increasing the numbers of Assistant Warden and Houseparent-in-charge accordingly; and improving the weekend and Sunday manning ratios. "As for public-sector ordinary primary and secondary schools, the Policy Address suggested adopting a three-tier intervention model with proven effectiveness to help students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) develop emotional regulation, social communication and adaptive learning skills. We will also support non-governmental organisation-school collaboration in offering small-group training on social adaptive skills. It is expected to benefit a total of about 10 000 students with ASD." The above-mentioned Policy Address initiatives will require an additional annual expenditure of about $130 million. Mr Yeung said that education is the most meaningful investment in the future and the current-term Government has made a steadfast commitment by so far allocating an additional recurrent expenditure of $10 billion on education. The future development of Hong Kong depends a lot on the nurturing of talent, which also requires the professionalism of education workers, the support of school stakeholders and the efforts of all students. The Government will continue to strive to provide the necessary support.
CSD holds musical drama kick-off show for "Own Your Life" campaign (with photos)
9.10.2019

To promote community education, the Correctional Services Department's (CSD) Rehabilitation Pioneer Project (RPP) and the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong organised a musical drama campaign called "Own Your Life" this year. The kick-off show was held at the Jockey Club Auditorium of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University today (October 9). The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, and the President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Dr Dennis Ng, attended the show. Around 780 teachers and students from nine secondary schools, together with principals, parents, social workers, members of the District Fight Crime Committee and other partners of the CSD attended the event. The "Own Your Life" campaign is a half-year programme conducted in three phases, namely, a kick-off show, workshops, and a gala show. The kick-off show was performed as an interactive musical drama modeled on the difficulties and temptations youngsters face in their daily lives. The show was enhanced by the inclusion of well-known pop songs in the performance for the young audience. During the performance, students and guests were invited to play a role in the story, and express their point of view toward the dilemma faced by the main character. The CSD also arranged a rehabilitated person to share his experience so that students could consider the heavy price to pay for committing crime. The CSD has endeavoured to collaborate with schools and social service organisations to promote community education. The department aims to help students and young people by disseminating messages about the benefits of leading a law-abiding and drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation. Starting from September 2008, the CSD launched RPP, targeting at secondary school students and youngsters. A series of activities have been organised, such as education talks, the Personal Encounter with Prisoners Scheme, the Green Haven Scheme, visits to the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum, an extended training camp, a student forum, a drama and music performance of "Creation and Rehabilitation", the "Reflective Path" and summer camp. In 2018, the attendance of various activities under the project totalled more than 48,000 including students, teachers and social workers.
SED on activities staged outside schools
10.9.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after officiating at the Salute to Teachers 2019 - Teachers' Day and Commendation Certificate Presentation Ceremony today (September 10): Reporter: With the "human chain" trend persisting in schools around the city, what is the Government's stance on it? And should the Education Bureau hand out guidelines for the schools? Secretary for Education: I think what happened yesterday outside schools, the activities outside the schools, is something that has been happening throughout the week. We observe that as the activities evolve, there seems to be more and more disturbances from the community, and also there were recently some cases of confrontation. So I think it is time that we have to have a second thought. So we appeal to the students that they have to consider their own safety when attending these activities and we also appeal to schools and parents to try to ask their children to carefully consider when they attend these activities. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Hong Kong team achieves outstanding results at International Olympiad of Metropolises (with photos)
8.9.2019

A team of eight students representing Hong Kong achieved outstanding results in the 4th International Olympiad of Metropolises (IOM). Hong Kong team won one gold medal, five silver medals and two bronze medals at the competition, as well as a silver award in the team competition. The IOM is a competition covering four disciplines: mathematics, chemistry, physics and informatics. The competition was held in Moscow, Russia, from September 1 to 6, with around 350 students from 45 cities/regions participating in the event. In the informatics competition, Harris Leung (Diocesan Boys' School) and Yuen Lok-kan (Pui Ching Middle School) won a gold medal and a silver medal respectively. In the physics competition, Jeff Kwan (St Paul's Co-educational College) and Lau Sze-chun (Diocesan Boys' School) each won a silver medal. In the chemistry competition, Yip Yan-ming (Po Leung Kuk Centenary Li Shiu Chung Memorial College) and Chow King-ngai (La Salle College) each won a silver medal. In the mathematics competition, Sheremeta Daniel Weili (Hong Kong International School) and Bruce Xu (West Island School) attained each a bronze medal. The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, congratulated the Hong Kong team today (September 8) on their outstanding performance. "The remarkable results achieved by the Hong Kong team this year demonstrated our students' great potential in science, technology and mathematics as well as excellent problem-solving skills. It also demonstrated students' courage to take up challenges and perseverance to forge ahead in the face of difficulties," Mr Yeung said. "The Government injected an additional $800 million into the Gifted Education Fund in March this year, with a view to encouraging more organisations to provide diversified off-school advanced learning programmes for gifted students. The Advisory Committee on Gifted Education has received from various organisations a number of applications for funding support, which will be processed in accordance with the established procedures. We expect that in the new school year, more high quality learning opportunities could be provided for gifted students to help them further develop their potential in different areas," he added. The Hong Kong team was fully funded by the Education Bureau to join this competition. The members of the Hong Kong team had earlier distinguished themselves in Hong Kong Olympiad of different subjects and subsequently completed a series of enhancement programmes provided by the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education, tertiary institutions and professional bodies concerned. The outstanding students in the programmes were then selected as contestants representing Hong Kong to participate in the IOM this year. The pleasing results achieved by the Hong Kong team this year demonstrated the fruitful collaboration among different organisations in nurturing gifted students in Hong Kong.
SED on Yuen Long schools and teachers' performance
23.7.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after attending the launch ceremony of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Membership Hospitality Academy today (July 23): Reporter: Secretary, given the unsettling images out of Yuen Long, and that so many people are troubled by it, does the Education Bureau have any support and guidelines issued especially for schools in those areas, where we saw schools and shops in Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long close early yesterday? And can you also give - aside from the safety, on their emotional support, and also we saw teachers being arrested or they are criticised for posting messages or for some of their behaviours. Will the Education Bureau carry out any disciplinary action on those teachers? Secretary for Education: I think the situation in Hong Kong - well, we all know what is happening now in Hong Kong. I take this opportunity to appeal to all of us citizens of Hong Kong that we should abide by the law. We are confident that the Police are able to maintain law and order in Hong Kong. At present, basically all schools are on their summer holidays. There are a number of summer activities organised by the schools for the students. I think these are quite flexible in nature. So I think the schools could decide how and where to organise these activities for their students, and we, the EDB (Education Bureau) would be happy to offer advice and assistance to the schools if needed. Regarding your question on teachers' performance, I think, we, as a society, have very high expectations of our teachers and are hoping that our teachers will also abide by their professional conduct and professional requirements when they are teaching at schools. On individual cases, we have to look at the facts and we have to look at the final investigations by, for example, the law enforcement agents, and see whether any actions need to be taken by the schools or the EDB according to the established procedures. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
EDB accepts recommendations of Task Force on School-based Management Policy
23.7.2019

Having thoroughly considered the review report submitted by the Task Force on School-based Management (SBM) Policy, the Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 23) decided to accept all the 27 recommendations contained therein. The Task Force set up under the Education Commission (EC) submitted its report on July 8 this year, putting forward a total of 27 recommendations with a view to improving the quality of governance, strengthening the administration capabilities of schools and unleashing capacity for teachers and principals, and enhancing the participation of major stakeholders in school governance which includes optimising the mechanism on handling teachers' complaints. The recommendations are set out in the Annex. The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, said, "The Task Force's recommendations are pragmatic and constructive in further enhancing the effectiveness of SBM. The EDB attaches great importance to the effective implementation of SBM. We have earlier adopted the Task Force's preliminary views and announced that starting from the 2019/20 school year, all public sector schools (including special schools) and schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme would be provided with additional resources of $570 million each year for the implementation of two of the recommendations, including the 'One Executive Officer for Each School' initiative and the SBM Top-up Grant. "After thorough consideration of the review report, we have decided to implement 14 other recommendations gradually starting from the 2019/20 school year, such as enhancing manager training and school visits, setting up focus groups to understand the stakeholders' needs, implementing the soft training targets for school managers, and following up with the Panel of Review Boards on School Complaints to expand the scope of its review to cover teachers' complaints. The EDB is currently formulating the implementation details." He added that as the remaining 11 recommendations concern school sponsoring bodies or incorporated management committees, the EDB would contact them as soon as possible, calling on them to implement the recommendations starting from the 2019/20 school year and providing them with appropriate assistance. The full review report can be viewed on the EC website ( www.e-c.edu.hk/en/publications_and_related_documents/education_reports.html ).
Hong Kong team achieves outstanding results in first participation in International Biology Olympiad (with photo)
22.7.2019

In the first time Hong Kong representatives have participated in the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), the team, comprising four student members, achieved outstanding results, winning one gold medal, two silver medals and one bronze medal. The IBO is an international competition for secondary school students. The purpose of the IBO is to enable students to apply analytical skills and creativity through tackling challenging problems in biology and conducting experiments. This year, the IBO was held from July 14 to 20 in Szeged, Hungary, and there were around 285 contestants from 73 countries/regions participating in the event. Li Yung-chi (Diocesan Boys' School) won a gold medal in the competition. The two silver medallists were Chow King-ngai (La Salle College) and Wong Chi-ngai (St Paul's Co-educational College). Bruce Chum (Hoi Ping Chamber of Commerce Secondary School) received a bronze medal. The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, congratulated the Hong Kong team today (July 22) on their remarkable performance. "The Education Bureau (EDB) supports a number of outstanding students every year to represent Hong Kong to take part in various significant national and international competitions. It is with great joy that the Hong Kong team has achieved good results in its first participation in the IBO. The IBO emphasises both theory and practice. It is believed that Hong Kong students can further broaden their horizons and pursue excellence through participating in these challenging learning activities. "The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in October last year approved an injection of $800 million into the Gifted Education Fund. Different organisations may apply for funding support to provide a variety of off-school advanced learning programmes for gifted students starting from the 2019/20 school year, including programmes with themes of 'STEM Education'. The programmes aim to provide high quality learning opportunities for talented students so as to further develop their potential," he added. The members of the Hong Kong team achieved excellent results in the International Biology Olympiad &ndash; Hong Kong Contest, a territory-wide competition newly organised last year. They subsequently completed the biology enhancement programme provided by the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education. The outstanding students in the programme were then selected as contestants representing Hong Kong to participate in the IBO this year. The Hong Kong team was fully funded by the EDB to join this competition.
SED to visit Guangdong
16.7.2019

The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, will pay a duty visit to Guangdong Province tomorrow (July 17). Arriving in Guangzhou, Mr Yeung will first meet with officials of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province to exchange views on issues of mutual concern. He will then go to Nansha, where he will learn more about the campus construction plan of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) and meet the students participating in the Summer Camp for Sister Schools in the Greater Bay Area. Mr Yeung will return to Hong Kong on the evening of the same day.