kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SED attends Strategy Consultation Conference on Building a Leading Country in Education (with photos)
22.7.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (July 22) attended the Strategy Consultation Conference on Building a Leading Country in Education (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) co-organised by the Ministry of Education and the Guangdong Provincial Government in Guangzhou. In addition, Dr Choi called on officials of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province, visited the Guangzhou Experiential School of Labor and Technology for Secondary School Students, and met Hong Kong students joining a Mainland study tour on the subject of Citizenship and Social Development (CS) yesterday (July 21). The Strategy Consultation Conference on Building a Leading Country in Education (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) focused on the implementation pathway for building a leading country in education and meeting challenges arising from the technology revolution's new global wave. Dr Choi said that she was pleased to exchange views with other participating leaders on major topics such as nurturing innovative talent and scientific research. She pointed out that the Education Bureau would continue to devote resources to step up the promotion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education, and along with the broad direction of invigorating the country through science and education, strengthen the cultivation of local innovation and technology talent. Yesterday, Dr Choi met Hong Kong students joining a CS Mainland study tour in Guangzhou. She encouraged them to cherish the learning opportunity to deepen their understanding of the latest situation and development of the country, and enhance their knowledge and appreciation of Chinese culture and national achievements. Dr Choi then visited the Guangzhou Experiential School of Labor and Technology for Secondary School Students to meet the school representatives and tour the facilities. She learned about the school's educational programmes in a number of areas including technology, life safety, the rule of law and the environment. She said that as an activity base in Guangzhou for students' comprehensive practice, the school provides experiential learning programmes that are suitable for secondary school students in Hong Kong. On the same day, Dr Choi called on representatives of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province to exchange ideas on education issues of mutual concern. Dr Choi concluded the visit and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.
SED to visit Guangzhou
20.7.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will depart for Guangzhou tomorrow (July 21) to attend an event organised by the Ministry of Education, meet education officials and visit a local activity base for students' comprehensive practice. Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on Saturday afternoon (July 22). During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.
Two Hong Kong teams shine at international mathematical and physics Olympiads (with photos)
18.7.2023

Two teams of students representing Hong Kong achieved remarkable results in the 64th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2023) and the 53rd International Physics Olympiad (IPhO 2023) respectively. The IMO 2023, hosted by Japan, was held from July 2 to 13, with the participation of 618 students from 112 countries or regions. The Hong Kong team won one gold medal, one silver medal and four bronze medals. The six awardees are as follows: Gold medal: Chu Cheuk-hei (St. Paul's Co-educational College) Silver medal: Yiu Chun-hei (S.K.H. Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School) Bronze medal: Chase Sebastian (The Harbour School) Hsieh Chong-ho (Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School) Kwan Yung-ho (Diocesan Boys' School) Ng Hok-lai (St. Paul's Co-educational College) The IPhO 2023, also hosted by Japan, was held from July 10 to 17. A total of 394 students from 82 countries or regions competed for the medals. The Hong Kong team won one gold medal, three silver medals and one bronze medal. The five awardees are as follows: Gold medal: Lam Chung-wang (St. Paul's Co-educational College) Silver medal: Hui Pok-shing (Queen Elizabeth School) Kwok Ching-yeung (S.K.H. Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School) Liu Lincoln (Sha Tin College) Bronze medal: Kwok Tsz-yin (CNEC Christian College) The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, congratulated the Hong Kong teams today (July 18) on their excellent results in the two competitions. "The outstanding performance of the Hong Kong teams has demonstrated their persistent work and the concerted efforts of their schools, teachers, parents and different stakeholders in nurturing and guiding them. The Education Bureau (EDB) will continue to enhance the promotion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education in primary and secondary schools by enriching curriculum, enhancing teacher training, providing schools with resources support, etc, so as to nurture students' innovation," Dr Choi said. "We attach great importance to gifted education. This year, the EDB will inject an additional $600 million into the Gifted Education Fund to strengthen support for the work of the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) and organise more territory-wide, cross-territory, national and international training and competitions. Also, more diversified, high-quality and challenging off-school education services, particularly in STEAM-related areas, will be provided so that students with potential may have more opportunities to widen their horizons and showcase their talents," she added. The members of the Hong Kong teams of the IMO 2023 and the IPhO 2023 achieved excellent results in the local selection contests. They subsequently received specific training under the enhancement programmes arranged by the HKAGE. The outstanding students in the programmes were then selected as contestants to represent Hong Kong to participate in the above competitions. The Hong Kong teams were fully funded by the EDB to join these competitions.
SED attends sister school exchange activity at Hotung Secondary School (with photos)
11.7.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (July 11) visited Hotung Secondary School to attend its sister school exchange activity with Dong Guan Tung Wah Junior High School. Dr Choi observed students from the two schools making molecular cuisine and solar model cars to understand how they effectively apply their knowledge in mathematics, science and technology. She also visited art installations for Hotung Secondary School's 70th anniversary and the School History Corridor, together with teachers and students of the two schools. Through interaction and questioning during the activities, students learned more about the arts and culture of the two places, and deepened their understanding of one another. Dr Choi said that, along with the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, sister schools have restarted physical visits while continuing online exchanges in parallel for a dual-track development. She hoped that through continuous exchanges, schools in Hong Kong and the Mainland would complement each other to facilitate school development, enhance the quality of education, broaden students' horizons, and strengthen the sense of national identity of Hong Kong students. The Sister School Scheme serves as an important exchange platform between schools in Hong Kong and the Mainland. Currently, there are over 2 400 sister school pairs, among which over 1 200 pairs have been formed by Guangdong and Hong Kong schools. Hotung Secondary School and its two sister schools, namely Dong Guan Tung Wah Junior High School and Tung Wah High School of Dongguan City, have co-organised cultural and arts activities from time to time, and will commence exchanges in other areas in the future for deeper collaboration.
Selection completed for second cohort of School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme
6.7.2023

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 6) announced the completion of the selection process of the second cohort of the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS). A total of 720 valid SNDAS nominations were received from 382 secondary schools for the second cohort. In the past few months, the eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities participating in the Scheme arranged interviews for all nominated students and carefully considered their individual merits. Firm offers were eventually made to 256 successful nominees prior to the release of the 2023 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results, of which 239 have accepted the offers and will commence study on their chosen UGC-funded undergraduate programmes in September 2023 in a wide spectrum of disciplines including architecture, surveying and town planning, arts and humanities, business, computing and engineering, education, environmental studies, design, fine arts, language, law, medicine and health, music, sciences, social sciences. A breakdown by discipline of study is provided in the Annex. The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, was pleased to note the encouraging results of the second cohort of the SNDAS, in particular the significant increase in the number of offers made to successful nominees. "As always, the Government strives to nurture young people and is committed to enhancing the education system's diversity by creating opportunities for different students and allowing them to realise their full potential. I am immensely appreciative of the universities' support for the SNDAS and their recognition of students' diverse talents. These diversified talent portfolios will be essential in meeting Hong Kong's development needs and enhancing the city's competitiveness," Dr Choi said. The third cohort of the SNDAS will be open for applications by Secondary Six students taking the 2024 HKDSE Examinations and commencing their undergraduate studies in September 2024. Details of the application arrangements will be announced in due course. The SNDAS was introduced in 2021 as part of the Government's response to the recommendations made by the Task Force on Review of School Curriculum, which included enhancing the flexibility in university admissions. The eight UGC-funded universities had designated a total of over 200 publicly funded undergraduate programmes to participate in the second cohort of the SNDAS and set admission criteria that are not based on HKDSE Examination results for individual programmes.
Appointments to SCOLAR announced
30.6.2023

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (June 30) announced the reappointment of Dr Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) for two years with effect from July 1, 2023. The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said, "Dr Chan has a strong passion in language education and great dedication to raising the community's awareness of the importance of biliteracy and trilingualism. I believe that under her able leadership, SCOLAR will continue to strive to promote the proficient use of Chinese and English languages not only in the school sector, but also in the community." The EDB also reappointed seven serving members and appointed five new members to SCOLAR for two years. Dr Choi also thanked the outgoing members, Ms Dilys Chau Suet-fung, Ms Cecilia Lee Sau-wai, Professor Icy Lee Kit-bing, Dr Shirley Marie Therese Loo and Dr Paul Tsui Hon-yan, for their sterling service and contribution to the work of SCOLAR. "The Government will continue to work closely with SCOLAR in gauging the views of different sectors of the community to enhance the biliterate and trilingual proficiency of the community," she said. The membership list of SCOLAR with effect from July 1, 2023, is as follows: Chairperson --------------- Dr Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen Reappointed members ---------------------------- Mrs Cindy Chow Lok Mei-ki Ms Joanne Fong Yee-man Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung Mr Pang Chor-fu Dr Tse Wai-lok Dr Zhu Xin-hua Newly appointed members --------------------------------- Mr Kenny Chan Ngai-sang Ms Katherine Cheung Marn-kay Ms Cheung Shin-yee Mr Mohan Datwani Dr Lo Yuen-yi Ex-officio members ------------------------ Deputy Secretary for Education Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council's Committee on Chinese Language Education Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council's Committee on English Language Education Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council's Committee on Early Childhood Education Chairperson of the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals Secretary-General of Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority or representative SCOLAR was set up in 1996 to advise the Government on language education issues in general and on the use of the Language Fund.
SED visits schools in UK (with photos)
12.5.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, continued her visit in London, the United Kingdom (UK), on May 11 and 12 (London time) to visit local schools and meet local Hong Kong students. On the morning of May 11 (London time), Dr Choi, accompanied by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education of the UK, Ms Diana Barran, toured the Elms Academy, a secondary school, and met its teachers and students to learn about how it supports students whose first language is not English to learn the language and develops students' life skills according to their interests and abilities at the secondary school stage. On the same afternoon, Dr Choi met Hong Kong students studying at renowned universities in the UK under the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme to learn about their school life there. She encouraged the students to pursue a career in Hong Kong upon graduation and contribute to the city with what they have learnt. Later, she visited City and Islington College, a further education college, to exchange views with its representatives, and learn about its Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) courses and pedagogy, and how it promotes VPET as an alternate progression pathway. On May 12 (London time), Dr Choi visited North London Collegiate School and Lady Eleanor Holles School, two long-established girls' secondary schools. She toured the campus facilities and observed students attending classes and participating in activities. She also met the management, teachers and students to understand the education visions and practical experience of the schools. Dr Choi has concluded her UK visit and will arrive in Beijing tomorrow (May 14). During her visit in Beijing, she will call at the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, local universities and the National Academy of Governance. She will also attend the joint opening ceremony of the leadership enhancement programme for primary and secondary school principals and the Mainland study tour for newly joined teachers. Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on the evening of May 16. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.
SED to attend Education World Forum in UK
5.5.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will depart on Sunday (May 7) for the Education World Forum in London, the United Kingdom (UK). She will also visit a number of local education units to discuss education exchanges and collaboration. To be held from May 7 to 10, the Forum is the world's largest gathering of education and skills officials who will deliberate on future education policy. Dr Choi will speak at one of the keynote sessions and hold meetings with education officials from other places attending the Forum. Dr Choi will also visit various education units and meet Hong Kong students in the UK. Dr Choi will conclude her UK visit on May 13. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.
SED leads delegation to attend Gala for Gardeners of Chinese Nation (with photos)
25.4.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, led a delegation of Hong Kong principals and teachers from secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and special schools to participate in the Gala for Gardeners of the Chinese Nation organised by the Ministry of Education in Chongqing. The Gala this year is being held from April 24 to 27, with an aim of promoting professional exchanges and co-operation among Chinese education practitioners from across the country and overseas through interaction and sharing, so as to achieve the goal of mutual learning for joint development. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event yesterday morning (April 24), Dr Choi said that the Education Bureau has been striving to promote education collaboration with the Mainland, and professional exchanges and development for teachers. She hoped that the Gala would help facilitate the promotion of excellent teaching concepts, foster co-operation, interaction and friendship among teachers on the Mainland and overseas, and lay a good foundation for future co-operation to enhance the education quality. Later, she listened to thematic reports by various education units on the latest education developments in different places. Today (April 25), Dr Choi visited the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and had a meeting with leaders of the Institute. She then met Hong Kong students studying in Chongqing to learn about their study and life experiences. In the evening, Dr Choi met the representatives of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Chongqing Municipality and Chongqing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau to exchange views on strengthening education co-operation between Chongqing and Hong Kong. She said that Hong Kong and Chonqing have always encouraged and supported exchanges and collaboration among higher education institutions, forming of sister schools, exchange activities for students and teachers, and various study and experiential programmes in the two places. She was glad to have further exchanges with leaders of Chongqing Municipality on deepening co-operation between Chongqing and Hong Kong, and work together with them to start a new chapter for proactive promotion of education collaboration. Dr Choi will visit Chengdu tomorrow (April 26).
SED on declining student population and merger of two secondary schools
22.4.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (April 22): Reporter: Secretary, about combining the Caritas schools, are you aware of similar situations with other schools? What did the students think about it? Thank you. Secretary for Education: As I have mentioned, we have kept communicating with different school sponsoring bodies with schools that are at risk under the declining student population. This (the merger of Caritas Wu Cheng-chung Secondary School and Caritas Charles Vath College) is the second case of merging schools. For the government schools, we have one already. And this is the second one. We are still communicating with different school sponsoring bodies. Maybe there are some others coming. For the students, I think they are aware of this arrangement. We know that schools have close contact with the parents and the students to make the necessary support and arrangements for the students, whether they will be transferred (to another school) or stay in the original school location. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SED to lead delegation to attend 28th Gala for Gardeners of Chinese Nation
21.4.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will depart on Sunday (April 23) for Chongqing and Chengdu. She will lead a delegation of Hong Kong principals and teachers to participate in the 28th Gala for Gardeners of the Chinese Nation organised by the Ministry of Education in Chongqing, and conduct professional exchanges with Chinese education practitioners from across the country and overseas. She will also visit various education units to learn about the local education development and study life of Hong Kong students. During her stay in Chongqing, Dr Choi will visit the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. She will also meet local officials and Hong Kong students. During her visit to Chengdu, Dr Choi will call at Sichuan University and an education enterprise. She will also exchange views with officials of Sichuan Province as well as Hong Kong students and young Hong Kong entrepreneurs living in Chengdu. â Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on April 28. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.
SED visits Zhejiang and Shanghai (with photos)
13.4.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, yesterday (April 12) and today (April 13) respectively visited Anji County in Zhejiang Province to learn about the development and achievements of its early childhood education, and called on a number of education units and Hong Kong youths in Shanghai. This morning, Dr Choi visited East China Normal University and Shanghai Normal University in Shanghai to exchange views with the students and teachers. She said that universities in Shanghai and Hong Kong have been conducting professional exchanges in various ways with collaboration in areas covering talent cultivation, student admission and employment, and scientific studies. The Shanghai-Hong Kong University Alliance formed by 16 universities from Shanghai and Hong Kong has strengthened the ties among the universities and further deepened collaboration, achieving mutual benefits. The Education Bureau will continue to support the development of the Alliance and nurture talents for the development of the country. At noon, Dr Choi called on the Director General of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Mr Zhou Yaming. They exchanged views on various education issues and discussed ways to promote education interflow and co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong. In the afternoon, Dr Choi visited the headquarters of Xiaohongshu to understand the development of social media platforms on the Mainland. She then met representatives of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Youth Association and Hong Kong youngsters at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to learn about their development in Shanghai. She encouraged Hong Kong youths to grasp the development opportunities brought about by the National 14th Five-Year Plan and better integrate into the overall development of the country, thereby becoming the future pillars of the country and Hong Kong. Yesterday, Dr Choi visited Anji County in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, and toured Jiguan Kindergarten and Lingfeng Center Kindergarten in the County. Both kindergartens put into practice the pedagogy of the Anji Play for early childhood education by designing the campus environment and facilities based on the needs of children, thereby allowing them to learn through playing. Dr Choi observed the practice of the Anji Play pedagogy. She also chatted with local principals and teachers, and listened to their sharing of visions and practical experience in early childhood education. Dr Choi will conclude the visit and return to Hong Kong tonight.