kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SED visits Zhejiang (with photos)
11.4.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, yesterday (April 10) and today (April 11) visited a number of education units and an innovation and technology (I&T) enterprise in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, to learn about the local education and I&T developments, teacher training, cultivation of arts talents, etc. This morning, Dr Choi visited the Xixi Park of Alibaba Group to understand I&T development and meet Hong Kong staff there. She then toured the Teacher Education Experimental Training Centre of Hangzhou Normal University and met leaders of the university to explore ways to deepen exchanges and co-operation on teacher training between Hong Kong and the Mainland. She said that the Education Bureau had planned to organise seven Mainland study tours for newly joined teachers in this school year. The first group of teachers set off to Guangzhou this morning to see for themselves the situation and latest development of the country. In the afternoon, Dr Choi visited Hangzhou Chinese International School for Children of Foreign Personnel and Hangzhou Greentown Yuhua School. She met Hong Kong students studying in Hangzhou to learn about their study and boarding experiences. She encouraged them to cherish the valuable opportunity to develop independence and to understand personally the thriving development of the country. In addition, she called at the China Academy of Art (Xiangshan Campus) and exchanged views with its leaders on academic interflow and collaboration, nurturing of arts talents, etc. Yesterday, Dr Choi called on the Vice Governor of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, Mr Lu Shan. She said that Zhejiang and Hong Kong had been proactively taking forward various education exchange and collaboration projects. The work included encouraging and supporting collaboration among higher education institutions, forming of sister schools, exchange and study activities and experiential programmes for students and teachers between the two places. At the meeting, both sides discussed further promotion of education interflow and co-operation. On the same day, Dr Choi visited Zhejiang Shuren University to understand its vision and experience in nurturing talents with high-level applied skills. She said that the Education Bureau would continue to promote collaborative innovation among higher education institutions in Zhejiang and Hong Kong, proactively align with national strategies in education and talent development, and contribute to the high-quality development of the country. Dr Choi also visited the Xiling Seal Art Society and listened to its representatives' introduction on the experience in establishing Xiling School in Hong Kong to promote the popularisation, inheritance and development of traditional Chinese culture there. She pointed out that the Education Bureau has continued to organise diversified student activities and arrange teacher training to enhance students and teachers' knowledge of traditional arts and culture. Dr Choi will continue her visit to Zhejiang tomorrow (April 12) and depart for Shanghai in the evening.
SED to visit Zhejiang and Shanghai
7.4.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will depart on Monday (April 10) for Zhejiang and Shanghai to learn about their developments in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and early childhood education as well as teacher training. Dr Choi will call on officials of Zhejiang Province and Shanghai Municipality to exchange views on education interflow and co-operation. During the visit to Zhejiang, Dr Choi will call at the China Academy of Art, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou Normal University, Alibaba Group, etc. She will also visit Anji County to study the Anji Play for early childhood education. Dr Choi will depart for Shanghai on the evening of April 12 to visit East China Normal University and Shanghai Normal University the following day. She will also meet Hong Kong youths stationed in Shanghai. â Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong at night on April 13. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.
SED attends opening ceremonies of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Vocational Education Park and Vocational and Professional Education Services (Shenzhen) Company Limited (with photos)
17.3.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (March 17) attended the opening ceremonies of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Vocational Education Park and Vocational and Professional Education Services (Shenzhen) Company Limited of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) to witness the development of vocational and professional education and training (VPET) in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), turning to a new chapter. Speaking at the events, Dr Choi said that Guangdong-Hong Kong co-operation in VPET development serves as an important driving force that supports high-quality development of the GBA and Hong Kong's alignment with national development strategies. Guangdong and Hong Kong have launched various collaborative VPET projects, including teacher training, student exchanges, joint education programmes and in-service training for Hong Kong enterprises in Guangdong Province, laying a solid foundation. The VTC and Shenzhen Polytechnic (SZPT) have signed multiple agreements in the past few years. They have achieved breakthroughs in operating joint education programmes, training and internship programmes as well as related work, benefitting many students. The Vocational Education Park, which was launched today, and Vocational and Professional Education Services (Shenzhen) Company Limited, the VTC's first presence on the Mainland, will adopt an innovative operation mode for collaboration on vocational education, promoting further partnership between the VTC and its Mainland counterparts in provision of joint education programmes and the development of training projects. They will also provide more VPET internship opportunities to Hong Kong students to help them understand and prepare for the latest developments in the GBA. Dr Choi said that the establishment of the VTC's first Mainland office at the Vocational Education Park promotes co-operation on VPET between Guangdong and Hong Kong. The Government will support the VTC to continuously upgrade itself, to become the VPET hub in the GBA, and to explore more collaboration and innovation opportunities for students in Guangdong and Hong Kong, leveraging Hong Kong's advantages as an international city. She believed that the VTC and SZPT would make the best use of the quality facilities of the Vocational Education Park and continuously promote VPET development in the GBA. Dr Choi returned from Shenzhen to Hong Kong this afternoon.
SED continues visit to Guangzhou (with photos)
10.3.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (March 10) continued to lead a delegation to visit Nansha, Guangzhou. In the morning, the delegation visited Minxin Hong Kong School (Guangzhou Nansha) to observe students attending classes and have an exchange with the teachers in order to understand the study situation of Hong Kong students on the Mainland. Dr Choi and the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, then attended a lunch and met the Deputy Director of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Mr Shu Gangbo, and the First-level Inspector of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhu Chaohua. They exchanged views on education issues of mutual concern, and discussed ways to foster education exchanges and co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong. In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)). They met teachers and students, and toured the campus. In addition, they attended a thematic seminar to learn about the development opportunities in Nansha and major Guangzhou-Hong Kong co-operative projects with HKUST(GZ) as an example. The two-day visit by the education delegation for Mainland study tours of the senior secondary subject of Citizenship and Social Development was concluded in the afternoon. Dr Choi thanked the representatives from the education sector for their participation and professional advice on the study tours. The representatives said that the visit programme was very meaningful. They believed the study activities would help students learn about the country and its latest developments, deepen their understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture, and enhance their sense of national identity. Members of the delegation included Deputy Secretary for Education Ms Teresa Chan, and more than 20 representatives from the education sector. Dr Choi and the delegation returned from Guangzhou to Hong Kong by the Express Rail Link in the evening.
SED leads delegation to inspect arrangements for Mainland study tours of senior secondary subject of Citizenship and Social Development (with photos)
9.3.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (March 9) led a delegation to visit Shenzhen and Guangzhou to inspect the relevant arrangements for Mainland study tours of the senior secondary subject of Citizenship and Social Development (CS). Members of the delegation included the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, Deputy Secretary for Education Ms Teresa Chan, and more than 20 representatives from the education sector. Dr Choi said that the visit programme covered multiple destinations and she looked forward to professional exchanges with sector representatives on the preparation for the CS Mainland study tours to be launched next month. Accompanied by the Deputy Director of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Mr Shu Gangbo, and the First-level Inspector of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhu Chaohua, the delegation first visited the Shenzhen Qianhai International Convention Center. They toured an exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone to understand Shenzhen's achievements and strengths in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). They subsequently visited the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub to learn about its founding concept and infrastructure, including the Entrepreneur Academy and the Incubator Blocks. They also explored the development opportunities for Hong Kong young people in Qianhai. In the afternoon, the delegation departed for Guangzhou to visit the Pearl Bay Development Exhibition Center in Nansha to know about Nansha's planning concept, development prospects and important role in the GBA development. Later, they had a tour of the intangible cultural heritage and the Cantonese Opera Art Museum at Chen Clan Temple and Yongqing Fang respectively. Members of the delegation enthusiastically participated in the activities and had fruitful exchanges. They will continue the inspection tour tomorrow (March 10).
SED begins visit to Dongguan and Guangzhou (with photos)
8.3.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (March 8) began her visit to Dongguan and Guangzhou. Dr Choi first visited the Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong and Macao Students in Dongguan and the Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong and Macao Students in Guangzhou. During the visit, she toured the campus facilities, observed students attending classes and participating in activities, and listened to the schools' introduction on the features of their operation. She also had an exchange with the principals, teachers and students to understand more about the study situation of children of Hong Kong people on the Mainland. She was pleased that the two schools, tying in with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), offer a through-train curriculum for 15-year pre-primary to upper secondary education that facilitates children of Hong Kong people in pursuing studies in cities of the GBA. Subsequently, Dr Choi visited the Support and Development Centre for Hong Kong and Macao Youths in Mainland China, where she met Hong Kong students and graduates of Mainland higher education institutions and learned about their studies and career development on the Mainland. She encouraged them to work hard at school and at work, and build up networks on the Mainland and in Hong Kong, seizing the opportunities brought by the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the GBA development, and proactively integrating themselves into the overall development of the country. Dr Choi will lead a delegation to visit Qianhai and Nansha tomorrow (March 9) and on March 10 to inspect the arrangements for Mainland study tours of the senior secondary subject of Citizenship and Social Development. Members of the delegation include the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, Deputy Secretary for Education Ms Teresa Chan, and more than 20 representatives from the education sector.
SED to visit Dongguan, Guangzhou and Shenzhen
6.3.2023

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will depart on Wednesday (March 8) for Dongguan, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to learn about their education development and the study life of Hong Kong students on the Mainland. She will lead a delegation to inspect the arrangements for Mainland study tours of the senior secondary subject of Citizenship and Social Development (CS) from March 9 to 10. During the visit, Dr Choi will meet representatives from the Department of Education of Guangdong Province and students studying in Mainland higher education institutions. She will also visit schools for Hong Kong children and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). In addition, she will lead a delegation to visit the destinations of CS study tours in Guangzhou and Shenzhen to prepare for the CS Mainland study tours to be launched next month. Members of the delegation include the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, Deputy Secretary for Education Ms Teresa Chan, and more than 20 representatives from the education sector. â Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on the evening of March 10. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.
Education Bureau holds Let's Join Hands to Promote Financial Education - 2023 Event Highlights (with photos)
13.2.2023

The Education Bureau (EDB) held the Let's Join Hands to Promote Financial Education &ndash; 2023 Event Highlights today (February 13) to showcase the achievements in financial education and introduce the financial education activities jointly organised with other partners this year. Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that financial management is an important life skill closely related to life planning. Therefore, financial education should be started at an early age. The EDB has all along been striving to promote financial education through different means inside and outside the classroom. This has included the development of the school curriculum as well as learning and teaching resources, co-organisation of activities and competitions for students with collaborating partners so as to equip students with correct financial management knowledge, methods and skills, as well as to develop well-founded and appropriate values, attitudes and behaviours of financial management in students. During the event, the EDB and representatives of partners from different sectors introduced the upcoming financial education activities and competitions this year. The key activities include the Digital Stock Trading Guru Competition 2023 co-organised with the Investor and Financial Education Council and the Hong Kong Association for Business Education, The Hong Kong Financial Literacy Championship 2023 co-organised with the Hong Kong Economic Journal Education, a series of activities on consumer education for secondary school students co-organised with the Consumer Council, and the Project M&sup2; Award Scheme cum Creative Lesson Plan Competition co-organised with the Solomon Learning Group. The EDB hopes that through participating in different activities, students can apply what they have learned in the classroom, and review and reflect on their financial habits and behaviours, thereby developing good financial values and achieving unity of knowledge and actions. Several teachers and students from different schools also shared their financial management tips at the event. The sharing of their belief in financial education is meaningful and beneficial to other teachers and students. Representatives from more than a dozen partners from different sectors, including government authorities, professional bodies and organisations, post-secondary education institutions, commercial organisations and non-governmental organisations, also attended and showed their support to the event. The EDB has issued a circular memorandum informing secondary and primary schools to encourage teachers and students to participate in various financial education activities to be held this year. Please refer to EDB Circular Memorandum No. 20/2023 ( applications.edb.gov.hk/circular/upload/EDBCM/EDBCM23020E.pdf ) for details.
Transcript of remarks by SED on daily rapid antigen test arrangements for schools
11.2.2023

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 (February 11): Reporter: Can you tell us whether it is very likely that students won't have to take rapid (antigen) test for COVID-19 before school starting from next month? Secretary for Education: We will closely monitor the situation and assess the pandemic situation, and seek advice from experts. We will make the decision and let the school sector know as soon as possible of any new arrangement. Reporter: But how likely will the requirement be cancelled? Secretary for Education: From our observation at this moment, it (the pandemic situation) is quite stable. We will likely remove (the requirement) if the situation is similar. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Transcript of remarks by SED on class resumption of cross-boundary students
8.2.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, at a media session after visiting Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College this morning (February 8): Reporter: Could you update us the current situation regarding cross-border school buses? Whether the Bureau has an estimated timeline as to when these services could be fully resumed? Will the Bureau consider stopping the daily RAT (rapid antigen test) requirement? And is there any chance for primary schools and kindergartens to fully resume full-day classes earlier than February 22? Secretary for Education: We have confidence that, from February 22, all the cross-boundary students can come back to Hong Kong (to attend face-to-face classes). According to my observation at the immigration (control point) this morning, the arrangement was very smooth. We have confidence that the arrangement and time schedule can match with our plan. For the kindergarten and primary school students, different departments are working together on the arrangement of cross-boundary school buses. The arrangement so far has been very smooth. I would like to take this opportunity to thank different departments for their support. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
EDB sets up booth at Education & Careers Expo for first time (with photos)
2.2.2023

The Education Bureau (EDB) has set up a booth at the Education & Careers Expo 2023 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from today (February 2) for four consecutive days, and will hold a Careers Forum themed "Our Specialised and All-round Roles - Unleash the Potential of Students". This is the first time for the EDB to participate in the Education & Careers Expo to introduce the work of different professional grades of the EDB with a view to enhancing the public's understanding of the work and career opportunities of the EDB. Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that the Education & Careers Expo is a valuable platform for educational institutions and private enterprises to directly disseminate to the public up-to-date information on further studies and career opportunities, tying in with the Government's policy of providing quality, flexible and diversified study pathways with multiple entry and exit points. The Government will, through the strategy of fostering industry-institution collaboration and diversified development, adopt a multipronged approach on various fronts to further promote Vocational and Professional Education and Training as a pathway parallel to conventional academic education, and encourage the alignment of classroom education with industry needs and collaboration between businesses and education institutions, with a view to providing diversified learning and employment opportunities and nurturing more quality talents with applied skills. Dr Choi then visited the booth of the EDB, which displays the daily work and entry requirements of different grades of the Bureau, including Inspector (Graduate), Education Officer (Administration), Education Officer, Primary School Master/Mistress and Specialist (Education Services). Dr Choi said that the work of different professional grades of the EDB is challenging yet rewarding, hoping to recruit talents aspiring for the education profession to join the EDB. In addition, a Careers Forum will be held at Hall 1D from 1.20pm to 1.50pm tomorrow (February 3), which features the specialised and all-round roles of the teaching and non-teaching professional grade officers who strive to pursue the mission and vision of the EDB. The EDB welcomes job seekers to visit and attend the seminar. The Education & Careers Expo 2023 is held at Hall 1D and 1E of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Admission is free. The booth of the EDB is located at Hall 1D (Booth 1D-C26) and is opened from 10am to 7pm from today to February 4, and from 10am to 6pm on February 5. Souvenirs are distributed at the booth while stocks last. For recruitment information of the EDB, please visit its website: www.edb.gov.hk/en/about-edb/info/recruitment/index.html .
Hong Kong signs MOU with Pakistan on education co-operation (with photos)
5.1.2023

âThe Education Bureau today (January 5) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training of Pakistan to enhance education collaboration between the two places. The MOU was signed by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and the Consul-General of Pakistan in Hong Kong, Mr Bilal Ahmad Butt. The signing was witnessed by the visiting Pakistani Ambassador to China, Mr Moin ul Haque. "The MOU marks the beginning of a new phase of close co-operation between Hong Kong and Pakistan in the area of education. We have signed nine MOUs with countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) to date. It demonstrates the Government's commitment to and effort in enhancing the internationalisation of education as well as strengthening educational ties and exchanges with the B&R countries. I am confident that the MOU will facilitate more comprehensive exchanges and collaboration in education between the two places," Dr Choi said. The MOU provides for a framework to facilitate strategic education collaboration between Hong Kong and Pakistan and covers mutually beneficial initiatives, including the exchange of expertise and experience; exchange of educational literature, teaching aids and demonstration materials; as well as exchanges of scholars, teachers, experts, students and other education personnel.