156 Education
Major Challenges Ahead
Preparation for the New Academic Structure for Senior Secondary and Higher Education
To prepare for the implementation of the NSS academic structure, the Government undertook to consult the education sector further on the curriculum details and assessment modes of all subjects at the senior secondary level. Wider consultation will also be held on specific issues requiring further development including career-oriented studies and provisions for students with special educational needs (SEN). The Government will complete the relevant Curriculum and Assessment Guides for the NSS subjects, and expand professional development programmes and school-based support to enhance the capacity of teachers and principals to implement the reform in the coming few years. The Government will also give support to ensure the smooth implementation of the new academic structure for senior secondary and higher education.
A working group of representatives from universities, Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA), the University Grants Committee (UGC) and EMB was established to provide a forum for promoting liaison between the NSS education and higher education, and study interface issues including the university admission criteria.
The HKEAA is working closely with overseas examination authorities to ensure international recognition of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE). HKEAA is also negotiating direct recognition of the HKDSE with major overseas universities.
The EMB is continuing to pilot the Career-Oriented Curriculum for senior students at Secondary 4 to Secondary 5 levels to pave the way for the introduction of career-oriented studies. Such studies with their stronger elements of applied learning, aim to enable students to understand fundamental theories and concepts through. application and practice. The total number of courses has increased from 12 in the 2003-04 school year to 32 in the 2005-06 school year. In 2006-07, more course providers will be invited to pilot courses in the following six areas of study applied science, business, management and law, creative studies, engineering and production, media and communication, and services.
Language Education
The Government is committed to ensuring a language environment that encourages the population, particularly students and working adults, to become biliterate in written Chinese and English and trilingual in Cantonese, Putonghua and spoken English. Efforts to create a more motivating language-learning environment and specify a clear and realistic set of expected language competencies for students and working adults will continue.
Work that has yet to be completed includes the development of standards- referenced Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examinations (HKCEE) in Chinese and English languages by the HKEAA by 2007, the development of a common proficiency scale of Putonghua in Hong Kong, strengthening the work of the Task Force on