XN000022-1996-12-05 — Page 42

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"We know that some countries may stream their students at an earlier age," Mr Kwan said.

"The Hong Kong system strikes a more rational balance between achievement on the one hand and pressure on students on the other. We implement nine years' free and compulsory universal education, with the same core curriculum in Mathematics offered to all students all the way to Secondary Three."

Mr Kwan said the Hong Kong system aims to reduce pressure on students to a minimum and encourage pleasurable learning.

"Our senior secondary students did come first in Chemistry and Physics, and fifth in Biology at the Second International Mathematics and Science Study published in 1988, although performance of our junior secondary students in science was less satisfactory at the recent as well as in the 1988 study. That is because our young students are offered general education at primary and junior secondary level and are streamed into science and other groups only at senior secondary classes," he said.

In the Second International Science Study, Hong Kong was only significantly better than a few countries. However, in the newly completed third study, the mean science achievement for Hong Kong junior secondary students (522) is above the international average (516).

"It is therefore wrong to assume that performance of science among our junior secondary students has not progressed," Mr Kwan said.

"We shall nevertheless request the Curriculum Development Council to take the research findings into consideration in revising our junior secondary science curriculum. Also, we shall promote science education through the informal curriculum, such as inter-school competitions and public lectures on science topics of current interest to familiarise teachers and students with latest scientific developments.

"From our contacts overseas, it has been reflected to us that Hong Kong students pursuing further studies there have received a lot of praises in respect of their achievements in Mathematics and science subjects."

Mr Kwan paid tribute to Mathematics and science teachers in Hong Kong schools for their dedication and professionalism, adding that we will by no means be complacent and that the teaching of these subjects is under constant review with a view to seeking further improvements.

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