140 Education
As in previous years, Hong Kong students continued to shine in international competitions. Hong Kong teams garnered one gold, six silver and twelve bronze medals in the International Mathematical Olympiad and International Physics Olympiad, the International Junior Science Olympiad and the International Olympiad in Informatics.
Two Hong Kong teams were the champions respectively in the International Category of the National Danish Science Contest and the CFA Institute Global Investment Research Challenge.
Hong Kong students also won top prizes in other world contests in visual and performance arts including the International Postage Stamp Design Contest, International Children's Drawing and Painting Contest, Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition, Small Montmartre of Bitola, Macedonia, and Grand Awards in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
In sports, Hong Kong students were the overall champions in the 7th World Rope Skipping Championships and the 3rd Asian School Swimming Championships, and they won the 'Young Player of the Year Award 2008′ of the Women's International Squash Players Association.
Major Challenges Ahead
Implementation of New Senior Secondary Curriculum
The Government is working with stakeholders to prepare for the new academic structure to be launched in September 2009. Professional development programmes will continue to be provided to teachers, middle managers and school leaders to help them prepare for the New Senior Secondary (NSS) curriculum.
Funding resources have been reserved to enable schools to offer a diversified senior secondary curriculum catering for the diverse needs of students. Communication will be strengthened with various stakeholders including teachers, parents, students and employers to enhance their understanding and support of the NSS system.
The EDB will also enhance inter-sector communication with universities and post-secondary institutions to ensure a smooth interface between the NSS education and higher education.
Medium of Instruction
Hong Kong is an international business, financial and trading centre, and English is the language of business worldwide. English proficiency of students is crucial to Hong Kong's economic competitiveness, and developing Hong Kong students to be biliterate and trilingual is the Government's aim.
To increase the opportunities for students to be exposed to English in schools, the Government is exploring ways to allow schools greater autonomy and room for making professional judgments on adopting the appropriate medium of instruction at junior secondary levels according to students' learning progress, interests and school circumstances, including the capability of the teachers involved and the
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