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Education

organisations. Schools can develop their school-based moral, civic and national education by taking into account the SSBs' and schools' mission and religious background, if any. The EDB encourages teachers to adopt a balanced approach and to explore issues with students from multiple perspectives.

The EDB organises professional development programmes, provides teachers and students. with learning opportunities, offers school-based support services and develops learning and teaching resources to promote the effectiveness of moral, civic and national education.

Professional Development at Schools

Teachers' Professional Development

The Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals (formerly the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualifications) advises the EDB on policies relating to the professional development of the teaching profession at different career stages and provides a platform for professional sharing, collaboration and networking.

The Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence (CEATE), organised by the EDB, aims to give recognition to accomplished teachers and foster a culture of excellence in the teaching. profession. In the 2012-13 school year, 59 teachers received CEATE awards or certificates of merit.

The Hong Kong Teachers' Centre organises conferences, seminars, workshops and experience- sharing sessions to promote continuing professional development for teachers. Physical and mental health activities are also arranged to help teachers maintain work-life balance.

The Council on Professional Conduct in Education (CPC), a non-statutory body, advises the government on measures to promote professional conduct in education and on alleged misconduct cases involving educators that are lodged with the CPC.

Principals' Professional Development

To help principals enhance their leadership knowledge and skills, there are different professional development requirements for aspiring principals, newly appointed principals and serving principals to address their developmental needs at different career stages. Some 1,100 aspiring principals have attained the Certification for Principalship and about half of them have become principals.

Student Finance

To ensure that no student is deprived of education due to lack of means, the Student Financial Assistance Agency (SFAA) provides means-tested and non-means-tested financial assistance to students at various study levels. The SFAA also administers a number of privately-funded scholarship schemes.

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