Education Secretary Christine Choi Yu-ling has written to kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools as the new academic year begins, saying the Education Bureau is preparing a series of celebratory and educational activities to mark the 30th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China. Schools and pupils are being encouraged to take part.
Choi said schools should use the anniversary as an opportunity to deepen students’ understanding of the country’s development and the achievements of the “one country, two systems” principle. She also called for efforts to strengthen teachers’ and pupils’ national identity and sense of pride in being Chinese.
The letter also set out plans for aerospace science education. The bureau will organise activities for primary and secondary pupils to explore space technology and build a foundation for possible future careers in innovation and technology. The reports described Dr Lai Ka-ying as the first astronaut from Hong Kong, and said Choi encouraged kindergartens to use the country’s space programme and Lai’s experiences as educational material.
For primary and secondary schools, Choi referred to the Digital Education Development Blueprint. Support will include curriculum enhancement, teacher training, resource provision, school-based assistance and collaboration across sectors.
The kindergarten guidance said early-childhood education should focus on developing curiosity, an inquiring spirit and problem-solving skills. The bureau has also consolidated a one-off grant to give kindergartens more flexibility to organise a range of learning and parent-child activities.
The bureau said it maintains a zero-tolerance stance on bullying in schools. In the new academic year, it plans to launch the “Friendly and Cohesive School Action”, with training courses and activities for teachers and parents. The reports did not provide a specific launch date, the number of participating schools or further details of the programme.
In her letter, Choi also wished teachers and pupils a smooth new academic year and good physical and mental health. The bureau has not set out the precise contents of the anniversary activities in the supplied reports.