National element a 'priority' in tweaking HK's education system

Teachers found to have violated the guidelines will be penalized, with penalties ranging from being given a warning or reprimand to being stripped of their professional teaching registration, depending on the seriousness of the case.

Starting from the current school year, newly appointed regular teachers in all public-sector schools are also required to pass the Basic Law Test, which covers the city’s Basic Law and the National Security Law for Hong Kong. The test will be extended to all directly-subsidized schools and kindergartens this year.

In addition, teachers are requested to undergo training, participate in seminars and take courses on national security, Choi said.

New teachers in public-sector schools, or schools under the direct subsidy scheme, also need to complete 30 hours of core training within 3 years, while teachers aspiring for promotion must complete 30 hours of core training within 5 years before they can be promoted. In-service teachers are required to receive 150 hours of training in 3 years to get a better understanding of the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

For kindergarten pupils, the SAR government has allocated a grant of HK$60 million ($7.7 million) for those joining the Kindergarten Education Scheme to organize Chinese cultural activities from this school year, to help them develop a sense of national identity at an early age.

Choi noted that many kindergartens had previously held similar activities for kids, such as eating mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, wearing traditional Chinese costumes, or celebrating the Spring Festival together. The grant will provide more resources for kindergartens to expand their activities to get better results.

According to Choi, all publicly-funded schools must organize one or more activities relating to national education for parents annually. The Education Bureau will keep track of the number of events organized by schools and observe their effectiveness from this year.

Bio of Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin

Born in 1966, Choi Yuk-lin is the HKSAR government’s secretary for education. Prior to joining the government, Choi had worked in the education field for nearly 30 years. During that period, she also took part in various social and educational work, such as serving on the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, the Fight Crime Committee, and the Commission on Youth, volunteering at Professionals Supporting Project for Western Development, and working as a visiting professor and academic advisor in several universities in the Chinese mainland.

1988

Choi started to teach in secondary schools.

2006-2013

Choi joined the Education Bureau as the senior curriculum development officer.

2008

Choi became vice-chairwoman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers.

2013

Choi took up the principalship of the Fukien Secondary School (Siu Sai Wan).

2015

Choi established the Hong Kong Teachers Dream Fund and served as its chairwoman.

2017

Choi served as the HKSAR government’s under secretary for education.

2022

Choi was appointed as the HKSAR government’s secretary for education.