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Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 23:07
Task force calls for regular review of Liberal Studies curriculum
By Wang Zhan
Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 23:07 By Wang Zhan

Chairperson of the Task Force on Review of School Curriculum Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen (fifth left) submits the task force's review report to Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung (sixth right) on September 22, 2020. Also present were the other task force members. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

HONG KONG - The Task Force on Review of School Curriculum on Tuesday recommended that government consider vetting Liberal Studies textbooks and conduct a regular review of curriculum content.

In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, the government said the task force had submitted its review report to the Education Bureau (EDB) after holding extensive consultations and reviewing Hong Kong’s secondary and primary school curricula.

"The task force is grateful for all the valuable input and suggestions received, and is pleased to present the directional recommendations to the government today. Capitalising on the foundation of the education reform laid since 2000, the recommendations are made in the hope of bringing about further positive change in schools and our society,” Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen, the task force chair, was quoted as saying in the statement.

ALSO READ: EDB: Liberal Studies material review professional, timely

“For the benefit of our students, the Task Force appeals to all members of the community to join forces and bring these recommendations to fruition so that our culture of education, pedagogy and students' learning experiences can be enriched," she added.

On the the subject of Liberal Studies, the task force recommended that government conduct a “regular review of the curriculum content with updated contemporary but mature issues for enquiry”

On the the subject of Liberal Studies, the task force recommended that government conduct a “regular review of the curriculum content with updated contemporary but mature issues for enquiry.” 

“Provide professional consultancy service for officially scrutinising published LS ‘textbooks’ sold on the market and consider vetting of LS ‘textbooks’,” the task force said in its list of recommendations.

“Organize a new series of teacher professional development programmes upon the revised curriculum framework,” it added.

ALSO READ: Textbook revisions good beginning to get HK's schools in order

The task force also recommended trimming the content of the subject and “review whether the Independent Enquiry Study (IES) could be further improved/streamlined”

“Clarify the curriculum coverage with clear delineation of the important concepts,” the task force said.

It said students should be allowed to opt out of the IES by turning it into an “extended and optional part, and giving separate grades for the written paper and the IES.”

“Support school management to strengthen their school self-evaluation, and internal quality assurance and accountability mechanism so as to maintain the quality of school-based learning and teaching materials and ensure effective implementation of the curriculum,” the task force said.

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It also called for enhanced mutual understanding and collaboration with the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) on “examination paper setting, moderation and assessment to ensure good alignment of the curriculum goals and intent and assessment”

The task force added that an impact study should be conducted “at the earliest opportune time after all the improvement measures have been in place.” 

After receiving the report, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said any changes in the curriculum will be carried out by the EDB in collaboration with the Curriculum Development Council, the HKEAA, and other stakeholders.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the chairperson, Dr Anissa Chan, and all the members of the Task Force for their full dedication to the review for more than two years and their contribution to the future development of the school curriculum,” Yeung said. 

READ MORE: HKSAR govt plans to overhaul liberal studies

“The report presents a set of directional and interconnected recommendations that helps the EDB take forward the related work. We will study the report carefully and consider the views from different walks of life so as to undertake follow-up work prudently,”’ he added.


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