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The Education Bureau (EDB) today (October 5) announced that the EDB, the Curriculum Development Council (CDC) and the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) have launched a joint review of the New Academic Structure (NAS) with special reference to the first cycle of implementing and supporting the new senior secondary (NSS) curriculum, the delivery of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination, and articulation to study pathways and work, as well as the achievement of policy goals of the NAS.
The Chairman of the CDC, Professor Kenneth Young, said, "The review aims to identify the strengths, good practices and challenges with a view to making recommendations for facilitating the smooth implementation of the NAS as well as enhancing student learning and human resource development for Hong Kong."
The Chairman of the HKEAA Council, Mr Rock Chen, said, "Graduates of the first cohort have gone through rich learning experiences for whole-person development and have obtained encouraging results in the HKDSE examination. Through multiple pathways to studies and careers, they are now turning over a new page in their lives. Schools and teachers have put in tireless efforts, and the review will allow us all to take the next steps forward."
A spokesman for the EDB remarked that the practical concerns of schools and students will be taken on board. Considering the wide scope of the NAS reform, a strategic approach with multiple stages will be adopted to ensure that, in the short term, timely recommendations will be made on key curriculum, assessment and interface issues to benefit teachers and S4 students with effect from the 2013/14 school year and, if feasible, also those of earlier cohorts. In the meantime, review items in the medium/longer term will be set in the light of feedback received.
Since August, the EDB, the CDC and the HKEAA have started extensively collecting views from different stakeholders, including schools, teachers, the post-secondary education sector, professional bodies, students, parents and employers through different channels such as forums, meetings, surveys and focus group interviews. The Education Commission is regularly informed and consulted.
Recommendations for the short-term stage are expected to be announced in early 2013. Meanwhile, the EDB will continue to share good practices, findings and observations with stakeholders through different channels including professional development programmes, seminars, reports and publications.
Schools, teachers and all sectors of society are welcome to give opinions and suggestions so that viable plans can be made to continually enhance the quality of education in Hong Kong. The public can follow the latest information and activities about the NAS review through the NAS website (www.edb.gov.hk/nas).
Ends/Friday, October 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:31
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