SED on all-graduate teaching force policy and school in Greater Bay Area
************************************************************************
Reporter: Mr Yeung, can I ask you an English question? During the programme, some callers expressed their concerns about the teaching quality of teachers. But then through the Policy Address, the policy about all-graduate teaching force, do you think it would help improve the quality of teachers?
Secretary for Education: I think, by and large, the quality of our teachers is very good. But our teachers need to keep themselves updated on the latest development in education and also to continuously upgrade themselves. By adopting an all-graduate policy on teachers, we are encouraging more qualified teachers or qualified students in future to join the teaching force. That's how we think in the longer term we could improve the quality of teachers in the sector.
Reporter: Why having a high qualification? You believe that the quality of teachers would also be a lot better?
Secretary for Education: Of course, all teachers need to have sufficient training and throughout their career they also have to upgrade themselves. But I think, at least it shows that the Government highly values the teaching force in our society and we could attract more talent into this area.
Reporter: One question on the schools in the Greater Bay Area. What is the actual target? And you just said it's for Hong Kong people, not Mainlanders. Can you talk about that?
Secretary for Education: During our thinking process, our focus is on Hong Kong people. So when we talk about setting up schools in the Greater Bay Area offering Hong Kong curriculum, we only have the Hong Kong people in mind. But of course, it all depends on all the future negotiations and developments. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, October 15, 2018
Issued at HKT 10:51
Issued at HKT 10:51
NNNN