Special June 2020 | Youth Hong Kong
Meeting challenges T
he Education Bureau (EDB) attaches great importance to nurturing essential skills, positive values and attitudes that enable students to cope with 21st century challenges.
Kevin Yeung Secretary for Education
The Hong Kong curriculum includes knowledge and skills related to science, technology and information technology. It embraces creativity, interpersonal and collaborative skills, as well as innovative thinking, global, civic and cultural awareness. Values such as citizenship and respect are also constantly promoted as essential for preparing students for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
E-learning and computer skills The covid-19 pandemic has been one such challenge. It brought up-to-date e-learning and computer skills into the limelight: crucial skills for applying Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in learning and in daily life. These skills allow for the ethical, flexible and effective use of information and information technology (IT). They also involve an awareness of the ways in which technological development and innovation change the way we live. Specific computer skills lie within the curriculum’s Technology Education Key Learning Area. At primary level, basic IT knowledge and coding skills are included. At junior secondary level, the ICT curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to apply ICT in daily life and use relevant technology to solve problems. A review of ICT at senior secondary level is underway, with the view of strengthening students’ computational thinking 32
and enhancing their understanding of technological developments, including Artificial Intelligence.
Wellbeing, stress and mental health We should always adopt a positive attitude even in tough times and I agree very much with the saying “There are always more solutions than problems in life”. The Government has been soliciting the collaborative efforts of different stakeholders to address issues concerning wellbeing and the EDB has been encouraging the adoption of the Whole School Approach to promote mental health education and enhance support for students with mental health needs. Life education, or the ability to understand the meaning of life and how to cherish, respect and explore it, has been incorporated into different learning themes within the school curriculum. The EDB has also provided schools with relevant learning materials and professional development programmes. It offers structured training courses to serve teachers who are supporting students with special educational needs (SEN), some of which include content or modules on mental illness. Every school year, EDB also organizes talks, seminars and experience-sharing sessions to raise teachers’ awareness of mental health and enhance their professional
