Preparing for the Changes in the Senior Secondary Curriculum

In April 2021, The Education Bureau (EDB) officially announced changes in the curriculum at Secondary 4 level from the beginning of the 2021/22 school year. How have schools and teachers reacted and what do students think?

Changes in curriculum and examination formats affect four core senior secondary subjects: Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and Liberal Studies, now called Citizenship and Social Development (CSD). Hong Kong’s Education Bureau (EDB) says the changes release lesson time and enhance curriculum flexibility, enabling schools to cater for students’ diverse learning and development needs for the sake of a better future1

These changes, announced and implemented in such a short period of time, have raised much concern in the education sector. They affect planning and preparation as well as students’ learning, as this survey reveals.

Key points from 395 secondary teachers2 l Generally, understanding of curriculum change is rated above 6:

§ 7.46 Chinese Language

§ 8.02 English Language

§ 8.72 Mathematics

§ 6.34 CSD

● 4.8 is the average rating on progress in materials for Chinese Language

● 2.49 is the average on progress in materials for CSD

Responses from 96 former Liberal Studies teachers

● 3.63 is the average confidence rating.

● 7.97 is the level of pressure felt

Pressure on teachers in other subjects was less:

● 5.99 Chinese Language

● 4.77 Mathematics

● 72.9% say the module on “Hong Kong under One Country, Two Systems” in CSD is the most difficult to teach.

Views of 975 secondary school students l Ratings of interest in CSD modules:

§ 4.37 Hong Kong under One Country, Two Systems

§ 4.20 Our Country since Reform and Opening-up

§ 5.71 Interconnectedness and Interdependence of the Contemporary World l Preferences on using released lesson time:

§ 45.4% want to explore personal interests

§ 34.4% want to participate in experiential learning

Comment from a school principal

“Overall curriculum planning is the most difficult part as it involves rearranging teacher resources and balancing the abilities of students and parents’ views.”

Comments from Youth I.D.E.A.S. think tank members

Derren Lam, group deputy convenor “The EDB needs to promote these changes and explain them so everyone concerned understands the aims and details better.”

Kiu Cheng, group member “More teaching materials, sample examination papers and interactive workshops are needed for lesson planning and teacher confidence.”

Dickson Kwok, group member “A mechanism involving teachers for curriculum review that fosters diversified learning is essential. The importance and time allocated to “Other Learning Experiences” and “Applied Learning” could also be increased.”

Report No.63 HKFYG Youth I.D.E.A.S.

Education group

Published title Preparing for the Changes in the Senior Secondary Curriculum

Participants/respondents 395 secondary school core subject teachers and 975 junior secondary school students. 3 principals and 11 teachers were interviewed in-depth. More details in Chinese yrc.hkfyg.org. hk/2021/08/30/yi063/

Enquiries Vivian Yeung 3755 7038