The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Governing Board Meeting organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Malta from April 17 to 19 (Malta time) to discuss the current status of and future planning for PISA with representatives from other regions.
Dr Choi said that PISA provides invaluable science-based data for governments and educators to benchmark student performance against the international norm, analyse students' strengths and weaknesses, and focus on key factors that shape students' learning in order to develop more effective education measures.
She pointed out that Hong Kong students have consistently performed well in PISA, and results have shown that family background and socio-economic status have minimal bearing on their performance, reflecting the high quality and equity of the Hong Kong education system. She said she believes that PISA will continue to provide useful indicators for examining, assessing and monitoring education systems, and provide rich insights to inform learning and teaching.
On April 19 (Malta time), Dr Choi attended a forum on lifelong learning co-organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation of Malta. During the forum, she highlighted that the 15-year basic education in Hong Kong aims to nurture students' lifelong and self-directed learning capabilities and foster their whole-person development. The broad and balanced curriculum framework enables students to acquire diverse learning experiences in the domains of ethics, intellect, physique, social skills and aesthetics through various key learning areas and life-wide learning activities.
Dr Choi emphasised that students should be equipped with the 21st century competencies to cope with the changing future. She shared Hong Kong's efforts and good practices in promoting reading across the curriculum, values education and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education. These practices aim to nurture lifelong learners who possess a sense of social responsibility, an affection for their families and country and an international perspective, and will work together for the well-being of mankind.
On the same day, Dr Choi met the Principal of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, Professor James Calleja, to discuss how to promote developments in vocational and professional education and training to meet the needs of society.
On April 18 (Malta time), Dr Choi joined a meeting on education issues with education officials from other regions attending the PISA Governing Board Meeting. She also met representatives from the Confucius Institute of the University of Malta to learn about their experiences in promoting Chinese language and culture in Malta. In addition, she visited the University of Malta and met its leaders, and toured the Malta Visual and Performing Arts School.
On April 17 (Malta time), Dr Choi met the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Dr Clifton Grima, to exchange views on higher-education co-operation between Hong Kong and Malta. She also paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Malta, Mr Yu Dunhai, to brief him on the latest education developments in Hong Kong.
Dr Choi will depart for Frankfurt, Germany, on April 20 (Malta time) to continue her visit.
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