Most teachers are spoon-feeding students in liberal studies classes, a University of Hong Kong study has found, despite this method being discouraged in a subject that was a key component of education reforms.
Liberal studies, which was introduced in September last year as a compulsory subject for all pupils in forms four to six, is part of the new university entrance examination, the Hong Kong Diploma for Secondary Education.
HKU researchers said liberal studies, an exercise in reasoned thought and debate, had instilled a sense of critical thinking among students but failed to help them develop the ability to generate new ideas.
Teachers were relying heavily on textbooks, despite an Education Bureau guideline that they should not do so, said Wong Ka-lok, a teaching consultant at HKU's education faculty.
The study also found that many of the 70,000 students who sat the first liberal studies exam in May had resorted to reciting answers.
The study asked more than 300 teachers from some 60 schools between January and May this year to fill out questionnaires, and describe the method of learning among students and their concerns.
Nearly 90 per cent of teachers said their main source of teaching materials came from textbooks. Only a small number believed that pupils should be encouraged to explore new ideas through their own critical thinking, the researchers found.