New secondary programme raises concerns for those who might need a second chance
The launch of the new senior secondary academic structure in September will lead to revolutionary changes across the whole education sector. The repercussions will be even more far-reaching than those of the medium-of-instruction fine-tuning policy.
Although the launch is just a few months away, many issues have yet to be tackled. One concerns those students taking the final Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) in the 2009-10 academic year.
While students who do well in the exam can progress to Form Six, those who score below-average marks will be left in the lurch. Those who perform below par will be allowed to retake the HKCEE in 2010-11, but they will not be able to continue into Form Six, given the new syllabus. If those students are still to go to university, they have to enrol in the second year of the new senior secondary structure [Secondary Five].
My son will be among the students taking that final HKCEE next year, so I have been paying particular attention to the issue. I have asked a number of schools whether they will set aside Form Five places for such students so they can study the new curriculum and sit the public exam, the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE). However, none of them is planning to offer such places as they believe such students, who will skip the first year of the senior secondary curriculum [Secondary Four], might have difficulty adapting to the demands of the new curriculum.
Given the intense competition for Form Six places every year, parents are worried whether students who take the last HKCEE will really get a second chance to continue their studies.
The uncertainties facing those students who score below-average marks in the 2009-10 HKCEE are much worse than those who flunk the test altogether. For the lowest scorers, instead of considering a second exam attempt, they can simply opt for vocational or practical courses. Those in real trouble will be those with below-average scores.
Another issue that concerns me is the shortage of classrooms. This will be particularly problematic in 2011 when schools have to accommodate both those students sitting the final Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) and the first batch of graduates under the new system who will sit the inaugural HKDSE. Many of the construction projects designed to accommodate the double batch have yet to be approved, so there's a worry that facilities will not be ready in time.
Despite my concerns regarding the preparation for the 3+3+4 launch, I sincerely believe the education reform will do students a great deal of good in the long term.
I believe the 3+3+4 reform is intended to release students from the straitjacket of the current system, which tends to value rote-learning over critical thinking skills. The replacement of the HKCEE and HKALE with the HKDSE can no doubt lessen pressure on students. However, some might argue that the one-off nature of the exam will make it a life-and-death affair that puts even more stress on students.
There must be chaos accompanying any major reform. That the school sector will be chaotic when the reform is first launched is a foregone conclusion. We should be psychologically prepared for any early failings.
Raymond Jao Ming is president of the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations of Eastern District. He has a son currently studying in a government-aided school. He was talking to Elaine Yau.
