Boost for Putonghua

Longer and more frequent Putonghua courses will be offered in the new academic year so teachers are able to give lessons in the language before the handover.

The Hong Kong Institute of Education has said it will offer more than 1,800 places on courses for primary and secondary school teachers next month.

The number is more than twice the previous figure of 680.

Some of the courses which cover basic pinyin, daily conversation and methodology, will be extended from 60 hours to 120 hours in the academic year.