A leading educationist says girls should be encouraged to study technical subjects at school, in order to break down gender stereotyping.
Lam Chi-chung, associate professor at the Department of Curriculum Instruction at Chinese University of Hong Kong, said a technical education should not be seen as an all-male preserve but should appeal all students.
'Curriculum design in basic education should provide a balanced and broad learning experience for everyone, and girls should get the same opportunity to receive an education in technology as boys,' Dr Lam said.
Most secondary schools gave Design and Technology (D & T) low priority in the curriculum because they did not understand the subject, he said.
'They perceive it as masculine because of its nature and because most D & T teachers are males.
'This misconception only reinforces their deeply rooted ideas.' Dr Lam said schools should be more flexible about allowing students to choose the subjects they studied.
He added that in-service and pre- service teachers needed to upgrade their understanding of the subject.
