Secondary school principals welcome the idea of recruiting native Putonghua-speaking teachers (NPT) but have expressed concern about putting the plan into practice.
The idea of an NPT scheme was put forward recently following last year's implementation of the NET (native English-speaking teacher) scheme in secondary schools.
Advocates of the NPT scheme say it will ensure students are exposed to correct Putonghua pronunciation and accents.
Ming Kei College principal Stephen Hui Chin-yim said: 'Most Putonghua teachers speak Cantonese as their mother tongue.
'Even though they have received professional training and have practised speaking Putonghua for several months in the mainland, many still encounter some difficulties in teaching students the correct accent and pronunciation.' Episcopal delegate for education at the Catholic Education Office, Lawrence Lo Kong-kai, said he would welcome such a move if it did not involve heavy expenditure and special arrangements for the teachers.
Mr Lo said implementation of the scheme would be less complicated than with native English teachers.