The arts are expected to play a greater role in schools in the wake of a critical Culture and Heritage Commission report which hit out at the marginal role the crucial subjects play in local education.
Under the Arts Development Council (ADC) proposal, a special committee of education officials, artists and representatives from the Home Affairs Bureau will promote arts education.
The proposal was recently submitted to the Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Chi-ping in response to recommendations on promoting culture and arts in Hong Kong made by the commission following its scathing April report.
The commission condemned the current curriculum as ill-adapted to the needs of the 21st century. Students had limited exposure to art forms and there was limited emphasis on creativity and aesthetics.
'The special committee can persuade schools to teach various subjects such as drama, history and language through arts. It will have the same standing as Civic Education Commission,'' said ADC chairman Darwin Chen Tat-man.
The ADC has proposed integrating various art forms such as multi-media art, dance, drama and xiqu (Chinese opera).
