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'No change' on language policy

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The current medium of instruction policy is likely to remain in place after lobbying by schools to determine their own language policies was rejected.

The Education Commission working group drawing up proposals for both secondary school places allocation and medium of instruction met with school representatives and education concern groups this week.

It indicated its preference for maintaining the status quo, with schools given either English-medium (EMI) or Chinese-medium schools (CMI) status, according to those who attended the meetings.

Ho Hon-kuen, vice-chairman of the pressure group Education Convergence, said the working group was planning to tighten the eligibility for schools who wished to teach in English.

More than 85 per cent of their students would have to have proven English ability on admission. Teachers would need to have a minimum grade C in English in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education exams and at least a D at A-level. They might also be subject to occasional language tests to ensure standards, he said.

'If the above suggestion is approved, there will be more pressure on teachers,' said Mr Ho, also vice-principal of a CMI school.

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