Bias toward Chinese medium schools and neglect of more-receptive primary students triggers anger
The $1.1 billion package unveiled this week to boost language teaching in secondary schools has been welcomed by those who stand to benefit but criticised by some for its perceived bias towards Chinese medium schools.
But while English medium schools complain they should be funded on equal terms, some of the strongest criticism has come from primary schools, who say their needs have been overlooked.
'The root of the problem is not in secondary schools, it is in primary schools,' said Shin Kei-lit, chairman of Sha Tin Primary School Heads' Association. 'If you look at the results of Primary Six assessments you can see the standard of English has been falling. We do not have enough resources.'
The proposals were included in the final report of the Education Commission's working group on medium of instruction for secondary schools and secondary school places allocation, published this week. The Education and Manpower Bureau will present them to the Legislative Council's panel on education on Monday.
In the proposals, Chinese medium schools will be eligible to apply for an annual grant of up to $500,000 for a fixed period of six years to boost their English teaching capabilities. English medium schools, on the other hand, will be able to apply for a one-off grant of $500,000. The plans also include $200 million to be set aside to support teaching in Putonghua.
Cheung Chi-hung, chairman of the Aided Primary School Heads' Association, said it would be more cost-effective to direct the funds to primary schools as younger children picked up languages more quickly. 'It is not a question of it being fair or unfair. I'm not envious that secondary schools are getting so much,' he said. 'But if we can do this well, then the needs of secondary schools would be reduced.'
