Review of school inspections critical of teachers' methods and management
Students in nearly half of local schools recently inspected continue to learn in a teacher-centred environment that fails to challenge or interest them, despite six years of education reforms aimed at putting them first, a report released yesterday by the Education and Manpower Bureau reveals.
Poor and unaccountable management in about one in three schools is also contributing to falling staff morale, and an unhealthy attitude to school inspections resulting in unnecessary work for teachers.
The annual report on school inspections carried out in primary, secondary and special schools in the 2004-05 school year found that although schools had made progress in certain areas of reform, much work remained to be done.
The findings were based on External School Reviews of 71 primary schools, 60 secondary schools and eight special schools, plus the more intensive Quality Assurance Inspections of two primary schools.
Some of the document's sternest criticism is levelled at teachers' methods and classroom management. It says teachers in 'nearly half of the schools' did not give students enough praise or encouragement, had 'merely mediocre' questioning skills that failed to stimulate students and were underestimating students' abilities.