Make students think for themselves
Hong Kong’s education system has been criticised for spoon-feeding because students just memorise the teaching material that is given by the teacher or acquire some skills to take the exam. Many students fail to acquire critical thinking skills and other talents that will be useful in later life, especially when they find a job. Students are simply studying to prepare for exams and they have lost the inspiration to chase more knowledge that will be useful to them. We all know there are many university graduates who cannot find a job.
Schools need to offer more liberal studies lessons to allow students to develop their critical thinking, which will be crucial in their futures.
Critical thinking and creativity will be much more useful in the long term than just passing an exam. The knowledge needed for an exam may not necessarily be relevant later but the critical thinking skills will last a lifetime. More discussion sessions during lessons would make students think more and not just rely on the answer given by teachers.
The government also should promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). The objectives of STEM education are to prepare youngsters for the future needs of society through learning activities that require knowledge and skills across all the four disciplines so that they can solve problems, innovate and create.
Kitty Lui Sze-ki, Hang Hau