Hong Kong primary schools told to stop drilling to prepare for controversial exams

Primary schools must stop giving extra classes and training to Primary Three children to prepare them for much-criticised city-wide assessment exams, the Education Bureau announced yesterday.

The appeal is the latest attempt by the government to diffuse the public outcry against the Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) after parents threatened to boycott the tests if there is no announcement to scrap them by Christmas.

READ MORE: Hong Kong parents plan class boycott over TSA exam pressure on pupils

In a letter issued to heads of primary schools, the bureau said TSA training had to stop. It also expressed concern over how some schools were exerting unnecessary pressure on pupils due to the exams.

"Some schools were arranging extra classes, training or mock examinations in the name of the assessment," the letter said.

"We have also received complaints about some individual schools exerting unnecessary pressure [on students], which has affected their interest in learning and even their health."

The bureau said the exams were aimed at assessing the basic abilities of schoolchildren and helping them to advance their education.