TSA fight continues: Hong Kong principals slam education bureau for telling schools to stop drilling for exams
Two associations also call for direct dialogue with the government and suspending an upcoming administration of the controversial test
Education secretary Eddie Ng Hak-kim yesterday admitted the decision to issue a guideline to primary schools that banned them from training students for a controversial citywide examination was "too rushed" and "lacked communication".
But Ng dismissed the suggestion that such a guideline should be withdrawn, despite two associations of primary school principals jointly issuing a statement yesterday saying they were "furious" over the call.
The latest outcry stemmed from a letter the bureau issued to primary school heads on Friday instructing them to stop drilling for the Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA).
The two groups - the Aided Primary School Heads Association and the Subsidised Primary School Council - also renewed their calls to suspend the upcoming assessments for Primary Three pupils next June.
READ MORE: Schools violating policy against extra TSA drills may get written warnings, says Education Minister
In order to diffuse their anger, Ng said the bureau would meet with the groups who expressed concern as soon as possible to explain the new advice. He added the urgency of the letter was so that students could enjoy the holiday period.
"Since parents were expressing concerns about the TSA putting pressure on their children, the bureau could not shrug off its responsibility [in issuing the guideline]," he said.