Hong Kong parents and educators slam use of personal student test data for breakfast study
Critics worry that the information could be used to identify test takers and affect their future prospects
The use of “personal data” from the Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) tests for a recently released study by a university academic has sparked concern among parents and educators that such information could be used against the students.
On Wednesday, two parent concern groups issued letters to the Education Bureau, raising concerns about the release of data from the tests for purposes other than those stated by the bureau.
The bureau has said the TSA is used to gauge overall student attainment of basic competencies at the territory-wide level and school level so as to improve learning and teaching in schools.
An Education Bureau spokeswoman explained that the academic institution conducting the study was given permission by schools and parents, who were participating on a voluntary basis.
“The information from the survey was matched with the TSA data by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority. The TSA data was coded before the academic institution further analysed the results,” she said.