Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s school year will not be extended despite disruptions to face-to-face classes, government says

Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung maintains schools have ‘effectively sustained’ pupils’ motivation over months of online courses

However, surveys have shown both students and teachers had concerns about keeping up with progress in virtual lessons

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The government has no plans to extend Hong Kong’s school year after months of face-to-face classes being suspended. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 6:10pm, 6 Jan 2021Updated: 9:57am, 7 Jan 2021

Hong Kong’s education minister has said there are no plans to extend the school term or shorten holidays, despite face-to-face classes being suspended for more than two months due to the coronavirus pandemic since the academic year started in September.

Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung maintained in a written response to lawmakers on Wednesday that most schools had “effectively sustained students’ learning motivation and progress” during online lessons, though previous surveys have shown some teachers and pupils were concerned about keeping up with the curriculum.

In-person classes at Hong Kong schools were suspended from early December until at least the end of the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February, with only small groups of pupils allowed back on campus for half-day classes or exams.

Over the past year, classes have mostly been conducted online.

Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung. Photo: Nora Tam

A poll conducted by Save the Children last May showed more than 66 per cent of 274 primary and secondary school students experienced difficulties staying focused during virtual classes, with one-third saying they were only learning a little, or not at all.

Another survey in November by the city’s second-biggest teachers’ union, the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, found over 70 per cent of 1,200 teachers polled felt pressure in handling online lessons and keeping up with teaching progress.