Some Hong Kong primary school pupils may not need to sit written tests, exams for new humanities subject: education minister

Education minister Christine Choi says authorities considering proposal to assess pupils using quizzes or by having them draw pictures in new humanities course

‘Teachers can observe students’ performance by assessing whether they understand the issue through discussions or even the look in their eyes,’ she says

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Hong Kong pupils attend a flag-raising ceremony at a primary school. The new humanities course will replace general studies, which was launched in 1996. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 1:15pm, 25 Nov 2023Updated: 7:18pm, 25 Nov 2023

Some Hong Kong primary school pupils may not need to sit written tests and exams as part of a new humanities curriculum designed to boost patriotism, the city’s education minister has said.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin on Saturday said authorities were considering a proposal from the school sector to test Primary One and Two pupils’ understanding through other means, with possible options including quizzes and drawing pictures.

“We should not use written assessment to gauge what students have learned,” she told a radio programme. “We hope to use lively and diversified teaching approaches. Teachers can observe students’ performance by assessing whether they understand the issue through discussions or even the look in [pupils’] eyes.”

The primary school humanities subject, alongside a new science course, will replace general studies and focus more on patriotic education. The two subjects will be introduced in the 2025-26 academic year and each consists of two to three lessons every week.

Pupils will be required to learn about the country’s achievements under the Chinese Communist Party and the national security law.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi speaks at a press conference last month. She says teachers should prepare thoroughly for the new course. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Among the different year levels, Primary One pupils will be taught to love the nation and learn that “without a country, there is no family”.

Education Bureau officials said the curriculum was largely based on general studies, which dates back to 1996, but the new subject would bolster patriotic education by including elements of Chinese culture, history and geography.